Pre-Physician Assistant Program
Physician assistants are taught at educational programs located primarily in university schools of medicine and allied health. Most physician assistant programs require 24-28 months to complete, although programs vary in length. Most programs require applicants to have completed a minimum of three years of college prior to admission and to have had previous health care experience. Most successful applicants to PA programs have earned a bachelor's degree as the majority of PA programs are at the graduate level.
Prerequisite course requirements vary from school to school. Students are encouraged to consult with their advisor, determine which physician assistant programs are of interest, and pattern their course work to fulfill these specific program requirements.
In order to be licensed in Idaho, physician assistants must have a baccalaureate degree. The health science studies degree (see Department of Health Studies) is very compatible with the requirements of most physician assistant professional schools. Check out the American Academy of Physician's Assistants website, or the CASPA .
Advisors
| Name and Email | Position and Department | Phone | Office |
| Glenda Hill ghill@boisestate.edu |
Director, Pre-Professional Studies | 426-3832 | HSR 124 |
| Erin Colburn erincolburn@boisestate.edu |
Pre-Health/Pre-Professional Advisor | 426-2454 | HSR 122 |
Pre-Physician Assistant Course Work
| Course Number and Title | Credits |
| ENGL 101, 102 English Composition | 6 |
| Area I core (determined by professional school or degree choice) | 6-12 |
| Area II core (determined by professional school or degree choice) Suggested courses: COMM 101, PSYC 101, SOC 101 |
6-12 |
| BIOL 100 Concepts of Biology OR BIOL 191-192 General Biology May be required or recommended by professional school |
4-8 |
| BIOL 227, 228 Human Anatomy and Physiology | 8 |
| CHEM 111, 111L - 112, 112L College Chemistry I and II with Labs | 8 |
| CHEM 301/302 or 307/308, 309/310 Organic CHEM and Lab (may be required or recommended) |
5-10 |
| CHEM 431 Biochemistry* | 3 |
| HLTHST 101 Medical Terminology | 3 |
| MATH 147 Precalculus OR MATH 143-144 College Algebra and Analytic Trigonometry Depends on math requirements at professional school or degree choice |
5 |
| PSYC 295 Statistical Methods OR MATH 254 Applied Statistics | 3-4 |
| PSYC 301 Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| Total | 69-91 |
| *May be required or recommended by different programs | |