BSU Catalog Home | Pre-Professional Program

Pre-Physician Assistant

Dr. Kerry Openshaw (Advisor)

1. The pre-physician assistant student should fulfill all requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree at Bemidji State University. The student should declare an academic major. Pre-Physician Assistant is not an academic major. Although the major may be in any field of study, experience indicates that a Biology major will provide the student with an advantage while attending physician assistant school.
2. Early entrance into physician assistant school is possible for some students. Many physician assistant programs now require more patient care hours to qualify for entrance into their program. Physician Assistant programs in the United States vary significantly, and the pre-physician assistant student must research the type of program they desire to enter. In addition, some physician assistant schools may require more courses than listed below. It is the responsibility of the pre-physician assistant student to become aware of these additional requirements and to plan his or her pre-physician assistant curriculum accordingly.
3. The pre-physician assistant student should work closely with the pre-physician assistant advisor so all course requirements are filled prior to entrance into physician assistant school. Delay in meeting with the pre-physician assistant advisor will likely result in delayed entrance into physician assistant school.
4. In addition to a strong background in behavioral sciences, English, and humanities, the following courses are specifically required for entrance into most physician assistant schools:

   BIOL 1211, 1212, 2110, 2360, 3710
   CHEM 1211, 1212, 2311, 2312, 2371, 2372
   ENGL 1001, 1002
   MATH 1470
   PHYS 1101, 1102 (or) 2101, 2102

5. The following courses are strongly recommended to be included in the student's pre-physician assistant curriculum:

   ACCT 1100
   BIOL 1300, 3580, 3920, 4220, 4590
   CHEM 3411, 3412, 3471
   PSY 1100
   SOC 1104, 1105
   THSP 1100

6. A suggested pre-physician assistant academic schedule is listed below; numbers in parentheses are semester credits:

Freshman

BIOL 1211, 1212; F, S; (4,4)
CHEM 1211, 1212; F, S; (4,4)
ENGL 1001, 1002; F, S; (4,4)
MATH 1470; F or S; (5)
Electives: Consult your Pre-Physician Assistant Advisor

Sophomore

BIOL 1300; F or S; (2)
BIOL 2360, 3710; F, S; (4,4)
BIOL 3920; F; (1)
CHEM 2311, 2312; F, S; (3,3)
CHEM 2371, 2372; F, S; (1,1)
PHYS: Consult your Pre-Physician Assistant Advisor
Electives: Consult your Pre-Physician Assistant Advisor

Junior

Consult your Pre-Physician Assistant Advisor

Senior

Consult your Pre-Physician Assistant Advisor