Arcadia University Physician Assistant Program prerequisites

2 semesters · 8 credits · lab

Arcadia's biology block is "five courses with labs to include Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology." With those three recorded on their own lines, two more biological science courses with lab remain; the program does not name them. Biochemistry is listed under biological sciences as recommended and can count here, or as a chemistry course if five other biology courses are present.

2 semesters · 8 credits · lab

Arcadia asks for three chemistry courses with labs in total, at least one of them organic; the remaining two are unspecified and general chemistry is the usual answer. Biochemistry may count as a chemistry course if the applicant has five other biology courses.

1 semester · 4 credits · lab

"Chemistry, three courses with labs to include at least one semester of Organic Chemistry." One organic semester with lab is the stated floor.

1 semester · 3 credits

Most PA programmes ask for 1 semester · 3 credits and list it as required.

"Biochemistry is recommended," listed under biological sciences. Not required.

2 semesters · 6 credits

English composition, usually two semesters where it is asked for at all.

1 semester · 3 credits

"Statistics, one course."

1 semester · 3 credits

"Psychology, one course."

2 semesters · 8 credits · lab

Two of the five biology courses: "Candidates may take either a full semester of anatomy and a full semester of physiology OR A&P I and A&P II," with labs. No expiration date on prerequisites.

1 semester · 4 credits · lab

Named within the five biology courses with labs.

1 credits

"Course is not required but highly recommended. It is necessary to pass a medical terminology exam based on the textbook 'The Language of Medicine' by Davi-Ellen Chabner (Edition 8 or later). The exam is given during the first month of the program."

200+ hours

Most PA programmes ask for 500+ hours.

"A minimum of 200 hours of patient care experience." "Patient care experiences should involve direct contact with and care for patients in a medical setting," with examples such as CNA, EMT, paramedic, PT aide, home health aide, medical assistant, patient care technician, phlebotomist, athletic trainer and behavioral health technician. "Administrative and research experiences, although valuable, do not qualify," shadowing is not accepted as patient care, and "Hours of patient care experience gained as part of a degree or certificate training program are also not accepted." The floor is low; the Class of 2028 averaged 3,173 hours.

500+ hours

Many programs publish one combined healthcare figure instead of splitting patient care from healthcare exposure; where they do, the number lands here. Median published minimum is 500 hours.

20+ hours

"Hours spent shadowing physician assistants (PAs) and healthcare providers is recommended for exposure to the profession, but are not accepted as direct patient care hours." No number is published; the program says it values "clinical shadowing experience in the profession."

The preferred academic letter is "from a professor" with no science restriction; recorded on the any-discipline faculty line.

1 letter

Of the three letters, "Ideally... one from a professor." Any discipline; phrased as a preference, not a rule.

1 letter

Most PA programmes publish no minimum.

Three letters required from "individuals who can judge your character, work ethic, or aptitude. Ideally, one from a physician assistant or other licensed medical provider." A PA is preferred, any licensed provider answers it, and the wording is a preference rather than a requirement.

Arcadia names no supervisor letter; its preferences are a PA or licensed medical provider and a professor.