Drexel University Physician Assistant Program prerequisites

6 credits · lab

"Biology: Two courses with labs; acceptable options include the 100 level introductory sequence commonly titled general biology 1 and 2" and so on, or "cell, molecular, evolutionary, organismal, or developmental biology. Genetics and microbiology are not acceptable as they are separate requirements." Each course at least 3 semester credits.

3 credits · lab

Most PA programmes ask for 2 semesters · 8 credits · lab.

"Chemistry: One course with lab; general, organic or biochemistry accepted." One course only, and any of the three fills it.

No published minimum

Not required on its own. Organic chemistry is on the strongly recommended elective list and, taken with lab, also satisfies Drexel's single chemistry requirement.

1 semester · 3 credits

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

Not required on its own. Biochemistry is a strongly recommended elective and, with lab, can serve as the one chemistry course Drexel requires.

Not on Drexel's prerequisite list or its recommended elective list.

1 semester · 3 credits

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

Not a prerequisite at Drexel. Statistics appears on the strongly recommended elective list.

1 semester · 3 credits

"Psychology: One course; general, introduction to, developmental, or abnormal accepted." Abnormal and developmental psychology are also on the recommended elective list.

1 semester · 3 credits

"Genetics: One course; general, human, or medical accepted."

6 credits · lab

Most PA programmes ask for 2 semesters · 8 credits · lab.

"The requirement is the complete study of the anatomy and physiology of all the major human bodily systems. Typically, this requires either two semester-long or three quarter-long courses with laboratory components to accomplish. Alternatively, Human Anatomy with lab and Human Physiology (with or without lab) will satisfy the requirement. Exercise Physiology does not satisfy this requirement." Each course at least 3 semester credits. "It is strongly recommended that anatomy and physiology coursework be completed within three to five years of application."

3 credits

Most PA programmes ask for 1 semester · 4 credits · lab.

"Microbiology: One course, preferably with lab; general, introduction to, or medical accepted. Individual courses in bacteriology, virology, mycology, or parasitology do not satisfy this requirement." Lab preferred, not required.

1 credits

Most PA programmes ask for 1 credits and list it as recommended.

Required here: "This must be a course dedicated to medical terminology. A course containing medical terminology as only one component/unit/module of the course curriculum will not satisfy this requirement." Minimum 1 credit; "Pass" or "Credit" grading is accepted for this course only.

No published minimum

Nutrition is on Drexel's list of strongly recommended electives.

500+ hours

"A minimum of 500 hours of clearly documented volunteer or paid direct hands-on patient care experience, accrued by the time of application to Drexel University and recorded as part of the official CASPA application, are required." Commonly seen roles include athletic trainer, CNA, dental hygienist or assistant, dietician, ED technician, EMT or paramedic, home health aide, medical assistant, corpsman, mental health technician, medical research with patient contact, medical scribe, nurse, orderly or patient transport, PCT, phlebotomist, PT and PTA, radiologic technologist, respiratory therapist, surgical technician and ultrasound technician. "The position of pharmacy technician is not considered direct patient contact." Shadowing does not count.

500+ hours

"Administrative work performed in a health care setting will not satisfy the required 500 hours of direct patient contact, but should be recorded under the 'Health Care Experience' section of the CASPA application. This would include positions such as medical receptionist, unit clerk, etc." No number is attached.

20+ hours

"Shadowing is strongly recommended but is not considered direct patient contact. There is no set minimum hour requirement." Virtual shadowing may be listed if clearly identified, in person is preferred, and "Shadowing PAs in primary care settings is highly recommended."

100+ hours

"The Drexel Physician Assistant Program gives preference to applicants who have demonstrated significant community or volunteer service (a minimum of 100 hours recorded on the CASPA application). All types of community service and volunteer activities will be considered. If volunteer hours are accrued through patient care activities, these hours will be accepted for both patient contact hours and volunteer hours."

Academic instructors are preferred without a science restriction; recorded on the any-discipline faculty line.

1 letter

"Two letters of recommendation are required" and up to five are encouraged. "Preferred references are from individuals who have been in a supervisory capacity over the applicant or academic instructors who have personal knowledge of the applicant." An instructor of any discipline is one of the two preferred sources.

No PA letter is named; the two required letters should come from supervisors or instructors with personal knowledge of the applicant.

1 letter

Most PA programmes publish no minimum.

Preferred rather than mandated: "individuals who have been in a supervisory capacity over the applicant". Letters from "friends, relatives, personal physicians, or instructors who do not possess a personal, supervisory knowledge of the applicants are discouraged."