PA · Elon, North Carolina · private
Elon University Physician Assistant Program prerequisites
What Elon asks for in the 2026-27 cycle, as read from the school's own admissions page. 13 lines differ from the standard PA school set, marked below.
Coursework
- General chemistry with labrequired
2 semesters · 8 credits · lab
Two four credit chemistry courses with lab: "General Chemistry with Lab (4 semester hours)" plus "Additional Chemistry with Lab (4 semester hours): Examples include, but are not limited to chemistry 2, biochemistry, organic chemistry." A second semester of general chemistry satisfies the additional course, so the baseline sequence answers this line, but biochemistry or organic chemistry with lab can take its place.
- Biochemistrynot required here
Biochemistry is not required by name. It appears only as one example that can satisfy either the "Additional Chemistry with Lab" course or the upper level science course.
- English or writing-intensivenot required here
No English or writing requirement is listed; psychology is the only non science prerequisite.
- Statisticsnot required here
No statistics or mathematics course appears anywhere in Elon's prerequisite list.
- Psychologyrequired
1 semester · 3 credits
"1 Psychology Course (3 semester hours): It is preferred that this course is from the psychology department, but an upper-level course from another department may be acceptable." The only non science prerequisite.
- Anatomy and physiologyrequireddiffers
7 credits · lab
Most PA programmes ask for 2 semesters · 8 credits · lab.
"Human Anatomy & Human Physiology: one full academic year (a minimum of seven semester hours)," taken either as one semester each of anatomy and physiology or as two combined semesters. Seven credits rather than the baseline eight. The lab is required with anatomy and with combined A&P courses; for a standalone physiology course "A lab is preferred but not required." Ten year recency window from enrollment.
- Microbiologyrequireddiffers
3 credits
Most PA programmes ask for 1 semester · 4 credits · lab.
"Microbiology (3 semester hours)." No laboratory is named for microbiology; the FAQ lists labs as required only for anatomy, general chemistry and the additional chemistry course.
- Medical terminologynot required here
Medical terminology is not mentioned on Elon's admission requirements page.
- Additional science creditsrequiredextra here
1 semester · 3 credits
"1 Upper-Level Science (3 semester hours): Examples include, but are not limited, to biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, exercise physiology, genetics, immunology and organic chemistry 2." Elon defines this by level rather than by subject, and organic chemistry 2 on the list means it is not a biology only slot.
Experience hours
- Patient care experiencerecommendeddiffers
500+ hours
Most PA programmes ask for 500+ hours and list it as required.
Elon's 1,000 hour minimum is written against healthcare experience broadly, not hands on patient care, so the floor is recorded on the healthcare experience line. Direct patient care still carries the weight: "Preference will be given to candidates who have direct patient care experiences that required a prior period of training based on the length/rigor of the required training." The FAQ defines patient care experience as "Experiences in which you are directly responsible for a patient's care."
- Healthcare experiencerequireddiffers
1000+ hours
Most PA programmes ask for 500+ hours and list it as recommended.
"A minimum of 1,000 hours of volunteer or work experience in a health care setting with at least 20 of these hours spent observing a physician assistant is required." The FAQ defines healthcare experience as "Both paid and unpaid work in a health or health-related field," so this number is the combined bucket rather than hands on care alone.
- PA shadowingrequireddiffers
20+ hours
Most PA programmes ask for 20+ hours and list it as recommended.
Twenty hours observing a PA specifically, counted within the 1,000 hour requirement: "at least 20 of these hours spent observing a physician assistant is required," and "The 20 hours of observing a physician assistant must be complete at the time of application."
Letters
- Science faculty letterrecommendeddiffers
1 letter
Most PA programmes publish no minimum.
A professor or academic adviser is among the writers Elon accepts for the two open letters, with no restriction to science faculty and no faculty letter mandated.
- PA letterrequireddiffers
1 letter
Most PA programmes publish no minimum and list it as recommended.
"Three recommendation letters are required, including one from a Physician Assistant or other healthcare provider; and two others." A PA is the writer named first, but another healthcare provider satisfies the same slot.
- Supervisor letterrecommendeddiffers
1 letter
Most PA programmes publish no minimum.
Not mandated. The "two others" among the three required letters may come from a PA, healthcare provider, supervisor, professional supervisor, professor, or academic or research adviser.
Also on the school’s page
Elon lists six science prerequisites and one non science one, all in semester hours: "Human Anatomy & Human Physiology: one full academic year (a minimum of seven semester hours)," "General Chemistry with Lab (4 semester hours)," "Additional Chemistry with Lab (4 semester hours): Examples include, but are not limited to chemistry 2, biochemistry, organic chemistry," "Microbiology (3 semester hours)," "1 Upper-Level Science (3 semester hours)," and "1 Psychology Course (3 semester hours)." Grades: "Grades of 'C' or better are required in each prerequisite course. No prerequisite course may be taken on a 'pass/no pass' or 'credit/no credit' basis." Timing: "Five of the six science courses must be completed at the time of application," the rest prior to matriculation. The recency window is ten years: "All science prerequisite courses must be completed within 10 years of enrolling in the program." Credit sources: "All prerequisites must be completed at a regionally accredited college or university from the United States. Coursework from a community college or online institutions can be accepted." A baccalaureate degree, earned or expected, from a regionally accredited U.S. institution is required. GPA is a recommendation rather than a cutoff: "A recommended minimum GPA of 3.2 for undergraduate work" and "A recommended minimum Overall Science GPA of 3.0." On testing, the program FAQ states: "No, as of the 2021-22 admissions cycle, Elon PA does not require the GRE (or any other standardized test)." The PA-CAT is not mentioned. Labs, per the FAQ: "a lab is required with anatomy, general chemistry, and the additional chemistry prerequisites. Combined anatomy & physiology courses should be taken with a lab. A lab is preferred but not required for physiology."
Check your transcript against this list
Cyclios keeps this list beside your coursework and tells you what Elon still needs from you.
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