PA · Providence, Rhode Island · private
Johnson & Wales University Physician Assistant Program prerequisites
What JWU asks for in the 2026-27 cycle, as read from the school's own admissions page. 15 lines differ from the standard PA school set, marked below.
Coursework
- Biology with labrequiredextra here
2 semesters · 8 credits · lab
"2 Biology classes with labs." FAQ: "Two semesters of general biology (I and II; 8 credits) will fulfill the requirement. Upper-level biology courses can also be used towards fulfilling the biology requirement. To satisfy the requirement, the biology courses must include lecture and lab."
- General chemistry with labrequired
2 semesters · 8 credits · lab
"2 Chemistry classes with labs." FAQ: "Two semesters of general chemistry (I and II; 8 credits) will fulfill the requirement. Courses in organic chemistry and biochemistry can also be used towards fulfilling the chemistry requirement. To satisfy the requirement, the chemistry courses must include lecture and lab."
- Biochemistryrecommendeddiffers
1 semester · 3 credits
Most PA programmes ask for 1 semester · 3 credits and list it as required.
Not required. Biochemistry is named among the preferred upper-level science courses and "can also be used towards fulfilling the chemistry requirement" if taken with lab.
- English or writing-intensivenot required here
No English or writing course is named.
- Statisticsrecommendeddiffers
1 semester · 3 credits
Most PA programmes ask for 1 semester · 3 credits and list it as required.
"1 college-level math class; Statistics preferred." Statistics is the preferred way to answer the college mathematics line, not a separate requirement.
- College mathematicsrequiredextra here
1 semester · 3 credits
"1 college-level math class; Statistics preferred." Any college-level mathematics course satisfies the line; statistics is the preferred choice and is recorded as recommended on its own line.
- Psychologyrequired
1 semester · 3 credits
"1 class Psychology; Intro to Psychology or Abnormal Psychology. If AP credit has been awarded for Intro to Psychology, an upper level Psychology course will be acceptable."
- Geneticsrequiredextra here
1 semester · 3 credits
"Genetics" is listed as its own prerequisite; the page gives no credit count or lab requirement for it.
- Advanced biologyrecommendedextra here
1 semester · 3 credits
"Upper level (300/3000 level or above) Biology and Chemistry coursework is preferred. Stronger candidates will have more than the minimum prerequisite science courses. Some examples are Cell Biology, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Immunology and Pathophysiology." Rigor of science coursework is an explicit interview-preference factor.
- Anatomy and physiologyrequired
2 semesters · 8 credits · lab
"2 Anatomy & Physiology classes with labs." FAQ: "Two semesters of human anatomy and physiology (I and II with lab; 8 credits) or human anatomy (with lab; 4 credits) and human physiology (with lab; 4 credits). We prefer that these courses be designed specifically for biology/pre-medical majors. These courses must include all body systems. Animal physiology or exercise physiology courses are not preferred."
- Microbiologyrequireddiffers
3 credits
Most PA programmes ask for 1 semester · 4 credits · lab.
"Microbiology" is listed without a credit count and without a stated lab requirement.
- Medical terminologynot required here
Not on JWU's prerequisite list.
Experience hours
- Patient care experiencerequireddiffers
250+ hours
Most PA programmes ask for 500+ hours.
"Minimum 250 hours of direct, hands-on patient care experience." FAQ: "Your experience should be hands-on in an allopathic or osteopathic medical setting in the United States," paid or voluntary, from one or several experiences. "Desirable" roles: medical assistant, CNA, EMT, medical scribe, medic or corpsman, ER technician, paramedic. "Other examples of acceptable direct patient care experience": audiologist, radiology technician, respiratory therapist, phlebotomist, OT, registered dietitian in a clinical setting, patient care assistant, PT, pharmacist in a clinical setting, exercise physiologist or athletic trainer in a clinical setting. Shadowing does not count. Interview preference goes to "more patient care hours" and "quality of the patient care hours (more clinical decision making)."
- Healthcare experiencenot required here
JWU publishes a single direct patient care figure and no separate healthcare experience number.
- PA shadowingrequireddiffers
20+ hours
Most PA programmes ask for 20+ hours and list it as recommended.
"PA shadowing is required (no minimum total of hours)." FAQ: "'Shadowing' of PAs in more than one practice type is preferred," recorded in CASPA's Health Care Shadowing Experience section and never counted as patient care. More PA shadowing hours is an interview-preference factor.
Letters
- Science faculty letternot required here
"Three letters of recommendation" with no writer specified; no faculty letter is named.
- PA letternot required here
"Three letters of recommendation" with no writer specified; no PA letter is required.
- Supervisor letternot required here
"Three letters of recommendation" with no writer specified; no supervisor letter is named.
Also on the school’s page
JWU (MSPAS, Providence RI, 24 months, June start, 36 seats) lists 39 prerequisite credits: "2 Biology classes with labs. Microbiology. Genetics. 2 Chemistry classes with labs. 2 Anatomy & Physiology classes with labs. 1 class Psychology; Intro to Psychology or Abnormal Psychology. 1 college-level math class; Statistics preferred." "A minimum 35 of the required 39 prerequisite credits (including associated labs) must be completed by the end of December in order to be considered for the following June start. All prerequisites must be completed by the end of May," with a grade of C or better. No CLEP or AP credit for prerequisites (an upper-level psychology course is accepted if AP credit covered intro psychology). Online prerequisites are accepted from regionally accredited U.S. institutions if they still meet the lab requirements; community college credit is accepted. No prerequisite recency window is stated. GPA gate: "Minimum overall GPA of 3.2 (as calculated by CASPA)" and "Minimum overall BCP (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) GPA of 3.2," with the warning that "a much higher GPA than the minimum is normally required for admission." "Upper level (300/3000 level or above) Biology and Chemistry coursework is preferred. Stronger candidates will have more than the minimum prerequisite science courses. Some examples are Cell Biology, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Immunology and Pathophysiology." Testing: "GREs are not required." No PA-CAT is mentioned. Letters: "Three letters of recommendation," no writer specified, all through CASPA. A bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. institution is required before matriculation; international applicants are not accepted. CASPA only, no supplemental application, rolling admissions, October 1 deadline with CASPA Completed status; a separate CASPA site exists for the combined MPH/MSPAS and an applicant may apply to only one. Interview preference goes to higher cumulative and BCP GPAs, rigorous upper-level science, more and higher-quality patient care hours ("more clinical decision making"), more PA shadowing hours, and articulation-agreement applicants who qualify for a guaranteed interview. The definitions of patient care experience and the course blocks come from the program's FAQ page on the same site.
School
jwu.edu/academics/colleges/college-of-health-and-wellness/physician-assistant-studies/index.htmlCheck your transcript against this list
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