PA · Boston, Massachusetts · private
Northeastern University Physician Assistant Program prerequisites
What Northeastern asks for in the 2026-27 cycle, as read from the school's own admissions page. 11 lines differ from the standard PA school set, marked below.
Coursework
- Biology with labrequiredextra here
lab
Counted in courses, not credits: two biology lecture courses plus one biology lab. Grade of B or better in each, taken within 10 years, from a two or four year accredited institution, in class or online.
- General chemistry with labrequired
2 semesters · 8 credits · lab
Two chemistry lecture courses plus one chemistry lab, again counted as courses rather than credits. The chemistry block is broad: "basic or upper level" chemistry counts, and organic chemistry and biochemistry are explicitly acceptable within it. B or better, within 10 years.
- Biochemistrynot required here
Not required. Biochemistry is listed as one of the acceptable chemistry courses, so it counts toward the two chemistry lectures rather than sitting beside them; organic chemistry is accepted the same way.
- English or writing-intensivenot required here
No English composition or writing-intensive requirement appears on the prerequisite table.
- Statisticsrequired
1 semester · 3 credits
One statistics course covering probability, regression, hypothesis testing and other statistical methods. B or better, within 10 years.
- Psychologynot required here
Psychology does not appear as a prerequisite. The table is biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, and statistics.
- Anatomy and physiologyrequireddiffers
2 semesters · 8 credits
Most PA programmes ask for 2 semesters · 8 credits · lab.
Coverage matters more than length here: "Either a one semester or a two-semester course is appropriate as long as all systems have been included." The table names no separate laboratory line for anatomy and physiology. B or better, within 10 years.
- Microbiologynot required here
Microbiology is not on Northeastern's prerequisite table. A microbiology course could count as one of the two biology lectures, but it is not required in its own right.
- Medical terminologynot required here
Medical terminology is not a prerequisite here.
Experience hours
- Patient care experiencerecommendeddiffers
500+ hours
Most PA programmes ask for 500+ hours and list it as required.
Northeastern publishes preference bands, not a floor: "Strong preference will be given to applicants who have 1000 hours or more" and "strongest preference will be given to those with over 1800 hours," both measured before application. Direct patient care means work such as vital signs, ECGs, blood draws, wound care, scribing and counseling; administrative work and caring for family members do not count. Paid and volunteer experience are both accepted.
- Healthcare experiencerecommended
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.
- PA shadowingrecommended
20+ hours
Not required but "highly recommended" for understanding the PA role, with no hour figure published. Note the trap: shadowing hours help you but the person you shadowed cannot write for you, since "References from shadowing experiences will not be accepted."
Letters
- Science faculty letterrecommendeddiffers
1 letter
Most PA programmes publish no minimum.
The third of the three references is unconstrained, so a science professor can fill it. Only the two clinical references are specified by writer type.
- PA letterrecommendeddiffers
1 letter
Most PA programmes publish no minimum.
A PA is one of the clinician types Northeastern accepts for the two clinical references, but no letter from a PA specifically is required.
- Supervisor letterrequireddiffers
2 letters
Most PA programmes publish no minimum and list it as recommended.
Three references are required through CASPA and "NUPA requires that at least two of the three required references" come from clinical environments, specifically healthcare professionals the applicant worked with directly. PAs, MDs, NPs, RNs, PTs, OTs, EMTs, RTs and supervisors are all named as acceptable writers. Observation is not enough: "References from shadowing experiences will not be accepted."
Also on the school’s page
Northeastern counts prerequisite courses rather than credits, so this overlay records quantities in the notes rather than inventing credit figures. The table is short: two biology lectures plus one biology lab, two chemistry lectures plus one chemistry lab, anatomy and physiology, and one statistics course. Every line carries the same three conditions, a grade of B or better, completion within 10 years, and coursework from a two or four year regionally accredited institution, with in-class or online delivery both accepted. Two exclusions are stated flatly: "Advanced placement (AP) or international baccalaureate (IB) credits from high school do not fulfill prerequisites" and "Pass/Fail grades do not fulfill prerequisites," with limited COVID-19 exceptions. Minimum GPA is 3.00 overall and 3.00 science, both as calculated by CASPA, with stronger preference above those floors. On testing, "The GRE is NOT required and will not be considered in your application review," and the PA-CAT is not mentioned. The CASPA deadline is August 1 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern with CASPA verification required by August 31, plus a separate $75 Northeastern fee; there is no rolling admission and no early decision. Admitted students need BLS certification valid by the start of the summer semester, a criminal background check at matriculation, health and immunization clearance before rotations, and access to a vehicle. International applicants need a TOEFL of at least 100 internet-based within two years.
Check your transcript against this list
Cyclios keeps this list beside your coursework and tells you what Northeastern still needs from you.
See it for PA schoolAlso in Massachusetts
- Assumption University Physician Assistant Studies ProgramWorcester
- Bay Path University Physician Assistant Studies ProgramEast Longmeadow
- Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine Physician Assistant ProgramBoston
- MCPHS University Physician Assistant Studies Program, BostonBoston
- MGH Institute of Health Professions Physician Assistant Studies ProgramBoston
- Springfield College Physician Assistant Studies ProgramSpringfield
- Tufts University School of Medicine Physician Assistant ProgramBoston
- Westfield State University Physician Assistant ProgramWestfield