Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science Physician Assistant Program prerequisites

Not among the five prerequisite courses. General chemistry is not required here, which is unusual for a PA program.

1 semester · 3 credits

Roughly half the programs that ask for an upper chemistry accept either biochemistry or organic chemistry for the same single line, so one course often covers both entries on this list.

No English or composition credit appears in the prerequisite course list.

Statistics does not appear in the prerequisite course list.

1 semester · 3 credits

General psychology. Many programs fold it into a broader social or behavioural science block that sociology or anthropology also satisfies.

6 credits

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

Human anatomy and human physiology are listed as two separate courses at 3 semester or 4 quarter hours each, six credits together. "The laboratory component for the required science courses is recommended but not required," so a lecture only sequence is accepted, though the lab is worth taking. Nothing older than ten years before matriculation in May 2027 is accepted.

3 credits

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

3 semester or 4 quarter hours. The lab is recommended but not required, and the grade must be C or higher.

1 credits

Not one of the five prerequisite courses. The program handles medical terminology in its own section, as a proficiency expected by matriculation rather than a course to complete before applying, so it will not block an application but should be in place before you start.

1000+ hours

Most PA programmes ask for 500+ hours and list it as required.

Not a hard floor. "Prior direct patient-care related medical experience and/or shadowing PAs in clinical practice is strongly recommended," with a suggested minimum of 1,000 hours of direct patient contact and PA shadowing combined before applying and competitive applicants typically at 1,400 or more hours by matriculation. Note that the program folds shadowing into the same 1,000 hours rather than counting patient care alone, so read the figure as a combined total.

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

PA shadowing counts toward the same suggested 1,000 hour total as direct patient contact rather than sitting beside it. Virtual shadowing is accepted, though in person experience is preferred.

The academic letter is from an instructor, with no science requirement attached, so it is recorded as a faculty letter in any discipline instead.

1 letter

"A minimum of two letters of recommendation are required by the Physician Assistant Program." One should come from an instructor who can attest to the applicant's scholastic aptitude. The program says instructor rather than science professor, so a teacher in any discipline answers this line.

1 letter

Most PA programmes publish no minimum.

Highly recommended rather than required: the program says it highly recommends at least one letter from a physician assistant. A PA letter can also serve as the required health care professional letter.

1 letter

Most PA programmes publish no minimum and list it as recommended.

The second of the two required letters should come from a health care professional with whom the applicant has worked, not merely shadowed. All letters go through CASPA.