University of Pittsburgh Physician Assistant Program prerequisites

2 semesters · 8 credits · lab

"Biology with lab designed for science majors, two semesters." Counts toward the prerequisite science GPA that must be at least 3.0. The page gives semesters, not credits.

2 semesters · 8 credits · lab

The two-semester sequence with lab. Around a fifth of programs want only one semester or skip general chemistry entirely and start at organic or biochemistry.

Not on Pitt's prerequisite list; neither organic chemistry nor biochemistry is required.

2 semesters · 6 credits

Most PA programmes ask for 2 semesters · 6 credits and list it as recommended.

"English Composition/writing, two semesters." Credits are not stated on the page.

1 semester · 3 credits

Statistics, not calculus. The exception is regional: several Oklahoma and Texas programs require college algebra instead and do not count statistics, so check those individually.

1 semester · 3 credits

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

2 semesters · 8 credits · lab

"Anatomy with lab and Physiology. This requirement may be met by taking either one semester of Anatomy with lab and one semester of Physiology or two semesters of Anatomy with lab and Physiology combined." The lab is stated for anatomy; the page does not require a physiology lab. Credits are not stated, two semesters are.

1 semester · 4 credits · lab

Named by nearly every program, usually 3 or 4 credits. A minority accept it without the lab, so read the school's own line before dropping one.

1 credits

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

"Medical Terminology, one semester for at least 1 college credit." A graded college course; no work experience substitute is offered.

500+ hours

"A minimum of 500 hours of direct, hands-on patient care experience is required by the admissions requirement deadline. Direct patient care involves active participation in the care, evaluation, or treatment of patients." Eligible examples: "registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), paramedic, emergency medical technician (EMT), emergency room technician, military medical roles (e.g., medic or corpsman), athletic trainer, dietician, medical assistant, nursing assistant, patient care technician, surgical technician, pharmacy technician, dental assistant, physical or occupational therapy assistant, and phlebotomist."

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

Under a fifth of programs set a shadowing minimum; among those that do the median is 20 hours and a handful ask for 100 or more. Several count shadowing inside their experience total rather than separately, and a few have dropped it from scoring entirely.

Pitt's instructor letter is not restricted to a science professor; it is recorded on the faculty (any discipline) line instead.

1 letter

"One (1) Prior Instructor: An individual who has taught or formally trained the applicant. Examples: college or university instructor/professor, certification or skills instructor, a supervisor who provided on-the-job skills training or a military instructor." Broader than a faculty letter, but a professor is the usual fit.

No PA letter is named. The three letters are the PCE supervisor, a character reference, and a prior instructor.

1 letter

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

"One (1) Patient Care Experience (PCE) Supervisor: A supervisor the applicant has worked with or currently works with in a patient care role. Examples: manager, assistant manager, department director or military supervisor."