Wayne State University Physician Assistant Program prerequisites

2 semesters · 8 credits

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

"General or Inorganic Chemistry," one course rather than the two semester sequence, with no lab named. A science prerequisite, so the six year window applies.

1 semester · 3 credits

"Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry." Either subject answers the second chemistry course, and no lab is named. A science prerequisite, so the six year window applies.

2 semesters · 6 credits

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

Two courses, not one, and required rather than recommended: "Basic English Composition" and "Intermediate English Composition." Composition specifically. Both are exempt from the six year window.

1 semester · 3 credits

"Basic Statistics." Exempt from the six year science window, so an old statistics course still counts without a waiver.

1 semester · 3 credits

"Developmental Psychology" specifically, not introductory psychology. One of the courses exempt from the six year rule: it "may be completed greater than six years prior to the time of application submission and do not require a waiver."

No published minimum

"Upper Level Science (Must be human-based & at 3000 level or higher)." Both halves of that constraint bind: the course must be numbered 3000 or above and must be human-based, so an upper-level botany or ecology course does not answer it. The program lists what does: "exercise physiology, human physiology (BIO 3200), comparative physiology (BIO 4120), genetics, cell biology, endocrinology, pathophysiology, immunology, neurophysiology, and histology." It counts as a science prerequisite, so the six year window applies.

2 semesters · 8 credits

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

Two separate courses, Human Anatomy and Human Physiology, and the trap is spelled out: "Combined human Anatomy and physiology courses will only fulfill human anatomy prerequisite requirements. Combined courses will not fulfill human physiology prerequisite requirements." An A&P I and II sequence therefore leaves you still owing a standalone human physiology course. The page attaches no lab requirement to either. Both fall inside the six year science window.

1 semester · 4 credits · lab

"Microbiology with lab," the only prerequisite here the program explicitly attaches a laboratory to. A science prerequisite, so the six year window applies.

1 credits

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

Required here rather than recommended, and exempt from the six year window. The program gives no allowance for certificates or work experience in place of the course.

No published minimum

Required prerequisite at Wayne State, described as general human or clinical nutrition. Recorded here now that the vocabulary carries a nutrition key.

500+ hours

"A minimum of 500 hours of direct patient care experience in a healthcare environment is required," completed by the September 1 deadline and "during the two years prior to the time of application submission." Paid work is preferred. Wayne State defines the work by what it demands of you rather than by job title: it must "require the applicant's use of medical terminology on a regular basis," "require the applicant's knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology," and "demonstrate the applicant's familiarity with medical documentation and patient education." It also ranks roles: "Jobs with a high level of autonomy and medical decision-making, such as paramedic or dietitian, will be ranked higher than a nursing assistant in a nursing home or scribe," though "ALL eligible types of HCE have a strong chance of admission." Hospitals, physician offices and clinics are preferred settings; homes and pharmacies are "less competitive." The exclusion list is long and specific, and several roles other programs accept are on it: shadowing, non-clinical research assistant work, any student internship, candy striper or junior volunteer, CPR or ACLS instructor, wellness coach, patient transporter, home care aide, lifeguard, unit clerk, insurance clerk, medical secretary, patient greeter and patient sitter.

No separate healthcare experience requirement exists, and the roles that usually fill that bucket are named as not acceptable toward the 500 hours: unit clerk, insurance clerk, medical secretary or other clerical positions, patient transporter, patient greeter, patient sitter, home care aide and non-clinical research assistant work. Hours in those roles do not count here.

20+ hours

Worth doing, worth nothing on the hour count. Shadowing is named among the experiences "not acceptable toward 500 hours of direct hands-on experience requirement," listed as "PA or physician observer or shadow." But the interview section sends you to do it anyway: applicants should learn the role and the laws governing PA practice "by direct observation of clinically practicing physician assistants" and through the AAPA and Michigan Academy of Physician Assistants. No number is published.

No published minimum

"As per our mission statement, we value community service. A history of volunteerism is strongly recommended in an applicant and need not be health care based." No number is published, and non-medical service counts fully.

Actively discouraged here, which is rare enough to plan around: "We strongly urge applicants to avoid references from most academic professors/instructors, unless they are able to fully complete the form regarding observed direct patient contact." A professor who has not watched you with patients is the wrong writer for this program.

1 letter

Most PA programmes publish no minimum.

A PA letter is not required by name, but the whole letter packet is meant to be clinical: "The WSU PA Studies program asks that evaluators are PAs, MDs, DOs, or other health providers familiar with the role of the physician assistant." A physician or another health provider satisfies that as fully as a PA does.

1 letter

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

Three to five evaluations are required, submitted directly to CASPA, and one is pinned to your hours: "At least one of the three required evaluations must be completed by an individual who has observed you during direct patient contact experience, and/or a work supervisor those most familiar with you and your clinical work. The evaluation should include a verification of your completed health care experience hours." The program adds that files are stronger when the writers have known you more than a year, and that references from family or anyone in a personal relationship with you are highly discouraged.