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Most common Pre-Reqs


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I am starting to think about PA school. I already graduated with a B.S in Business in 2012, so I'm sure I've got a ways to go with pre-reqs. From the various PA programs I'm getting very different information about what they require in regards to Pre-reqs. So my question is (two parted)  1. what are the MOST common pre-reqs for PA schools? And, 2. some of these classes I haven't taken in over a decade, I graduated in 2012 but some of the original GE like Biology (2000) Calculus (2001) and Psychology (2000) were taken over 10 years ago. . Since I just recently got my bachelors will i still need to go back and retake these core classes?

 

I've taken 

-Biology 100***** 

-Evolutionary Biology (2010) Upper division

-Psychology 100*******

-Human Sexuality (psych)

-Sociology

-Calculus 

-Statistics  

 

I'm thinking the basic core classes that I still need for ****MOST**** PA programs would be

-Anatomy
-Physiology

-Chemistry 1 & 2
-Microbiology

 

I'm unsure about 

 

Organic Chemistry

Genetics

Physics

Biochem

Cell and Molecular Biology

 

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Common Pre-Requisites from the 15 schools I have in mind

  • Anatomy and Physiology 1 & 2 (8 credit hours); must be at the 200+ level
  • General Biology 1 & 2 both with labs (8 credit hours)
  • Microbiology (not medical micro...must be at the 200+ level)
  • Genetics (highly recommended....means pre-requisite in my book)
  • Cell Biology (highly recommended...means pre-requisite in my book)
  • Immunology (highly recommended...means pre-requisite in my book)
  • General Chemistry 1 & 2 both with labs (8-10 credit hours)
  • Introduction to Psychology or above (3 credit hours)
  • Statistics (3 credit hours)
  • College algebra, pre-calculus or calculus (3 credit hours)
  • Spanish (8 credit hours/full year sequence)

My advice...look at a number of schools you are applying to so you can allow for some flexibility in your coursework.

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the big decision is whether or not to look at schools that want ochem and biochem. probably 1/2 do today. those that don't tend to favor strong HCE over extra sciencce coursework so if you aren't going to do the coursework you might need > 1000 hrs of strong HCE for many schools.

I decided to go the HCE route(which was easier in the early 90s because >95% of programs used that model then) and it is the path I recommend for most folks.

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You'll probably need to retake your biology class.  Also a lot of schools now require bio 2.  Heres what I've taken for science classes:

Bio 1&2

A&P 1&2

Micro

Gen chem 1&2

O chem

 

Also planning on taking genetics online (most schools don't require a lab with genetics)

 

Unfortunately, from my research this year, more and more schools are requiring ochem, even those who are looking for candidates with high HCE.  Biochem doesn't seem to be as required, and when it is is typically (though not everywhere) an option as a substitute for ochem, not in addition to 

 

I haven't seen any time limit listed for math or psychology classes (I took both in ~2006)

 

If you're looking at going to school in socal, most of them are moving towards requiring Spanish

 

I made a spread sheet of school prereq requirements, not completely accurate anymore as I did it from the requirements last year, but if you want I can send it to you

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You'll probably need to retake your biology class.  Also a lot of schools now require bio 2.  Heres what I've taken for science classes:

Bio 1&2

A&P 1&2

Micro

Gen chem 1&2

O chem

 

Also planning on taking genetics online (most schools don't require a lab with genetics)

 

Unfortunately, from my research this year, more and more schools are requiring ochem, even those who are looking for candidates with high HCE.  Biochem doesn't seem to be as required, and when it is is typically (though not everywhere) an option as a substitute for ochem, not in addition to 

 

I haven't seen any time limit listed for math or psychology classes (I took both in ~2006)

 

If you're looking at going to school in socal, most of them are moving towards requiring Spanish

 

I made a spread sheet of school prereq requirements, not completely accurate anymore as I did it from the requirements last year, but if you want I can send it to you

 That would be very helpful thanks, I'll pm you my email address.

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Most of these i'm guessing can not be taken concurrently. :-(  I'm thinking 2.5 - 3 years to complete just THESE pre-reqs am I correct?
 

 

 

Anatomy and Physiology 1 & 2 (8 credit hours); must be at the 200+ level

 

General Biology  2 

  • Microbiology (not medical micro...must be at the 200+ level)
  • Genetics (highly recommended....means pre-requisite in my book)
  • Cell Biology (highly recommended...means pre-requisite in my book)
  • Immunology (highly recommended...means pre-requisite in my book)
  • General Chemistry 1 & 2 both with labs (8-10 credit hours)
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Most of these i'm guessing can not be taken concurrently. :-(  I'm thinking 2.5 - 3 years to complete just THESE pre-reqs am I correct?

 

 

 

Anatomy and Physiology 1 & 2 (8 credit hours); must be at the 200+ level

 

General Biology  2 

  • Microbiology (not medical micro...must be at the 200+ level)
  • Genetics (highly recommended....means pre-requisite in my book)
  • Cell Biology (highly recommended...means pre-requisite in my book)
  • Immunology (highly recommended...means pre-requisite in my book)
  • General Chemistry 1 & 2 both with labs (8-10 credit hours)

 

I took A&P concurrently with Gen Chem. I wouldn't attempt to take more than two to three science classes at a time. Especially the ones with a lab are time consuming and you want to retain the information, not just pass the test. You have to remember-- the more you learn from the intro biology classes the better off you will be in the graduate level PA classes. PA school is just building on your basic understanding of all of these prereqs. 

 

One thing to consider. More or more school are requiring O Chem, BUT it is just a weed out class. You take very little valuable information from the class and apply it to areas of medicine. One class that SOME schools require is Biochem. Now Biochem is extremely useful in the application of medicine and I loved that class. 

 

Cell Biology is not necessarily a class you need unless you are going to MD/DO school and think it would be helpful for 1st year student there. Same with Immunology. You will get what you need from PA school on CellBio and Immunology and you don't necessarily need a whole semester in it. To be honest-- my Microbiology (for science majors class) covered everything I needed to know about immunology going into PA school. Maybe I just had a really good professor who put a lot of emphasis on understanding the immune response to pathogens, but I was well equipped. Hope that helps.

 

I would set up my schedule like this: 

Year One

Fall semester: A&P I and Gen Chem I

Spring semester: A&P II and Gen Chem II

Summer semester: Micro and Bio II (if you need it)

Year Two

Fall Semester: Genetics and O Chem I (if you need it) -- Start applying to PA schools now

Spring Semester: Biochem and plan to start PA school in the fall.

 

 

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Most of these i'm guessing can not be taken concurrently. :-(  I'm thinking 2.5 - 3 years to complete just THESE pre-reqs am I correct?

 

 

 

Anatomy and Physiology 1 & 2 (8 credit hours); must be at the 200+ level

 

General Biology  2 

  • Microbiology (not medical micro...must be at the 200+ level)
  • Genetics (highly recommended....means pre-requisite in my book)
  • Cell Biology (highly recommended...means pre-requisite in my book)
  • Immunology (highly recommended...means pre-requisite in my book)
  • General Chemistry 1 & 2 both with labs (8-10 credit hours)

 

Yes, depends on the university and their pre-requisites for each course.

I am taking Genetics with Chem 2 in the fall. 

HOWEVER....Cell bio, genetics, and chem 2 are all pre-reqs for micro and immunology. The only pre-req at my uni for genetics is chem 1 and bio 2. 

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  • 2 weeks later...

The most common pre-reqs are:

 

*A&P 1 and 2 with lab

*Microbiology with lab

 

From there it can be really random. Most schools require Statistics, but a few specifically don't accept stats and instead require calculus. Some schools require general biology courses but others do not. Some require gen chem and orgo chem but others don't.

 

The pre-reqs needs to be standardized. There was an article in JAAPA about this, including examples of a large university with three different PA school campuses all with different prereqs. It's a bit of a mess.

 

Your best bet is to take as many biology and chemistry related classes as people described above. They may not be required but courses such as Cellular Biology will really expand your understanding, especially when it comes to receptors, ligands, and enzymes which is the bread and butter of pharmacology.

 

Don't forget the psych courses...and the math courses. And don't forget to become an EMT and get 500-1000 hours of experience. And win a Nobel Prize, just to be sure. ;)

 

I took Gen Bio 1& 2 with lab, Gen Chem 1 & 2 with lab, Orgo Chem 1 and 2 with lab, Physics 1 and 2 with lab, A&P 1 and 2 with lab, Principals of Biochem with lab, Biochem with lab, Cell Bio with lab, Genetics with lab, Medical Terminology (no lab), College Algebra, Statistics, a school-specific course called "Drug Calculation" which was awesome, and I have a BA in pych. I'm an EMT-Intermediate which entailed two semesters for a total of 280 hours of EMS-education (EMT-B for 140, then EMT-I for 140).

 

I feel like I have a very well-rounded biology and chemistry knowledge. I feel solid in my A&P. I know I have a *TON* to learn in PA school and look forward to the challenge.

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PA prereqs and the length of our programs have grown over the years. Many are 110 to 150 graduate SH long (seven consecutive semesters over 28 months). Given the intensity of our programs, the prereqs can be important. As a general rule I advocate for a standard. For ME, that standard would be:

 

A an P - two classes

General biology - two classes

General chemistry - two classes

Organic chemistry - one class

Statistics - one class

Medical terminology if needed

 

That's it. All that other stuff should be taught in PA school using above as the foundation leading into it. Geez. Since when did PA programs require more than a MD/DO program. I mean let's get real. Just my opinion.

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PA prereqs and the length of our programs have grown over the years. Many are 110 to 150 graduate SH long (seven consecutive semesters over 28 months). Given the intensity of our programs, the prereqs can be important. As a general rule I advocate for a standard. For ME, that standard would be: A an P - two classes General biology - two classes General chemistry - two classes Organic chemistry - one class Statistics - one class Medical terminology if needed That's it. All that other stuff should be taught in PA school using above as the foundation leading into it. Geez. Since when did PA programs require more than a MD/DO program. I mean let's get real. Just my opinion.

Why organic chemistry? Not to be snide or rude, but I'm curious.

Most of what I've seen is that most PAs say they barely use oChem. I would feel more prepared taking Medical Spanish or Conversational Spanish to be able to work more effectively in underserved populations, heck, isn't that what the profession is all about?

 

But yes, I agree there should be some standardization when it comes to prereqs.

A&P (2 classes), General Biology (2 classes), General Chem (2 classes), Spanish (2 classes) and statistics (1).

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No offense taken.  Good question and something I think about.  I actually went back to my notes and did some research on this subject.  

 

I have also re-read this discussion and others.  My intent was to prepare students a basic understanding of reaction mechanisms and syntheses dealing with organic molecules.  I don't agree that Biochem (applying these reactions to a biologic process) can replace this class since most university programs require organic chemistry to take biochemistry.  So, all you do in this scenario is force applicants to take organic chemistry 1 and 2 to meet the Bio chemistry prerequisites.  

 

At least that is what I have seen.  There may be some Bio Chem out there that doesn't require organic chemistry first but I think it would be a pretty tough class.  

 

I believe a basic organic chem class prepares students for the next step (seen in the PA program itself - basic bio chem principles).  Just my opinion.  I have friends who disagree.  

 

G

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I believe a basic organic chem class prepares students for the next step (seen in the PA program itself - basic bio chem principles).  Just my opinion.  I have friends who disagree.  

 

 

yup, I'm one of them. I have never taken ochem, never intend to do so, graduated at the top of my class and score consistently >95% on panre. My lack of ochem has not hurt me one bit. The PA to DO bridge still requires ochem, but the requirement can be met with one 3 unit online course without lab. That I could maybe see doing just to cover the very basics.

the chemistry you need for PA school is covered in basic chem. metabolic pathways can be taught in PA school (and have been for years) without first taking ochem.

I know many Docs who say they forgot all of ochem the day they walked out of the final. in my opinion it's a worthless weeder class. There are a few intro to biochem courses which don't require ochem. I could see doing one of those way before a full ochem sequence.

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Prereqs I would require:

 

Gen Bio 1 and 2 with lab

Cellular biology with lab (for the receptor/ligand and enzyme reasons, the basis of pharmacology)

A&P 1 and 2 with lab

Micro with lab

Orgo/Biochem combined course with lab, such as this one

Gen Chem 1 with lab (but not gen chem 2)

Med Term

Statistics

 

I feel that Gen Chem 2 and Orgo Chem 1 course are overkill and don't add knowledge that can help an individual understand medicine. I even doubt that Gen Chem 1 does that. How does knowing a Principal Quantum Number, Angular Momentum, Magnetic Quantum Number, or Electron Spin Number help a person with medicine? Focusing on a combined orgo/biochem class is a far better use of time.

 

I spent 20 hours a week for 2.5 years tutoring college students (nearly all of them pre-medical, pre-PA, and pre-NP) as an academic employee of the college in these classes so I have a pretty firm grasp on their content, which is why I question the fitness of general chemistry courses in preparing someone for the practice of medicine. Like I said, biology (especially cellular biology) is vital to understanding human physiology and pharmacology.

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I would require

Gen bio 1 yr with labs

A+P 1 yr with dissection

Gen chem 1 term (no labs-worthless)

microbio 1 term with lab

physics 1 term with lab

psych 1 course

1 college level math course (algebra or stats)

1 writing course

 

I didn't include medical terminology because prior HCE should provide this. we had to pass a medical terminology test at our interview

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I would require

Gen bio 1 yr with labs

A+P 1 yr with dissection

Gen chem 1 term (no labs-worthless)

microbio 1 term with lab

physics 1 term with lab

psych 1 course

1 college level math course (algebra or stats)

1 writing course

 

I didn't include medical terminology because prior HCE should provide this. we had to pass a medical terminology test at our interview

 

I have a BA in psych and I have to admit I don't know how an intro/psych 1 course would help prepare someone for medical practice. I say this as psych 1 is a general survey course of the many parts of psychology. I learned far more in my abnormal psych, developmental psych, and psychopathology courses. In particular the psychopathology course (which included practical use of the DSM and the 5 axis) helped me to more holistically understand a patient.

 

Definitely college writing, definitely stats, maybe physics 1 but that course just teaches you how fast things move or at what speed they are moving. I got more out of physics 2 as it had a big section on fluids and electricity, circuits, etc and found it to help my understanding of the electrical conduction system of the heart, flow of blood as a circuit using pressures for movement, and better understand endocrine feedback (hypothalamus-pituitary-end organ axis).

 

I'd keep in med term as there are many, many new PA students who have zero previous medical experience and therefore don't know the language.

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I'd keep in med term as there are many, many new PA students who have zero previous medical experience and therefore don't know the language.

If it's my program those folks don't get in.

I really enjoyed my full year of physics with lab and did well all 3 terms. much more interesting than general chem.

agree that abnormal psych might be a better psych prereq than gen psych. I took a course as an undergrad called theories of personality that was pretty good.

I have taken ethics in college, in pa school, and twice in my doctorate program. good stuff, but ok to have in the pa program and not as a prereq.

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If it's my program those folks don't get in.

I really enjoyed my full year of physics with lab and did well all 3 terms. much more interesting than general chem.

agree that abnormal psych might be a better psych prereq than gen psych. I took a course as an undergrad called theories of personality that was pretty good.

I have taken ethics in college, in pa school, and twice in my doctorate program. good stuff, but ok to have in the pa program and not as a prereq.

 

I've been an EMT since 2002 and working in clinics and hospitals for many years. I talk to physicians and PAs as often as I can and read medical journals. I learned a lot when I took Medical Terminology 2 years ago and am glad to have that added knowledge. I agree that PA school should require 2-3 years of full-time medical experience but we have to be realistic about things.

 

I also took biomedical ethics. It was interesting but most of the topics relaed to end-of-life care which is something you don't often come across in primary care. I was interested in the ethical issues pertaining to primary care but it was barely touched upon. What can you share?

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I would require

Gen bio 1 yr with labs

A+P 1 yr with dissection

Gen chem 1 term (no labs-worthless)

microbio 1 term with lab

physics 1 term with lab

psych 1 course

1 college level math course (algebra or stats)

1 writing course

 

I didn't include medical terminology because prior HCE should provide this. we had to pass a medical terminology test at our interview

 

EMEDPA, my friend ;-), do you really think physics, microbiology, and psych should be required?  Also, math and writing are part of core curriculum at most all institutions so no need to require them.  Can't say its evident based on some graduate papers I've read but it is required.  

 

Since our discussions and this board discussion I was re-evaluating the whole organic chemistry requirement and lean toward it NOT being required to enter a PA program.  but I don't agree physics and psych.  For me, this is what I have decided should be industry wide.  Just my opinion.  

 

1.  A and P - two classes either together or one of each separate

2.  General biology - two classes with lab

3.  General chemistry - two classes with lab (i still think labs have some value here)

4.  Statistics

5.  Medical terminology (waived when appropriate)

 

These foundations allow us to teach the rest.  Also, PA programs are required to teach genetics, ethics, microbiology, etc. so there is no reason to make students take these as a prerequisite.  They should learn it relevant to medical practice.  Heck, these aren't required for med school entry.  etc. etc.

 

So, I like this honed concept.  I am sure some won't.  and that is fine.  But it would be nice if programs could agree on a foundation related to entry requirements.  It would be fitting for our profession.

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Common Pre-Requisites from the 15 schools I have in mind

  • Spanish (8 credit hours/full year sequence)

 

I find this interesting.  First, It isn't required for medical school (MD or DO) as a general rule.  Second, why not French?  Or Chinese?  

 

Some will say, the program is trying to educate PAs that can meet the demographics of a specific area.  That is a good idea.  But, research suggests only 40% of med school graduates work in the state in which they graduate.  How many stay in the community where the school is located?  We see similarities in the PA profession.

 

I just think the program that requires a foreign language (which is fine if advertised and known to applicants) should think on a larger scale and simply say, "one year of foreign language."   

 

But, I prefer our profession creates a standard for PA prerequisites and I think it should be based on the sciences.  (A and P, Bio, Chem, etc.)

 

Just my opinion.  Can of worms :-)

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