Admissions > Prerequisites
MS PAS Program Course and Other Prerequisites
The PA program requires that applicants either have completed the following when they apply, or have a plan to complete the following courses and other prerequisites prior to beginning PA program classes. Though many of the prerequisites are science courses, there is a not a required undergraduate major. Many applicants have biology, microbiology, chemistry or health professions majors, however, the program has enrolled students that have graduated with a wide variety of other majors including, psychology, English, history and music. The course numbers below in parenthesis ( ) are UW-L course numbers. Comparable courses from other regionally accredited institutions are also acceptable.
Biology:
At least 14 sem hrs of biology in the following areas, including at least two lab courses:
Anatomy and Physiology:
1 sem of human anatomy AND 1 sem of human physiology; OR a 2 sem sequence of combined human anatomy (BIO 312 & 313) which must be at the 200 (sophomore) level or above. Though vertebrate and mammalian anatomy & physiology are acceptable, human anatomy and physiology is strongly preferred.
Microbiology:
1 sem of microbiology (MIC 230) at the 200 (sophomore) level or above
Health related upper division biological science:
1 sem of any of the following at the 300 (junior) level or above: Genetics (BIO 306 or 466), immunology (MIC 406), vertebrate/mammalian embryology (BIO 408), endocrinology (BIO 424), histology, pathophysiology (BIO 443), neuroscience (BIO 465), parasitology (BIO 406), mycology (BIO 413), or biology of cancer (BIO 432).
Chemistry:
A minimum of 11 sem hrs of chemistry including the following courses, at least two of which must include a laboratory:
General Chemistry:
1 sem of General or Introductory Chemistry (CHM 103 or 104)
Organic Chemistry:
1 sem of Organic Chemistry (CHM 300 or CHM 303 & 304) at the 200 (sophomore) level or above
Biochemistry:
1 sem of Biochemistry (CHM 325 or CHM 417 & 418) at the 300 (junior) level or above. Molecular (BIO 435) or cellular biology (BIO 315) at the 300 level or above are acceptable alternatives.
Mathematics:
A minimum of two semesters of Mathematics including:
Pre-calculus/Calculus:
1 sem of College Algebra with Trigonometry or Pre-calculus (MTH 151) or Calculus (MTH 207)
Statistics:
1 sem of Statistics (MTH 145, 205 or 305)
Psychology:
A minimum of one semester of general, introductory, developmental or abnormal psychology (PSY 100, 210, 212, 304, 310, 311, or 312)
Academic Aptitude:
GPA:
We require a minimum cumulative GPA on all post-high
school courses of 3.00, calculated on a 4-point scale. A
minimum science (as defined by CASPA) GPA of 3.00 is also
required.
GRE:
Submission of GRE scores is required as they are used
as another measure of academic aptitude, along with GPA. No minimum
score is required. GRE scores remain valid for five years. An MCAT score will not be accepted as a
substitute for GRE results. Click
here for more information on the GRE.
Our GRE Institutional code: 1914
Our Department & Major field code: 0609 (Medical
Sciences)
We ask that applicants make every effort to include both codes
when submitting requests with GRE. Failure to include the
Department & Major code will result in scores being misdirected
on campus and delay their arrival at the Health Science Center.
Degree:
A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
Healthcare Experience:
Prior direct patient healthcare experience is expected. Such experience provides evidence of a career commitment to healthcare as a PA. In the program's competitive admission process, the length and depth of healthcare experience is a selection factor. We do not have a minimum number of hours.
Requirements for International Applicants:
International applicants are those who have completed more than one semester of their post-secondary education outside the United States, those for whom English is their second language, or those who are not US citizens. The program requires a course-by-course transcript evaluation by an identified transcript evaluation service, and the TOEFL/TSE examination. Applicants must be either, citizens of the United States, hold a permanent US immigrant visa (green card), or other visa status appropriate for education. Complete details about these requirements are found on page 2 of the Supplemental Application Instructions.