Program Overview

Health Sciences BS/Pre-Physician Assistant Program

The Health Sciences BS / Pre-Physician Assistant program is designed to include courses that are typically required as admission prerequisites for PA graduate programs. In addition to these courses, students complete two science and more than five free electives to fulfill undergraduate degree requirements. Students generally choose electives to augment their PA admission profile and to meet unique PA graduate program prerequisite courses not included in the program.

Program Details

• The program is offered by the College of Health Professions.
• The degree awarded is a Bachelor of Science.
• The program is based on the East Falls campus.
• The format of the program is on-campus.
• The duration of the program is 4 years.

Acceptance and Assurance

Acceptance into the Pre-Physician Assistant major does not assure a seat in the graduate PA Program. However, it does provide for an assured interview for selected reserved seats in the East Falls or Voorhees campus PA professional programs for students who meet progression requirements.

Academic Progression Criteria

To qualify for an assured interview, students must meet the following criteria:

• Complete all required undergraduate courses with a grade of B or higher, including labs. A course can be repeated only once; no more than two courses may be repeated. Withdrawing from a course will count toward the number of repeated courses.
• Earn a minimum 3.500 (unrounded) cumulative and science GPAs at the end of each spring semester.
• Submit an online CASPA application by the stated deadline prior to year 4 (at least 9 science undergraduate courses must be completed at the time of application).
• Complete a minimum of 200 hours of direct patient care.
• Complete EMT, CNA, or Medical Assistant certification program at the time of application to CASPA. Training hours for these certifications do not count in the minimum of 200 hours.
• Complete legal and health clearances required for matriculation.

Curriculum

The curriculum for the Health Sciences BS/Pre-Physician Assistant program is structured as follows:

Year 1

• Pathways Seminar
• Writing Seminar I: Written Communication
• Topics in American Studies
• Writing Seminar II: Multimedia Communication
• Chemistry I Lecture & Lab
• Biology I Lecture & Lab
• Quantitative Reasoning
• Introduction to Health Professions
• Chemistry II Lecture & Lab
• Biology II Lecture & Lab

Year 2

• Introduction to Psychology
• Ethics
• American Diversity
• Global Diversity
• Global Citizenship
• Abnormal Psychology
• Anatomy & Physiology I Lecture & Lab
• Anatomy & Physiology II Lecture & Lab
• Introduction to Healthcare
• Health Sciences Electives (6 credits)

Year 3

• Developmental Psychology
• Contemporary Global Issues
• Health Sciences Elective (3 credits)
• Microbiology Lecture & Lab
• Biology Elective (4 credits)
• Science Elective (Organic Chemistry recommended)
• Applied Statistics for Health Sciences
• Clinical Interactions
• Principles of Genetics Lecture & Lab
• Free Elective

Year 4

• Integrative Seminar
• Philosophies of the Good Life
• Medical Terminology and Documentation
• Psychology Electives (6 credits)
• Free Electives (15 credits; consider 4-course minor)

Program Overview

The 4-year Health Sciences BS offers greater flexibility to complete undergraduate degree requirements and provides more opportunities to incorporate extra-curricular experiences like study away or intercollegiate athletics. The program is designed to prepare students for the demands of PA graduate programs, with a focus on academic rigor, clinical experience, and personal development.