Program Overview

Program Overview

The pre-physician assistant post-baccalaureate program is designed to allow career changing students the opportunity to complete core course requirements needed for admission to physician assistant (PA) programs. The Pre-PA program meets most foundational requirements for physician assistant graduate programs in the Chicago area, though students are strongly advised to confirm the admission requirements of the graduate programs in which they are interested before enrolling to ensure that the SPS program fulfills their needs.

Pre-PA students complete courses with Northwestern curriculum and faculty, which offers students the opportunity to build a deep and strong science foundation. Pre-PA coursework is primarily offered in evening and weekend classes, and can be completed in 15 or 21 months, depending on the student's needs.

This program is designed for career changers and students who have not completed the core coursework needed to apply to PA programs. Students who need only some of these courses should consider the pre-physician assistant completion program. Students who have already completed the course requirements for master’s programs for PAs may consider the Advanced Studies in Biology for the Health Professions certificate program, or designing a specialized post-baccalaureate certificate to meet their needs.

Program Details

Biological Sciences

The following courses are required:

• BIOL SCI 201: Molecular Biology
• BIOL SCI 202: Cell Biology
• BIOL SCI 203: Genetics and Evolution
• BIOL SCI 232: Molecular and Cellular Processes Laboratory
• BIOL SCI 233: Genetics and Molecular Processes Laboratory
• BIOL SCI 234: Investigative Laboratory
• BIOL SCI 308: Biochemistry
• BIOL SCI 310: Human Physiology
• BIOL SCI 313: Human Anatomy
• BIOL SCI 317: Regional Anatomy Lab
• BIOL SCI 328: Microbiology

Chemistry

The following courses are required:

• CHEM 110: Quantitative Problem Solving in Chemistry
• CHEM 131: Fundamentals of Chemistry I (with lab, CHEM 141)
• CHEM 132: Fundamentals of Chemistry II (with lab, CHEM 142)
• CHEM 215-A: Organic Chemistry I (with lab CHEM 235-A)

Additional Courses

The following courses are required:

• STAT 202: Introduction to Statistics & Data Science
• CLASSICS 110: Scientific Vocabulary Through Classical Roots
• One elective course

Elective Course Options

In addition to core requirements, pre-PA program students select one of the courses from the list below. These are courses required by some, but not all PA programs. To make the best course selection, students should consult their graduate programs of interest to determine which course best fits their needs.

• BIOL SCI 312 The Evolutionary Biology of Human Anatomy, Health and Disease
• BIOL SCI 316: Human Structure and Function
• BIOL SCI 318: Advanced Human Physiology
• ENGLISH 111: Writing Seminar II
• ENGLISH 205: Intermediate Composition
• KINS 237: Foundations of Human Movement
• PRO HLTH 390: Interprofessional Health Practice
• PSYCH 110: Introduction to Psychology
• SOCIOL 303: Analysis and Interpretation of Social Data

Transfer Credit Policy

Students in the pre-physician assistant post-baccalaureate certificate program may transfer up to eight semester hours, or twelve quarter hours of academic credit. A transcript and grade of B or better are required for transferred courses in the program. Courses audited or taken with the pass
o credit option cannot be applied toward a certificate program. Courses earned for a bachelor's degree at SPS may not be applied retroactively toward certificate requirements.

Tuition

Post-baccalaureate students at Northwestern's School of Professional Studies pay per course. For more information about financial obligations and tuition, please visit the tuition page.

Admission

In addition to completing an online application, you'll also need to submit a few supplemental materials. A list of requirements for admission including application deadlines and tips on how to apply can be found on the admission page.

Registration Information

Whether you're a first-time registrant or current and returning student, all students register using our online student registration and records systems. Important information about registering for courses at SPS, including registration timelines and adding or dropping courses in which you are already enrolled, can be found on the registration information page.

Sample Course Plans

Review sample course plans for the pre-PA program offered by Northwestern University School of Professional Studies.

Pre-Health Professional Student Group

Learn how students support one another through forums, resources and social networks on the pre-physician assistant pre-health professional student group page.

Program Notes

While Northwestern University’s programs are designed to align with core sequences required for medical, dental, veterinary, and related professional schools, students should familiarize themselves with the admission requirements for desired institutions as they choose which program aligns best. Northwestern University’s policy on awarding credits states that credit is awarded in units, rather than credit hours, on student transcripts. Courses are offered over a ten-week period and are assigned 1.0 unit of credit. One unit of credit is equivalent to four quarter hours, which is equivalent to 2.67 semester hours. Some institutions will round up to 3 semester hours while others will not, so it is imperative that students know the requirements of the institutions to which they intend to apply.