Quinnipiac University

BS in Health Science Studies Physician Assistant-Prep Pathway

With the ultimate goal of become a Physician Assistant, this pre-professional pathway will shape students within health science studies following a specially designed PA-Prep pathway, to be competitive graduate applicants in what is said to be one of the fastest growing medical careers.

Program Overview

Well-qualified applicants will be considered for the physician assistant-preparation (PA-Prep) pathway, which is part of the health science studies major. PA-Prep students will follow a curriculum that will provide a parallel education to the Entry-Level Dual-Degree BS in Health Sciences / MHS in Physician Assistant (ELMPA) program and will be closely advised by health sciences faculty.

At the end of four years, PA-Prep students will be extremely competitive candidates for Quinnipiac's MHS in Physician Assistant program, or PA graduate programs at other institutions.

Top candidates from our PA-Prep pathway will have the opportunity in their junior year to be considered for limited spaces in the Entry-Level Dual-Degree BS in Health Sciences / MHS in Physician Assistant (ELMPA) program.

Included in the program are the basic pre-requisites in biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, as well as science electives. Students will have a course that allows opportunities to shadow PAs as well as EMT licensure that will assist in obtaining direct patient care hours. Students can also participate in the pre-PA club, Interprofessional Healthcare Education programming, leadership opportunities and community service to build a robust portfolio.

Physician Assistant-Preparation (PA-Prep) Curriculum

Students interested in the PA-Prep Pathway will be required to take the following courses:

  • Introduction to Healthcare
  • Medical Terminology
  • Health Care Essentials
  • PA Career Exploration
  • Clinical Skills and Patient Communication
  • EMT and EMT lab (waived if current EMT licensed)
  • Pre-health Clinical Affiliation
  • Medical Problem Solving

In addition, the following science courses are required:

  • General Biology I and General Biology Lab I
  • General Biology II and General Biology Lab II
  • General Chemistry 1
  • General Chemistry 2
  • Anatomy and Physiology 1
  • Anatomy and Physiology 2
  • Organic Chemistry 1
  • Organic Chemistry 2
  • General Physics 1
  • Calculus
  • Microbiology
  • Biological Chemistry
  • Biomedical Basis and Experience of Human Aging
  • Genetics and Lab
  • Pathophysiology
  • Histology and Lab

A competitive candidate to advance from PA-Prep curriculum to Graduate PA must:

  • Maintain GPA above 3.20
  • No grade lower than a C in core and elective science classes
    • No retakes of core science courses
    • Pre-requisite classes cannot be taken online
  • No Academic Integrity or Discipline issues
  • 650 hours out of the required 1,000 hours of Direct Patient Contact to be complete by junior year
  • EMT license
  • 25 of the 40 hours community service over 4 years to be complete by junior year
  • Leadership experience
  • Partipation in the Pre-PA club
  • Interview process fall semester of junior year

Contact Quinnipiac Admissions to express your interest in the PA-Prep pathway.