Physician assistants, also known as PAs, practice medicine under the direction of physicians and surgeons. They are formally trained to examine patients, diagnose injuries and illnesses, and provide treatment.

Admission Requirements for the Physician Assistant Program

At the time you apply for admission to the CMU physician assistant program, you must have completed or be near completion of an undergraduate degree (B.A. or B.S.).

In addition, you must have completed a minimum of 100 hours of direct health care experience which may be obtained through volunteer work or employment. Although indirect patient care experiences can be valuable, clerical work performed in a medical setting or "shadowing" a physician assistant or physician are not acceptable direct health care experiences.

All physician assistant programs have prerequisite courses you must complete, sometimes before even applying to the program. You must verify with an advisor and/or with each physician assistant school you plan on applying to, that all prerequisites and direct health care experience are completed properly.

Education and Training

Physician assistant educational programs usually take at least 2 years to complete if you are a full-time student.

PA education includes classroom and lab instruction in subjects like biochemistry, pathology, human anatomy, physiology, clinical pharmacology, clinical medicine, physical diagnosis and medical ethics. They also include supervised clinical training in several areas, including family medicine, internal medicine, surgery, prenatal care and gynecology, geriatrics, emergency medicine and pediatrics.

The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions at CMU offers a 2-year professional physician assistant graduate curriculum. The program curriculum that spans 27 months. The first 15 months are spent primarily on campus in classroom and lab instruction. The remaining 12 months consist of clinical rotations in various medical specialties.

College Major

You are not required to select a particular major in order to be eligible for admission to a PA program. In selecting a college major, consider how you will you satisfactorily complete the prerequisite courses for your designated physician assistant programs in addition to the college/university's degree and major requirements. Work with your academic and/or pre-PA advisor to plan your course schedule.

You have the option to choose from a wide variety of undergraduate majors to prepare you for a physician assistant program, however your best preparation for PA school is a major in biology. Suggested undergraduate majors include Exercise Science, Biology, Psychology, Child Development, Therapeutic Recreation, Athletic Training/Sports Medicine and Health Administration.

GPA

Most programs look for a minimum undergraduate cumulative 3.0 GPA but the average GPA for matriculates is a 3.5 cumulative and a 3.5 in the sciences. Keep in mind these numbers are averages and various schools can have their own averages that are higher or lower. Also, these averages are climbing higher each year and admission to physician assistant graduate programs is more competitive than ever. Be sure you take your studies seriously and put in the proper time for reading, studying, and review for each course.

GRE (Graduate Record Examination)

Most programs will require some standardized testing. The most common exam required by physician assistant progams is the GRE. This is a computerized exam offered year-round. Examinees may take the test once every 60 days, but no more than 5 times within a 12-month period.

In order to register for the GRE you will need to complete the following:

• Create a GRE user account: https://mygre.ets.org/greweb/login/login.jsp
• Register for the GRE
• Take the test

The General Test was revised in August 2011. Click here for more information regarding these changes. These changes went into effect November 2011.

Click here for more information on the GRE.

Quick Look at the GRE

Verbal Reasoning (60 minutes)

• 40 questions
• Score range: 200-800
• Content: reading, analytical reasoning, vocabulary
• CMU courses with relevant content: ENG 101, ENG 201

Quantitative Reasoning (70 minutes)

• 40 questions
• Score range: 200-800
• Content: basic math, algebra, geometry, data analysis
• CMU courses with relevant content: MTH 105, MTH 107, MTH 130

Analytical Writing (60 minutes)

• 2 essays (30 minutes/essay)
• Score range: 0-6
• Content: grammar, writing ability, data interpretation, analytical reasoning
• CMU courses with relevant content: ENG 101, ENG 201

When do students take the GRE?

Usually in the spring or early summer after your junior year

Where is the GRE administered?

On CMU's campus and in several locations throughout Michigan

What is the cost of the GRE?

$160, which covers the cost of sending scores to 4 graduate programs; additional fee is charged for score reports beyond the 4

How should you prepare for the GRE?

• Begin at least 3 months before your test date
• Questions emphasize problem-solving abilities, not rote memorization
• Essential to obtain practice tests

Experience as a Physician Assistant

Many PA programs require applicants to have a certain number of volunteer or paid experiences working with patients in a physician assistant clinic. The program may specify which settings or types of experiences are required. Applicants also may be required to have a licensed physician assistant verify the number of hours and type of experience. This experience may be an important factor in the admissions process.

Other qualifications. To be a physician assistant you must have a desire to serve patients and be self-motivated. PAs must also have good bedside manner, emotional stability and the ability to make decisions in emergencies. You should also have an enthusiasm for lifelong learning because your eligibility to practice depends on continuing education.

Michigan Physician Assistant Programs

• Central Michigan University – The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions
• Grand Valley State University
• University of Detroit - Mercy
• Wayne State University – College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
• Western Michigan University

Applying to Physician Assistant Schools

There is now a centralized application process for physician assistant schools. You may file one application and send it to multiple physician assistant programs. Most physician assistant schools use the CASPA (Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants) site as a centralized application site.

• To apply: Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA)
• Create a new account
• Submit your application accurately but early if possible

Other qualifications. To be a physician assistant you must have a desire to serve patients and be self-motivated. PAs must also have good bedside manner, emotional stability and the ability to make decisions in emergencies. You should also have an enthusiasm for lifelong learning because your eligibility to practice depends on continuing education.

Course Requirements

Certain basic requirements must be fulfilled before you can be accepted to a physician assistant graduate program. You must verify with an advisor and/or with each physician assistant school you plan on applying to, that all prerequisites and direct health care experience are completed properly. Some of the most common requirements include:

• 1 year Inorganic Chemistry
• 1 year Organic Chemistry
• 1 year Biology
• 1 year Psychology
• 1 semester Anatomy & Physiology
• 1 semester Biochemistry
• 1 semester Statistics

Below are the CMU courses we recommend to meet these requirements:

Some physician assistant schools may have additional courses required or recommended. Review the admission requirements of the physician assistant schools you plan on applying in advance.

All required courses must be taken for a grade. Each school has its own policy regarding AP credit. Usually, AP credit in these areas should be followed with additional upper level work in the discipline including labs.

Additional Courses

To further strengthen you application and your ability to succeed in physician assistant school, here are some additional CMU courses you could take:

You should contact a CMU Pre-Physician Assistant advisor before or during your freshman year to develop a program of study.

Pre-Physician Assistant Club

The Pre-Physician Assistant Club at CMU is designed to prepare students to apply to physician assistant school and learn about the career outlooks and aspects of a physician assistant.

The club meets biweekly on Wednesdays at 8:00 PM in Dow Science Complex 102.

For more information, click here to visit the club's page on Facebook, e-mail the club, or contact our faculty advisor:

Job Outlook

Physician assistants held about 83,600 jobs in 2010.

Employment of physician assistants is increase 30 percent from 2010 to 2020, much faster than the average for all occupations. As more physicians enter specialty areas of medicine, there will be a greater need for primary healthcare providers, such as physician assistants.

Earnings

The median annual wage of physician assistants was $86,410 in May 2010.

Online Resources

For information on a career as a physican assistant:

• American Academy of Physician Assistants Information Center

For a list of accredited physician assistant programs:

• Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant

For eligibility requirements and a description of the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam:

• National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, Inc.

Advisors

Pre-Health Professions Academic Advisor

Lisa E. Snider
Emmons Hall 136B
(989) 774-2711
snide1le@cmich.edu

Faculty Advisors