PA School Prerequisites, Compared

The prerequisites most PA programs require

Nearly every PA program is built on the same core science foundation. If you are early in your planning, these are the courses to prioritize:

• Human Anatomy & Physiology (often two semesters, with lab, and the course nearly every program requires)
• General Biology I & II (with lab)
• General Chemistry I & II (with lab)
• Organic Chemistry (often one semester, with lab)
• Biochemistry (increasingly required, sometimes in place of a second organic)
• Microbiology (with lab)
• Statistics

That is most of the core foundation, but individual programs require several more courses beyond these, and each sets its own list. See the complete prerequisite list free →

How PA prerequisites actually work

Grades matter more than passing. Most programs want a C or better in every prerequisite, and many prefer a B or higher. A handful will not accept anything below a B- in the sciences.

Labs are usually required. For the sciences, a lecture without its lab component often will not satisfy the requirement.

Some prerequisites expire. Certain programs require your science coursework to be completed within roughly five to ten years of applying. Many others have no time limit at all. This one rule varies more than almost any other.

Community college and AP credit are handled differently everywhere. Most programs accept community college coursework, but acceptance of AP credit, online labs, and pass/fail grades is very program-specific.

The catch: every program's list is different

Here is the part that trips people up. The list above is the common foundation, but no two programs require exactly the same set, with the same grade minimums, the same expiration rules, and the same lab requirements. And programs update their requirements between cycles. Building your course plan around a generic list is how applicants end up one prerequisite short of a school they wanted.

What are the most common PA school prerequisites?

Anatomy and physiology, general biology, general and organic chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, and statistics, usually with labs for the sciences. Individual programs require several more courses beyond this core, and the exact list varies by school.

What grade do you need in PA prerequisites?

Usually a C or better in each, though many programs prefer a B or higher and some will not accept a science grade below a B-.

Do PA school prerequisites expire?

At some programs, yes, often a five to ten year window for the sciences. Many others have no expiration. It is one of the most program-specific rules, so confirm it for each school on your list.

Are prerequisites the same at every PA school?

No. Each program sets its own courses, grade minimums, lab rules, and expiration windows, and they change over time, which is exactly why a side-by-side comparison is worth having.