Prerequisites & Academics
This two-part course sequence covering the structure and function of the human body is a core requirement for every PA program.
What is Anatomy and Physiology?
This is the average length of a PA program in months.
What is 27 months?
This is the acronym for the centralized application service used by most PA programs.
What is CASPA (Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants).
Myth or Fact? PAs must have a supervising physician physically present in the room to see patients.
Myth
If the patient has "Tachycardia", it means this vital sign is too high.
What is Heart Rate/Pulse?
This biology prerequisite focuses on the study of microscopic organisms like bacteria and viruses, and almost always requires a lab.
What is Microbiology?
This is the first year of PA school, primarily consisting of classroom lectures and laboratory sessions.
What is Didactic Year?
This essay is the core of your application and must answer the question "Why do you want to be a PA?"
What is Personal Statement?
Myth or Fact: You must have a science-related major (like Biology) to get into PA school.
Myth (You can major in anything as long as you finish the prerequisites).
This prefix refers to "below" or "under", often used when describing blood sugar that is too low.
What is Hypo- (hypoglycemia)
Most PA schools require this specific chemistry course, which deals with carbon compounds, as a stepping stone to Biochemistry.
What is Organic Chemistry?
During the second year, students go on "Rotations" in different specialties; name three of the seven core rotations required by ARC-PA.
What is Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Pediatrics, OB/GYN, Behavioral Health, and Emergency Medicine?
This acronym stands for hands-on interaction with patients, such as being an EMT or CNA.
What is PCE? (Patient care experience)
Myth or Fact: Shadowing a PA is a requirement for almost all PA school applications.
Fact (Most schools require or highly recommend it).
his suffix (the end of a word) indicates "inflammation," such as in Arthritis or Tonsillitis.
What is itis?
This math course is required so PAs can understand medical research, provider data, and probability in diagnoses.
What is Statistics
Most PA programs award this type of graduate degree upon completion.
What is Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) or Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS)?
To be a competitive applicant, most successful students have at least this many hours of PCE.
1,000 to 2,000 hours (though some schools require 0, the average is much higher).
Myth or Fact: Most PA programs last between 2 and 3 years.
Fact
In medical shorthand, the letters "Px" usually stand for this.
What is Prognosis (or sometimes Physical Exam).
This upper-level biology course is often required and covers the study of the body's defense mechanisms against pathogens.
What is Pathophysiology?
PAs must pass this national certifying exam to become a "PA-C."
The PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam).
Name three common interview styles used by PA schools.
What is individual, Panel, Group, or MMI (Multiple Mini Interview).
Myth or Fact: Letters of Recommendation (LORs) automatically roll over to the next CASPA cycle if you are a re-applicant.
Myth (They must be resubmitted each cycle).
This term describes a position toward the back of the body.
What is Posterior (or Dorsal)?