BS in Biology: Pre-Physician Assistant Emphasis
BS in Biology: Pre-Physician Assistant Emphasis
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The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biology with an Emphasis in Pre-Physician Assistant is an undergraduate degree program at Grand Canyon University designed to help prepare you to pursue admission into a physician assistant (PA) master's degree program. These pre-PA courses focus on the sciences, healthcare and medical knowledge required to pursue a master’s degree to become a PA.
The pre-physician assistant courses place a strong emphasis on the importance of interpersonal communication. Throughout the program, you will experience hands-on learning and guidance from knowledgeable faculty, helping you prepare for the challenges of a PA master's degree. If your career goal is to become a physician assistant, this bachelor’s degree program may be the right first step for you.
The GCU pre-PA emphasis can provide a comprehensive exposure to the essential topics needed to prepare for a future role as a physician assistant.
This program will teach you fundamentals in areas such as:
As medical providers, physician assistants must be able to draw from extensive medical knowledge to examine, diagnose and treat patients under the supervision of a physician. The quality of their education is critical, as patients are relying on PAs to provide quality medical care.
Explore Emphasis Options
Explore the various emphases in Biology from GCU
As medical providers, physician assistants must be able to draw from extensive medical knowledge to examine, diagnose and treat patients under the supervision of a physician. The quality of their education is critical, as patients are relying on PAs to provide quality medical care. At GCU, we’re proud to be an institutionally accredited university, which is a reflection of our mission to provide a firm academic foundation for all of our students, including those fulfilling pre-PA requirements.
In addition, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has continually accredited GCU since 1968. The College of Natural Sciences shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by the HLC because we believe our students deserve a solid starting point from which to pursue their future career.
Pre-Physician Assistant Emphasis FAQs
Pursuing a degree with a pre-physician assistant emphasis can be the first step toward your professional career. GCU has answers to your most frequently asked questions about our bachelor’s in biology degree program.
There is not one specific bachelor’s degree required to become a physician assistant; however, most pre-PA programs focus on science, such as biology. Undergraduate programs are designed to help prepare you to tackle PA coursework in anatomy, pharmacology and clinical medicine.3
Aspiring pre-physician assistants typically pursue degree programs that teach curriculum focused on:4
Popular majors for students interested in becoming a physician assistant may also include life science, health sciences and exercise science. However, it’s essential to make sure that the undergraduate major you choose will allow you to meet the pre-PA requirements for entry into a PA master’s program. Most PA programs require coursework in the above topic areas.4 It’s possible that some science-focused degree programs that do not have an emphasis in pre-physician assistant may not include all of those prerequisites.
In addition to prerequisite courses, you can expect to be taught about the various functions of the systems in the human body, the diseases and conditions that can affect those systems. You will be expected to acquire a firm grasp of scientific processes and methods as you work through a program comprised of both classroom instruction and hands-on laboratory activities. Exposure to a variety of disciplines is intended to help prepare you to gain admission into a master’s-level PA program.
Pursuing the pre-physician assistant emphasis can be an opportunity to develop a strong foundation for pursuing a career in the healthcare field.
In addition, or as an alternative, to pursuing a career as a physician assistant, you might consider becoming a:4
Please note that some of these careers may require additional credentials.
