BS in Biology: Pre-Physician Assistant Emphasis

male pre physicians student in doctors office posing for camera
Start your GCU
journey today.
Step 1: Educational Interests
This helps us connect you with the right enrollment counselor to help you through the process.
Find Your Purpose
Start your GCU journey today.
Request Info
Overview

Work Toward Becoming a Physician Assistant With a Pre-PA Focus

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.

female pre physicians student in scrubs next to medical equipment
Why GCU

Earn Your Bachelor’s in Biology From GCU

Pre-physician assistant candidates who graduate from the College of Natural Sciences at GCU have been taught the essential foundational competencies for their field. The college uses five domains to ensure that the coursework for the emphasis in the pre-physician assistant pathway is effective.

Pre-PA courses aim to prepare future PAs in these domain areas:

Science foundations

Professional and scientific communication

Professionalism and ethics

Data analysis and interpretation

Advanced biomedical concepts

Take Pre-Physician Assistant Courses on Campus

As you work toward earning your Bachelor of Science in Biology degree on the GCU campus in Phoenix, you’ll be immersed within a STEM-oriented learning community that places a high priority on the quality of our healthcare education. As an on-campus student, you can benefit from academically stimulating, face-to-face discussions with your instructors and peers. You’ll also have access to all of our campus amenities, including recreational facilities and dining options, as well as extracurricular activities. GCU places an emphasis on the quality of our campus life, striving to cultivate a spirited, Christian learning community in which all are supported. 

10

Number of GCU gyms and recreational spaces on campus (2023-24)

Physician assistant consulting with a doctor while reviewing patient information on a tablet.
Coursework

Topics Taught in the Pre-PA Courses

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:

  • Sociology
  • Psychology
  • Biological sciences
  • Physical sciences

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.

Biology Competencies

The advanced scientific concepts included in these domains are designed to enable pre-physician assistant grads to receive exposure to the competencies they need. 

While you’re in this program, you will examine topics such as:

  • Complex biological networks 
  • Human anatomy
  • Scientific inquiry and methods
  • Lab methods
  • Chemistry and organic compounds
  • Heredity and genetic issues
  • Disease and syndromes

Explore Emphasis Options

Explore the various emphases in Biology from GCU 

Careers

Career Paths for BS in Biology: Pre-Physician Assistant Emphasis Graduates

Graduate-level physician assistant studies are the next stop in higher education for many graduates.

The core coursework may also lead pre-physician assistant students into other allied health graduate programs, such as:

Respiratory therapy

Emergency medical sciences

Medical technology

Other Specialties

27%

Estimated job growth for physician assistants from 2022 to 20321

$130,020

Median annual wage for physician assistants as of May 20232

Accreditation

Graduate With a Pre-PA Emphasis From an Accredited University

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.

FAQ

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.

pre physicians student sitting at desk looking at computer

Start Your PA Journey Today

If you are passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of patients, a pre-physician assistant emphasis may be the right choice for you. Fill out the form on this page to learn more about this specialized Bachelor of Science in Biology degree program.

Apply Now
  1. COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2023, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Physician Assistant, retrieved on Jan. 28, 2024. 
  2. The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Physician Assistant as of May 2022, retrieved on Jan. 28, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as physician assistant, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
  3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, Sept. 6). How To Become A Physician Assistant. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved on Jan. 18, 2024.
  4. American Academy of Physician Assistants. (n.d.). Become a PA. Retrieved on Jan. 18, 2024.

We're here to help.

I'm Ready to ApplyI Need More Information