Prerequisites for the Physician Assistant Practice Program

OHIO’s PA program’s prerequisite guidelines and course equivalents also can be found in this printable pdf.

• All prerequisite courses must be completed at the pre-medical or pre-health science level at a Regionally Accredited U. S. institution. 

• Math and Science prerequisite courses are used to calculate the math/science GPA requirement. General Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and Medical Terminology are not included in this calculation. Math/Science GPA must be a minimum of 3.0 to apply. 

• At the time of application, candidates may have no more than three outstanding prerequisite courses. Of these, no more than two outstanding prerequisites can be courses factored into the M/S GPA calculation. Courses in progress are considered outstanding. 

• Outstanding prerequisite courses must be completed, in progress of, or registered for by the time of interview scheduling (August). Failure to meet this requirement will result in the closure of the CASPA application. 

• Prerequisite courses that require both, lecture and lab components, must be taken as a series at the same institution. 

• No candidate will be eligible for matriculation unless all prerequisite coursework is complete by December 31 of the application year. 

• Candidates must provide an updated transcript and/or proof of course registration to the OHIO PA Program upon request. Candidates must also update CASPA as outstanding prerequisite courses are completed. 

• Human Anatomy (lecture and lab) and Human Physiology prerequisite courses must be taken within 5 years of matriculation. 

• All other science prerequisite courses, medical terminology, and statistics must be taken within 10 years of matriculation. 

• General Psychology, Abnormal/Developmental Psychology, and College Algebra have no expiration date. 

• No work/life, CLEP, technical, or vocational skill credit will be accepted in place of prerequisite courses. 

• Advanced Placement (AP) and College Credit Plus (CCP) Credits may be accepted if taken within 10 years of matriculation and coursework is reported individually on official college transcripts. 

• If a prerequisite course is repeated, the most recent grade will be considered. 

• Alternative grades such as Pass or Satisfactory will be subject to further review. If given the option, applicants should elect to keep the standard letter grade for the course in progress. If an alternative (pass/satisfactory) grade is elected, a formal letter from the graduating institution verifying that a C or higher was earned in the course, will be required during the admissions process. OHIO's PA program reserves the right to decline coursework with alternative grades. 

• For alternate prerequisite course approval, send the following to paadmissions@ohio.edu: Name of course, course number, offering institution, number of credit hours, and published course description. 

¹ Anatomy and physiology can be taken as combined courses (Anatomy & Physiology I and II) for eight semester hours with lab.

(*) courses must be completed within 10 years of matriculation.

(**) courses must be completed within 5 years of matriculation.

 (#) courses are used to determine the prerequisite math and science GPA.

OHIO University Pre-PA Tracks

The College of Health Sciences and Professions (CHSP) undergraduate majors in Exercise Physiology and Nutrition Science; and the College of Arts and Sciences undergraduate major in Biological Sciences serve as OHIO University's Pre-PA tracks. See sample degree plans.

Contact undergraduate advising for more information about OHIO's Pre-PA tracks and other majors that are compatible with PA education: College of Health Sciences and Professions: chspss@ohio.edu College of Arts and Sciences: CAS.undergrad@ohio.edu

Pre-Admission Questions

If applicants have questions about pre-admission coursework, please contact the Director of Admissions and Recruitment Denielle Vazquez via email vazquezd@ohio.edu.