Pre-Physician Assistant
As health professionals who are licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision, physician assistants provide many services that have been traditionally performed by physicians. Physician assistants take patient histories, conduct physical examinations, diagnose and treat illness, order and interpret laboratory tests, perform minor surgery and, in most states, prescribe medication.
Physician assistants work in a variety of medical settings including emergency departments, private physician practices, health care clinics, mental health facilities, and hospitals. Because physician assistants can deliver care in such diverse settings and are cost-effective members of the traditional health care team, employment opportunities are abundant for graduates of this master’s degree program.
Recommended Course of Study
Pre-requisites vary by individual program, so students should meet with advisor during their first semester on campus. Common pre-requisites, along with their CMU equivalents, are listed below.
Anatomy with associated lab:
| BIO 337 | Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy | 4(3-3) |
| OR | |
| HSC 214 | Human Anatomy | 4(3-3) |
Physiology with associated lab:
Microbiology:
Biochemistry:
| CHM 421 | Introductory Biochemistry for Health Sciences | 3(3-0) |
| OR | |
| CHM 520 | Introductory Biochemistry | 3(3-0) |
Developmental Psychology:
| PSY 220 | Lifespan Developmental Psychology | 3(3-0) |
Graduate Record Examination (GRE): This test, required by many PA programs, is usually administered as a computerized exam offered throughout the year. Student can register for the exam online and should plan on preparing for the exam three months before the scheduled test date.
Application to PA Programs: These materials should be obtained and prepared during the spring semester prior to the ap-plication process, which normally occurs during the summer. Most PA programs use the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). This application service can be found online.
CMU PA Program: Students interested in the Graduate Physician Assistant program at CMU should visit the program website: https://www.cmich.edu/colleges/CHP/hp_academics/physician_assistant/Pages/PA-Program-at-CMU.aspx. The Physician Assistant program at Central Michigan University is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).