Math Requirements To Become a Physician Assistant

<p>Most <a href="https://learn.org/articles/online_physician_assistant_programs.html">physician assistant programs</a> require students to take some math before admission. <b>Physician assistant math requirements often include statistics and could also include precalculus or calculus.</b> </p> <p>If you're interested in enrolling in a specific physician assistant program, it's important to research its prerequisites and learn about its curriculum and clinical requirements. </p> <p>However, if you want to learn basic PA math requirements, non-math requirements, and <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Physicians_Assisting_Become_a_Physician_Assistant_in_5_Steps.html">how to become a physician assistant</a>, keep reading. </p> <h2 id="section---PhysicianAssistantMathRequirements">Physician Assistant Math Requirements</h2> <p>PA programs typically require students to complete one or more math courses so they're prepared to excel in mandatory science courses. </p> <p>Read on to learn about PA school math prerequisites. Also, find out if you need to take math courses once admitted to a physician assistant program. </p> <h3 id="section---MathPrerequisitesForPASchoolAdmission">Math Prerequisites for PA School Admission</h3> <p>Statistics is one of the most common math requirements to become a physician assistant, but it's not the only one. </p> <p>Students might also be required to take precalculus to gain admission to a PA program. </p> <p>Even if precalculus is not required, it's recommended that students take this course (which covers both trigonometry and algebra) to prepare for physics and chemistry courses. </p> <p>College algebra and calculus are additional prerequisites that programs might recommend or require to excel in science courses. </p> <h3 id="section---MathRequirementsToCompleteAPAProgram">Math Requirements to Complete a PA Program</h3> <p>Once admitted to a physician assistant school, students find that courses focus less on mathematics and steer toward science. </p> <p>It's important to keep in mind, however, that many physician assistant programs are master's degree programs for students who have already earned their bachelor's degrees before admission. </p> <p>If you encounter a physician assistant program that offers both a bachelor's and master's degree, one or more math courses will be a part of your program curriculum. </p> <p>Some math courses you can expect to take in these programs include statistics, biostatistics, calculus, applied calculus, or analytic geometry. </p> <h2 id="section---NonMathPhysicianAssistantSchoolRequirements">Non-Math Physician Assistant School Requirements</h2> <p>Math is just one of several prerequisites and program courses physician assistant schools require. Science and humanities courses are also commonly required. </p> <h3 id="section---NonMathPASchoolPrerequisites">Non-Math PA School Prerequisites</h3> <p>Most non-math prerequisites needed to gain admission to assistant schools focus on science. Here are some science courses you might expect as prerequisites: </p> <ul><li>biology </li><li>microbiology </li><li>cellular biology </li><li>molecular biology </li><li>physics (some recommend algebra-based physics) </li><li>anatomy </li><li>chemistry </li><li>organic chemistry </li><li>biochemistry </li><li>genetics </li><li>vertebrate </li><li>physiology </li><li>immunology </li><li>medical terminology </li></ul><p>Non-science courses that commonly serve as prerequisites to physician assistant programs include English composition/writing and psychology. </p> <h3 id="section---NonMathPASchoolCourseRequirements">Non-Math PA School Course Requirements</h3> <p>After being admitted to a physician assistant program, you'll be required to complete numerous courses focusing mostly on science and medical concepts. Depending on the program, courses might include: </p> <ul><li>pharmacology or clinical pharmacology </li><li>hematology </li><li>pulmonary fundamentals </li><li>pathophysiology </li><li>microbiology </li><li>behavioral science </li><li>clinical laboratory medicine </li><li>cardiovascular fundamentals </li><li>evidence-based medicine </li><li>anatomy </li><li>physiology </li><li>medical ethics </li><li>neurology </li><li>biochemistry </li><li>physical diagnosis </li><li>endocrinology </li><li>nephrology </li><li>gastroenterology </li></ul><h2 id="section---HowToBecomeAPhysicianAssistant">How to Become a Physician Assistant</h2> <p>The process of becoming a physician assistant goes beyond meeting physician assistant math requirements and taking non-math courses. Let's go over what it takes to start this career. </p> <h3 id="section---1.CompletePrerequisiteCourses">1. Complete Prerequisite Courses</h3> <p>As noted previously, most physician assistant schools, particularly those awarding master's degrees, require students to complete prerequisite courses. </p> <p>To gain admission to a <a href="https://learn.org/articles/physician_assistance_degree.html">PA program</a>, you might need math courses like statistics and pre-calculus, science courses like biology and chemistry, and additional courses, including psychology and English. </p> <h3 id="section---2.GetHealthcareExperience">2. Get Healthcare Experience</h3> <p>The healthcare experience PA programs require varies from school to school; however, many want students to participate in some form of hands-on patient care. </p> <p>Accepted healthcare experience/roles might include: </p> <ul><li>scribe </li><li>paramedic </li><li>medical assistant </li><li>physical therapist </li><li>certified nursing assistant </li><li>patient care technician </li><li>emergency room technician </li><li>registered nurse </li><li>emergency medical technician </li></ul><p>Some ask students to possess at least 500 hours of patient care experience, but it's common for program applicants to possess 2,000 hours or about three years of experience. </p> <p>Students with more hours or years of experience &mdash; or training in specialized healthcare fields &mdash; might rank higher in consideration. </p> <h3 id="section---3.CompleteAPhysicianAssistantProgram">3. Complete a Physician Assistant Program</h3> <p>Once you've completed your prerequisites and can prove your healthcare experience, you'll enroll in a physician assistant program. </p> <p>If the program awards a master's degree, you'll need to complete about two or three years of classroom instruction and clinical rotations. </p> <p>If you enroll in a bachelor's and master's program, you'll complete courses that would have been considered prerequisites in traditional programs along with graduate courses. This program might take about five years to complete. </p> <p>It's common for programs to require 2,000 or more hours of clinical rotations with medical practices, long-term facilities, clinics, or other settings. </p> <h3 id="section---4.SecureCertification">4. Secure Certification</h3> <p>Upon graduating from their physician assistant program, students are eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). </p> <p>This exam is administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). </p> <p>The PANCE tests examinees' knowledge of clinical knowledge and reasoning along with additional professional behaviors and medical skills. </p> <p>After passing the PANCE, students receive NCCPA board certification and can use the title Physician Assistant-Certified or PA-C. </p> <h3 id="section---5.GetLicensed">5. Get Licensed</h3> <p>After graduating from an accredited physician assistant program and passing the PANCE, states require physician assistants to secure licensure. </p> <p>To ensure you know what it takes to get licensed, check your state's licensing requirements. </p> <h3 id="section---6.UpdateCertification">6. Update Certification</h3> <p>Once you're licensed and have started practicing as a PA, it's important to stay on top of your certification. </p> <p>Maintaining certification requires completing 100 hours of continuing medical education (CME) credits every two years. Students also take a recertification exam every 10 years. </p> <h2 id="section---FrequentlyAskedQuestionsAboutBecomingAPhysicianAssistant">Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Physician Assistant</h2> <p>Have more questions about becoming a physician assistant? Explore these frequently asked questions. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatIsTheMinimumGPAForPhysicianAssistantSchool">What Is the Minimum GPA for Physician Assistant School?</h3> <p>The minimum GPA for a physician assistant program depends on the school you choose; however, it's common for applicants to need at least a 2.75 GPA for science courses overall. Some programs require a 3.0 GPA or higher. </p> <h3 id="section---WhyIsPASchoolSoHardToGetInto">Why Is PA School So Hard to Get Into?</h3> <p>The Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) revealed that PA programs have a low acceptance rate of just 31%. Programs are known to have high application standards and can be competitive with strong applicant pools. </p> <h3 id="section---HowLongDoPhysicianAssistantProgramsLast">How Long Do Physician Assistant Programs Last?</h3> <p>PA programs that award master's degrees might take two or three years to complete. Programs that award a bachelor's and master's degree often take five years to complete. </p> <h2 id="section---StartAPhysicianAssistantProgramToday">Start a Physician Assistant Program Today</h2> <p>The first step in your journey to becoming a PA is to meet all prerequisites, including physician assistant math requirements. Once you're ready to enroll, the next step is to find a top physician assistant program near you.</p>