Math Requirements To Become a Physician Assistant
If you're interested in becoming a PA, explore physician assistant math requirements and non-math requirements. Also, learn the steps to becoming a physician assistant.
Most physician assistant programs require students to take some math before admission. Physician assistant math requirements often include statistics and could also include precalculus or calculus.
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.
However, if you want to learn basic PA math requirements, non-math requirements, and how to become a physician assistant, keep reading.
Physician Assistant Math Requirements
<p>PA programs typically require students to complete one or more math courses so they're prepared to excel in mandatory science courses.
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<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.
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<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.
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<p>Students might also be required to take precalculus to gain admission to a PA program.
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<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.
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<p>College algebra and calculus are additional prerequisites that programs might recommend or require to excel in science courses.
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<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.
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<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.
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<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.
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<p>Some math courses you can expect to take in these programs include statistics, biostatistics, calculus, applied calculus, or analytic geometry.
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<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.
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<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:
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<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.
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<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:
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<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.
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<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.
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<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.
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<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.
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<p>Accepted healthcare experience/roles might include:
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<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.
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<p>Students with more hours or years of experience — or training in specialized healthcare fields — might rank higher in consideration.
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<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.
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<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.
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<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.
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<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.
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<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).
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<p>This exam is administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
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<p>The PANCE tests examinees' knowledge of clinical knowledge and reasoning along with additional professional behaviors and medical skills.
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<p>After passing the PANCE, students receive NCCPA board certification and can use the title Physician Assistant-Certified or PA-C.
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<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.
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<p>To ensure you know what it takes to get licensed, check your state's licensing requirements.
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<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.
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<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.
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<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.
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<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.
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<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.
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<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.
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<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>