Physician Assistant

Physician assistants are health care professionals who work with a licensed physician, and often serve as a primary care provider. Physician assistants practice in all medical settings and specialties, which improves access and quality of care. Physician assistants are educated in general medicine, which offers a comprehensive view of all aspects of medicine. PA is a common term used when referring to physician assistants.

What does a Physician Assistant do?

Examines, diagnoses, and treats patients under the supervision of a licensed physician
Develops and manages treatment plans
Prepares casts and splints, sutures small wounds, and interprets medical tests
Prescribes medication
Can specialize in a particular area of medicine such as pediatrics or geriatrics

Idaho State University does have a Physician Assistant program offered on both the Pocatello and Meridian campuses.

Prerequisite Coursework

Students looking to be admitted into a physician assistant program need to complete a bachelor's degree before being admitted to physician assistant programs. The following courses are common prerequisites for physician assistant programs, however you should check individual programs for their specific requirements. We also recommend checking with individual programs to see if they accept online, advanced placement, or community college credits. See a Pre-Health Advisor for assistance with course planning.

Prerequisite Courses:

Course	Credits	ISU Course
General Biology I & II and Labs	8 credits	BIOL 1101, 1101L, 1102, 1102L
Anatomy and Physiology I & II and Labs	8 credits	BIOL 2227, 2227L, 2228, 2228L or BIOL 3301, 3301L, 3302, 3302L
Microbiology and Lab	4 credits	BIOL 2233, 2233L
Genetics	3 credits	BIOL 3358
Biochemistry	3 credits	BIOL 4432
General Chemistry I & II and Labs	9 credits	CHEM 1111, 1111L, 1112, 1112L
Organic Chemsitry and Lab	4 credits	CHEM 3301, 3303
Statistics	3 credits	MATH 1153
Psychology	3-6 credits	PSYC 1101, 3301
Medical Terminology	2 credits	CPH/HCA 2210 or HO 0106

Additional Recommended Courses

Course	Credits	ISU Course
Advanced Anatomy	2 credits	BIOL 4420, BIOL 4470
Advanced Physiology	4-5 credits	BIOL 4449, BIOL 4456, BIOL 4464, BIOL 4486
Immunology	3-4 credits	BIOL 4451, BIOL 4454
Genetics	3 credits	BIOL 3358, BIOL 4461
Endocrinology	3 credits	BIOL 4443
Other Social Science Courses
Foreign Language		Spanish

Extracurricular Activities

We recommend keeping a record of all extracurricular activities. Be sure to track contact information for supervisors and physician assistants you work with or shadow, and write reflections on each activity. The Pre-Health Extracurricular Tracker can help with this and is found under the resources tab.

Patient and Healthcare Experience

Many PA programs require prior health care experience with hands-on experience, including patient care. Any experience you can get will make you a more knowledgeable and attractive applicant.

Shadowing in Healthcare Settings

Programs may have a minimum time requirement for shadowing experience. Any experience you can get will make you a more attractive and prepared applicant. Shadowing helps you understand what health care actually looks like. For more information, see the Shadowing Guide.

Research

Research is more important for some programs than others. Consult with your pre-health advisor and research specific programs for recommendations.

Leadership

Leadership in any setting will make you stand out from other applicants by showing you are actively preparing for your future in your career and community as well as showing that you are a strong member of a team.

Personal Statement

A personal statement is a written description of your achievements, interests, and motivations as part of an application to a graduate program. Personal statements should answer the questions “Why did I choose to become a Physician Assistant?” and ”What motivates me?” You should begin writing your personal statement three to six months before your application process. For more information see the Personal Statement Guide.

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation are an essential part of your application. Most programs will require letters of recommendation, however the program will determine the type and number, check with the individual programs for letter requirements. Some common recommended letters will come from a science professor, a health professional who directly observed you, and a personal reference. You should avoid asking family members, clergy/bishops, and lab instructors for a letter of recommendation. Your letters will be submitted to CASPA and then distributed to the schools you applied to. Schools will request your letters after receiving your primary application, so don’t delay submitting your primary application while waiting on your letters. For more information, see the Letters of Recommendation Guide. Consult your pre-health advisor if you have any further questions.

Application Process

Before applying, ensure that you are researching schools and making sure they your needs and wants.

Applying to dental school can be reduced down to these essential steps:

The Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

The GRE is the test required for admission into physician assistant programs. The GRE is administered throughout the year. Register to take the GRE and receive test scores 10-15 days after. Check with programs to determine what is a competitive score.

Primary Application

Primary applications are submitted through a central application service, Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). The same primary application will be sent to all schools you apply to. CASPA is open from mid-April through early March, and deadlines range from July to March. Many schools opt for rolling admissions so it is a good idea to submit early, however don’t rush and make a mistake! Take your time, and submit as early as you can. Most students take a few weeks to complete an application. Your application should include your GRE score, transcripts, extracurriculars, personal statement, and letters of recommendation.

Secondary Applications

Most schools will send out secondary applications. These applications should be completed within one month, and often require at least one additional essay. Some schools send out secondary applications to every student, and some schools screen applicants before sending out secondary applications. Secondary applications also typically have a fee attached. This is a good time to prioritize applications. You are not obligated to complete a secondary application.

Interviews

Programs may invite you to interview with them. This often indicates you are an applicant of interest, and they want to get to know you better. Many physician assistant programs hold interview days, where they bring in a group of applicants for the whole day to participate in a variety of activities related to the program and your application. For more information, see the Interview Guide.