Information for High School Students & Parents

Earning a Bachelor’s Degree

Because PA programs are at the master’s level, all applicants must complete a bachelor’s degree before entering the program. PA programs do not require a specific major. However, high school students planning ahead may benefit from majoring in Biology or Chemistry, as these majors naturally include most prerequisite courses.

Students majoring in other fields—such as Psychology—will still need to complete several Biology and Chemistry prerequisites in addition to their major requirements. This may extend the time needed to finish courses or require taking additional classes after graduation.

Important note about cost:
Once you complete your bachelor’s degree, you are no longer eligible for undergraduate grants or scholarships. Any prerequisite courses taken afterward (post‑baccalaureate) must be paid for out of pocket or with student loans. For financial and time‑management reasons, it is best to complete as many required courses as possible during your undergraduate degree.

A Major to Avoid

Students who plan to enroll in a PA program immediately after college should avoid majoring in Nursing. Nursing programs typically do not include the PA program prerequisites, and nursing coursework cannot be substituted for them. We also strongly discourage pursuing nursing solely as a “stepping stone” to becoming a PA, as it takes a training seat from someone who truly wants to be a nurse.

However, this does not mean nurses cannot become PAs. Many registered nurses enter PA programs after working in the field for several years and later deciding to pursue the PA profession.

About Online Bachelor’s Degrees

For optimal preparation, applicants should not complete an online bachelor’s degree. Online programs generally do not prepare students for the intensity and fast pace of PA education.

Required Prerequisite Coursework

All prerequisite courses must be completed before entering the PA program. They cannot be taken during PA school.

Frequently Asked Questions About Prerequisites

Do courses taken at a community college or online count?
Yes—courses taken through a regionally accredited institution will be accepted. However, students who complete most of their science coursework at a four‑year university tend to be better prepared for the PA curriculum.

Students completing Early College or dual‑enrollment credits in high school may transfer these courses into a four-year degree. Still, it is recommended that students limit taking upper‑level science classes (e.g., Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Genetics, Cell Biology) at community colleges or online.

Do all prerequisites need to be finished when I apply?
No. You may apply while courses are in progress, but you cannot have more than three outstanding prerequisites at the time of application. All must be completed before the mid‑August PA program start date.

Are prerequisites the same for every PA program?
No—requirements vary widely between programs. Students should research each PA program carefully, track requirements and deadlines, and work with an academic advisor to plan their coursework.

Common prerequisites found in many PA programs include:

  • Microbiology
  • Anatomy & Physiology I&II
  • General Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Psychology
  • Statistics

Additional courses some programs may require:

  • Biochemistry
  • Medical Terminology

Clinical Experience

Most PA programs—including MUPAP—require applicants to gain hands‑on clinical experience before applying. The MUPAP requires a minimum of 1,000 hours at the time of application.

Why clinical experience matters

Clinical experience helps applicants:

  • Understand the healthcare environment
  • Learn the role of the PA
  • Build comfort working with patients and healthcare teams
  • Grow in professionalism and maturity

Common positions that qualify

These roles typically require a short certification program, often available at community colleges:

  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
  • EMT
  • Medical Assistant
  • Scribe
  • Patient Care Technician / Patient Care Assistant

Only hours worked after certification count toward the requirement.

Volunteer experience may count only if it includes direct patient contact.

Because every PA program has slightly different rules, choose a position that is widely accepted by programs you plan to apply to.

MUPAP does not arrange clinical experience opportunities.

Shadowing

The MUPAP encourages—though does not require—shadowing a PA. Shadowing hours cannot fulfill the 1,000 clinical hours for our program, but other PA programs may require shadowing.

When can I earn clinical hours?

Many students work in healthcare positions during the summer.
If you cannot gain enough experience during college, you will need to take a gap year after graduation.

Can I apply without completed clinical hours?

If a PA program requires completed hours at the time of application and you do not have them, do not apply. The PA application process is expensive and time‑consuming, and missing requirements will prevent your application from being considered.

Keeping track of hours

PA programs do not require proof of hours, but you will need to report them accurately. Keep:

  • Pay stubs
  • Shadowing logs
  • A spreadsheet of hours

You should track the following:

  • Position title
  • Start and end dates
  • Hours per week
  • Total hours
  • Location
  • Supervisor name/title/contact
  • Description of your duties

Admissions committees focus heavily on your description, particularly on evidence of direct patient contact.

Journaling

Not required but highly encouraged. Reflecting on patient interactions provides excellent material for personal statements and interview conversations.

Selection Factors

The MUPAP selects applicants using a combination of academic performance, non‑academic factors, and an in‑person interview. Applicants should review class profiles to understand the typical academic metrics of admitted students.

When to Apply

The MUPAP begins one cohort each year in mid‑August.

The application opens 16 months before the start date.
Students applying immediately after college typically apply between junior and senior year.

MUPAP participates in the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA).

Gap Year(s)

Many applicants take one or more gap years after completing their bachelor’s degree. During this time, students may:

  • Earn clinical experience hours
  • Improve academics (retake courses or complete post‑baccalaureate work)
  • Save money
  • Confirm their desire to attend PA school
  • Gain maturity and life experience

PA programs do not view gap years negatively. Many programs appreciate applicants who use this time productively.

Interviews

Selected applicants will be invited to interview with the admissions committee beginning about one year before the program start date. An interview invitation does not guarantee acceptance.

Do Methodist University graduates receive preference?

Yes. MUPAP offers two preference pathways for MU undergraduate students, and these preferences remain valid even if a student takes gap years.

Program Length & Degree Earned

The MUPAP program curriculum is 27 months in length. Students entering PA school right after college can expect a total of 6.5 years of education:

  • 4 years for a bachelor’s degree
  • 2.5 years of PA school

Graduates earn a Master of Medical Science (MMS).