The standard path to becoming a physician assistant is to earn a bachelor's degree, complete the required prerequisite college classes, gain hands-on patient care experience, graduate from an ARC-PA–accredited PA program, pass the PANCE, and obtain state licensure. The process typically takes six to eight years and requires a strong science foundation — but community college classes, online college classes, and hybrid formats can all play a role in a well-planned pre-PA strategy.
- Degree required: Bachelor's + ARC-PA–accredited master's-level PA program (~27 months)
- Key prerequisites: Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Statistics, and more
- Patient care hours: Most programs expect substantial direct experience (commonly 1,000+ hours)
- Online options: Many lecture-based prerequisites accepted online; labs often must be in-person
- See also: Nursing school prerequisites guide and Prerequisite courses by major
What Is a Physician Assistant?
A physician assistant (PA) is a healthcare professional educated at the graduate level to provide medical care in collaboration with physicians and other members of the care team. PAs evaluate patients, diagnose illness, develop treatment plans, and prescribe medication across a wide range of practice settings — from primary care and urgent care to surgery, emergency medicine, and specialty practices.
The education model combines rigorous medical science coursework with supervised clinical rotations. PA school is shorter than medical school but remains clinically intensive, which is why the prerequisite college classes and patient care experience requirements are taken seriously by admissions committees.
How to Become a PA: Step by Step
Earn a bachelor's degree
Most PA schools require a bachelor's degree before matriculation. The undergraduate major can vary — biology, health science, psychology, chemistry, and kinesiology are all common — but what matters most is completing the required prerequisite college classes. Some institutions offer structured pre-PA pathways that begin in the undergraduate years and transition into the professional phase.
Complete prerequisite college courses
PA school prerequisites vary by program, but most schools share a strong core of required science and general education college classes. Many students complete these at universities, community colleges, or through approved online college classes and hybrid college classes when accepted by the target program.
Gain direct patient care experience
Many PA programs require or strongly prefer applicants to have hands-on patient care experience before applying. Common roles include EMT, CNA, medical assistant, phlebotomist, paramedic, surgical tech, and ER tech. Experience matters because PA programs move fast, and clinical familiarity is expected from day one.
Apply to PA school via CASPA
Most applicants use CASPA — the common application service for PA programs — along with any school-specific supplemental requirements. Admissions committees review prerequisite grades, cumulative GPA, science GPA, patient care hours, shadowing experience, letters of recommendation, and personal statements.
Graduate from an ARC-PA–accredited program
Entry-level PA programs should be accredited by ARC-PA, the accrediting body for physician assistant education in the United States. Programs are typically about 27 months long and include more than 2,000 hours of clinical rotations in family medicine, internal medicine, emergency medicine, surgery, pediatrics, and women's health.
Pass the PANCE and obtain state licensure
After graduating, PA candidates must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) and apply for state licensure. Graduating from an accredited program and passing the national certifying exam are core requirements across all states.
Required Courses for PA School
The exact prerequisite list depends on the program, but the overlap across schools is strong enough to define a reliable core set of required college classes. Science courses — especially those with lab components — carry the most weight in admissions.
| Course | Commonly required? |
|---|---|
| General Biology with lab | Very common |
| General Chemistry with lab | Very common |
| Human Anatomy with lab | Very common |
| Human Physiology | Very common |
| Microbiology with lab | Common |
| Statistics | Common |
| English Composition | Common |
| Psychology | Common / recommended |
| Sociology | Some programs |
| Medical Terminology | Common / recommended |
| Biochemistry | Often required |
| Organic Chemistry | Some programs |
| Genetics | Some programs |
For most pre-PA students, the highest-priority courses are anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, and microbiology — these build the knowledge base needed for advanced medical training and typically carry the most weight in admissions review. Many programs also calculate a separate science GPA, so grades in lab sciences directly affect your competitiveness.
Best Pre-PA Majors
There is no single required pre-PA major. PA schools admit students from many academic backgrounds as long as they complete the required prerequisite college classes. Common choices include:
These majors are popular because they naturally include many of the courses needed for PA school, reducing the extra coursework required before applying.
Community College Options for PA Prerequisites
Community colleges can be a smart and cost-effective place to complete prerequisite college classes for PA school. Many students use community college classes to finish biology, chemistry, microbiology, English composition, psychology, statistics, and other lower-division coursework before transferring or applying.
The most important considerations are:
- Whether the PA program accepts the specific course from that institution
- Whether the lab component meets the program's stated requirement
- Whether the course was completed recently enough (some programs have recency rules)
- Whether the institution is regionally accredited
When in doubt, contact the admissions office at your target PA programs directly and ask before enrolling.
Are Online College Classes Accepted for PA Prerequisites?
Often yes — but the answer depends on the program. Some PA schools explicitly state that online and hybrid prerequisite courses are acceptable for all required college classes. Others require lab courses to be completed in person.
Online college classes
Fully remote. Generally accepted for lecture-based prerequisites at many PA programs.
- English Composition
- Psychology & Sociology
- Statistics
- Medical Terminology
- Some intro biology or chemistry lectures
Hybrid college classes
Online coursework combined with scheduled in-person lab or skills sessions.
- Lab sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology)
- Anatomy with lab component
- Students needing flexible scheduling
- Courses where hands-on work is required
Contact each PA program's admissions office and ask: "Will [specific course name and provider] satisfy your prerequisite for [subject]?" Get the answer in writing. Some programs have explicit online acceptance policies; others do not.
Are There Fully Online PA Programs?
For entry-level students, not in any meaningful sense. While some schools market online or hybrid PA programs, those models still include required in-person clinical rotations, skills immersions, or on-site components — because PA education is hands-on and must meet ARC-PA accreditation standards.
A student cannot become a physician assistant through a 100 percent online entry-level program with no in-person clinical training. Fully online options are more common for already-credentialed PAs pursuing advanced degrees such as a DMSc or other post-professional programs rather than for initial PA licensure.
Yale's online PA program is a well-known example of a post-professional program designed for practicing PAs, not entry-level students.
How Long Does It Take to Become a PA?
Complete undergraduate degree + core prerequisite college classes
Build direct patient care hours while finishing any outstanding prerequisites
ARC-PA–accredited didactic + 2,000+ hours of clinical rotations
Pass the national certifying exam and complete state licensure requirements
For most students, the total path takes six to eight years depending on how efficiently prerequisites and patient care hours are accumulated.
Patient Care Experience PA Schools Want
Direct patient care experience is one of the most important parts of a competitive PA application. Programs value substantial hands-on work because PA education is fast-paced, and applicants who already understand clinical environments tend to be better prepared for training and patient interaction. Many programs expect at least 1,000 hours, though competitive applicants often have significantly more.
Roles that build direct patient care experience
- EMT or paramedic
- CNA or patient care technician
- Medical assistant
- Phlebotomist
- Surgical tech or ER tech
- Registered nurse, respiratory therapist, or similar licensed healthcare roles
Sample Pre-PA Course Plan
A common pre-PA path covers the following college classes over the first two years of undergraduate study or at a community college:
- English Composition I and II
- General Biology I and II (with labs)
- General Chemistry I and II (with labs)
- Human Anatomy and Human Physiology
- Microbiology (with lab)
- Statistics
- Psychology and (depending on target schools) Sociology
- Medical Terminology
- Biochemistry — and possibly Organic Chemistry or Genetics depending on the school list
Build this list against each target program's official prerequisite page — requirements vary enough that a custom spreadsheet is worth the effort.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Prerequisites differ by school. Applying broadly without checking each program's course list can lead to missed requirements and delayed applications.
Some students finish all science college classes and then realize they still need substantial hands-on experience before applying competitively.
Online and hybrid college classes may be accepted, but this is not universal — especially for labs and older coursework. Always confirm with each program first.
Only ARC-PA–accredited entry-level programs lead to PANCE eligibility and state licensure. Always verify accreditation status before enrolling.
People Also Ask
What degree do you need to become a physician assistant?
Most PA programs require a bachelor's degree before admission. The undergraduate major can vary widely — what matters most is completing the required prerequisite college classes in the sciences and general education.
What college classes are required for PA school?
The most common required college classes are biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, statistics, English composition, and psychology. Many programs also require or strongly recommend biochemistry, medical terminology, and organic chemistry. Requirements vary by program.
Can you take PA prerequisites online?
Yes — some PA schools explicitly accept online and hybrid prerequisite coursework. Lecture-based courses like English, psychology, and statistics are more widely accepted online. Lab-based sciences often require in-person completion. Always confirm with each target program before enrolling.
Can you become a PA through a fully online program?
Not for entry-level training. All ARC-PA–accredited programs require in-person clinical education, skills labs, or practicum hours. Fully online PA programs exist only for post-professional credentials (like a DMSc) for practicing PAs who already hold a license.
Do community college classes count for PA school?
Often yes, as long as the PA program accepts the course and the content meets the published prerequisite requirement. Community colleges are a popular and cost-effective way to complete lower-division prerequisites before applying.
How many patient care hours do you need for PA school?
Requirements vary by program, but many schools value substantial direct patient care experience. Some programs publish minimums of around 1,000 hours, and competitive applicants often have considerably more. Building hours concurrently with undergraduate coursework is the most efficient approach.
Frequently asked questions
Is physician assistant a master's degree career?
Yes. Entry-level PA education in the United States is generally delivered through graduate-level programs, commonly leading to a master's degree.
What is the fastest way to become a PA?
The fastest realistic path is to complete a bachelor's degree efficiently, finish prerequisites early, build patient care hours during college, and apply as soon as all requirements are met.
Do PA schools require organic chemistry?
Some do, but not all. Because requirements vary, applicants should compare the exact prerequisite lists for each target school before deciding whether to take organic chemistry.
Is biochemistry required for PA school?
Many programs require or strongly recommend biochemistry, though this varies. Students targeting multiple programs should include it early in their prerequisite planning.
Are hybrid PA programs legitimate?
Yes, hybrid PA programs can be legitimate if the entry-level program is ARC-PA accredited and meets all clinical training requirements. Always verify accreditation status before enrolling.
What should pre-PA students do first?
The best first step is to build a target school list and compare prerequisite college classes, patient care hour expectations, GPA standards, and course format policies before registering for any classes.
The clearest path to becoming a physician assistant is to complete the right science-focused college classes, gain meaningful hands-on patient care experience, and attend an ARC-PA–accredited PA program. Community college classes, online college classes, and hybrid college classes can all play a role in a strong pre-PA plan — but entry-level PA education still requires in-person clinical training.
Sources and further reading
- AAPA — Become a PA
- ARC-PA — Currently Accredited Entry-Level Programs
- CSULB Health Professions Advising — Physician Assistant prerequisites
- University of the Pacific — PA Program Prerequisites
- UT Austin Health Professions — Pre-PA Course Requirements
- Shemmassian Consulting — PA School Requirements
- College Courses Online — Prerequisite Courses for Nursing School: Complete 2026 Guide
- College Courses Online — Most Common Prerequisite Courses by Major
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