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The Pre-Physician assistant Program serves students from any major who are interested in pursuing a career as a Physician Assistant (PA). The program ensures that students have access to the courses they need (over a 4 year time period) to meet their pre-professional requirements as well as providing support and guidance along the way.

Program Features

Individual, Supportive Education

We have had many students successfully apply to graduate programs, largely due to our supportive environment and individualized approach to education. Most of the upper-level science courses you take will have no more than 20 students, so you and your professors will get to know each other well. Most of our introductory science courses have fewer than 30 students. Our labs that accompany courses have faculty as instructors and fewer than 16 students. We encourage you to get involved with the Pre-Health Professions Club as early as possible, so you can take advantage of events and activities, and gain a sense of belonging to Maryville’s Pre-Health Professions community.

Dedicated, Comprehensive Advising

Maryville students planning to apply to physician assistant programs are guided in their preparation by the Pre-Health Professions advisor and the Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee usually consists of the Pre-Health Advisor, three additional science faculty members spanning the disciplines, a Psychology faculty member, an English faculty member, and someone with a degree in the health professions. The Advisory Committee offers students:

• Information about PA programs and careers
• Introduction to admissions requirements for PA programs
• The opportunity to conduct undergraduate research
• Assistance identifying shadowing and volunteer opportunities
• Evaluation of whether your course mix, GPA, and GRE/MCAT scores are competitive for schools you’re considering
• Letters of recommendation to schools with PA programs
• Help preparing for admissions interviews

We encourage you to make an initial appointment with the Pre-Health advisor during your first semester at Maryville to make sure that the process of applying to a physician assistant program isn’t overwhelming.

Sophomore Review Process

During the spring semester of the sophomore year, students are invited to go through a sophomore review process. Students assemble an application with materials similar to those required for physician assistant school admission. The Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee will review the students’ applications and conduct formal interviews with all applicants. Students going through the sophomore review process will receive feedback from the committee with recommendations for strengthening their application before the start of their junior year.

This process, during the sophomore year, allows us to provide feedback to students on ways to strengthen their application materials, life-experiences, academic success and course selection, etc. while they still have time to make the improvements - prior to application to a PA program.

Professional/Career Opportunities

Physician assistants work in hospitals, clinics, schools, physician offices, and long-term care facilities. Academic PAs share their skills and knowledge with students.

Degree Offerings

While we typically recommend majoring in biochemistry or biology, you may select another major. Pre-Physician Assistant is a program of study, not a major at Maryville University.