Pre-Physician Assistant

The Pre-Physician Assistant (P.A.) program prepares students for entrance into a professional curriculum for Physician Assistant at institutions that offer a Masters degree in this field. Pre-Physician Assistant is not a degree-granting program at the University of Maryland, College Park. At the University of Maryland, students may complete the necessary prerequisite courses required by the professional physician assistant programs to which they will be applying.  Pre-Physician Assistant follows a 4+2 model.  Students complete a four-year degree at College Park in their selected major, in addition to completing approximately twenty-four credits of Physician Assistant prerequisites.  The institution offering the program confers a Masters degree upon completion of the program.

Several educational paths exist for students who wish to enter the physician assistant field. Due to the many variables in the educational options, students are encouraged to thoroughly research this profession and determine which educational path best leads to their particular career goals. Students should check the particular prerequisites of the P.A. educational programs that interest them.

Prerequisites may change; students are strongly encouraged to contact professional programs for the most current requirements. The American Academy of Physician Assistants maintains information about individual program prerequisites. See www.aapa.org

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