Pre-Physician Assistant

• Biomedical Science (B.S.) Pre-Physician Assistant Degree Requirements
• Health Science (B.S.) Pre-Physician Assistant Degree Requirements
• Health Science (B.S.) Pre-Physician Assistant 3+2 Degree Requirements

Degree Maps

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

Course Delivery

Upon completion of this degree program, students will be able to:

• describe the cellular basis of life.
• describe the molecular and microbial mechanisms underlying human disease.
• describe the integration between animal form and function.
• describe the molecular biology of the gene and central dogma.
• communicate using the conventions of biomedical sciences.
• utilize biomedical laboratory tools and techniques to design experiments and analyze data.
• prepare for admission to physician assistant/associate programs.

The nationally ranked Physician Assistant Program at Commonwealth University is designed based on the medical model that emphasizes basic sciences, clinical sciences, and the critical thinking skills required to complement physician practice.

Program Mission

The mission of the Physician Assistant Program is to educate and train highly-skilled Physician Assistants who: 

• Are capable of providing quality health care
• Have expertise in the health care needs of the medically underserved
• Are prepared to critically evaluate, and become leaders in bringing about improvement in the medical and social systems that affect the health of underserved populations
• Will seek and retain employment as primary care Physician Assistants in medically underserved areas of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Program Overview

• Program Length – 24 months in duration. The first year (didactic phase) of the PA Program is primarily based in the classroom and lab settings while the second year (clinical phase) is primarily based in a variety of clinical settings. Courses are arranged so that foundational information is learned early and provides students with confidence and a strong basis for subsequent material. The total number of credits required for the PA Program (Didactic + Clinical Years) is 94.5.
• Service Opportunities – Available both locally and internationally. Recent international travel has included Jamaica, Costa Rica, and Honduras.
• Program Delivery – Offered in Lock Haven and Harrisburg. Each location includes a dedicated classroom with state-of-the-art academic technology to link the campus locations as well as anatomy labs, physical exam labs, and study space.

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Only available at the Lock Haven campus

To be considered for the accelerated option, you must have a completed online application designating the Health Science/Pre Physician Assistant track before November 1st with a 3.5+ weighted GPA, SAT score of at least 1200 or a composite score of 25 on the ACT submitted to the Admissions Office.  

Applicants are carefully screened to ensure they have the track record (e.g. high class rank and strength of curriculum) to succeed in this very concentrated, rigorous and demanding academic and professional program. If accepted, a compressed schedule of undergraduate classes, including summer work, will enable you to transition into the graduate program at the end of your third year.

If accepted into the "3+2" program, you must maintain the following criteria in order to ensure a guaranteed seat into the graduate program:

• Grade Point Average (GPA): 3.2 or above
• Grades in core classes: B or better
• Successful interview

Course Delivery

I am interested in the 3+2 accelerated program, how do I apply?

• The first step is to apply to Commonwealth University – Lock Haven and designate your choice of major as: Health Science: Pre-Physician Assistant. 
  For consideration for the accelerated program, your application must meet the following criteria BEFORE the November 1 deadline:
• Weighted GPA of 3.5 or higher
• Submit SAT scores of at least 1200 or an ACT composite score of 25
• Please ensure that all required materials, including test scores, are submitted to the Admissions Office or uploaded via your application portal by the deadline.

Can I transfer into the 3+2 track?

• This is a direct admission program only; unfortunately, transfer students are not permitted to apply to this program.

I received an acceptance notification for the traditional 4+2 Health Science Pre Physician Associate/Assistant program; does that mean I didn’t make it into the 3+2 program?

• Not at all! This acceptance is the first step in the process. Now that you’ve been accepted to the traditional 4-year option (4+2), here’s what’s next for the 3+2 accelerated program:If you haven't already, be sure we have your SAT or ACT score submitted before November 1st this is required for 3+2 consideration. These can either be sent via College Board or through your high school transcript.
• Be patient. We will wait until the November 1st deadline to review all qualified applicants and make decisions regarding who to invite for an interview.

How soon will I know if I’ve been invited for an interview?

• After November 1st, our faculty will review accepted “4+2” students and decide which qualified students to invite for an on-campus interview. You will be notified by email if you are selected and will contain additional information and the opportunity to select your interview date/time. It is important that you continue to receive email notifications from Commonwealth University after your initial application so that nothing is missed. Students who reserve an interview time will join us on campus for PA Interview Day.

Where and when are the interviews?

• The interviews are held in-person at the CU – Lock Haven campus in mid- November. Occasionally, we will elect to hold an additional interview date in December, but only if necessary.

What is the interview process like?

• On the day of your choice, you will arrive to campus at the Durrwatchter Alumni Conference Center. This day is a chance for us to get to know more about you. We will give a brief overview of the program, both undergraduate and graduate portions. We will also give you and your supporters an opportunity to ask any questions you might have.

  Interviews:

  Interviews are in a group format and should be treated as a professional experience. The faculty committee will ask questions to learn more about applicants, for example: why they are interested in the profession, their academic background, and more about their career aspirations.

  Parent/Supporters are welcome to attend Interview Day and will be provided a separate session during the student interview portion that addresses things like student support services, housing, and financial aid.

When will I know if I was chosen for the 3+2 program?

• To allow all qualified students flexibility, several dates for interviews will be scheduled. Once all student candidates have had an opportunity to interview, representatives from the undergraduate and graduate programs will meet to make determinations on which students will be offered a seat in the program. This timeline will vary, but it is our goal to notify students who have successfully completed an interview as soon as possible, likely in early December. Once offers are released, students have three (3) weeks from the date of the offer to accept or decline their space. Note: Accepting your seat in the accelerated program does not require the $200 enrollment deposit. All students have until May 1 to submit their deposit.

I’ve accepted my seat in the 3+2 program – what now?

• Congratulations! We look forward to having you here at The Haven. Here are a few things to help you prepare to start your academic journey.
• Once available, register for New Student Orientation
• We need to make sure you are properly prepared to begin your classes. It is EXTREMELY important that you are eligible to take CHEM121 in your first semester. There are two ways to ensure enrollment in CHEM121:
  Take the ALEKs math placement test. Please take this test seriously and complete to the best of your ability and your ALEKs math placement score must be 61 or higher. Incoming credit for MATH118, MATH120, or MATH140 are also acceptable.

I’m doing four years of coursework in three years, how will that impact my college experience?

• Each student experience is different. This academic program requires dedication and effective time-management skills. Despite the accelerated and demanding nature of the program, many students find time to become involved in clubs, sports, on-campus groups, work, study abroad and many other opportunities both on and off-campus.

Can I transfer in AP, certifications, or dual enrollment courses?

• Yes! Commonwealth University accepts credits from AP exams (with a score of 3 or higher), credit for prior learning, or college courses taken while enrolled in high school. If you are enrolled in college-level coursework elsewhere, we require a transcript be sent to our office from the institution through which the course is taken once final scores are posted. All transcripts should be sent electronically to transcripts@commonwealthu.edu and they will be added to your profile by our admissions team.

Do any of my dual enrollment credits or AP credits may apply to your requirements here at CU? 

• Most likely, yes. Be sure to be in touch with your admissions counselor throughout the application process to be sure that your credits transfer.Credits will not be posted to your account until an official transcript is processed through the Admissions Office.
• The 3+2 program is a rigorous science-based curriculum. It requires enrollment in summer courses as well as maintaining high academic standards. If you refer to the Degree Requirements document (here), courses denoted with a “#” require a grade of B or better. These are universal admission criteria for the graduate program. Courses can be retaken, if needed, before matriculation into the graduate program. Students must also maintain a 3.2 GPA or higher at the time of application to be eligible for interview. Courses can be retaken if needed, provided there is sufficient time before matriculation into the graduate program.

If you have specific questions regarding your application, please feel free to reach out to our Admissions team directly at admissions@commonwealthu.edu 

Our Pre-Physician Associate / Assistant Studies Certificate program helps prepare students for the rigorous coursework and clinical requirements of a Physician Assistant (PA) program.

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