Pre-Physician Assistant Advising

While USD does not have a physician assistant school or specific major, students are encouraged to choose a major that offers the following courses:

Typical* required courses

• General Biology – Bio 240, 240L, 242, 242L
• General Chemistry – Chem 151, 151L, 152, 152L
• Microbiology – Bio 214 or Bio 342
• Anatomy and Physiology – Bio 212, Bio 213
• English – FYW 150 + Upper Division Writing "W" course
• Statistics – Math 120, Psych 260 or Bio 301
• Psychology – Psychology 101

*These courses will satisfy the requirements for most physician assistant schools. Make sure that you check for additional requirements at your selected schools. Most schools want you to have completed the required courses prior to the time of application. Take all required classes for a grade; pass/fail is not acceptable. Grades below a "C" are not considered passing for most medical schools. Also, note that some schools will not accept AP credit in lieu of the required courses (even if accepted by USD). You must then substitute advanced science courses for the traditional requirements satisfied with AP credits.

Some schools recommend

• Genetics – Bio 300
• Organic Chemistry – Chem 301, 301L
• Soc 101 or Anthro 102
• Spanish
• Medical terminology
• Nutrition

Other application information

• GRE: The GRE is required by some programs. Some programs will accept the MCAT.
• Clinical: Most PA programs require 500-2,000 hours of direct patient care experience. Check individual programs for clinical requirements.

Physician assistants (PAs) practice medicine under the supervision of physicians and surgeons. They should not be confused with medical assistants, who perform routine clinical and clerical tasks. PAs are formally trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive healthcare services, as delegated by a physician. Working as members of a healthcare team, they take medical histories, examine and treat patients order and interpret laboratory tests and x-rays and make diagnoses.

They also treat minor injuries by suturing, splinting and casting. PAs record progress notes, instruct and counsel patients and order or carry out therapy. Physician assistants also may prescribe certain medications. In some establishments, a PA is responsible for managerial duties, such as ordering medical supplies or equipment and supervising medical technicians and assistants.

Physician assistants work under the supervision of a physician. However, PAs may be the principal care providers in rural or inner-city clinics where a physician is present for only 1 or 2 days each week. In such cases, the PA confers with the supervising physician and other medical professionals as needed and as required by law. PAs also may make house calls or go to hospitals and nursing care facilities to check on patients, after which they report back to the physician.

The duties of physician assistants are determined by the supervising physician and by State law. Aspiring PAs should investigate the laws and regulations in the States in which they wish to practice. Many PAs work in primary care specialties, such as general internal medicine, pediatrics and family medicine. Other specialty areas include general and thoracic surgery, emergency medicine orthopedics and geriatrics. PAs specializing in surgery provide preoperative and postoperative care and may work as first or second assistants during major surgery.