Pre-Physician Assistant Requirements

The minimum educational requirement for admission to a physician assistant program is the completion of a bachelor's degree and all course requirements. Students pursuing admission to a physician assistant program can major in any undergraduate discipline.

Prerequisites vary among physician assistant programs. Students should consult with a pre-health advisor in planning their course of study.

The minimum requirements for Creighton University’s Physician Assistant Program are as follows:

Educational Requirements

A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution within the U.S. or Canada must be completed by the end of the spring term prior to matriculation. All prerequisite courses must be completed at an accredited institution within the United States or Canada with a grade of C or higher by July 15 of the matriculating year. All prerequisite science courses must be completed at an accredited four-year institution.

Required Courses

•    Human Anatomy with lab*
•    Physiology with lab*
•    Microbiology with lab
•    Organic Chemistry with lab
•    Biochemistry
•    Abnormal Psychology
•    Statistics
•    Medical Terminology

* A two-semester sequence of combined Human Anatomy and Physiology (with labs) will be accepted in place of individual Anatomy and Physiology courses.

Note: General Biology I & II with labs are prerequisites for upper-level Biology courses. General Chemistry I & II with labs are prerequisites for Organic Chemistry.

Recommended Courses

•    Immunology
•    Genetics
•    Developmental Psychology

Extracurricular Requirements

Extensive patient care experience is required for physician assistant programs, and a minimum of 250 hours of patient care experience must be accrued at the time of application submission for Creighton University’s Physician Assistant program. Students applying to physician assistant programs should also have a foundation in the following activities:

• Commitment to service of others through both medical and non-medical volunteer activities
• Physician Assistant shadowing experiencesink