Physician assistants have a similar role as primary care doctors. They treat, diagnose, and prescribe medication, but they are under the supervision of a medical doctor. Education is only two years; however, it can take a couple of years to meet healthcare/patient contact hours (~1000-2000) required to apply.
Academic Sample Plans
Plan ahead by viewing the UCSD Physician Assistant School Timeline.Explore
- Ask What is a Physician Assistant?
- What is a PA (infographic)
- Read about the PA Profession and PA Education from the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)
- Consider Surgical Physician Assistant
- Learn about the PA Scope of Practice
- Learn how to become a certified PA and Specialty Certificates of Added Qualifications (CAQ)
Prepare
Academic Prerequisites
Compare Prerequisites at California PA Schools
Identify School Prerequisites and the UC San Diego classes you can take to meet them. The list provided below is a general guideline for courses. Students are expected to check individual schools for their specific prerequisites.- One year of biology
- One year of general chemistry
- One biochemistry course
- One year of anatomy and physiology
- One anatomy course with lab
- One human physiology course with lab
- Alternatively, some community colleges teach anatomy and physiology combined
- Microbiology
- Statistics
- Genetics
Recommended Courses
- General psychology
- Nutrition
- Medical terminology
- Medical Spanish or Spanish
- Advanced/upper division biology courses
Experience
- Steps to Become a PA
- Many PA schools want applicants with extensive direct patient care experience. Consider training to become an EMT/paramedic, medical assistant, nurse (RN, LVN or CNA), phlebotomist or other Allied Health.
Student Organizations
- PA-related student groups at UCSD include the following:
- The Pre-Physician Assistant Student Organization provides excellent opportunities to meet other pre-PA students, local PAs, and visiting PA programs.
Apply
Applying to PA school occurs in the fall or winter before you want to start the program. Identify programs that match your interests and complete an application. Some steps take more time to complete than others, so plan ahead!
Selecting Schools & Programs
Consider curriculum, clinical training options, location, and cost
- Learn about Applying to PA Programs
Personal Essay
- Express your motivation and desire to become a physician assistant
- 5000 characters limit
- Additional tips for developing your personal essay
Submitting Your Application
- CASPA – the application service that compiles your transcripts, letters, essays, and activities
- Supplemental applications to CASPA-Participating Programs which require them
- Individual school applications to PA schools that do not participate in CASPA
- CASPA Demo video
- Get more info and resources on your personal essay, interview tips, letters of evaluation, and taking a gap year.
Gaining Experience
For any successful pre-health path, you will need to demonstrate you have experience. This includes service/volunteering, leadership, research, and/or other experiential learning opportunities.