Yes. The program has no policy for advanced standing in the professional phase. Once admitted, all PA students must take the entire PA professional phase curriculum.
This is usually only a concern for off-campus applicants who have already earned degrees and, as a result, have taken courses similar to those in the PA program.
The only exception would be if a candidate has a bachelor’s degree or above in that exact discipline, they would not be required to take the course. For example, a biochemistry bachelor’s degree holder would not be required to take biochemistry during the program.
Most healthcare experiences count. Both paid and/or volunteer experiences count. Ideally, experiences should be healthcare-related. Some students have earned nursing assistant certification, working summers in hospitals or nursing homes. Some students have received on-the-job training in nursing homes.
Volunteer experiences are just as valuable. Applicants have volunteered at summer camps for children with disabilities or who suffer from other afflictions. Some volunteer at group homes for individuals with disabilities or in recovery.
Activities that do not count include lifeguarding, babysitting or medical activities not involving patients, such as medical records or transcription.
Yes, a minimum of 200 hours must be completed by the application deadline. Having 200 hours or more demonstrates a commitment to the admission process and to a career in healthcare as a Physician Assistant
Average number of applicants has been about 120-150.
We accept a total of 50 students per year. 25 +/- 5 students are accepted from Marquette undergraduates with the other 25 +/- 5 students admitted from outside Marquette.
A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required. Provisional admission may be given to students with a cumulative GPA less than 3.0.
Application to PA programs across the country is highly competitve. Undergraduate students continue their work towards their Biomedical Sciences degree and may re-apply.
Absolutely. Some students become aware of the PA profession after declaring majors in other fields. These students must realize that if admitted to the PA program, they become biomedical sciences majors and must complete their undergraduate requirements before beginning PA studies.
There are many jobs in the healthcare field that are non-clinical but still very involved with patient care. A biomedical sciences degree is the perfect degree for positions in these fields. Students can also continue to pursue other graduate programs.
Applicants may submit healthcare experience hours earned before beginning college. Applicants should augment these experiences with more recent ones.
.Shadowing is encouraged, but not mandatory. With the advent of new federal privacy legislation, in some areas it has become more difficult to allow laypersons access to certain areas in hospitals and clinics.
Although there are no requirements as to the format of content of the three reference letters we require, we do have some suggestions as to whom these references might come from.
- Someone who knows you academically. This would ideally be someone whose course you have taken and can comment on your preparation for the rigors of an intense professional academic program.
- Someone who knows your work ethic. This would ideally be from someone in the healthcare field with whom you have worked with, or worked for, and can comment on your work ethic, passion for healthcare, etc.
- Someone who knows you personally. This would ideally be from someone in the community who can comment on your character, your goals, etc.
For answers to other questions, go to the Physician Assistants and Physician Assistant Education Web site, or submit a request via the form at the bottom of this page.
