Frequently Asked Questions About the Physician Assistant Program at Marquette University
1. Why is your program's professional phase a full year longer 3 years, (32 months) than other PA programs 2 years, (27 months) I've been looking at?
The on campus pre-PA curriculum at Marquette University is designed for admission to the final three years of the PA program during junior year. Once admitted, students go on to complete their junior and senior years, earning bachelor of science degrees in biomedical sciences from the College of Health Sciences.
After completing their final year of clinical clerkships (48 weeks), students earn masters degrees in physician assistant studies.
The last three years — junior, senior and graduate — comprise the three-year PA program at Marquette.
2. Do I have to take all the courses in the first professional year if I've already taken them?
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.
3. What kinds of experiences count toward the 200 hours of healthcare experience?
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.
4. Do all my health care experience hours need to be completed by the time I apply?
Yes, and the more hours of experience you have completed, the more competitive your applicantion is.
5. How many people apply for the program?
Average number of applicants has been about 120-150.
6. How many do you accept?
50 students per year, with approximately half of these students coming from the Marquette undergraduate pre-physician assistant track.
7. What GPA do I need?
A minimum GPA of 3.00 is required with provisional admission for select candidates.
8. What if I don't get in?
Application to PA programs across the country is highly competitve. Undergraduate students continue their work towards their Biomedical Sciences degree and may re-apply.
9. Can I apply as a junior or senior?
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.
10. What else can I do with a biomedical science degree?
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.
11. Do experience hours from high school or many years ago count?
Applicants may submit healthcare experience hours earned before beginning college. Applicants should augment these experiences with more recent ones.
12. What's the difference between a PA and an NP?
See Matrix detailing the differences.
13. Should I shadow a PA?
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.
For answers to other questions, go to:
