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Physician Assistant School Application

Prerequisite requirements are VERY school specific for Physician Assistant (PA) programs. It is important to check the requirements of each school you are considering, to make sure you complete all requirements. Many programs require that prerequisite courses be taken within 5 years of the application date. PA programs are generally fine with courses being completed at a community college.

An online list of PA programs in California, including admissions deadlines, entrance requirements, credentials awarded, fees etc.

Following are some of the most common courses required and recommended.

UC Berkeley courses that most students use to fulfill requirements

General (Inorganic) Chemistry & Organic Chemistry, most schools require 2 semesters of general chemistry, with lab while some schools require an additional 2 semesters of organic chemistry with lab

For 1 yr requirements:
Chem 1A/1AL, 1B

For 2 Yr requirements:
Chem 1A/1AL, 3A/3AL, 3B/3BL, MCB 102
OR
Chem 1A/1AL, 3A/3AL, 3B/3BL, MCB 100A/Chem C130
OR
Chem 4A, 4B, 112A, 112B
OR
Chem 4A, 4B, 3A/L, 3B/L

Biology, 2 semesters with lab

Bio 1B, 1A/1AL

Microbiology, 1 semester with lab

PH 162A/162L, MCB C112/112L

Human Anatomy, 1 semester with lab

IB 131/131L

Physiology, 1 semester with lab

Depends on the profession – some options are below:
MCB 32/32L,
OR
MCB 136/133L (Check your desired school – some schools will not take MCB 136/133)

Statistics 

Stat 2, Stat 20, Stat 131A

English, 2 semesters

Courses that satisfy the Reading and Composition requirement at Berkeley will fulfill health professional schools English coursework requirements for most schools. Save your course syllabi in case any schools express concern that you did not complete their English requirement.

Humanities, Social & Behavioral Science, some schools require 1 semester of an introductory course/s in psych And/Or additional social science or humanities coursework

Psych 1 (for majors)
OR
Psych 2 (for non majors)
AND/OR
Sociol 1
Cultural Anthropology