Biology: Pre-Physician Assistant

Two Pre-Physician Assistant Major students examine a model of the muscles of the leg.
BS Pre-Professional On-Campus Main Campus

DEGREE TYPE

Bachelor's Degree

PROGRAM TYPE

Undergraduate

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Find your fearless. Turn your passion into practice.

The biology pre-physician assistant major is for students preparing to apply for admission into a physician assistant program. The field is one of the fastest-growing in the country due to a shortage of primary care physicians as well as economic pressures on healthcare costs.

Where Bold Ideas Take Shape

The Pre-Physician Assistant Major curriculum includes required and supporting courses typically required for admission into physician admission programs. Students can select electives in virology, immunology, pathogenic bacteriology, epidemiology, health physics, and toxicology.

  • Gain hands-on experience with required 80 hours outside the classroom experiential learning opportunity shadowing PAs, doctors, and nurses or working at a hospital.
  • Learn in courses devoted to medical terminology, psychology, chemistry, and mathematics.
  • Prepare for MMS schools with rigorous coursework in anatomy, physiology and molecular genetics. 

Physician Assistants complete a Master’s of Medical Science (MMS). The application process is very competitive. Many programs require substantial (500-2000 hours) of creditable medical employment. This may be fulfilled as a Certified Nurse Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician, and other allied health fields. Students considering becoming a Physician Assistant should consult the websites of the institutions they plan to attend for requirements and qualifications for admission.

What Can You Do as a Pre-Physician Assistant Major?

Southeast’s biology pre-physician assistant option lays a solid foundation for students who wish to further their education. Our students are prepared to be successful in MMS schools because of our program while reaping the benefit of getting their undergraduate coursework done at an affordable price. That’s a smart investment in your future.

Graduate School Opportunities of Recent Biology PA Graduates

  • Southern Illinois University
  • University of Missouri School of Medicine Springfield Clinical Campus
  • University of Kentucky
  • Saint Louis University
  • Missouri State University

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Pre-Physician Assistant (BS) Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your Pre-Physician Assistant Major.

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Pre-Physician Assistant Major Salaries

  • $136k

    Physician Assistant

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a physician assistant is $136,900.

  • $132k

    Nurse Practitioner

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a nurse practitioner is $132,000.

  • $44k

    Medical Assistants

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a medical assistant is $44,720.

Turn Ambition Into Action

The biology pre-physician assistant option prepares students for any area of biology, put primarily prepares you for MMS school. You’ll complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours.

“Critical Courses” are italicized and bolded. Data shows that students who have
completed this course in the first two years and have earned the noted grade are most
likely to complete this program of study.

Required Courses:

  • BY163 Evolution & Ecology (4)
  • BY173 Cell & Organismal Biology (4)
  • BY283 Genetics (4)
  • BY389 Career Development in Biology (2)
  • CH184 General Chemistry I Lab (1)
  • CH185 General Chemistry I (3)
  • MI101 Introduction to Microcomputer Applications (3)
Choose one math course:
  • MA116 Precalculus A (3)
  • MA137 Precalculus (5)
  • MA139 Applied Calculus (3)
  • MA140 Analytical Geometry & Calculus I (5)
    Experiential Learning Requirement: 2 hours
  • BY580 Development of Instructional Materials (3)
  • BY582 Internship in Biology (1-3)
  • BY585 Biology Field Studies (1-6)
  • BY587 Experience in Museum Curation (1-3)
  • BY591 Biological Research (1-6)
Pre-Physician Assistant Option Required Courses:
  • BS113 Anatomy & Physiology I and Lab (4)
  • BS114 Anatomy & Physiology II and Lab (4)
Biology Electives - choose 12 Hours
  • BY prefix with at least 9 hours at the 300 level (12)
    OR
  • BS340 Microorganisms and Their Human Hosts (4)
    AND
  • BY prefix with at least 8 hours at the 300 level (8)
Choose 12 hours:
  • BYxxx, EVxxx, GTxxx 300 level and above (12)
Non-Biology Requirements:
  • CH186 General Chemistry II (3)
  • CH187 General Chemistry II Lab (1)
  • CH341 Foundations of Organic Chemistry (4)
  • HL113 Medical Terminology (3)
  • MAxxx Additional math (for which MA116 is a prerequisite) (3)
  • PY220 Psychological Development Across the Lifespan (3)
Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
  • Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
  • Written Communication – 6 hours
  • Oral Communication – 3 hours
  • Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
  • Mathematics – 3 hours
  • Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
  • Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
  • Civics examination

First Year    

Fall Semester (15-17 Hours)     
  • UI100 (1) 
  • BY163 (4) 
  • CH184/CH185 (5) 
  • MA116/137/139/140 (3-5) 
  • General Education (3) 
Spring Semester (14 Hours)     
  • BY173 (4)
  • EN100 (3)
  • CH186 (3) 
  • CH187 (1)
  • Additional Math (3)
  • General Education (3)

Milestone: achieve a target cumulative GPA of 3.2

Second Year    

Fall Semester (15 Hours)  
  • BY283/083 (4) 
  • BS113/013 (4) 
  • CH341 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
Spring Semester (15 Hours)    
  • BY389 (2) 
  • BS113/014 (4)
  • HL113 (3)
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 

Milestone: achieve a target cumulative GPA of 3.2

Third Year    

Fall Semester (15-16 Hours)    
  •  Biology Elective or BS240/040 (3-4) 
  • PY220(3)
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
Spring Semester (14 Hours)     
  • Experiential Learning Crs (2) 
  • Biology elective (3) 
  • Biology elective (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • Elective (3)
Milestone: achieve a target cumulative GPA of 3.2

Fourth Year    

Fall Semester (15 Hours)     
  • Biology Elective(3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (4)
  • Elective (4)
Spring Semester (14 Hours)  
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (2)

Milestone: achieve a target cumulative GPA of 3.2

A “Milestone” signifies a significant stage for a student in the completion
of a degree.

 *Recommended for program; consult advisor

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What will it cost?

Hands-on Learning

You’ll gain hands-on real-world experience through a required 80 hours outside the classroom experiential learning opportunity working at hospitals or with PAs and doctors.
Experiential Learning
A medical professional meets with a patient at the Campus Health Clinic.

Become a Redhawk.

Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.

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Getting the Job

Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, and sell your knowledge and experience—if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. Our boldly supportive faculty will provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time.
Career Services

Additional Resources

Office of Admissions
Scholarships
Student Organizations & Teams
Department of Biology
College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Related Programs

Biological and Environmental Sciences

Contact Us

Location

Office

Rhodes Hall 224

Mailing Address

One University Plaza, MS 6200
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701
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