The program offers the qualified pre-physician assistant student the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree in the physician assistant program at Quinnipiac. The program is divided into a four year pre-professional component and a 27-month professional component. Following successful completion of the pre-professional component, students receive a BS in health/science (general) studies.

The preprofessional component provides students with a well-rounded education and a strong focus in biological and health science studies. This very structured and organized undergraduate program not only prepares students for the rigors of the professional component of the program, but also introduces several topics that now require more extensive study because of the advances and technology in health care. The program addresses the need for medical experience by providing students with emergency medical technician (EMT) training as well as extensive time “shadowing” and “mentoring” practicing physician assistants.

Initial evaluation of the prephysician assistant student by the Review and Evaluation Committee takes place at the end of the spring semester of the second year. To continue in the program, students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and a minimum cumulative science grade point average of 3.0. Following the initial evaluation, students are evaluated after completion of each semester. Failure to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and a minimum cumulative science grade point average of 3.0 results in dismissal from the program. In addition, a minimum GPA (both cumulative and science) is required for participation in clinical affiliations.

By the beginning of the fourth year, students are required to have accumulated 500 hours of documented direct patient contact through summer paid and/or volunteer experiences (i.e., certified nurse’s aide, phlebotomy technician, emergency room technician). Students are responsible for making their arrangements to obtain these clinical hours.

Admission to the Program
Candidates applying for admission to the entry-level master’s physician assistant program are required to have: a minimum of three years of high school mathematics including geometry, algebra and precalculus; one year of biology; one year of chemistry and one year of physics. In addition, advanced electives in the biological sciences are recommended. Related health care experience is highly desirable.

Prospective candidates must also satisfy the admission requirements of Quinnipiac. Transfer students are not admitted to the entry-level master’s physician assistant program. Admission into the pre-professional component of the program does not guarantee admission into the professional component of the program. Please see the physician assistant program curriculum in the Graduate Studies section of the catalog for information relative to the professional component of the program.

Summer I -- Clinical Hours

Summer II -- Clinical Hours

Summer III -- Clinical Hours

Total number of credits required for completion of the preprofessional component 123-124
* If student has current EMT licensure on admission to the program, BMS 482, BMS 498 is taken instead of PY 388, PY 389

Students placing out of an introductory-level science course with a minimum of 4 on the Advanced Placement examinations are required to take the equivalent number of hours at a higher level in the same area of course work.

Acceptable Biology/Biomedical Electives (take 3 courses)
BMS 310 Neuroanatomy
BMS 320 Pharmacology
BMS 325 Toxicology
BIO 329 Neurobiology
BMS 375 Immunology
BMS 595 Transplantation Immunology 

Acceptable UC/Social Sciences
PS 101 Introduction to Psychology
PS 272 Abnormal Psychology

Acceptable UC elective Outside Major
BMS 200 Biology of Aging