Marquette University Undergraduates

Students can apply for admission into the Physician Assistant Studies program as early as the summer after their sophomore year. They are required to complete the three-year, pre-PA phase of the Physician Assistant Studies program and must complete the appropriate prerequisite courses that makes them eligible for a degree in biomedical sciences by the end of the spring term in the first year of the PA program (see Undergraduate Bulletin Pre-Physician Assistant Studies section for curriculum details).  Following acceptance into the PA program, students follow the curriculum as outlined for the 28-month Physician Assistant Studies Program.

Criteria to be considered an Internal PA Candidate

Candidates must be on track for a Biomedical Sciences degree following the published pre-PA curriculum. Undergraduate applicants who transfer from another institution must have a minimum of 30 total credit hours (2 semesters), including at least 12 credits of science coursework for the PA program completed at Marquette and applied toward the undergraduate biomedical science major prior to submission of the PA application. All internal applicants must be current with their biomedical science undergraduate degree, as outlined by their undergraduate biomedical sciences advisor.

Undergraduate transfer students interested in applying must contact the Director of Student Success & Recruitment at the College of Health Sciences Dean’s Office for course approvals and advising.

The intensity of the program and the skills necessary for practice as a physician assistant require the program to seek applicants with an excellent academic background, along with strong interpersonal skills and maturity. Prior health care experience is also an indicator of a career commitment to clinical practice. The program’s admission process considers each applicant’s strengths and selects for competitive candidates best qualified to meet the program’s mission.

 

Requirements also include:

1. Minimum cumulative total GPA of 3.0. (calculated by CASPA)
2. For junior applicants, a minimum of four semesters of coursework will be calculated in your admission application.
3. Completion of the following prerequisite coursework at time of application:*
   • *Marquette Juniors pursuing Biomedical Science degrees can apply with two science prerequisites in progress or planned. Seniors can apply with one science prerequisite in progress or planned. However, all prerequisite coursework must be completed by December 31 prior to matriculating into the PA program.
     • 2 semesters of biological sciences (biology)
     • 1-2 semesters (minimum of 4 credits total) of inorganic (General) chemistry with lab
     • 1 semester of microbiology (3 credits)
       • Marquette University's College of Health Sciences offers BISC 3115 (3 credits)
     • 1 semester of physiology (3 credits)
       • Must be at least 3 credits. Marquette University’s College of Health Sciences offers BISC 4145 (4 credits)
     • 1 semester of biochemistry (3 credits)
       • Must be at least 3 credits. Marquette University's College of Health Sciences offers BISC 3213 Biochemistry (4 credits).
     • Additional prerequisite coursework that may be in progress at time of application*:
       • 1 semester of social science (3 credits, psychology recommended, AP credit accepted)
       • 1 semester of statistics (3 credits, AP credit accepted)
       • 1 course in medical terminology (must be taken for college credit; CEU/CME not accepted)
   • *It is highly recommended that the pre-requisite coursework is completed within the last 5 years and taken at a 4 year regionally accredited institution. All prerequisite coursework must be completed with a grade of C or better. Grades of C- and CD and lower are not satisfactory grades.
4. Motivation, maturity, ability to work with people. Suitability for clinical practice. 
5. Minimum of 200 hours of patient contact (completed in the U.S.)
   • • The hours can be either volunteer or paid direct patient care. The minimum 200 hours must be completed at the time your application is submitted with a contact number of a supervisor or volunteer office for verification. Hours may include (but are not limited to): nursing assistant, EMT, volunteer patient care within a nursing home or hospital, radiology tech, phlebotomist. (Note: healthcare shadowing does not count towards this requirement)
6. Knowledge of the PA profession and the profession's role in the healthcare system. 
7. Three letters of recommendation are required (Submitted via CASPA).

   Although there are no requirements as to the format or content of the three reference letters we require, we do have some suggestions as to who these references might come from:

   • A reference who is familiar with your current academic record and can comment on your academic potential. 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.
   • A reference who is familiar with your desire to become a PA and 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.
   • A reference who can speak to your character and why you would excel as a PA. This would ideally be from someone in the community who can comment on your character, your goals, etc. Note, references are not an acceptable from family members. 
8. Interviews will be offered to all internal candidates who meet the above criteria.

Meeting the admission requirements and completing the academic prerequisites does not guarantee admission to the Physician Assistant Program. Marquette's PA program accepts students from a large pool of highly qualified, diverse applicants and is a competitive process.