Pre-Physician Assistant
The Pre-Physician Assistant program is designed to prepare you for transfer to a Physician Assistant program at a four-year college or university. The curriculum is academically rigorous and provides the knowledge base necessary to complete the baccalaureate degree and continue to the master’s degree level physician assistant curriculum.
Upon completing your master’s degree as a Physician Assistant, also known as a PA, your work will entail the following:
- Practicing medicine under the direction of physicians and surgeons. They are formally trained to examine patients, diagnose injuries and illnesses, and provide treatment.
- Working in physicians’ offices, hospitals, and other healthcare settings.
- Most PAs work full-time.
What’s the Job Outlook for Physician Assistants?
Physician assistant employment is expected to grow by 27% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
What’s Required to Complete the Pre-Physician Assistant Program?
An AAS in the Pre-Physician Assistant Program from WCCCD requires 61 total credits.
As a Pre-Physician Assistant student at WCCCD, you’ll take both general education courses and courses required for a Pre-Physician Assistant Major.
Students without health care experience are recommended to participate in Emergency Medical Technology certificate programs in addition to the Pre-Physician Assistant transfer degree curriculum.
Students in the Pre-Physician Assistant program should plan to transfer to a four-year college or university after earning their AAS. You will need to complete the baccalaureate degree and continue to the master’s degree level physician assistant curriculum. Talk with your advisor about a personalized plan that meets your goals.
How Long Does it Take to Earn a Pre-Physician Assistant Degree?
Most pre-physician assistant students take five semesters (2.5 years) to complete AAS degree prerequisites and required courses.
What Will I Learn as a Pre-Physician Assistant Student?
WCCCD pre-physician students learn to practice medicine and general healthcare under a doctor’s supervision. Courses cover a wide range of topics, including anatomy, chemistry, and other science disciplines.
Recommended course sequencing
Semester 1 Total: 12 Credits
- ALH 110 - Medical Terminology 3 Credit(s)
- ENG 119 - English I 3 Credit(s)
- Elective: Humanities 3 Credit(s)
- SOC 100 - Introduction to Sociology 3 Credit(s)
Semester 2 Total: 13 Credits
- ALH 230 - Medical Ethics 3 Credit(s)
- BIO 155 - Introductory Biology 4 Credit(s)
- ENG 120 - English II 3 Credit(s)
- Elective: Social Science 3 Credit(s)
Semester 3 Total: 14 Credits
- BIO 240 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4 Credit(s)
- CHM 136 - General Chemistry I 4 Credit(s)
- DT 130 - Fundamentals of Nutrition 3 Credit(s)
- SPH 101 - Fundamentals of Speech 3 Credit(s)
Semester 4 Total: 14 Credits
- BIO 250 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4 Credit(s)
- CHM 145 - General Chemistry II 4 Credit(s)
- Elective: Humanities 3 Credit(s)
- PS 101 - American Government 3 Credit(s)
Semester 5 Total: 8 Credits
- BIO 295 - Microbiology 4 Credit(s)
- CHM 155 - Survey of Organic and Biochemistry 4 Credit(s)
Where is WCCCD’s Pre-Physician Assistant Program Offered?
The Pre-Physician Assistant program is offered at our Curtis L. Ivery Downtown campus only. As a WCCCD student, you can take courses, use facilities, and get involved at any of our six locations.
It is the policy of WCCCD that no person, based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, marital status, disability, or political affiliation or belief, shall be discriminated against, excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination in employment or in any program or activity for which it is responsible or for which it receives financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education.
