Academics


Pre-PA Pathway

student taking patient's heartbeat
Pre PA Overview
A Physician Assistant (PA) is a nationally certified and state-licensed health care professional who practices and prescribes medicine in coordination with physicians and other providers. To practice as a PA, you need a qualifying bachelor's degree followed by a master's degree in Physician Assistant Studies. The two degrees typically take a combined six years to complete. ACPHS has great physician assistant programs for you to get your bachelor's and master's degree.

This is an exciting time for PAs as they are being granted additional responsibilities due to physician shortages around the nation. Their increasing importance to the health care team is also being reflected in their salaries. According to job site glassdoor.com, PAs are the 7th highest paid professionals in America with average base salaries of $112,000/year.

Our Pre-Physician Assistant Studies coursework allows you to earn your bachelor's degree from one of four programs at ACPHS while preparing you for admission into the PA program of your choice.
professor and students viewing computer screen
Get Accepted to a PA Program as a First-Year Student
Our academic affiliation with Albany Medical College - which is literally across the street from ACPHS - provides you with an opportunity to be accepted into Albany Medical College's Physician Assistant Studies program before the start of your first year.

Students who pursue this option are interviewed by representatives of ACPHS and Albany Medical College prior to enrolling as a first-year student. If they successfully pass the interview, there is a seat reserved for them in the PA program upon their graduation from ACPHS, provided they maintain a minimum GPA of 3.2 for each semester and gain the required health related experience.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is waived for qualified students in this program.
students in cap and gown at ACPHS commencement
How We Help You Get There
Our bachelor's degree programs in Biomedical Technology, Microbiology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Public Health will equally prepare you for any PA program with robust curricula that are focused on the study of human health.

The number of students who attend ACPHS on their way to enrolling in a PA program led to the launch of a Pre-Physician Assistant Club. The Club is for students interested in pursuing a PA program as well as those who simply want to learn more about the profession.

Members of the club coordinate activities to mark national PA week, host professional and student speakers, and conduct visits to various PA programs in the area. The club is also a great source of support for students navigating the PA application process.
students and professor conducting research
Stand Out With Research
Pre-Physician Assistant programs are extremely competitive, and while having a strong GPA is important, you can distinguish yourself as a top candidate through research experience.

Research is a core component of academic life at ACPHS, and the size of our school means opportunities are available for students to get involved with research as early as their first year. Whether you wish to do traditional lab-based research, analyze large sets of health outcomes data, or something in between, there's a good chance we can connect you with a faculty mentor on campus.

And if there is not someone at the College doing research in your area of interest, we can leverage the College's expansive network of affiliates to see if we can find an opportunity for you with one of our heath care or corporate partners.