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Physician Assistant

Physician assistants provide medical services under the supervision of physicians. They may be responsible for patient interviews, medical histories, routine physical examinations, treatment of illnesses and injuries, follow-up care and counseling. They work in hospitals, clinics, physicians' offices, nursing homes, and other health-care facilities.

The professional training is usually 24-36 months in length and most often award a master’s degree. Students at Iowa State preparing for PA school will complete requirements for a bachelor's degree and PA prerequisites before entering a master's degree program.

The following courses are frequently mentioned as prerequisites:

• English (ENGL 104, 105)
• Human anatomy and physiology (BIOL 255, 255L; 256, 256L—biological science majors may prefer to fulfill this requirement by taking BIOL 335 and 352)
• Biology (BIOL 211, 211L and 212, 212L)
• Microbiology (MICRO 201, 201L or 302, 302L)
• General chemistry (CHEM 163/L & 164/L or CHEM 177/L & 178/L
• Organic chemistry (CHEM 231/L or 331/L and 332/L depending on school)
• Biochemistry (BIOL 314 or BBMB 301)
• Psychology (PSYCH 101 and 230)
• Statistics (STAT 101 or 104)

The University of Iowa offers a master's degree program. Prerequisites include a bachelor's degree, at least three advanced biological courses which must include either BIOL 335 or BIOL 255, 255L; 256, 256L. Other suggested advanced biological science courses are BIOL 313, 314, 353, 352. Other UI PA requirements include statistics (STAT 101 OR 104), one year of general chemistry (CHEM 177, 177L, and 178, 178L), one semester of organic chemistry (CHEM 331) and biochemistry (BIOL 314 or BBMB 404, 405,or 420). Applicants must submit GRE scores and have at least 1,000 hours of health care experience (direct patient care experience is necessary although research hours are also acceptable as part of this requirement).

Professional schools may change their prerequisites. Students are responsible for maintaining direct contact with specific professional schools for current prerequisite guidelines.

More information is available in 102 Carrie Chapman Catt Hall, phone (515)294-4831. Visit the American Academy of Physician Assistants World Wide Web Site at www.aapa.org for a wealth of professional and educational information.