Pre-Physician's Assistant

Associate of Science Degree in Science and Mathematics

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Physician's Assistants are skilled professionals who perform various medical tasks for their physician employers. Admission requirements to Physician's Assistant programs require a strong background in science, including courses in human anatomy and physiology, microbiology and chemistry.

This two-year degree meets the prerequisites of a bachelor of science degree to prepare for entry into a Physician's Assistant program. Students who complete the program are able to transfer as juniors to an institution which offers a four-year degree.

Careers in the health professions continue to have better than average employment projections through the year 2005 and beyond. Educational requirements, particularly in the sciences, are rigorous and precise and admission to Physician's Assistant programs is very competitive. Students are encouraged, therefore, to seek the assistance of the College's counseling staff to identify transfer institutions offering appropriate bachelor of science programs.

Curriculum
A.S. Degree 

Course			  Credits
------			  -------
English I			3
Social Science Elective*	3
Mathematics**			3
General Biology I		4
General Chemistry I		4
---------------------------------
English II			3
Statistics I			3
General Chemistry II		4
Humanities Elective*		3
General Biology II		4
---------------------------------
Biology*****			4
One from the following:	    3 - 4
	Mathematics**
	Science Elective***
	Computer Info Systems
	Foreign Language****
Intro to Psychology		3
General Physics I		4
Dynamics of Fitness & Wellness	1
---------------------------------
Biology*****			4
One from the following:	    3 - 4
	Mathematics**
	Science Elective***
	Computer Info Systems
	Foreign Language****
Humanities Elective*		3
General Physics II		4
---------------------------------
	Total Credits	  63 - 65

*See General Education Elective Sheet for social science and humanities elective courses.

**Mathematics by official placement. Students may not take courses below their placement level. Students should check with transfer institutions for the recommended math courses for entry into their programs. Students must complete through Precalculus II.

***Check with transfer institutions for the recommended courses to take in this category.

****Students continuing in a foreign language previously studied must take a foreign language placement test prior to enrolling. Students selecting a foreign language must select a two-semester sequence.

*****Choose from 200 level Biology courses, Principles of Microbiology or A&P I and II which must be taken in sequence. It is recommended that students check wth tranfer institutions for the recommended courses to take in this category. (Credit will not be given for both Principles of Microbiology and Microbiology.)

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