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Overview | Degree Requirements | Careers and Graduate School | Costs and Scholarships| Research and Engagement | Faculty
Overview
In preparation for physician assistant schooling, the pre-physician assistant program at UMN Morris will guide you through your undergraduate education. UMN Morris’ academic rigor and interdisciplinary strength will greatly enhance your pre-health education. You’ll gain the knowledge, experience, and support you need to be ready for graduate school.
As a student following the pre-physician assistant program at UMN Morris, you will pursue a major of your choosing while taking courses that meet the prerequisites for a graduate level program as a physician assistant. Physician assistant prerequisites align best with the biology and chemistry majors, along with coursework in statistics and psychology. To develop the best plan of study and to stay on track, you will want to review the Pre-Physician Assistant Planning Worksheet and meet with your academic adviser.
Degree Requirements
Graduation Requirements
As a UMN Morris student following the pre-physician assistant track, you will need to complete the degree requirements for your chosen major. Pre-physician assistant is not a major that you can earn as a degree at UMN Morris, but rather a pre-professional program to keep you on track in preparing for post-graduate training as a physician assistant.
UMN Morris offers several courses across different disciplines that will help prepare you for physician assistant schooling.
Suggested Courses
- BIOL 1111. Fundamentals of Genetics, Evolution, and Development
- BIOL 2111. Cell Biology
- BIOL 2102. Human Anatomy
- BIOL 2103. Introduction to Human Physiology
- BIOL 3121. Molecular Biology
- BIOL 4111. Microbiology
- BIOL 4211. Biochemistry
- BIOL 4611. Biochemistry Lab
- CHEM 1101. General Chemistry I
- CHEM 1102. General Chemistry II
- CHEM 2301. Organic Chemistry I
- CHEM 2311. Organic Chemistry I Lab
- CHEM 2302. Organic Chemistry II
- IS 1041. Health Sciences Terminology
- PSY 1051. Introduction to Psychology
- PSY 2411. Lifespan Developmental Psychology
- STAT 1601 OR 2601. Statistics
- English course
General Education Requirements (Morris Core)
The University of Minnesota and its faculty are committed to providing an education that invites you to investigate the world from new perspectives, learn new ways of thinking, and grow as an active citizen and lifelong learner. The University’s general education requirements (Morris Core) are designed to be integrated throughout your four-year undergraduate experience. These courses provide you an opportunity to explore fields outside your major and complement your major curriculum with a multidisciplinary perspective.
Learn more about UMN Morris General Education Requirements (Morris Core)
Transferring Credit
Put your credits to work for you at UMN Morris, where you’ll earn a degree from a highly ranked public liberal arts university.
Careers and Graduate School
Careers
Physician assistants, or PAs, are healthcare professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. Many work in fields such as:
- Cardiovascular surgery
- Orthopedics
- Emergency medicine
- Family medicine
- Internal medicine
- Pediatrics
- Obstetrics and gynecology
Physician assistants typically take medical histories, conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illness, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive healthcare, assist in surgery, and
write prescriptions (in most states).
Graduate School
The requirements to prepare for a physician assistant training program vary by institution. To be admitted to the three-year master of science in physician assistant studies at Augsburg University, for example — one of only two physician assistant training programs in Minnesota — you must have a:
- bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university;
- a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0; and
- a minimum GPA of 3.0 in science coursework.
As a pre-physician assistant student, be sure to work with your adviser to select appropriate courses for the training program you'd like to attend.
While the process may vary from one training program to another, many schools use the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA), an online application service. In addition, schools may require a supplemental application.
CASPA Application Components
- Transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Online application
- Fee
The CASPA process and supplemental application forms are generally made available in the spring, but be sure to check specific programs for deadlines. The Augsburg University deadline for completing both the CASPA application and the supplemental application is September 1.
Costs and Scholarships
Costs at a Glance
The University of Minnesota Morris is a national public liberal arts college committed to making a high-quality education available to students from across the country. Expenses for housing, meals, books and supplies, transportation, loan fees, and personal expenditures can vary.
Use our net price calculator to estimate your cost of attendance
Pre-Physician Scholarships
Scholarships are a type of financial aid awarded to you and are often based on specific criteria, such as your major, GPA, or financial need.
Research and Engagement
Research
As part of a major research university, the Morris campus provides access to digital and technological resources not usually found on residential undergraduate campuses, including courses delivered via interactive distance technology.
Thanks to strong relationships between the UMN Morris and local medical providers, you may shadow medical professionals at the Stevens Community Medical Center or Lake Region Healthcare Morris Medical Center or pursue undergraduate employment with Stevens County Ambulance and Emergency Services. Many PA programs require or prefer this type of direct patient care experience. Studying abroad helps prepare students for international health service trips common in medical professions.
Service learning/student engagement: Because physician assistants often work in underserved areas, work among the underserved or disadvantaged is especially valued.
Engagement
Thanks to strong relationships between the UMN Morris and local medical providers, you may shadow medical professionals at the Stevens Community Medical Center or Lake Region Healthcare Morris Medical Center or pursue undergraduate employment with Stevens County Ambulance and Emergency Services. Many PA programs require or prefer this type of direct patient care experience. Studying abroad helps prepare students for international health service trips common in medical professions.
Service learning/student engagement: Because physician assistants often work in underserved areas, work among the underserved or disadvantaged is especially valued.
