Health Care Studies, B.S., Pre-Physician Assistant Concentration

The Bachelor of Science in Health Care Studies is designed to provide a degree pathway for students interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree in a health-related field. This program incorporates a solid health studies core with a general education curriculum reflecting the Goals of Franciscan Higher Education. Completion of this degree will prepare students to pursue a graduate professional health care degree or enter the workforce. Students may choose from a Pre-Allied Health, Pre-Occupational Therapy, or Pre-Physician Assistant concentration. Depending on space availability and the ability to meet early entrance requirements for the Saint Francis University’s Occupational Therapy or Physician Assistant Programs, students may be afforded the opportunity to apply into these programs during the second semester sophomore year.

The Pre-Physician Assistant Concentration is designed to serve as an excellent preparation for application to a graduate Physician Assistant program. Students in this concentration will be allowed to take four Introduction to Medicine courses (PA 201, 202, 301, and 302). An opportunity may exist for early acceptance into Saint Francis University’s Physician Assistant 3+2 Program, if space allows and the student meets early entrance requirements during the second semester of the sophomore year.

Major Requirements:

Concentration Requirements:

BIOL 214 - Clinical Microbiology
CHEM 101 - Chemical Principles I or
CHEM 103 - Human Chemistry I
CHEM 102 - Chemical Principles II or
CHEM 104 - Human Chemistry II
PA 201 - Introduction to Medicine I
PA 202 - Introduction to Medicine II
PA 301 - Introduction to Medicine III
PA 302 - Introduction to Medicine IV
NOTE: If the CHEM 103 / CHEM 104 sequence is taken freshmen year, CHEM 102 will need to be taken during the junior year.

Early Entrance Requirements into 3+2 Physician Assistant Programs:

Listed below are early entrance requirements for the Physician Assistant Program. These requirements are subject to change based on possible future changes that may occur in the admission criteria for the programs.

3+2 Physician Assistant Program:

Students may apply into the 3+2 Physician Assistant Program no later than March 15th of the sophomore year, pending space in the cohort. To apply, students must meet the following criteria by/during spring semester of sophomore year:

Minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA
Minimum 3.00 major/concentration GPA
Successful completion with a “C” or higher in BIOL 205 and BIOL 206 (lectures and labs); CHEM 103 /lab or CHEM 101 /lab; CHEM 104 /lab or CHEM 102 /lab; MATH 110 (or higher) and/or STAT 205 ; andPSYC 101 (or enrolled spring semester sophomore year with a “C” or higher at mid-term)
*Successful completion with a “B” or higher in PA 200 , PA 201 , and PA 202 (or enrolled spring semester sophomore year with a “B” or higher at mid-term). NOTE: To take these courses, students must earn a “B” or higher in each of the previous “PA” course to progress in the sequence
Completed 50 hours of clinical shadowing experience (minimum 20 hours completed by directly shadowing a PA in clinical practice)
Ability to meet PA Program Technical Standards, with or without reasonable accommodations.

*Transfer students who wish to be considered for Early Entrance into the 3+2 Physician Assistant Program must be enrolled as a Saint Francis University student by the beginning of Fall semester sophomore year and are required to take BIOL 205 and BIOL 206 at this institution. Any transfer student admitted after that time will need to complete the BS in Health Care Studies degree and apply as a graduate applicant.