Coordinators: Katie Fisher and Kelly Schuhmann
Email: pph@jmu.edu
Phone: (540) 568-6652
Pre-Physician Assistant Minor Website
Program Description
The Pre-Physician Assistant program provides guidance on courses, experiential activities, and competencies for students that are preparing to be competitive applicants to graduate Physician Assistant (M.P.A.S.) programs after completing their Bachelor's degree at James Madison University. The Pre-PA program is a minor that students complete as part of their baccalaureate degree.
Declaring Pre-Physician Assistant (Admission Standards)
Incoming first-year and transfer students can declare pre-physician assistant without verification from PPH Advising. Current students can request to declare the minor through MyMadison but will need approval for the request to be granted. If the student has completed fewer than 12 hours of biology and chemistry (BC) credits, the request will be granted after verification of course work. If the student has completed 12 hours or more BC credits, the request will be granted if the BC GPA is 2.70 or greater.
Pre-Physician Assistant Progression Standards
After completing 12 hours of biology or chemistry (BC) coursework, pre-physician assistant students undergo academic reviews twice a year.
Pre-physician assistant students whose BC GPA falls below the standard of a 2.70 are at high risk of not being admitted to physician assistant school and will receive targeted advising focused on academic improvement and career exploration. If a student falls below the standard in a subsequent performance review, the pre-physician assistant minor will be administratively dropped. Students may re-enter the minor upon meeting the 2.70 BC GPA requirement.
Additional Information
Pre-professional health programs do not ensure that all prerequisites for admission to health professions schools are met. Students should inquire with physician assistant schools of interest, including JMU, to confirm details of admission requirements.
