YOUR PATH TO PRACTICE STARTS HERE
Physician assistants practice medicine with physician supervision, exercising real autonomy in medical decision-making. PAs take medical histories, order and interpret lab tests, diagnose and treat illness, counsel patients, perform physical exams, assist in surgery and set fractures—and Ripon’s pre-health advising helps you build the clinical experience and coursework PA programs require.
WHAT PA PROGRAMS ARE LOOKING FOR
Admission requirements differ from program to program, so it’s important to review the catalog for each school you plan to apply to. Beyond coursework, PA programs place heavy weight on:
- Significant direct patient contact experience
- Hospital volunteer experience
- EMT or CNA certification
BUILD THE RIGHT FOUNDATION*
Prerequisite coursework varies between programs, but interested students should plan around these core courses:
- Chemistry — Inorganic Chemistry (CHM 112), Organic Chemistry (CHM 111), Biochemistry (CHM 422)
- Biology — Molecules, Cells & Genes (BIO 123), Microbiology (BIO 314), Human Anatomy & Physiology (BIO 211, 312), Genetics (BIO 219)
- Psychology — General Psychology (PSC 110)
- Statistics — MTH 120
- Electives — Additional coursework to meet the specific requirements of your target PA program
*Requirements vary by institution—always confirm current prerequisites directly with the PA program you plan to apply to.
MORE PATHS, MORE POSSIBILITY
Ripon’s affiliation with Midwestern University opens the door even wider. Qualified students receive guaranteed interviews at the College of Health Sciences–Glendale (CHS-Glendale) and College of Health Sciences–Downers Grove (CHS-Downers Grove).
Ask your HPAC advisor how to make the most of it.