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Prerequisites

Due to the volume of applicants each cycle, Augsburg PA is unable to offer individual feedback on applications. If you are unsure of a course satisfying a prerequisite, we invite you to email us at paprog@augsburg.edu with the course description for a review.

 

BACHELOR’S DEGREE and GPA

By the start of the program, you will need to have a bachelor’s degree. We do not have a preference for your undergraduate major, in fact, we encourage all potential applicants to major in the area that interests them.

Your cumulative and science GPA must be 3.0 or higher in order. GPAs are calculated by CASPA and set at the time of your application submission. The Augsburg PA Program does not recalculate GPAs for additional coursework completed post-CASPA submission.

 


PREREQUISITE COURSES

Prerequisites courses must be completed at a regionally accredited two-year or four-year college or university; online courses from directly accredited institutions are also accepted. Students must earn a B or better in all prerequisite courses. At the time of application, these courses need to be completed within 10 years of the year you intend to start the program. For example, if you intend to start the program in Spring 2024, then your prerequisites will need to be completed in 2014 or after. All science prerequisites (physiology, microbiology, and biochemistry) must be taken at the science major level. Courses completed on a quarter system are converted to semester hours (1.0 quarter hour is equivalent to 0.667 semester hours). Refer to CASPA for credit conversion. Responsibility for approval of course work to satisfy prerequisite requirements lies solely with the Augsburg PA Program. Download the transcript summary worksheet to track your prerequisites.

 

Name of Prerequisite Course Notes/Description
Physiology

(human/vertebrate/organ)

(3-4 credits)

A study of digestion, respiration, circulation, excretion, movement, and sensory perception as well as neural and hormonal control of these functions, emphasizing vertebrates.

This course must be taken at the science major level.

NOTE: A full course of Physiology must be taken. If it is a combined course, i.e. Anatomy/Physiology I, then both Anatomy/Physiology I and II must be completed.

Microbiology*

(3-4 credits)

A general study of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi) that cause human disease course will fulfill this requirement.

This course must be taken at the science major level.

Biochemistry*

(3-4 credits)

A general biochemistry course will fulfill this requirement.

The course addresses the chemical structure and function of the major biological macromolecules. Key topic areas are protein structure and function, enzyme mechanisms, thermodynamics, intermediary metabolism, and metabolic regulation.

This course must be taken at the science major level.

NOTE: a survey or combined course in organic/ biochemistry will NOT satisfy this requirement.

Psychology (3-4 credits) A general, developmental/lifespan or abnormal psychology course will fulfill this requirement.
Statistics (3-4 credits) A general statistics, biostatistics or research methods course will fulfill this requirement.
Medical terminology

(1-3 credits)

This requirement can be fulfilled by taking a college credit course or by completing a course through an accredited school or health care agency (must be associated with college credit).

* Labs are strongly recommended but not required. This course must be taken at the upper level (see below).

** The Augsburg PA Program does NOT accept advanced placement (AP credit) in place of required prerequisite courses. We also do not accept AP credit or transfer courses for any of the curricular components required in the program.



Additional Considerations

 

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

The Augsburg PA Program requires three (3) letters of recommendation submitted through CASPA. At least one letter must be from someone whom you have worked with in a health care setting. Please note health care providers who supervised during a shadowing experience do not meet this requirement. All letters should demonstrate a high level of personal and professional maturity, integrity, dedication, and aptitude for the program and profession. Note that we strongly recommend that your letters be submitted to CASPA as confidential.

UPPER-LEVEL COURSEWORK

In general, courses are considered upper level at the 200-400 level, otherwise verify with each institution. Additional course work such as anatomy, biomedical ethics, cell biology, immunology, genetics, health policy, sociology, and research methods will help better prepare applicants for the rigorous course load experienced during the program.


COMMITMENT TO THE UNDERSERVED

In keeping with the Augsburg University mission to nurture future leaders in service to the world, the PA program looks for consistent service to disadvantaged and underrepresented populations. Applicants should have a strong record of commitment to the community, some examples include work with people experiencing homelessness, people with disabilities, youth, elderly and diverse individuals. Other examples include religious or civic group missions, rural medicine programs, and other organizations with similar goals. Your service work can be paid or volunteer.


DIRECT PATIENT CARE EXPERIENCE (PCE)

We require 2,000 hours of paid, direct, hands-on clinical patient care.  Direct patient care includes roles in which you are responsible for measuring vital signs, administering medication, charting, drawing blood, tending to personal cares, dressing wounds, etc. We value situations where you have been actively responsible for the care of an individual/patient. Any experience gained as a student or volunteer will not be counted as direct PCE.

Some examples of competitive PCE include: athletic trainer, nurse, certified nursing assistant, clinical researcher, community health worker/health educator, dental hygienist, EMT, laboratory/medical technician, medical assistant, medical interpreter, mental health worker, military medic, paramedic, patient care assistant, pharmacy technician, phlebotomist, respiratory therapist, radiology technician, scribe.


MOTIVATION FOR PA PROFESSION

While not required, we encourage you to learn more about the profession itself by formally shadowing a PA for a day. If you are unable to secure a true shadowing experience, meeting with a PA to learn more about their experiences is also beneficial. Understanding the role of PAs within their community in an ever-changing healthcare climate is an important first step of becoming one.