Pre-Physician Assistant Program
Prepare to enter a rewarding and fast-growing profession
The MEDPREP pre-PA program provides opportunities for:
• Foundational science coursework
• GPA enhancement
• PA program preparatory activities with PA program faculty
Pre-PA students participate in the traditional certificate program and complete a preparatory curriculum of basic science, anatomy, physiology and biochemistry. Students in the pre-PA track take many classes with MEDPREP students in the pre-medical and pre-dental tracks, but also focus on preparation specifically for the GRE and PA school. The five-semester, two-year MEDPREP pre-PA program starts in June each year.
Alliance: Direct PA School Admission
MEDPREP has partnered with the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program in Carbondale, Illinois to directly admit MEDPREP students who complete MEDPREP and meet Alliance qualifications.
PA Alliance Qualifications (in brief):
• Admission to the MEDPREP PA track with a minimum 3.0 GPA from previous college coursework.
• Complete all 5 semesters (summer and two academic years) of MEDPREP.
• Satisfactorily complete all MEDPREP Core and Required classes.
• Complete all MEDPREP PA-track coursework with B grades or better.
• Recommended by the MEDPREP Student Progress Committee “with confidence” or “with enthusiasm.”
• Complete all PA program application forms (e.g. CASPA and SIUC Graduate School) and admissions documentation by the published deadlines
• Resident of the State of Illinois (students may change residency while enrolled in MEDPREP).
- All admissions are contingent on passing a background check.
- Please note that the GRE is no longer required for admission to the SIUSOM PA Program.
PA Program Curriculum
Summer Y1: 6 credit, six-week “boot camp” sequence taken with full MEDPREP cohort, including Biology, Chemistry, Behavioral Science and Quantitative reasoning, plus seminars in career development and academic enrichment.
Fall Y1:
CORE:
• MEDP Academic Enrichment (1 cr.)
• PA Physician Assistant Preparation (2 cr.)
Required
• MEDP Critical Reading and Analysis (2 cr.)
• MEDP Behavioral Science (2 cr.)
• MEDP Biology (2 cr.)
PA Track
• MEPD Medical Biochemistry (3 cr.)
• PHSL 301 Intro Anatomy (4 cr.)
Spring Y1:
CORE:
• PA Physician Assistant Preparation (2 cr.)
Required
• MEDP Organic Chemistry (2 cr.)
• MEDP Behavioral Science (2 cr.)
• MEDP Biology (2 cr.)
• MEDP Quantitative Reasoning (1 cr.)
PA Track
• AH Medical Terminology (2 cr.)
• PHSL 310 Intro Human Physiology (5 cr.)
Fall Y2:
CORE:
• MEDP Prematriculation (1 cr.)
• PA Physician Assistant Preparation (2 cr.)
PA Track
• PHSL 401A Gross Anatomy (5 cr.)
• PHSL 410A Mammalian Physiology (4 cr.)
• Science elective (PHSL Pharmacology 420A Recommended) (3 cr.)
Spring Y2:
CORE:
• PA Physician Assistant Preparation (2 cr.)
PA Track
• PHSL 401B Gross Anatomy (5 cr.)
• PHSL 410B Mammalian Physiology (4 cr.)
• Science elective (PHSL Pharmacology 420B Recommended) (3 cr.)