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 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 three-semester, one-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 and submit all PA program application forms (e.g. CASPA and SIUC Graduate School) and submit all required additional documentation (transcripts, letters, etc.) by the published deadlines.
- 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-Track Curriculum
Download a PDF of the MEDPREP PA Curriculum Overview Sheet here.
The PA-track advisor is Dr. Latasha Redmond.
Curriculum:
Summer: 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 Semester:
- MEDP Convocation (1 cr.)
- PA Preparation with SIUSOM PA Program (2 cr.)
- Human or Mammalian Physiology (PHSL 310 or 410A), 4-5 credits
- Medical Biochemistry (MEDP 404E), 3 credits
- Science electives (e.g. pharmacology, anatomy, or other sciences), 3-6 credits
Spring Semester:
- MEDP Convocation (1 cr.)
- PA Preparation with SIUSOM PA Program (2 cr.)
- Mammalian Physiology (PHSL 410B), 4 credits
- Science electives (6-9 credits) (e.g. pharmacology, anatomy, embryology, histology, or histology)