Physician Assistant

Physician Assistants "are licensed clinicians who practice medicine in ever specialty and setting" (AAPA, 2025). As the name indicates, PAs are under the supervision of a physician. The road to becoming a PA tends to be shorter than becoming a physician, with the curriculum lasting two-and-a-half to three years. Many times, this field is attractive to those who value a better work-life balance and desire to work more one-on-one with patients. 

In order to become a physician assistant, an individual must earn a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from an accredited program and pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam, PANCE. State licensure is also required. Unlike the path to becoming a physician, PAs can specialize in certain fields without a residency.

To qualify for admission to a physician assistant program, students must take the necessary prerequisites for each school. A bachelor's degree is also required for admission. 

Degrees and Coursework

What major should I select at UNT for a pre-PA path?

Popular majors among pre-physician assistant students at UNT include:

  • Bachelor of Arts in Biology, College of Science
  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
  • Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Allied Health Track, College of Education
  • Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Integrative Studies, College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
  • Bachelor of Science in Public Health, College of Health and Public Service

Please note that physician assistant programs do not require a particular degree. If you choose a major outside of the sciences, we recommend taking extra courses in biology, in addition to all of the required prerequisites. 

For more information about each major, please visit the UNT Catalog and select 'majors, minors, certificates' that is found beneath the link to ‘Catalog Home'.

What courses do I need for PA school?

Please refer to our Pre-Physician Assistant Packet for a list of Texas PA program prerequisites. To review prerequisites for PA programs outside of Texas, please refer to each individual school's website or the CASPA Program Directory. 

Applying to PA School

What makes a competitive application to PA school?

Admission to a physician assistant program is very competitive and applicants should create a strategic plan well in advance. Below you will find characteristics of a competitive application. Please contact our advisors in the UNT Office of Health Professions to further explore each characteristic and to create your pre-physician assistant plan. 

Recommendations for a Competitive Application:

  • Overall and Math/Science GPAs - 3.5+ (average admitted GPA’s vary by school)
  • GRE Score - Verbal: 150+ / Quantitative: 150+ / Writing: 4+
  • Shadowing/Observation - 150+ Hours
  • Volunteering - 150+ Hours 
  • Direct Patient Contact (i.e. MA, PCT, EMT, etc.) - 2000+ Hours
  • Various Extracurricular Activities, On or Off Campus

Core Competencies for Healthcare

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) came up with a set of skills, knowledge, and personal characteristics that they believe are essential for future physicians called the pre-med core competencies. Because of its relevance to all healthcare professions, many other health professional schools have embraced the core competencies as well.  Since many, if not most, health professional schools evaluate applicants based on these competencies, we recommend that students develop proficiency in them.  More information on the AAMC Core Competencies can be found here.

Using this handout, your pre-health advisor can help you evaluate your progress on becoming a competitive applicant to PA school. 

How do I apply to PA school?

Physician assistant schools in the United States use one online application service called CASPA (Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants).  The application cycle opens in April of each year, accepting applications for matriculating into a program the following year.  Please note that there are fees associated with using this service.

When should I apply to PA school?
Students must apply to physician assistant schools one year before entering a program. On the traditional four-year path, students will apply during the summer after their junior year of college, complete their bachelor's degree at the end of their senior year, and enter PA school the following summer or fall semester. However, every applicant’s journey is different, and your UNT Health Professions Advisor is committed to helping create a plan and timeline that accommodates your individual goals and circumstances.
Do PA schools require an entrance exam?
Many PA programs require a GRE (Graduate Record Examination) score.  The score range for the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE is 130-170. The range for the writing section is 0-6. Refer to the website for each program to see if they require the GRE.  For more information about the GRE, please visit the official ETS website.

Additional Resources for Students

Are there any pre-health scholarships available to pre-PA students?

Yes, pre-PA students can apply for the following pre-health scholarship using the College of Science general scholarship application:

The Dr. Charles D. and Vernil Mitchell Endowed Scholarship
To be considered, a student must enroll as a full-time undergraduate student in any degree-granting major in the College of Science and be a graduate of any high school in Dallas ISD. For more information, please contact us at healthcareers@unt.edu. 

What are some additional resources for pre-PA students at UNT?

You can find a list of health-related student organizations at UNT here.  You can search for other student clubs and organizations on OrgSync.

If you are a current student, join our canvas course to receive important announcements and view resources related to your pre-PA journey.

How can I get started with creating a pre-PA plan?

If you are a current student at UNT, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with one of our pre-health advisors using the following link: https://unt.navigate.eab.com/. If you are a prospective student, interested in enrolling at UNT in the future, and have any questions about "pre-PA" at UNT, please feel free to contact us at healthcareers@unt.edu.