Pre-Physician Assistant @ SoM
Interested in becoming a physician assistant (PA)? The WVU School of Medicine Health Professions offers undergraduate pre-health degrees for every interest, that will help you graduate prepared for your future in healthcare. As part of West Virginia's only comprehensive academic health sciences center, our students benefit from unique interprofessional experiences and expert faculty support. Read on to learn how else we support you.
Courtney Amend
Physician Assistant Studies
“WVU feels like so much more than a university; WVU is a family.”
What undergraduate major should I choose?
Pre-PA students in the WVU School of Medicine typically major in Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics (BLD), Exercise Physiology (EXPH), or Immunology and Medical Microbiology (IMMB). Each major provides a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, and related sciences, meeting common PA-school prerequisites. Students in these majors can easily complete additional prerequisite requirements through elective coursework.
Each major also offers unique opportunities to jumpstart your training as a future physician assistant. For example:
- Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics (BLD) students gain practical healthcare experience through clinical rotations. By learning how to perform diagnostic testing on human samples, students develop strong clinical reasoning skills essential for PA practice. In their final year, students complete a capstone course, PALM 475: Medical Relevance, to integrate their learning through research.
- Exercise Physiology core coursework focuses on human body systems and function, medical terminology, and nutrition. Pre-PA students can customize their education with upper-division electives like EXPH 441: Gross Anatomy Laboratory (human cadaver dissection) and EXPH 460: Pathophysiology (causes of disease). All EXPH students have the opportunity to gain direct patient care experience through internships at sites like the WVU Human Performance Laboratory.
- Immunology and Medical Microbiology offers an in-depth study of the immune system and disease response. One of only two U.S. undergrad programs fully housed in a School of Medicine, IMMB emphasizes hands-on lab work from year one. Students can pursue paid, multi-year research with grant-funded faculty in facilities like the Vaccine Development Center. Students complement core med-school focused coursework with electives like IMMB 327: Parasitology, IMMB 480: Vaccinology, and a study-abroad trip to Italy exploring the roots of Western medicine.
What other opportunities are there in the curriculum to strengthen my application to PA school?
Students in BLD, EXPH, or IMMB can tailor their academic path with minors in areas like rural health, healthcare data analytics, and molecular medicine. EXPH majors may also pursue the Health Professions area of emphasis, with upper-level courses aligned with common PA prerequisites.
How soon should I start preparing for PA school?
Choosing a WVU School of Medicine major is a strong first step towards PA school. Because the WVU PA program starts each January, the following timeline assumes you will complete your undergraduate degree in four years, graduating in May:
- Sophomore/junior year:
- Start identifying volunteer or work opportunities for junior/senior year, to fulfill clinical experience requirement (see WVU Physician Assistant application requirements).
- Review required prerequisite courses for your target PA program(s) and develop a plan to complete any outstanding requirements (see WVU Physician Assistant prerequisite courses).
- Identify individuals willing to serve as a reference when you apply; see the WVU PA website for information on letters of recommendation.
- Senior year | Fall term:
- Complete 1st Graduate Record Examination (GRE) attempt.
- Sign up to work with the WVU Pre-Health Professional Development Office.
- Senior year | Spring term:
- Prepare and submit your application via CASPA (at WVU, application cycle runs April - August).
- Work with WVU Career Services or the Pre-Health Professional Development Office to prepare for interviews (June - August).