Mar 29, 2024  
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Pre-Physician Assistant


A pre-professional program is a statement of intent on the student’s part, not an academic major. 

Physician’s assistants (PAs) practice medicine on healthcare teams, under the supervision of a physician. As certified medical generalists, physician’s assistants work in primary care settings to diagnose, treat and prescribe medicine to patients (American Academy of PAs).

Pre-physician assistant students pursue a course of study to fulfill requirements for entry into a PA school. Pre-physician assistant students complete preparation coursework in physician assistant studies in addition to a bachelor’s degree at UMBC. Students complete their professional studies at another institution.

The Office for Academic and Pre-Professional Advising  can assist students interested in pursuing the pre-physician’s assistant curriculum.

The coursework below meets the requirements for most nationally accredited PA programs. Students should become familiar with the requirements of the school(s) from which they eventually wish to obtain their professional degree.

Total Credits


Students complete the pre-physician assistant curriculum and the requirements of a UMBC major in a minimum of 120 credits.

Pre-Physician Assistant Requirements


Experience with Patients


Students should expect to have 1,000-10,000 hours of direct experience with patients when they apply to PA programs.