Physician Assistant Pathway Year One Requirements

By the end of year one, students pursuing the PA Pathway must complete the following requirements:

HPS Retention Requirements:

  • Attend orientation to HPS Program
  • Earn a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.5; GPA may not fall below a 3.25 in any semester
  • Complete 50 hours of clinical observation, health-related volunteer experience, internship, or direct (hands-on) patient healthcare experience
  • Receive positive supervisor evaluation at clinical observation site
  • Attend at least one student health care organization meeting (e.g. Pre-PA Society)
  • Attend at least one group advising session conducted by the HPS Committee
  • Provide evidence of endorsement of MSU Public Affairs Mission by completing a minimum of 30 hours of community service (please note - hours completed as part of service learning or for scholarship renewal will be counted)
  • Complete the following courses with a "C" grade or better:
    • BMS 110 and BMS 111: Introduction to the Biomedical Sciences lecture and lab OR BIO 121: General Biology I
    • MTH 135: College Algebra OR higher
    • CHM 160: General Chemistry I AND CHM 161: General Chemistry I Lab

PA Pathway-Specific Requirements:

  • Only 50 of your 500 total clinical experience hours may come from clinical observation/shadowing. Students pursuing the PA Pathway must complete a minimum of 450 hours of direct (hands-on) patient care experience. This is typically achieved through a paid position or clinical internship. Examples of positions that result in hands-on patient care experience include: Athletic Trainer, Behavioral Health Technician, Case Manager, Certified Nurse's Aid (CNA), Dialysis Technician, Registered Dietitian, EKG Technician, EMT-Basic, ER Technician, Surgical Technician, Endoscopy Technician, Home Health Aid, Medical Assistant, Patient Care Assistant, Registered Nurse, Respiratory Therapist, Radiologic Technologist.
  • You must earn a "C" or better in all required PA prerequisite courses (with the exception of BMS 307 and BMS 308, which must be passed with a "B-" or better).
  • Failure to meet the above requirements may result in probation or dismissal from the HPS program