Skip to content
CIP 51.1111 Health Professions

Pre-Physician Assistant

IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education · 2025

Total graduates

126

2025 · 11 schools

International share

0.8%

1 international students

Bachelor's degrees

121

0.8% international

Overview

Pre-Physician Assistant is a specialized academic track designed to prepare students for admission into Physician Assistant (PA) graduate programs. This pre-professional pathway focuses on providing students with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for a career in healthcare as a Physician Assistant, who plays a critical role in patient care.

Students in a Pre-Physician Assistant program typically engage in a rigorous curriculum that includes courses in biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology. Additionally, many programs emphasize the importance of hands-on experience through clinical shadowing, internships, or volunteer work in healthcare settings. This practical exposure is essential, as it helps students understand the dynamics of patient care and the responsibilities of a PA.

Moreover, strong communication skills, critical thinking, and teamwork are integral components of the training, as PAs often work in collaborative environments with physicians and other healthcare professionals. The Pre-Physician Assistant track also prepares students for the competitive application process of PA schools, which often require a solid academic record, healthcare experience, and strong letters of recommendation.

In summary, the Pre-Physician Assistant program is an essential step for aspiring PAs, providing them with the academic foundation, clinical experience, and skills required to succeed in graduate studies and, ultimately, in their healthcare careers. This field is growing rapidly, reflecting an increasing demand for healthcare professionals who can assist in delivering high-quality care.

Graduates by year

Graduates by degree level (first and second majors)

AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral

From 2020 to 2025, graduates grew 282% and the international share went from 0.0% to 0.8%.

International share (%)
Graduates by group, 2025
White
77.0%
Asian
9.5%
Hispanic
4.0%
Black
2.4%
Other
6.3%
Intl.
0.8%

Colleges that award this degree

In 2025, 11 schools awarded this degree as a first major. The table lists those in the 2027 U.S. News National or Liberal Arts rankings, plus the unranked schools with the most graduates.

RankSchoolStateGraduatesInternational
#191 Hofstra University New York 4 0
#262 University of New England Maine 16 0
#262 DeSales University Pennsylvania 32 0
#308 Oakland University Michigan 19 0
#353 Trevecca Nazarene University Tennessee 5 0
— Seton Hill University Pennsylvania 30 0
— Lee University Tennessee 7 0
— Grand View University Iowa 6 0
— Holmes Community College Mississippi 3 0
— Butler Community College Kansas 2 0
— Kettering College Ohio 2 1

Purple: international students are 25% or more of the school's graduates.

Graduate counts: IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education, 2020–2025. Rankings: 2027 U.S. News.