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Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
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2022-2023

Pre-Physician Assistant (advising track)

VCU Student Success

 
Program description

Students interested in the pre-physician assistant advising track must be on track to complete all prerequisite coursework, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and be on track to receive a baccalaureate degree by the time of applying to be considered for admission to Physician Assistant (PA) school. Students interested in PA school should consult with a pre-professional health career advisor to learn about requirements that are specific to the schools to which they hope to apply.


Students with an interest in preparing for PA school must declare an academic major and should declare and maintain their pre-physician assistant advising track. Students do not earn a pre-physician assistant degree. Students unsure of their academic majors initially should clarify their academic interests through regular conversations with their advisers. Pre-physician assistant students are encouraged to major in fields of greatest interest to them. To declare a pre-physician assistant advising track, please see the Canvas Pre-Professional Health (PPH) Hub.


PA schools across the U.S. have different prerequisites for admission into their program. Students should discuss career plans with their pre-professional health career advisor for additional guidance.

Career opportunities

Physician assistants can practice medicine in most specialties including family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, and gynecology. More than 20% focus their talents in surgery or the surgical subspecialties. Although family and emergency medicine attract most graduates of PA school, many further specialize in dermatology, psychiatry, radiology, or pathology.

Change of major requirements

To change to a different PPH Track, students must complete the PPH Module on the Canvas PPH Hub that corresponds to the new track in which they are interested.

Graduate and professional level job titles
  • Physician Assistant
Professional associations and resources
Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Requirements
Highest level of math required
  • MATH 151
  • STAT 210
Science required
  • 5+ additional science courses
Foreign language requirements
  • No
Additional tuition/fees
  • No
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
  • A minimum GPA of 2.7 is required to apply to become a pre-professional health student and to stay on the pre-professional health advising track.

Contact information

Department name:
Pre-Professional Health Advising
Building/room location:
Hibbs Hall, First Floor
Phone:
804-827-8648
Email:
preprofadv@vcu.edu
https://rampages.us/preprofadv/
Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):
Monroe Park
Major map compass icon
Major map

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to review your CSI self-report, start goal planning, and choose electives.
  • Sharpen your study skills in supplemental instruction sessions at the Campus Learning Center.
  • Meet with a writing consultant to hone your writing skills.
  • Enroll in a student success course to connect with campus advisors and build community around your interests and goals.
  • Map out a 4-year course plan in DegreeWorks' Student Educational Planner.
  • Familiarize yourself with the Canvas PPH Hub.
  • Required to declare the pre-physician assistant track: take BIOL/Z 151, CHEM/Z 101, CHEM/Z 102, and MATH 151 or 200.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers in your field of study.
  • Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page.
  • Join Students Today Alumni Tomorrow to connect with VCU traditions and alumni networking opportunities.
  • Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future.
  • Make a 4-year affordability plan with your financial counselor.
  • Read as much as possible for fun (not just for class) in newspapers, novels, and magazines, all of which can help improve your reading comprehension score on the OAT.
  • Required to declare the pre-PA track, complete the pre-physician assistant track declaration module on our Canvas PPH Hub.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide.
  • Schedule an appointment with your advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience.
  • Talk to professors about your research interests, electives, and strategies for success in your classes.
  • Explore innovation and business/non-profit creation classes with the da Vinci Center.
  • Required to declare the pre-physician assistant track, complete all of BIOL/Z 151, CHEM/Z 101, CHEM/Z 102, and MATH 151 or 200.
  • Schedule an appointment with your PPH and STEM career advisor on Handshake.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty.
  • Take a service-learning class to get involved with local organizations while earning credit.
  • Volunteer to address a social issue and check out Hands on Greater Richmond for opportunities.
  • Learn about the Sophomore Year Experience in Cary & Belvedere.
  • If living on campus, join the Residence Hall Association.
  • Discuss potential service opportunities with your PPH and STEM career advisor to ensure appropriateness for physician assistant school requirements.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Make friends with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
  • Explore social issues, develop cultural competency skills, and engage with faculty through iExcel pop-up courses.
  • Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty.
  • Apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship.
  • Volunteer with a vulnerable, under-represented and/or underserved community, focusing on depth of experience instead of breadth and reflecting on the challenges these populations might face with their healthcare.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field.
  • Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work.
  • Explore global career options with a career advisor to set goals for getting your dream job.
  • Organize examples of your academic and professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections in an ePortfolio.
  • Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events.
  • Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value.
  • Highly recommended is to collect and reflect on your experiences using your Pre-Professional Health Journal on Canvas PPH Hub every semester.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest.
  • Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships.
  • Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation.
  • Meet with a coach at The Money Spot to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
  • Begin researching professional schools of interest and map out their application requirements and deadlines.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as future letter of recommendation writers, research the number of letters you need and who can write them, and review the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) Program Directory for specific program preferences.


Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
  • See your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.
  • Take a virtual library tour to learn about library spaces, services, and research help.
  • Discuss with your PPH and STEM Career Advisor whether you should apply this year or apply next year and take a gap year; if not taking a gap year, year 4 of the major map must be completed prior to application.
  • Participate in the Pre-Health Advisory Committee (PHAC) in the spring.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning.
  • Get required REAL experience and effect community change by using iExcel’s Active Citizen’s Toolkit to vote and volunteer.
  • Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals.
  • Prepare for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams by showcasing your interpersonal skills on your resume.
  • Volunteer with a vulnerable, under-represented and/or underserved community, continuing your volunteerism to develop long-term relationships and get more involved in the organization.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through InterviewPrep or meeting with a career advisor.
  • Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
  • Look for opportunities at VCU, your place of employment, and/or in your greater community that allow you to apply for a leadership role or assume greater responsibility and to focus on areas that you are passionate about.
  • Highly recommended is to collect and reflect on your experiences in your pre-professional health journal on Canvas PPH Hub every semester.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Make a plan with your academic, career, and faculty advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship.
  • Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
  • Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year. 
  • Review test materials, begin studying for the GRE/MCAT, and plan to incorporate multiple study skills and techniques.

Excel
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met.
  • Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree.
  • Highly recommended is to schedule an appointment with a PPH and STEM Career Advisor to assess your progress through the application process and discuss gap year options.
  • Review your true cumulative GPA, science GPA, non-science GPA, grade trends, and semester course difficulty to see a full picture of your academic profile.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners.
  • Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field.
  • Master your answers to interview questions about your experience working with diverse populations.
  • Plan for how you will grow your cultural agility after graduation.
  • Reflect on your own cultural competency and be prepared to answer interview questions that outline how you have worked with diverse populations based on community connection competencies in your pre-professional health journal.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Consider becoming an educator through programs like RTR, which prepare graduates from a variety of majors to become teachers in high-need schools.
  • Meet with your academic or professional mentor and identify examples of your experiential learning to share with employers.
  • Publish your original research in Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creativity.
  • Highly recommended is to collect and reflect on your experiences using the Pre-Professional Health Journal on Canvas PPH Hub every semester.
  • Reflect on the experiential learning you have engaged in thus far and discuss with current or potential mentors like peers, faculty, advisors, alumni, and practicing physician assistants.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Prepare for graduation by making a plan to complete licensing exams, applications, and self-marketing activities.
  • Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
  • Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services. 
  • Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter.
  • Review test day information, register, and sit for the GRE/MCAT then meet with your PPH and STEM career advisor to review your test score and how it impacts your application competitiveness.
  • When accepted to a professional healthcare program, make sure to understand the steps to your acceptance including tuition deposits, background check, and traffic rules.
Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2022-2023

Pre-Physician Assistant (advising track)

VCU Student Success

Concentration(s):
No concentration
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore Year 1
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to review your CSI self-report, start goal planning, and choose electives.
  • Sharpen your study skills in supplemental instruction sessions at the Campus Learning Center.
  • Meet with a writing consultant to hone your writing skills.
  • Enroll in a student success course to connect with campus advisors and build community around your interests and goals.
  • Map out a 4-year course plan in DegreeWorks' Student Educational Planner.
  • Familiarize yourself with the Canvas PPH Hub.
  • Required to declare the pre-physician assistant track: take BIOL/Z 151, CHEM/Z 101, CHEM/Z 102, and MATH 151 or 200.
  • Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers in your field of study.
  • Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page.
  • Join Students Today Alumni Tomorrow to connect with VCU traditions and alumni networking opportunities.
  • Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future.
  • Make a 4-year affordability plan with your financial counselor.
  • Read as much as possible for fun (not just for class) in newspapers, novels, and magazines, all of which can help improve your reading comprehension score on the OAT.
  • Required to declare the pre-PA track, complete the pre-physician assistant track declaration module on our Canvas PPH Hub.
Experience Year 2
  • Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide.
  • Schedule an appointment with your advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience.
  • Talk to professors about your research interests, electives, and strategies for success in your classes.
  • Explore innovation and business/non-profit creation classes with the da Vinci Center.
  • Required to declare the pre-physician assistant track, complete all of BIOL/Z 151, CHEM/Z 101, CHEM/Z 102, and MATH 151 or 200.
  • Schedule an appointment with your PPH and STEM career advisor on Handshake.
  • Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty.
  • Take a service-learning class to get involved with local organizations while earning credit.
  • Volunteer to address a social issue and check out Hands on Greater Richmond for opportunities.
  • Learn about the Sophomore Year Experience in Cary & Belvedere.
  • If living on campus, join the Residence Hall Association.
  • Discuss potential service opportunities with your PPH and STEM career advisor to ensure appropriateness for physician assistant school requirements.
  • Make friends with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
  • Explore social issues, develop cultural competency skills, and engage with faculty through iExcel pop-up courses.
  • Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty.
  • Apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship.
  • Volunteer with a vulnerable, under-represented and/or underserved community, focusing on depth of experience instead of breadth and reflecting on the challenges these populations might face with their healthcare.
  • Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field.
  • Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work.
  • Explore global career options with a career advisor to set goals for getting your dream job.
  • Organize examples of your academic and professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections in an ePortfolio.
  • Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events.
  • Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value.
  • Highly recommended is to collect and reflect on your experiences using your Pre-Professional Health Journal on Canvas PPH Hub every semester.
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest.
  • Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships.
  • Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation.
  • Meet with a coach at The Money Spot to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
  • Begin researching professional schools of interest and map out their application requirements and deadlines.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as future letter of recommendation writers, research the number of letters you need and who can write them, and review the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) Program Directory for specific program preferences.

Year 3
  • Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
  • See your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.
  • Take a virtual library tour to learn about library spaces, services, and research help.
  • Discuss with your PPH and STEM Career Advisor whether you should apply this year or apply next year and take a gap year; if not taking a gap year, year 4 of the major map must be completed prior to application.
  • Participate in the Pre-Health Advisory Committee (PHAC) in the spring.
  • Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning.
  • Get required REAL experience and effect community change by using iExcel’s Active Citizen’s Toolkit to vote and volunteer.
  • Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals.
  • Prepare for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams by showcasing your interpersonal skills on your resume.
  • Volunteer with a vulnerable, under-represented and/or underserved community, continuing your volunteerism to develop long-term relationships and get more involved in the organization.
  • Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through InterviewPrep or meeting with a career advisor.
  • Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
  • Look for opportunities at VCU, your place of employment, and/or in your greater community that allow you to apply for a leadership role or assume greater responsibility and to focus on areas that you are passionate about.
  • Highly recommended is to collect and reflect on your experiences in your pre-professional health journal on Canvas PPH Hub every semester.
  • Make a plan with your academic, career, and faculty advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship.
  • Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
  • Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year. 
  • Review test materials, begin studying for the GRE/MCAT, and plan to incorporate multiple study skills and techniques.
Excel Year 4
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met.
  • Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree.
  • Highly recommended is to schedule an appointment with a PPH and STEM Career Advisor to assess your progress through the application process and discuss gap year options.
  • Review your true cumulative GPA, science GPA, non-science GPA, grade trends, and semester course difficulty to see a full picture of your academic profile.
  • Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners.
  • Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field.
  • Master your answers to interview questions about your experience working with diverse populations.
  • Plan for how you will grow your cultural agility after graduation.
  • Reflect on your own cultural competency and be prepared to answer interview questions that outline how you have worked with diverse populations based on community connection competencies in your pre-professional health journal.
  • Consider becoming an educator through programs like RTR, which prepare graduates from a variety of majors to become teachers in high-need schools.
  • Meet with your academic or professional mentor and identify examples of your experiential learning to share with employers.
  • Publish your original research in Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creativity.
  • Highly recommended is to collect and reflect on your experiences using the Pre-Professional Health Journal on Canvas PPH Hub every semester.
  • Reflect on the experiential learning you have engaged in thus far and discuss with current or potential mentors like peers, faculty, advisors, alumni, and practicing physician assistants.
  • Prepare for graduation by making a plan to complete licensing exams, applications, and self-marketing activities.
  • Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
  • Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services. 
  • Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter.
  • Review test day information, register, and sit for the GRE/MCAT then meet with your PPH and STEM career advisor to review your test score and how it impacts your application competitiveness.
  • When accepted to a professional healthcare program, make sure to understand the steps to your acceptance including tuition deposits, background check, and traffic rules.