Academics > Majors and Areas of Study > Pre-Physician Assistant

What is a Physician Assistant? A Physician Assistant is a medical practitioner who works under the supervision of a licensed physician but is able to perform many of the duties formerly reserved for physicians. These include evaluating the patient's condition, ordering tests, prescribing medicine (except in Ohio, Indiana, and Louisiana), and assisting in surgery. What are the Career Opportunities for a Physician Assistant? The opportunities for Physician Assistants are increasing, largely because they serve as a cost effective way of dealing with routine health care that frees physicians and specialists to deal with more challenging and unique situations. Physician Assistants may be employed in hospitals, private and public health clinics, schools, and prisons. What are the Course Requirements? Generally a student can prepare for a career as a Physician Assistant by completing an undergraduate program in Biology and pursuing a graduate Physician Assistant degree. What are Alternate Programs? Thiel has an articulation agreement with Chatham College that guarantees a student an interview for consideration of acceptance during their junior year. If accepted, the student would spend their fourth year at Chatham which would serve the dual purpose of completing the BA degree from Thiel and constituting the first of the two years at Chatham. In this case, the student earns a BA and MPA in a total of five years. Conditions of the Agreement with Chatham College: A student will be granted an interview for admission to the Master of Physician Assistant Studies at Chatham College who has: A minimum of C in each prerequisite course with a cumulative GPA in the prerequisite courses of 3.0 A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 Maintained a good citizenship record Successfully completed Chatham College Master of Physician Assistant Studies admission requirements, including a shadowing form, volunteer hours, and references. Sent an application for admission to CASPA, the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants, by Dec. 1 of the student's final year in residence at Thiel Physician Assistant Program (MPAS) - 3 + 2 Program BA in Biology at Thiel awarded after the first year at Chatham MPAS from Chatham awarded after the second year at Chatham Thiel College Prerequisite Requirements for Physician Assistant degree from Chatham.