Contacts

Undergraduate

Undergraduate Quicklinks

Careers

Exercise Science - Physician Assistant

Physician assistants (PAs) are licensed medical professionals who provide patient care as part of a healthcare team. PAs take medical histories, perform physical examinations, order and interpret diagnostic studies, develop treatment plans, prescribe medications, and educate patients. They work in collaboration with physicians and other healthcare professionals across a wide range of medical specialties and settings.

Prepare for PA School
Requirements vary by school and program, so be sure to check specifically for each program!

Course Prerequisites

Academic Requirements
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Microbiology
  • Statistics
  • Psychology
  • English
  • Medical Terminology
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Genetics
  • Additional upper-level Biology course

Important: Exercise Science students interested in PA school should plan carefully with program-specific prereqs in mind. Some programs may allow a limited number of outstanding prereqs at the time of application.
  • GPA: Check each program's minimum and average accepted GPA
  • GRE: Some programs require or recommend the GRE. Some programs post average scores for guidance
  • Healthcare Experience: Requirements vary, some programs expect significant direct patient-care experience AKA shadow hours.
  • Letters of Recommendations: Requirements vary by program

Tip: Don't rely on a program's title or  general requirements. Read the entire admissions  website for every PA program you plan to apply to.

Build Your Application

Healthcare Experience

Letters of Recommendation
Healthcare experience can be an important part of a competitive PA application. Depending on the program, relevant experience may include:
  • Paid patient-care experience
  • Volunteer patient-care experience
  • Healthcare employment
  • Shadowing PAs or physicians
  • Healthcare-related community service

Plan ahead! Many successful applicants enter PA school with several years of healthcare experience.

 Requirements vary by program. Potential recommenders may include:
  • PAs or healthcare professionals
  • Professors
  • Healthcare supervisors

Start building relationships early! Making connections with potential recommenders early in your collegiate career will help the process tremendously.

Application Path

Sophomore Year

Junior Year
Explore
  • Research PA programs & their requirements
  • Review prerequisite courses
  • Begin gaining healthcare experience
  • Connect with PAs and other healthcare professionals
 Prepare
  • Complete prerequisites
  • Continue gaining healthcare experience
  • Prepare for the GRE, if required
  • Build relationships with potential recommenders
  • Research CASPA and program deadlines

Application Timing

Application Year

Application deadlines vary by program and are often one year before enrollment.

 Apply
  • Submit your application through CASPA
  • Request letters of recommendation
  • Submit transcripts and supporting materials
  • Complete program-specific requirements
  • Prepare for interviews

Graduate PA Program

Become a PA!
Earn your degree
  • Complete an accredited PA program
  • Complete classroom and clinical education
  • Prepare for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE)
 Certification & Licensure
  • Pass the PANCE
  • Obtain state licensure
  • Maintain certification and licensure

Career Path
PAs have one of the most versatile career paths in healthcare, with opportunities to work across specialties and settings.
Medical Specialties:
PAs can practice in a wide variety of
specialties, including:
  • Family medicine
  • Emergency medicine
  • Orthopedics
  • Surgery
  • Internal medicine
  • Pediatrics
  • Dermatology
  • Cardiology
  • Psychiatry
  • And many more
 Work Settings:
  • Hospitals
  • Physician offices
  • Outpatient clinics
  • Emergency departments
  • Surgical settings
  • Specialty practices
  • Community health centers

Rutgers 3+3 PA Program 

A six year pathway from undergraduate study to PA education:

  • Start undergrad career at RU New Brunswick
  • Apply to RU PA program after sophomore year
    • Must have all prerequisite coursework completed
    • Minimum GPA to apply is 3.2
  • If accepted, complete undergrad in 3 years, move on to PA school

Network + Get Involved
Join a Student Organization
  • Pre-PA Club (@rutgersprepa)
  • Rutgers Physician Assistant Student Society (RUPASS)
 Network
  • Shadow PAs and physicians
  • Attend healthcare career events
  • Connect with PA students and practicing PAs
  • Build relationships with faculty and advisors
  • Research programs before contacting admissions staff

 Helpful Links

 Career Sheets

These career sheets are short, prBrainpower Pathways Logo Collectionactical guides that help students explore different careers and understand what it takes to get started. Each sheet provides an overview of the career, the skills and education that may be helpful, and possible next steps.

Students should use the sheets as a starting point for exploration—not as a definitive guide or a requirement to follow a particular path. They can review sheets for careers that interest them, compare different options, and use the suggested resources and next steps to learn more, identify opportunities, and begin building a plan for their own career journey.

Exercise Science Careers
    Athletic Training
    Chiropractor
    Dentist
    Occupational Therapy
    Physician Assistant
    Physical Therapy		 Sport Management Careers
     Administration & Events
     Agent & Law
     Coaching
     Marketing & Revenue