Grand valley state university pa program prerequisites

NMC Transfer Guide - MTA

Program: Physician Assistant (Grand Rapids campus; Traverse City campus per ARC-PA Accreditation)

The physician assistant program at GVSU is a 2 1/2 year program leading to a master of physician assistant studies degree. Students must complete a bachelor's degree to be eligible for PAS program consideration.

Students select an undergraduate major in their first year or as transfer students (suggested majors included allied health sciences, biology or biomedical sciences) and work with an advisor from that department. Students who have already completed a bachelor's degree need to complete only the pre-professional (prerequisite) program course requirements at: gvsu.edu/pas/prerequisite-courses-93.htm

Admission Criteria

  1. NMC/GVSU Articulation Agreement
  2. Graduate Application
  3. Coursework
    1. A minimum grade of "C" must be attained in each of GVSU's PAS program prerequisites
    2. Applicants must demonstrate a minimum 3.0 GPA in each of the following categories
      1. Cumulative grades
      2. PAS prerequisite courses
      3. Last 60 hours of coursework
    3. All PAS program prerequisite coursework and a bachelor's degree must be completed by the month of May prior to the fall semester before beginning the professional curriculum
  4. Two recommendations from health professionals must be submitted with the electronic Graduate Application. We recommend, but do not require, that at least one letter be from a practicing physician assistant. Separate letters from references are not required. Only TWO references are required
  5. Experience. Applicants should show evidence of 500-plus hours of significant volunteer, work, or observational experience in a health care environment. The experience must be hands-on patient care activities. This information should be documented on the graduate application. A minimum of 500 hours must be completed by the time of application.
  6. Interviews. A select group of applicants will be offered an interview as the second part of the application process.
  7. Five-Year Course Completion. The following courses must be less than 5 years old at the time of application:
    1. Human Anatomy
    2. Human Physiology
    3. Microbiology
    4. Biochemistry
  8. Foreign-born applicants should be able to communicate well in English. Minimal scores of TOEFL 600 or equivalent computer-based TOEFL are expected
  9. International students must have 30 hours of higher education coursework taken at an establish and accredited U.S. institution.
  10. UC Contact number: (231) 995-1785

Basic Requirements

The following courses will complete requirements for an Associate in Arts degree, and most of the general education requirements from GVSU. Students are strongly encouraged to stay in contact with a GVSU advisor for any program updates. Refer to GVSU's general education guide.

NOTE: Both a Global Perspective and a U.S. Diversity course are required to receive a bachelor's degree from GVSU. NMC courses that transfer as Global Perspective or US Diversity can be chosen from Humanities or Social Science and will double count. For example, ANT 113 will count as both a Social Science and a Global Perspective class.

Required Classes

Academic Area

Credits

Communications

ENG 111 English Composition

4

ENG 112 English Composition

4

Humanities

Select a total of 6 credits representing 2 departments from Group 1 Humanities list »

6

GVSU Global Perspective requirement (select one course here or one course under Social Science): ART 111, ART 112, ENG 241, ENG 246, ENG 247, ENG 254, ENG 263, ENG 271, FRN 202, GRM 202, HST 101, HST 102, HST 228, HST 235, HUM 116, PHL 121, PHL 122, SPN 202.

GVSU U.S. Diversity requirement (select one course here or one course under Social Science): ART 114, ENG 242, ENG 245, HST 111, HST 112, HST 211, HST 212, HST 213, HST 225, MUS 111.

Natural Science

BIO 115 Cell, Plant & Ecosystem Biology

4

BIO 208 Microbiology

4

BIO 227 Human Anatomy & Physiology I

5

BIO 228 Human Anatomy & Physiology II

5

BIO 268 Biochemistry (for University Center only)

3

PHY 105 Physics and the World Around Us - MTH 23 pre-requisite (or PHY 121 & 122 - MTH 122 pre-requisite)

4-8

Choose one of the Chemistry options below, depending on your bachelors degree choice:

1 - Two semesters

CHM 101 Introduction to Chemistry

4

CHM 201 Introduction to Organic Chemistry

4

OR 

2 - Four semesters

CHM 150 General Chemistry I

5

CHM 151 General Chemistry II

5

CHM 250 Organic Chemistry I

5

CHM 251 Organic Chemistry II

5

Social Science

PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology

3

Select 1 course, not PSY,  from Group 1 Social Science list (It may be one of the courses listed below)»

3

GVSU Global Perspective requirement (select one course here or one course under Humanities): ANT 113, GEO 109, PLS 132, PLS 211.

GVSU U.S. Diversity requirement (select one course here or one course under Humanities): SOC 201, SOC 220.

Mathematics

MTH 131 Probability and Statistics

3

Other Requirement for Main Campus Only

HAH 101 Medical Terminology

3

Northwestern Michigan College does not assume final responsibility for the accuracy of information on this guide. The final responsibility for the successful transfer of classes suggested on this guide rests with you and the institution you plan to transfer to. It is strongly recommended that you visit the institution as early in your academic career (prior to transfer) as possible.

Updated: Summer 2021

How long is the PA program at Grand Valley?

PAs receive 16 months of didactic training followed by 12 months of clinical training (clinical rotations) at Grand Valley State University. Prospective and enrolled students are not required to provide or solicit clinical sites or preceptors.

How much is PA school at GVSU?

Total Cost of GVSU PA Program.

Can you get into GVSU with a 3.0 GPA?

Admission will be based upon: Completed non-degree seeking application. High school transcript indicating cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

What GPA does Grand Valley accept?

Grand Valley requires a 2.5 GPA for admission to the university and approximately a 2.7 GPA — established at GVSU — for admission to most education programs.