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Ramapo College Office of Admissions
McBride House 505 Ramapo Valley Road Mahwah, NJ 07430
p: (201) 684-7300
e: admissions@ramapo.edu
f: (201) 684-7964
Pre-Physician Assistant (Pre-PA)
Physician assistants are on the front lines of healthcare, diagnosing illness, developing treatment plans and helping patients live healthier lives.
At Ramapo College, you’ll build the scientific foundation and patient-centered mindset needed to become a competitive PA school applicant. Through personalized advising, rigorous academics and opportunities to prepare beyond the classroom, you’ll develop the knowledge to take the next step toward a rewarding career as a physician assistant.
Why Choose Pre-PA at Ramapo?
- Personalized Guidance. PA school requirements can vary significantly. Work one-on-one with advisors who help you plan your coursework, understand prerequisites and prepare for the PA school application process.
- Prepare Beyond the Classroom. A strong PA school application is about more than grades. Build meaningful healthcare and patient-care experience while developing the communication, leadership and problem-solving skills the profession demands.
- Build Your Own Path. Pre-PA is a pathway, not a major. Choose the field that interests you, from Biology and Health Sciences to Psychology, while completing the science prerequisites needed for graduate PA programs.
Classes You Can Take
- BIOL 332 – GENETICS LECTURE
- BIOL 311 – MICROBIOLOGY LECTURE
- PSYC 242 – STATISTICS
- SOSC 110 – SOCIAL SCIENCE INQUIRY
- BIOL 214 – ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I LECTURE
Where Your PA Career Can Take You
One of the profession’s greatest advantages is versatility. PAs can build careers across many areas of medicine and change specialties throughout their careers.
- Primary Care. Diagnose and treat illnesses, provide preventive care, and build meaningful relationships with patients and families.
- Emergency Medicine. Deliver fast-paced, critical care alongside physicians and other healthcare professionals.
- Pediatrics. Care for infants, children, and adolescents while supporting their health and development.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Pre-PA is a pathway that works alongside your major. This gives you the flexibility to pursue an academic field that interests you while completing the prerequisites required for physician assistant programs.
You’ll receive personalized academic guidance while building the science foundation, healthcare experience and professional skills needed to become a competitive applicant. Advisors can also help you understand the different requirements of PA programs you’re considering.
Many PA programs require or strongly value direct patient-care experience. Experiences can include working as an EMT, medical assistant, patient care technician, certified nursing assistant, or in other hands-on healthcare roles. Requirements vary by PA program.
PAs are licensed medical professionals who examine patients, diagnose illnesses, develop treatment plans, prescribe medications, perform procedures and collaborate with physicians and other healthcare professionals.
Physician assistants are among today’s well-compensated healthcare professionals, with strong earning potential that can vary by specialty, experience, employer, and location.
Median Salary: $133,000 per year
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook
Yes. Physician assistant is one of the nation’s fastest-growing healthcare careers, driven by increasing demand for medical services and greater use of team-based healthcare.
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