Pre-Physician Assistant
Interested in a career as a physician assistant?
At the School of Science at IUPUI, students seeking professional careers in medicine are exposed to opportunities that no other school in the state of Indiana can offer.
Through comprehensive coursework, hands-on experience in the classroom and labs, one-on-one guidance from professors, and research and leadership opportunities in the School, five surrounding hospitals, the IU School of Medicine and the IU School of Dentistry, graduates of the School of Science are well prepared for PA school and beyond!
What will you learn?
PA school success is largely dependent on the knowledge, experience and habits students pick up as undergraduates. Through opportunities to participate in industry-leading research, community involvement and clinical experience, a pre-physician assistant student in the School of Science at IUPUI will be well prepared for success in PA school and life in the medical field.
- Prerequisites for many PA schools often favor and lean heavily toward science majors and majors in the School of Science at IUPUI provide students with excellent undergraduate preparation for PA school.
- By studying science at IUPUI, students have opportunities to work, learn and participate in internships and research in the School of Science as well as the IU Medical School and surrounding hospitals.
Many science undergraduate degrees are marketable to future employers even if the student chooses not to pursue professional schooling.
What will you do?
PAs work in a number of fields of medicine. They often practice in primary care as well as trauma, surgery, the surgical sub-specialties and all other areas. PAs can become experts and earn multiple specializations throughout their careers based on their experience working under the given type of physician or in the given setting in which they specialize.
Physician Assistants are comprehensively trained in a variety of fields including:
- Conducting physical exams
- Diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries
- Ordering and interpreting lab tests and x-rays
- Counseling on preventative health care
- Assisting in surgery
- Writing prescriptions for medicine
Like most universities, IUPUI does not offer a pre-physician assistant major because PA schools do not require students to complete specific majors. However, many majors in the School of Science at IUPUI provide students with excellent undergraduate preparation for a physician assistant program.
Personal statements
Most graduate and professional programs require a personal statement as part of the application process. The personal statement is an appropriate place to share your career goals, strengths, experiences, personality, and academic successes and obstacles.

“Teaching 1st year med students at the clinic how to draw blood was an amazing experience. They learned a new skill and the patients learned not all blood draws are painful."
Melissa Peden Neuroscience, Undergraduate