Bachelor of Arts - College of Science and Health - Pre-Health Professional Program - Pre-Physician Assistant

The Pre-Health Program at DePaul is not a major. It’s a pre-professional program designed to help students identify which health career is the best fit and prepare them to become a competitive applicant to professional school. Any currently enrolled DePaul student from any major who is considering a professional degree in a health profession can register for the Pre-Health Program.

The College of Science and Health's (CSH) Office of Advising and Student Services' pre-health advisor and the Pre-health Advising Committee (PAC) offer specialized advising for any DePaul student interested in pursuing a graduate health professions program. As a Pre-Health student at DePaul, students will be well prepared for graduate studies leading to a wide variety of health careers. DePaul also partnered with area health professions schools to create focused academic paths and support to pursue a variety of health careers.

The American Academy of Physician Assistants defines a physician assistant (PA) as an authorized person who can practice medicine as part of a team with physicians. PAs conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery and write prescriptions. Currently, most PA programs utilize an application system called the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants otherwise known as the CASPA. Pre-physician assistant students typically obtain a bachelor of science (BS) or a bachelor of arts (BA) degree while completing the requirements for admission to PA programs. PA programs at the master's level do not require nor prefer a particular undergraduate degree.