Person testing for blood pressure on a medical dummy

Pre-Physician Assistant

The Bachelor of Science in Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences degree with a concentration in Pre-Physician Assistant (Pre-PA), offered within the Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, prepares you to meet the academic prerequisites necessary to be considered for admission to an accredited Physician Assistant (PA) program. Coursework is designed to create a strong foundation for your success in a PA program.

As medical providers, PAs diagnose illness, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications, and often serve as a patient’s principal healthcare provider. The PA profession is committed to improving healthcare access and quality.

Physician Assistants consistently rank among the top careers in the United States. The profession is currently ranked second for Best Health Care Job and fifth for Best Job Overall on the 100 Best Jobs of 2026 list by U.S News & World Report.

Curricular Requirements Degree Plan Advising Apply

Curriculum

In the Pre-PA concentration, you will complete 2-4 years of prerequisite and specialized classroom instruction meant to establish competencies in core scientific disciplines. A cumulative GPA of 2.80 or higher is required for all pathways in the Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences major. Reviewing the Curricular Requirements in the Undergraduate Catalog for CDS core curriculum and course grade requirements is required.

When pursuing a Bachelor of Science with a major in Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences at Oakland University with a Pre-PA concentration, you may pursue admission to any accredited Physician Assistant program. The seminar courses are led by PA Science faculty and include concepts from the early PA profession up to current trends. It is highly recommended that you consult with the academic adviser prior to enrolling in any of these classes, as completion of coursework does not guarantee admission or completion of the program. Admission to a graduate PA program is through a competitive admissions process.

Students not accepted into a graduate PA program may complete the degree program outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog for a Bachelor of Science in Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences.

Experience-Based Learning

The OU Pledge is our commitment to provide experience-based and hands-on learning through participation in programs, student and professional organizations, research, community engagement and more.

Possibilities include:

Career Information

Physician assistants are versatile and collaborative medical professionals. PAs practice in every medical setting in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. They work in hospitals, medical offices, community health centers, nursing homes, retail clinics, educational facilities, workplace clinics, federal government agencies, and correctional institutions.

Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of PAs is projected to grow 20% from 2024 to 2034, significantly faster than the average for all occupations. As demand for healthcare services grows, PAs will be needed to provide care to patients.

Salary
The BLS reports that the median annual salary for PAs was $133,260 per year in 2024.

Consider this position if you:

have a passion for working with others
want to be involved in team-based, patient care
have a strong aptitude for science
are interested in continual learning

Resources

American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)
Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA)
Michigan Academy of Physician Assistants (MAPA)

Dale Telgenhoff, Ph.D., MBA, C^CM, HTL(ASCP)^CM
Coordinator and Associate Professor
Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences
[email protected]

Academic Advising
3070 Human Health Building
[email protected]
(248) 370-2369

School of Health Sciences

Academic Advising
3070 Human Health Building
433 Meadow Brook Road
Rochester, MI 48309-4452
(location map)
(248) 370-2369
[email protected]

Dean's Office
Human Health Building
(248) 370-3562
[email protected]