PAs are medical providers, most with graduate-level educations. They are licensed to diagnose and treat illness and disease and to prescribe medication for patients. PAs work in physician offices, hospitals, and clinics in collaboration with a licensed physician. Because of their advanced education in general medicine, modeled after physician education, PAs can treat patients with significant autonomy within the physician/PA relationship. In the primary care setting, PAs can provide almost all the clinical services that physicians provide, including performing physical exams, diagnosing and treating illnesses and prescribing medications.
![Pre-Physician Assistant Icon](/sites/unl.edu.executive-vice-chancellor.explore-center/files/styles/no_crop_720/public/media/image/pa.png?itok=AWs5SKPO)
Plan Your Path to Physician Assistant School
View Health School Application Timeline
- Meet with a Pre-Health advisor to create a comprehensive academic and co-curricular plan
- Research application requirements
- See specific school websites for any specific application requirements which may vary by school
- Meet with a representative of the school for specific questions and guidance
- Take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
- Apply to Physician Assistant schools
- Most schools use the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA)
- Schools require applicants to document between 500-2,000 hours of patient contact in a job or volunteer setting
- Complete Bachelor's Degree and required prerequisite courses
- Attend Physician Assistant program (2-3 years)
Suggested Academic Preparation
- Bachelor’s degree – required by most programs and any UNL major is a great option
- Completion of pre-requisite courses
- Competitive academic record
- GPA in both science and non-science courses
- GRE score (required by some programs)
Current Students
Current students: Meet with a Pre-Health advisor to talk more about your Pre-Health goals.
Are you a non-UNL student looking for information about Pre-Health? Click here