Course Prerequisites: Here, There, and Everywhere. Time to Standardize?

Abstract

Introduction This study's aim was to examine prerequisite course requirements and compare them to previous studies with a secondary aim to examine potential differences relative to program characteristics.Methods Data were extracted from the websites of 265 entry-level physician assistant (PA) programs from October 2020 until December 2020. Course prerequisites as well as number of courses and semester hours required were described and examined according to program location, phase, Carnegie Classification, association with a medical school, and the public/private status of the sponsoring institution.Results Of 264 PA programs, more than 50% of programs required 6 common prerequisites: anatomy, physiology, microbiology, statistics, general chemistry, and psychology. The total number of unique prerequisite courses was 28 for all programs with a reduction in humanities and social sciences semester hours compared to previous studies and a slight increase in credit hours required for the common 6 courses. Total prerequisite hours and courses required were higher for master's programs; private, not-for-profit programs; newly established programs; and those not associated with a medical school. Newer programs are generally located in private, not-for-profit educational institutions that are not associated with a medical school. Programs in the Mountain Division required a lower number of prerequisites, and the South Region required the greatest number of prerequisite courses and semester hours.Discussion The present study demonstrates a difference in prerequisite requirements across the country. This could translate to increased cost and a potential barrier to those considering a career as a PA.

An Examination of Predictors of Attrition in Physician Assistant Programs

“…The characteristics of the 266 PA programs included in the sample have been reported previously 26 and are presented here in Table 1. Mean student attrition rates for all programs varied little across years.…”

“…Neither the requirement for particular prerequisite coursework nor the mean credit hours for each such course had a significant impact on attrition for the classes of 2018, 2019, and 2020. The apparent lack of relationship between attrition and specific prerequisite coursework contributes additional data points to the question posed in a recently published study 26 about whether prerequisite coursework erects a barrier for potential applicants, particularly those who would bring diversity to the student body. If prerequisite courses do not predict success in PA programs, perhaps it is time for programs to re-evaluate admissions criteria.…”

Time to Pivot: A Guide to Holistic Admissions

“…The variability of prerequisite courses required by programs has often been cited as a barrier to admission in both the associated financial and time constraints. 14,15 This is a topic that needs further consideration.…”

Non-native English-speaking applicants and the likelihood of physician assistant program matriculation

“…Currently, admissions to the U.S. PA programs are very competitive, less than one-third of applicants ultimately matriculate. The application process is complicated, and each PA program across the nation has different application requirements [ 18–20 ]. Recent studies indicate that the current matriculation process disadvantage the minorities [ 16 , 20–22 ].…”