Prerequisites

The requirements, listed below, are for the 2021 application cycle.

Due to the global health emergency of COVID-19, the Yale PA Online Program has adjusted our prerequisite grade requirements.  For courses taken during the COVID-19 pandemic where colleges and universities offered courses as pass/fail, courses with a grade of pass will fulfill the prerequisite requirement.  However, if the course was taken for a letter grade, a grade of B or higher is required. 

Yale PA Online candidates must have completed the following core undergraduate prerequisite science courses at a U.S. regionally accredited college or university:

In order to meet the requirement, prerequisite courses must have been worth 3+ semester credits (or 4.5+ quarter credits) at the college or university where the student took the course. Lab credits are not required, but may be considered to fulfill the credit hour requirement. There is no expiration date for prerequisite courses. However, applicants are still responsible for being familiar and comfortable with topics covered in each of the prerequisites. As such, we recommend taking refresher courses if there are gaps in time.

Prerequisite courses completed while earning a professional degree (e.g., pharmacy school, medical school, etc.) cannot be applied to prerequisite requirements.

Please note, you can apply with one prerequisite course in progress. The course must be completed by October 1 of your application year with at least a B. In-progress coursework can be verified by providing an Enrollment Verification Letter.

Statistics or Calculus

A statistics course that provides the student with foundational knowledge in the following areas:

  • Probability
  • Variables/distribution
  • Confidence intervals
  • Group comparisons
  • Regression
  • ANOVA and chi-square

Or

A calculus course that provides the student with foundational knowledge in the following areas:

  • Limits and continuity
  • Differentiation
  • Applications of differentiation
  • Integration

This course can be met with a statistics course in psychology, biology, or mathematics departments.

Biochemistry or Organic Chemistry

A biochemistry course that provides the student with foundational knowledge in the following areas:

  • Enzymology
  • Cellular communication
  • DNA and RNA structure and synthesis
  • Energy and carbohydrate metabolism
  • Amino acid and protein synthesis
  • Digestion and hormonal control of metabolism

Or

An organic chemistry course that provides the student with foundational knowledge in the following areas:

  • Chemical bonding
  • Alcohols, esters, phenols, aldehydes, and ketones
  • Proteins
  • Enzymes
  • Carbohydrates and energy production
  • Fats and lipids

Prerequisite courses must include the content listed above.  Acceptable courses include Introduction to Biochemistry, Introduction to Organic Chemistry, Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry, Biochemistry I, both Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry II (semester system), Organic Chemistry I, II, & III (quarter system).

This requirement cannot be satisfied by a course in cell biology or molecular biology, or Organic Chemistry I alone. Combination General, Organic, and Biochemistry courses also are not accepted.

Physiology

A physiology course that provides students with an introduction to physiology that emphasizes the concepts that will be important for professional studies. The concepts covered should include homeostasis; cell structure; and cardiac, respiratory, renal, and endocrine physiology. Other areas to be covered include digestion, energy utilization and reproduction.

This requirement can be met with a course in animal or mammalian physiology.

Please note: Human Anatomy and Physiology requirements can also be met with a combined two-semester course (6+ semester credits) in Anatomy and Physiology I and II. This requirement cannot be satisfied with a single neuroanatomy course, histology course, or animal/mammalian anatomy course.

A laboratory component is not required. This requirement cannot be satisfied with a course in pathophysiology or cell biology.

Microbiology

A microbiology course that provides students with the foundation needed for professional studies. Topics covered should include microbial morphology and physiology, bacterial metabolism, microbial genetics, and the classification of the microorganisms (bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic). A laboratory component is not required.

This requirement cannot be satisfied by a single course in bacteriology.

Human Anatomy

A gross human anatomy course that provides students with a detailed examination of all structural aspects of the human body, with a special emphasis on the anatomy and anatomical relationships. Clinical correlation is desired but not required. A laboratory is strongly recommended but not required. The course should cover all aspects of the human body, including:

  • Upper limb
  • Lower limb
  • Head and neck
  • Thorax, abdomen, and pelvis

Please note: Human Anatomy and Physiology requirements can also be met with a combined two-semester course (6+ semester credits) in Anatomy and Physiology I and II. This requirement cannot be satisfied with a single neuroanatomy course, histology course, or animal/mammalian anatomy course.

As you research PA graduate programs,​ you can use this chart to compare Yale PA Online to other program options. Download the PA Program Comparison Chart (PDF, 247kB)

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