Why Study to be a Physician Assistant?
There is an ever-increasing need for well-qualified physician’s assistants. The Math/Science degree program with a concentration in physician assistant provides students with a strong foundation in how the natural world works.
Program Options
Curriculum Code: 0652 I Liberal Arts Credits: 30 I Program Credits: 33
This program is designed as an academic starting point for people interested in serving in the medical profession as physician’s assistants (PA’s).
Students will complete courses in anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. In the courses students apply mathematical models and the scientific method to solve concrete problems.
| Course Code | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EN 101 | Composition | 3 |
| EN 102 | Composition & Literature | 3 |
| HU ELE SL ELE | Humanities Elective OR Social Science Elective | 3 |
| MA 102 | Statistics | 3 |
| MA 110 | College Algebra or higher* | 4 |
| BI 130 | Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| BI 131 | Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| PY 101 | General Psychology | 3 |
| SL ELE | Social Science Elective | 3 |
| Liberal Arts Credits: | 30 | |
| CE 101 | College Experience | 1 |
| GN ELE | General Electives | 6 |
| BI 101 | General Biology I | 4 |
| BI 102 | General Biology II | 4 |
| BI 210 | Microbiology | 4 |
| CH 101 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CH 102 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| HI 101 HI 102 | Western Civ 13,000 BCE to 1517 CE OR Western Civ 1517 to Present | 3 |
| HI 103 HI 104 | U.S. History 1492-1865 OR U.S. History 1865-Present | 3 |
| Program Credits: | 33 | |
| Minimum Credits: | 63 | |
| *Note: MA 110, MA 111, MA 117, MA 122, or MA 123 may be taken to fulfill this requirement |
Careers & Outcomes
People who succeed as a physician assistant (PA’s) enjoy working as part of a health care team working under the direction of a physician. PA’s need leadership skills, self- confidence and emotional stability. They must be willing to continue studying throughout their career to keep up with medical advances.
Career Information
PA’s provide health care services with supervision by physicians. PA’s are formally trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic and preventative care services as delegated by a physician. Working as members of the health care team, they take medical histories, examine patients, order, and interpret laboratory tests and x-rays and make diagnosis. They also treat minor injuries by suturing, splinting, and casting. PA’s record progress notes, instruct and counsel patients and order or carry out therapy.
Further Educational Opportunities
Columbia-Greene’s two-year degree is a starting point for transfer into a bachelor’s degree program prior to graduate studies.