PA School Prerequisites: The Classes Most PA Programs Require in 2026–2027
If you’re planning to apply to PA school, one of your first questions is probably:
“What classes do I actually need to take for PA school?”
And unfortunately, the answer isn’t quite as simple as pulling up one universal checklist.
PA school prerequisites vary from program to program. One PA school may require Organic Chemistry while another doesn’t. One may accept online labs while another won’t. Some programs allow you to apply with prerequisites still in progress, while others want everything completed before you submit your application.
But don’t panic! There IS a lot of overlap.
Let’s break down the most common PA school prerequisite courses—and then we’ll show you how to figure out exactly what you need for the programs on your list.
The Most Common PA School Prerequisites
While every PA program sets its own requirements, these are some of the courses you’ll commonly see listed as prerequisites:
| Course | What You May See Required |
|---|---|
| Anatomy & Physiology | Often A&P I + II or separate Anatomy and Physiology courses |
| General Biology | Often 2 semesters, usually with labs |
| General Chemistry | Often 2 semesters, usually with labs |
| Microbiology | Commonly required, usually with a lab |
| Statistics | Commonly required |
| Psychology | Common; some programs specify a particular psychology course |
| Organic Chemistry | Required by some programs |
| Biochemistry | Required by some programs |
| Genetics | Required by some programs |
| Medical Terminology | Required by some programs |
Important: This is NOT a universal PA school prerequisite list.
Just because you’ve completed everything above does not automatically mean you’ve met the prerequisites for every PA program.
Likewise, you may not need every class on this list depending on where you’re applying.
That distinction can save you a LOT of unnecessary time and tuition.
Do PA School Prerequisites Require Labs?
Often, but only for some courses.
Many PA programs require a laboratory component with certain science prerequisites, particularly courses such as:
- Biology
- General Chemistry
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Microbiology
- Organic Chemistry
But this is another requirement that can vary by program.
Don’t assume that because one PA school accepts a science course without a lab, another school will too.
Before enrolling in a course, check the individual PA program’s prerequisite requirements and make sure you’re taking the correct lecture/lab combination.
Can You Take PA School Prerequisites Online?
Potentially—but you need to check the individual program.
Online prerequisite policies can vary, especially when it comes to science labs. Some programs require prerequisites to be in person.
A PA program may accept an online lecture but have different requirements for the laboratory component. Another program may accept both. Some programs may also have specific policies based on when or where the course was completed.
If you’re considering taking an important prerequisite online, check the requirements of the PA schools you’re interested in BEFORE enrolling.
You don’t want to spend an entire semester taking a class only to discover that one of your top-choice programs won’t accept it.
Can You Take PA School Prerequisites at a Community College?
Many applicants complete at least some prerequisite coursework at community colleges.
However, individual PA programs determine which institutions, course levels, and credits they will accept.
This is especially important if you’re trying to strengthen a weaker academic record.
Simply checking off a prerequisite and strategically improving your academic profile are not always the same thing.
If GPA is a weakness in your application, think about the bigger picture: your recent academic performance, science GPA, prerequisite grades, course rigor, and overall upward trend may all play a role in how programs evaluate your academics.
How Old Can Your PA School Prerequisites Be?
Here’s another sneaky requirement applicants sometimes miss:
Prerequisite expiration dates.
Some PA programs require certain science courses to have been completed within a specific number of years before applying or matriculating. Other programs may not place the same time restriction on those courses.
This is especially important for career changers or applicants who completed their undergraduate degree several years ago.
Don’t automatically assume you need to retake an older course—but don’t automatically assume it’s still valid either.
Check each program’s current policy.
What Grade Do You Need in PA School Prerequisites?
PA programs commonly establish a minimum acceptable grade for prerequisite coursework, but the exact requirement varies.
And there’s an important difference between:
Meeting the minimum requirement
and
Being a competitive applicant.
Let’s say a PA program accepts a C in a prerequisite.
That tells you that you’re technically eligible to apply. It doesn’t necessarily tell you whether retaking that course would make your application stronger.
If you have one C surrounded by strong science grades and a solid GPA, that’s a very different academic picture than multiple Cs in key science prerequisites.
So if you’re staring at that C in Chemistry wondering:
“Do I HAVE to retake this?”
Ask a better question:
“Would retaking this course meaningfully strengthen my overall PA school application?”
That’s the question that matters.
Can You Apply to PA School With Prerequisites Still in Progress?
Some PA programs allow applicants to have outstanding prerequisite courses when they submit their CASPA application.
Others have stricter requirements.
A program may require prerequisites to be completed:
- Before you submit your application
- By a specific application deadline
- Before an interview
- Before matriculation
There may also be limits on how many prerequisite courses can still be outstanding when you apply.
This is why you should never assume that “I’ll finish it before PA school starts” automatically means you’re eligible to apply.
Check the policy for every program on your school list.
Do PA Schools Accept AP or CLEP Credit?
Some do, some don’t—and individual courses may be treated differently.
A PA program might accept AP credit for one prerequisite but require college-level coursework for another.
The same goes for CLEP and other alternative credit.
If your transcript uses AP, CLEP, dual-enrollment, or other nontraditional credit to fulfill a prerequisite, verify that it meets the individual program’s requirements.
The Biggest PA School Prerequisite Mistake We See
Here’s where applicants get themselves into trouble:
They Google “PA school prerequisites,” find a generic list, and start taking ALL THE CLASSES.
Don’t do that.
You don’t necessarily need to take every possible prerequisite just so you can apply to every possible PA school.
Instead, your prerequisite strategy and your PA school list should work together.
For example:
Imagine you’re missing Organic Chemistry.
You could immediately register for it and spend months completing the course.
OR…
You could look at the PA programs where you’re actually a strong applicant and discover that many of your best-fit schools don’t require it.
That’s why we recommend working backward.
Before You Take Another PA School Prerequisite, Do This
Start building your potential PA school list.
Then create a simple prerequisite tracker with columns for:
PA School | Required Course | Lab Required? | Minimum Grade | Course Expiration | Online Accepted? | Can It Be In Progress? | Completion Deadline
Now compare your transcript against each school.
You’ll quickly start seeing patterns.
Maybe 12 of your potential programs require Biochemistry.
Okay—that class may need to move up your priority list.
But maybe only two programs you’re considering require Genetics, and neither is actually a strong fit for your GPA or patient care experience.
Suddenly, taking Genetics just because you thought you “needed it for PA school” doesn’t make as much sense.
Your PA School List Matters More Than You Think
This is one of the biggest things we want future PAs to understand:
Your goal isn’t to qualify for every PA school.
Your goal is to apply to the right PA schools for YOU.
Two applicants with identical GPAs and patient care hours could—and probably should—have completely different school lists.
Your GPA, science GPA, patient care experience, prerequisite coursework, GRE or other testing, geographic preferences, mission alignment, and individual strengths and weaknesses can all affect which programs make sense for you.
And school selection can make a HUGE difference in your PA school application strategy.
You can put together an incredible CASPA application…
But if you send it primarily to PA schools where you’re not a strong fit, you’re making the process much harder on yourself.
What If You’re Missing PA School Prerequisites?
Don’t immediately start signing up for classes.
First:
1. Figure out which PA programs you’re realistically interested in.
2. Determine which of those programs you’re actually competitive for.
3. Compare their prerequisite requirements with your transcript.
4. Identify the courses that would open the most GOOD options for you.
5. Build your prerequisite plan from there.
That’s a much more strategic approach than trying to become eligible for every PA school in the country.
The Bottom Line on PA School Prerequisites
There is no single prerequisite checklist that works for every PA school.
Anatomy & Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Statistics, and Psychology are among the courses you’ll frequently encounter, while requirements such as Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Genetics, and Medical Terminology can vary by program.
But the individual course requirement is only part of the equation.
You also need to know:
Does it need a lab?
Can it be online?
Is my course too old?
Does my grade meet the minimum?
Can I apply while it’s still in progress?
And most importantly: Is this PA program actually a smart school for ME to apply to?
Before you spend another semester taking classes you think you need, build your PA school strategy first.
Want Help Building Your Strongest PA School Application?
At Pre-PA Clinic, our entire mission is helping future PAs stop guessing their way through this process.
Inside Application to Acceptance, we’ll help you build your strongest CASPA application AND strategically choose PA schools that align with your stats, experiences, and strengths—so you’re not just applying to more schools.
You’re applying smarter.
PA program prerequisite requirements can change. Always verify current prerequisite courses, deadlines, accepted credits, and other admissions requirements directly with each PA program before applying.