Prerequisites for PA Program

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the BCM PA Program will accept online laboratory courses completed in Spring 2020, Summer 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Summer 2021 and Fall 2021. Prior to these dates and beginning Spring 2022, all laboratory courses must be completed in person as per our prerequisite requirements. All prerequisite coursework must be completed for a letter grade and at a regionally accredited U.S. institution. If you have extenuating circumstances, please email paprogram@bcm.edu.

Requirements for applying for admission to the BCM PA Program are presented below. Questions regarding prerequisite requirements will only be answered via email. Admissions questions cannot be answered via telephone. Please allow two weeks after receipt of your email for a response from our program.

Degree

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. Students enrolled in their senior year of college are eligible to apply if the degree will be completed in May of the year of enrollment.

If you hold an international degree and are applying to our program, you must first obtain a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited U.S. institution.

Grade Point Average

Applicants must have a minimum 3.2 overall science and 3.2 overall GPA on a scale where “A” equals 4.0 to be considered in the admissions process. Your overall GPAs will be calculated by CASPA based on all transcripts received through the application.

English Language Testing for International Applicants

International applicants whose native language is not English must achieve satisfactory scores on the Test of English as a Foreign language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Satisfactory TOEFL performances are:

1. A total score of 80 with at least a score of 20 on each section of the Internet-based test, or
2. A total score of 213 with a score of at least 21 on the Listening Comprehensive section of the computer-based test.

Satisfactory IELTS performance requires scoring 6.5 or higher on the total band score. Information about the TOEFL, including testing dates and locations can be obtained from the Educational Testing Services (ETS). Official scores must be received by CASPA prior to the Aug. 1 deadline.

Course-Specific Requirements

All applicants must complete the below science and non-science course prerequisites by May of the year of enrollment. The minimum prerequisite courses cannot be waived and must be satisfied with a grade of “C” or higher (C- is not accepted). Science courses taken must be designated for science majors (NOT nursing, allied health, kinesiology, or exercise science majors).

*All science courses MUST be intended for science majors ONLY (NOT nursing, allied health, kinesiology or exercise science majors). No exceptions.

• Minimum required coursework cannot be waived.
• AP credit for prerequisite coursework will NOT be accepted. No exceptions.
• *Prerequisite science coursework cannot be more than 7 years-old and **non-science coursework cannot be more than 10 years-old as of the application deadline of Aug. 1.
• Coursework can only be approved in writing by the BCM PA Program, not CASPA or any other entity. Please email paprogram@bcm.edu with inquiries.
• Upper-level coursework may be considered as substitution for general chemistry. Please email paprogram@bcm.edu.
• All laboratory prerequisites must be done in person, not through distance learning (with the exception of labs completed online between Spring 2020 and Fall 2021, which will be accepted).

Self-Appraisal Checklist

NEW: You can self-appraise your level of preparation with regard to each admissions prerequisite by downloading the Self-Appraisal Checklist.

Please note: Distance learning or online courses obtained through accredited institutions in the U.S. are recognized to meet prerequisite requirements. All required laboratory sections must be completed in person (with exception of online labs accepted between Spring 2020 and Fall 2021 due to COVID pandemic). We do not accept AP or transfer credit for any prerequisite requirement. All courses listed are in semester credit hours or equivalent quarter hours.

Prerequisite Course Eligibility

Courses completed while attending a regionally accredited U.S. College or University that are submitted in fulfillment of non-science course prerequisites must be no more than ten (10) years old based upon the application deadline of Aug. 1. Courses submitted in fulfillment of the science course prerequisites must be no more than seven (7) years old as of the Aug. 1 application deadline. (For example, a course must have been completed in/after Fall of the year of expiration). AP credit for a prerequisite course is not accepted unless the credit resulted in a letter grade on your official transcript (not just credit for a prerequisite course).

Texas community colleges offer courses which meet our prerequisite requirements. See below.

Baylor College of Medicine Physician Assistant Program Admissions Community College Courses Accepted for Prerequisites (2024-2025 Application Cycle)

You may also check course compatibility across institutions of higher learning in Texas through the Texas Common Course Numbering System.

International Graduate Course Requirements

Individuals applying for admission to the PA Program, who have completed their education outside the U.S., are required to do two things if admitted and prior to enrollment. First, they must enroll in and receive transfer credit AND a bachelor's degree or above at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university. Second, candidates who received a bachelor's degree (or higher) from a college or other academic institution outside the U.S. must also complete all prerequisite coursework at an accredited U.S. college or university prior to applying for admission to the PA Program. Failure to complete these requirements by enrollment will result in the withdrawal of admission offer.

Healthcare Experience and Shadowing Hours

Healthcare experience, patient care experience, and shadowing hours are encouraged but NOT required for application. These hours will be considered in the holistic application review process but are not required for admission consideration or enrollment.

BCM Supplemental Fee Payment

Payment for the BCM supplemental fee must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 1. If you have not already paid your supplemental fee via the direct link in your CASPA application, you may pay by following these instructions.

Questions concerning your Supplemental Fee should be directed to the BCM PA Program at paprogram@bcm.edu.

BLS Certification

The course leading to certification must follow either the American Heart Association or American Red Cross guidelines and must be a healthcare provider level BLS course. Online courses without practical experience are not acceptable. If accepted into the Program, current BLS certification must be valid through June of the year following matriculation. You are not required to have BLS Certification at time of application.