Admission Prerequisites

Applicants must meet the following prerequisites:

  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 of program prerequisites
  • GRE Test Scores (no minimum score required)
  • Biology I (3 semester hour minimum)
    A lecture course introducing fundamental concepts in biology, including ecology, evolution, diversity of life, human physiology, reproduction, and heredity and DNA.
    (MC equivalent BIOL 101)
  • Biology II (3 semester hour minimum)
    The second required biology course should be at an advanced level, including topics such as cellular and molecular biology, chemistry of life, cell structure and function, cellular metabolism, cell reproduction, DNA, RNA, protein synthesis, immunology and genetics.
    (MC equivalent BIOL 131)
  • General Chemistry I w/lab (4 semester hour minimum)
    An introduction to the basic principles of chemistry for chemistry majors and pre-professional students. Includes atomic structure, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, states of matter and solutions. Atomic and bonding theories, and fundamental laws of chemistry explored from a historical perspective. Problem solving emphasized.
    (MC equivalent CHEM 131 & 133)
  • General Chemistry II w/lab (4 semester hour minimum)
    Sequence course of general chemistry for chemistry majors. Emphasizes chemical kinetics, equilibrium, electrochemistry, thermodynamics, nuclear chemistry, environmental chemistry and descriptive chemistry.
    (MC equivalent CHEM 132 & 134)
  • Microbiology w/ lab (4 semester hour minimum)
    Survey of eukaryotic and prokaryotic microorganisms. Emphasis structure and physiology of bacteria, and their roles as agents of disease, contaminants in food and water, and applications in modern biotechnology industries. Includes bacterial genetics, virology, and immunology. Laboratory exercises include cultivation and identification of bacteria, metabolism, food and water analysis, and virology.
    (MC equivalent BIOL 202)
  • Human Anatomy (4 semester hour minimum) Lecture and laboratory course in gross anatomy of humans. Structures of major organ systems elucidated through lecture, use of A.D.A.M. software and anatomical models with possible occasional dissection of nonhuman cadavers, nonhuman cadaver parts, or both.
    (MC equivalent BIOL 212)
    If you take Human Anatomy & Physiology as a combined course, you must have a minimum of 6 semester hours (this must be a one-year sequential course).
  • Human Physiology (3 semester hour minimum)
    Lecture course in physiology of humans. Topics include membrane physiology, control of cellular activity, digestion, metabolism and temperature regulation, nerve and muscle physiology, circulation, immunity, respiration, neurophysiology and endocrinology.
    (MC equivalent BIOL 203)
    If you take Human Anatomy & Physiology as a combined course, you must have a minimum of 6 semester hours (this must be a one-year sequential course).
  • Introductory Psychology I (3 semester hour minimum)
    An introduction to the foundation of psychology as an empirical science. Discussion of the scientific method as it is applied to psychology and various phenomena of interest to psychologists. In addition, there will be a review of classical as well as contemporary topics in psychology examined from the behavioral, cognitive, developmental, social and physiological perspectives within psychology.
    (MC equivalent PSYC 101 )
  • Abnormal Psychology (3 semester hour minimum)
    Etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological disorders from varying theoretical perspectives.
    (MC equivalent PSYC 350)
  • Statistics (3 semester hour minimum)
    Offers students of social, biological, and management sciences statistical concepts typically used in their fields. Gives intuitive rather than rigorous discussion of statistical techniques and reasoning. Descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, contingency tables and estimation of parameters.
    (MC equivalent MATH 123 or MATH 223)

Prerequisite courses must be completed prior to entering the program. A grade of "C" (2.00) or higher in all prerequisite coursework is required. All prerequisite courses must have been completed within the past ten years prior to application (courses older than 10 years are at the discretion of the director). Marietta College students who complete all priority admissions courses at Marietta College, who have a GPA of 3.2 or greater in those designated courses, and who meet all other program requirements will be granted an automatic interview for admissions. This interview does not guarantee a position in the PA Program. For additional information, please view the PA Program Guarantee Interview for Admissions (PDF).

The following additional academic courses are strongly encouraged though not required:

  • Organic Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Nutrition
  • Genetics
  • Immunology

Students must have working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail, and Web searches.

Further questions may be addressed to the PA Program office at 740-376-4458 or paprog@marietta.edu.