Explore the Pre-Physician Assistant program
The Pre-Physician Assistant program at Wayne State is not an academic major, but instead an advisor-supported pathway to help you reach your goal of becoming a physician assistant. A physician assistant (PA) is a licensed medical professional who works under the supervision of a physician and is qualified to provide a wide range of medical services. Many PAs work in primary care settings, providing general medical care to patients, including performing physical exams, diagnosing and treating common medical conditions, and prescribing medications. PAs can also specialize in certain medical fields, including emergency medicine, surgery, cardiology, dermatology, orthopedics, and more. They work closely with specialists to provide care to patients with specific health issues. PAs are often employed in rural or underserved areas where access to health care may be limited. They help bridge the gap by providing essential medical services.
You can start your path to becoming a physician assistant here at Wayne State, majoring in Biology or Health Sciences. After receiving your undergraduate degree, you’ll be ready to move on to graduate work at a professional optometry school and earn your master’s degree in physician assistant studies (MPAS).
Local physician assistant programs
- College of St. Mary (Omaha, Neb.)
- Creighton University (Omaha, Neb.)
- Northwestern College (Orange City, Iowa)
- Union College (Lincoln, Neb.)
- University of Nebraska Medical Center (Omaha or Kearney, Neb.)
- University of South Dakota (Vermillion, S.D.)
Fast facts
Recommended majors:
- Life Sciences/Biology (B.A. or B.S.)
- Health Sciences (B.A. or B.S.)
Delivery format: On campus (Wayne, Neb.)
School: Science, Health, and Criminal Justice
Departments: Life Sciences, Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Your undergraduate path to becoming a physician assistant
Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP)
The physician assistant track within RHOP is designed for rural Nebraska students interested in returning to rural areas. In this program, you’ll take a prescribed course of study to earn your bachelor’s degree at Wayne State before entering the physician assistant program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in Omaha. At UNMC, you’ll complete a 28-month program to earn your MPAS degree. Participants in RHOP receive a full-tuition scholarship at WSC, guaranteed admission to UNMC, job shadowing and internship experiences, one-on-one advising, and early registration privileges.
Rural Health Opportunities Program
Honors Program
Honors students complete an independent research project, usually spanning their junior and senior years. Your research can take you just about anywhere - in the lab or library, in the community, or in the U.S. or abroad! Honors work can also be very practical. Prospective employers and graduate admissions committees often look carefully at an undergraduate record for evidence of extra initiative and genuine intellectual strength.
Learn more about the Honors Program
Pre-Physician Assistant internships and job shadowing
Our outstanding Career Services Office is available to help you find internships and career opportunities. Students recently completed internships at the following locations:
- Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska (Lincoln, Neb.)
- Fillmore County Hospital (Geneva, Neb.)
- Fransiscan Health Care (West Point, Neb.)
Topics covered in the Pre-Physician Assistant program
- Analytical, organic, and inorganic chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Chemical processes and materials
- Chemical experiment and design
- Human anatomy and dissection
- Molecular genetics
- Probability and statistics
- Advanced lab techniques and management
- University physics and experimentation
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Research, observation, and analysis of data
This 4-year timeline serves as a guide to help you plan for applying to physician assistant schools.
Freshman year
- Meet with your Pre-Physician Assistant program advisor to create a personalized plan and discuss what you'd like to accomplish during your summers (i.e. working, job shadowing, internship, or research). Your advisor and the WSC Career Services Office will help you achieve your goals.
- Join the Pre-Physician Assistant Club at WSC to engage in health-related activities and participate in networking events.
- Begin researching PA schools and learn about their admission requirements. Be mindful of prerequisite course and GPA requirements, location, costs, program reputation, and entrance exams score requirements.
- Study and practice for the Graduate Record Examinations Test (GRE) (required by some schools, but not all).
Sophomore year
- Continue researching PA schools and their prerequisite course and GPA requirements, location, costs, program reputation, and entrance exams score requirements. Inquire with the professional school for any specific questions and guidance.
- Investigate summer health opportunities with your advisor and WSC Career Services Office.
- Study and practice for the Graduate Record Examinations Test (GRE)(required by some schools, but not all).
Junior year
- Register for and take the official Graduate Record Examinations Test (GRE) during the spring of your junior year, or the summer between junior and senior years.
- Complete any summer work or internships opportunities, if applicable.
Senior year
Fall semester
- Ask people if they would be willing to provide a letter of recommendation. Letters of recommendation are statements from professors, supervisors, or other professionals that detail your academic abilities, interpersonal skills, and character. Professional schools typically require 2-4 letters and will sometimes ask that some be from professors. Check with each school you plan to apply to for the number and type of letters they require.
Spring semester
- Start the application process. Use the Central Application Services for Physician Assistants (CASPA). This allows you to submit one application and send it to multiple programs. Start the application process during the spring of your junior year, as the application opens each year on the last Thursday of April and closes the following year on April 1.
- Complete the application process. Some schools may also require a secondary application for their program. This application deadline will be after you submit your centralized application. Each school you apply to will let you know what steps you need to complete after you submit your centralized application.
- Interview with PA schools if required for the application process. Make sure to practice by doing a mock interview.
- Make admissions decisions - Admissions committees will review your application to decide on your admission to their program. Follow up with your Pre-Medicine advisor if you have questions about your admission status.
Graduates of the Pre-Physician Assistant program work in their field or continue their studies using the skills they learned while at Wayne State College. Each year, medical schools and employers welcome WSC graduates into their organizations.
Recent grads are pursuing their MPAS degrees at the following pharmacy schools:
- College of St. Mary (Omaha, Neb.)
- University of Nebraska Medical Center (Kearney and Omaha, Neb.)
Career possibilities:
- Physician assistant
- Lab supervisor
- Clinical advisor
- Clinic manager
- Educator
- Research assistant

job or grad school placement rate
within six months of graduation
Data based on most recent
employment outcomes survey
2024-25 Estimated Annual Cost of Attendance
cost per credit hour
Tuition: $5,880
Fees: $2,290.50
Food plan: $4,690
Housing: $4,730
Most Affordable College in Nebraska
- College Affordability Guide, 2024
Wayne State is considered the most affordable four-year college or university in Nebraska. With same rates for in- and out-of-state students, our tuition guarantee, and our generous scholarship packages, it is clear to see how WSC earned the title. In fact, the average remaining annual cost of attendance for 2024-25 is $2,268 for undergraduate students after financial aid and scholarships.
Pre-Physician Assistant Program of Study
The following majors are recommended for students planning to attend a physician assistant school. Additional electives may be recommended. Participation in the Pre-Physician Assistant program at WSC does not guarantee acceptance to a graduate program for physician assistant studies.
Biology (B.A. or B.S.) - Our Biology program lays the groundwork needed or students entering graduate school and provides plenty of time in our biology and research labs.
Health Sciences (B.A. or B.S.) - The Health Sciences major offers a solid foundation in biology and chemistry, and emphasizes how these fields relate to careers in health and medicine.
Sample courses for Pre-Physician Assistant students
Students may be advised to take the following courses while pursuing one of the recommended majors. Please consult with your advisor to draft a final plan of study, and be sure to check with your intended PA school to make sure you're meeting all prerequisite course requirements.
Credits: 4
Description: A study of the mechanisms of inheritance, the molecular basis of gene action and the use of molecular techniques and molecular technology in biomedical, agricultural, and industrial research. The lab component of this course focuses on hands-on use of molecular equipment and technologies used in graduate and industrial molecular based research. (3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab) $30 class fee required.
Prerequisites: C- or better in BIO 110 Biology Concepts and CHE 106 General Chemistry I
Credits: 3
Description: Study of the structure and function of cells and tissues of the human organism. Light microscopy and digital histology slides of human and other vertebrate organs and tissues will be studied. Tissue morphology and histo-pathology will be discussed along with relevant clinical considerations. An understanding of human anatomy would be beneficial to students taking this course. Histology is highly recommended for students interested in health-related, biomedical, and biological careers.
Prerequisite: BIO 110 Biology Concepts
Class fee: $30
Notes: 3 hours lecture and lab combinedCredits: 3
Description: This course will provide an overview of the biology and pathology of cancer. Lecture and discussion will include the various molecular and genetic changes that occur when a cell transforms from a normal to a malignant cancer cell. Changes in cancer prevalence over time, as well as current prevention measures, diagnostics, and treatments, will also be discussed.
Prerequisites: A grade of C- or better in BIO 110 Biology Concepts. BIO 320 Molecular Genetics recommended.
Credits: 4
Description: A study of the fundamental physiological processes of the human body. Functions of the 11 organ systems will be studied. (3 hours lecture and one 3-hour lab) $30 class fee required.
Prerequisite: BIO 220 Human Anatomy and CHE 106 General Chemistry I
Credits: 4
Description: Topics of study detail the structure and physiology of microorganisms including mechanisms of pathogenesis. Beneficial aspects of microorganisms are also discussed with regard to both the human body and the environment. Lab techniques include microbial identification, enumeration procedures and student designed research.
Prerequisites: A “C-” or better in BIO 110, and CHE 106.
Class fee: $30
Notes: 3 hours lecture, 3 hours labCredits: 3
Description: Study of animal parasites and the effects they have on their hosts. Studies in this course center on parasites of humans, other vertebrates, and invertebrates. Taxonomy, morphology, development, physiology, identification, epidemiology, and pathogenesis are emphasized. An understanding of human anatomy and histology would be beneficial to students taking this course. Parasitology is highly recommended for students interested in health-related, biomedical, and biological careers.
Prerequisite: BIO 110 Biology Concepts
Class fee: $30
Notes: 3 hours lecture and lab combinedCredits: 3
Description: An advanced study of the structure and function of the eukaryotic cell. Topics will include the basics of modern cell biology including signal transduction, cell cycle regulation, and gene expression. (4 hours lecture-lab combined) $30 class fee required.
Prerequisites: Prerequisites: BIO 320 Molecular Genetics, and CHE 107 General Chemistry II
Credits: 3
Description: Under close supervision, students will dissect a human cadaver and prepare anatomical specimens. Students will learn proper dissection techniques and expand on their basic knowledge of human anatomy using a team-based approach.
Prerequisite: Instructor approval.
Class fee: $30
Notes: 3 hours lecture and lab combinedCredits: 3
Description: The topics for this course will include the biological, physical and chemical properties of antigens and antibodies, host-antigen interaction, humoral and cellular response mechanisms, serologic reactions, mechanisms of antibody formation, hypersensitivity and the role of the immune response in cancer and organ transplants.
Prerequisite: A “C-” or better in BIO 110 Biology Concepts; BIO 320 Molecular Genetics is recommended.
Notes: 3 hours lecture and lab combinedCredits: 4
Description: Study of proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates with emphasis on their structure, function, and metabolism. (3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory) $20 class fee required.
Prerequisite: C- or better in CHE 208 Introductory Organic Chemistry or CHE 315 Organic Chemistry II
Credits: 3
Description: Bioenergetics, membrane transport, enzymes, mechanisms, and special topics in intermediary metabolism.
Prerequisite: “C-” or better in CHE 326 Biochemistry I.Credits: 1
Description: AHA/BLS Healthcare Providers course modules one through four. Review of cardiovascular anatomy and function, causes of cardiovascular disease, and cardiac arrest. CPR for adults and pediatrics.
Corequisite/Prerequisite: BIO 220 Human Anatomy
Suggested minors
Students in the Pre-Medicine program may add a minor to complement their program of study. Students who recently followed the Pre-Medicine track paired their major with one or more of the following minors:
Related programs
Students interested in the Pre-Physician Assistant program may also be interested in:

Transfer to Wayne State
Our generous transfer credit policy will allow you to get credit for what you've already earned.
- If you've taken courses at other institutions, you can transfer those credits to Wayne State.
- Already have an associate degree? Seamlessly transfer your full degree through one of our transfer pathways.
- Military or veteran student? You may be able to get credit for your military experience and training.

Coming to Wayne State is one of the best decisions I've ever made. I joined RHOP because I grew up in a rural community and wanted to give back to rural Nebraska. Upon completion of PA school, I hope to return and work in family practice in rural Nebraska so that I can provide health care to people in their own hometown. The professors at Wayne State really know the rigor of professional school, and they have prepared me for the difficulties that PA school entails. The small classes and one-on-one opportunities are one of a kind. Attending WSC has also allowed me to learn so many skills by shadowing a local physician assistant for over 50 hours, right here in Wayne.
Natali Gasseling
Hemingford, Neb.
Major: Pre-Physician Assistant (Biology)



Coming to Wayne State is one of the best decisions I've ever made. I joined RHOP because I grew up in a rural community and wanted to give back to rural Nebraska. Upon completion of PA school, I hope to return and work in family practice in rural Nebraska so that I can provide health care to people in their own hometown. The professors at Wayne State really know the rigor of professional school, and they have prepared me for the difficulties that PA school entails. The small classes and one-on-one opportunities are one of a kind. Attending WSC has also allowed me to learn so many skills by shadowing a local physician assistant for over 50 hours, right here in Wayne.


Natali Gasseling
Hemingford, Neb.
Major: Pre-Physician Assistant (Biology)
Life Sciences Department faculty

Douglas Christensen, Ph.D.
Professor
Dr. Doug Christensen is a biology professor at Wayne State College. His teaching interests include utilization of molecular biology in a broad range of sciences (including medical, environmental, and industrial fields); teaching about battles between the immune system and the evolving world of bacteria and viruses; microbiology; molecular genetics; and immunology.

Buffany DeBoer, MSE
Instructor
Buffany DeBoer is a biology instructor at Wayne State College. Her teaching interests are general education biology and environmental science.

Mark Hammer, Ph.D.
Professor
Dr. Mark Hammer is a biology professor at Wayne State College. He advises students who are interested in a career as a conservation biologist, physician assistant (including RHOP pre-PA), or occupational therapist. He is also the director of the A. Jewell Schock Natural History Museum.

Michael Mutehart, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Michael Mutehart is a life sciences professor at Wayne State College. Mutehart has a strong background in clinical anatomy education. His teaching responsibilities are mainly in the field of human gross anatomy and its related counterparts (histology, comparative anatomy, etc.).

Shawn Pearcy, Ph.D.
Professor
Dr. Shawn Pearcy is a biology professor at Wayne State College. His teaching interests are biology, human physiology, vertebrate embryology, and physiological ecology.

Danielle Peekenschneider, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Danielle Peekenschneider is a biology professor at Wayne State College. Her teaching interests include general education biology, oncology, and immunology.

Jillian Wormington, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Jillian Wormington is a biology professor at Wayne State College and the zoological curator of the A. Jewell Schock Natural History Museum.
Get in touch
Department of Life Sciences
Carhart Science Building, Room 106
Phone: 402-375-7329
Student clubs for Pre-Physician Assistant majors
Biology Club - For students interested in biological sciences
Exercise is Medicine - Works toward improving the health and well-being of the campus community
Health Science Club - For students pursuing careers in health-related fields
Physician Assistant Club - For students in the PA program or interested in healthcare

Awards and Rankings
Recognized for excellence
Best Colleges for Health Sciences in Nebraska
CampusReel recognized Wayne State as one of the Best Colleges in Nebraska for Health Sciences based on alumni salaries after graduation, student loan debt, and other metrics.

A Best College of Distinction
Wayne State was recognized as a Best College of Distinction for our excellence in student engagement, teaching, community, and successful graduate outcomes.

A Top Public College in the Midwest
WSC was identified as one of the top public universities in the Midwest for 2025 by U.S. News & World’s Best Colleges ranking report.

Where you'll learn
Students in this program will take courses in Carhart Science, home to WSC's math and science programs. Carhart Science features several labs for chemistry, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, plant science, zoology, genetics, microbiology, physics, Earth science, fermentation, and science education. Additionally, there is a molecular-based student research lab, microscopy suite, a cadaver lab, and a cell culture facility.

Your next steps
