Visit the General Requirements page to download a course Check-off List.

Check out the Pre-PA Club.

Courses & Curriculum

Students accepted into the MEDEX Northwest Anchorage Bachelors Program have the option of getting a bachelors degree through UAA or UW. Students should compare the requirements of each degree and choose the best option. See the UAA degree requirements under General Requirements and the UW degree requirements at the UW website.

The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Degree (BSHS), with a MEDEX Physician Assistant Track provides a BS degree for students who have completed the required education and clinical experience to work as a physician assistant.

The UAA BSHS Degree program consists of a minimum of two years of pre-major coursework and health care experience in addition to the MEDEX curriculum requirements. The MEDEX curriculum includes one year of clinical and didactic instruction at approved training sites, and a year of clinical and family practice clerkships.

Physician Assistants (PAs) are health care professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. As part of their comprehensive responsibilities, PAs conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery, and can write prescriptions in most states. Physician assistants practice in primary care medicine--family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology and in surgery and the surgical subspecialties. Within the physician-PA relationship, physician assistants exercise autonomy in medical decision making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. PA practice may also include education, research, and administrative services.

Typical PA applicants come from a diversity of health care backgrounds such as LPN, RN, Paramedic, Corpsman  and Community Health Practitioners.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the BSHS MEDEX Physician Assistant Track will:

• Perform data collection, medical interviewing and physical examination skills and communicate the acquired information effectively.
  
• Formulate medical decisions and treatment plans.
  
• Perform procedural skills appropriate to the Physician Assistant’s role.
  
• Work with patients to educate them about appropriate treatments and interventions to maximize health.
  
• Have knowledge of pharmacology and other treatment modalities to enable the Physician Assistant to function at the full scope of practice as allowed by individual state law.
  
• Provide assessment and care for common mental health conditions and concerns.
  
• Understand the unique features of the Physician Assistant role, including the Physician Assistant’s legal relationship with supervising and delegating physicians.
  
• Increase health care access by providing primary care services to under-served populations.