PA School Prerequisites in Arizona
Every prerequisite course Arizona PA programs require — from Biology and Chemistry to Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry. Plus GPA benchmarks, community college policies, and how to plan your schedule.
Required Prerequisites for Arizona PA Programs
Biology with Lab
8 credits (2 semesters)Required by: All Arizona PA programs
General Biology I and II with lab. Must include lab component. Community college prerequisites are widely accepted at Arizona PA programs.
General Chemistry with Lab
8 credits (2 semesters)Required by: All Arizona PA programs
General Chemistry I and II with lab. Must include lab component. Strong performance in chemistry is a key indicator of PA school readiness.
Organic Chemistry with Lab
4–8 credits (1–2 semesters)Required by: Most Arizona PA programs
Some Arizona programs require only one semester of Organic Chemistry. Check each program's specific requirements. Lab component typically required.
Biochemistry
3–4 creditsRequired by: Most Arizona PA programs
Biochemistry is increasingly required by competitive Arizona PA programs. A.T. Still University and Midwestern University both require it. Take it before applying.
Microbiology
3–4 creditsRequired by: All Arizona PA programs
Microbiology with or without lab depending on the program. Covers bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites — directly relevant to PA clinical training.
Human Anatomy
3–4 creditsRequired by: All Arizona PA programs
Human Anatomy is required by all Arizona PA programs. Lab component strongly preferred. This is one of the most important prerequisites — strong performance signals readiness for PA school anatomy coursework.
Human Physiology
3–4 creditsRequired by: All Arizona PA programs
Human Physiology is required by all Arizona PA programs. Some programs accept a combined Anatomy & Physiology sequence. Check each program's requirements.
Statistics
3 creditsRequired by: Most Arizona PA programs
Biostatistics or general statistics. Required by most Arizona PA programs and increasingly important for evidence-based medicine. Can be taken at a community college.
Psychology
3 creditsRequired by: Most Arizona PA programs
General Psychology or Abnormal Psychology. Required by most Arizona PA programs. Demonstrates understanding of the psychological dimensions of patient care.
Medical Terminology
1–3 creditsRequired by: Some Arizona PA programs
Not required by all programs, but recommended. Can often be completed online. Demonstrates preparation for clinical training.
GPA Benchmarks for Arizona PA Programs
| Program | Minimum GPA | Competitive GPA | Science GPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| A.T. Still University PA | 3.2 | 3.5+ | 3.4+ |
| Midwestern University PA (Glendale) | 3.2 | 3.4+ | 3.3+ |
| Northern Arizona University PA | 3.0 | 3.4+ | 3.2+ |
| Arizona School of Health Sciences PA | 3.0 | 3.3+ | 3.2+ |
Dr. Tomei's Perspective
Community College Prerequisites in Arizona
Arizona is one of the most community-college-friendly states for PA school prerequisites. Most Arizona PA programs explicitly accept community college prerequisites, which makes it easier and more affordable to complete your coursework. Here is what you need to know.
Arizona community colleges (Maricopa Community Colleges, Pima Community College, Coconino Community College) are widely accepted for PA school prerequisites.
Community college prerequisites are generally accepted at all Arizona PA programs — verify with each program before enrolling.
If you take prerequisites at a community college, aim for A grades. A B in a community college science course is less impressive than an A at a four-year university.
Some programs prefer prerequisites taken at four-year universities for upper-division courses like Biochemistry and Microbiology.
Online prerequisites are accepted by some Arizona PA programs but not all — verify before enrolling in online courses.
Grade replacement policies vary by program — some Arizona PA programs recalculate GPA using the most recent grade, others use all attempts.
Need Help Planning Your Prerequisite Schedule?
Planning your prerequisite coursework to maximize your science GPA while building patient care hours is one of the most complex parts of the pre-PA journey. Dr. Tomei can help you build a plan.
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