Boston, Massachusetts

PA School Prerequisites in Boston & Massachusetts

What each Boston-area PA program requires — broken down by school so you can plan your coursework, identify gaps, and choose the right post-bacc path.

For a national overview of prerequisite courses, GPA expectations, patient-care hours, CASPA requirements, and testing policies, review our complete guide to PA school requirements.

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Prerequisites & GPA Requirements by Program

Program	GPA Requirement	GRE	Notes
MCPHS Boston	3.0 minimum / 3.4+ competitive	Not required	Biochemistry recommended. All prerequisites must be completed with a C or better. Recent coursework (within 10 years) preferred.
Northeastern University	3.2 minimum / 3.5+ competitive	Not required (dropped)	Biochemistry strongly recommended. Northeastern values research experience and community health involvement alongside standard prerequisites.
Tufts University	3.0 minimum / 3.5+ competitive	Not required	Biochemistry is required (not just recommended) at Tufts. Strong emphasis on science GPA. Lab components required for most science courses.
Springfield College	2.8 minimum / 3.2+ competitive	Not required	More accessible GPA threshold than Boston programs. Good option if you have prerequisite gaps to address.
Quinnipiac University	3.0 minimum / 3.4+ competitive	Not required	Biochemistry recommended. Quinnipiac values diverse patient care experience and community service.

Prerequisite Requirements by School

Dr. Tomei's Perspective

The GRE is essentially gone from Boston PA programs — MCPHS, Northeastern, and Tufts have all dropped it. That shifts the focus entirely to your science GPA, patient care hours, and the quality of your application. If your GPA is below 3.4, don't panic — but do have a plan. A strong upward trend, a compelling post-bacc record, or exceptional patient care experience can offset a lower GPA. What you cannot do is ignore it and hope for the best.

MCPHS Boston

GPA: 3.0 minimum / 3.4+ competitive · GRE: Not required

Core Prerequisites: Biology I & II, General Chemistry I & II, Organic Chemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Statistics, Psychology

Biochemistry recommended. All prerequisites must be completed with a C or better. Recent coursework (within 10 years) preferred.

Northeastern University

GPA: 3.2 minimum / 3.5+ competitive · GRE: Not required (dropped)

Core Prerequisites: Biology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Statistics

Biochemistry strongly recommended. Northeastern values research experience and community health involvement alongside standard prerequisites.

Tufts University

GPA: 3.0 minimum / 3.5+ competitive · GRE: Not required

Core Prerequisites: Biology I & II, General Chemistry I & II, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Statistics

Biochemistry is required (not just recommended) at Tufts. Strong emphasis on science GPA. Lab components required for most science courses.

Springfield College

GPA: 2.8 minimum / 3.2+ competitive · GRE: Not required

Core Prerequisites: Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Statistics, Psychology

More accessible GPA threshold than Boston programs. Good option if you have prerequisite gaps to address.

Quinnipiac University

GPA: 3.0 minimum / 3.4+ competitive · GRE: Not required

Core Prerequisites: Biology I & II, General Chemistry I & II, Organic Chemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Statistics

Biochemistry recommended. Quinnipiac values diverse patient care experience and community service.

Post-Bacc Options in Boston

If you have prerequisite gaps, Boston has excellent options for completing them — from Harvard Extension to UMass Boston.

Harvard Extension School

Offers Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Statistics — all accepted by Boston PA programs. Flexible scheduling for working students. Harvard Extension credits are widely accepted and carry name recognition.

Boston University Metropolitan College

BU MET offers evening and online science courses designed for post-bacc students. Strong options for Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, and upper-level biology. Accepted by all Boston-area PA programs.

Northeastern University Continuing Education

Northeastern's continuing education division offers science prerequisites in evening and hybrid formats. Particularly useful if you're already in Boston and want to take courses at the same institution you're applying to.

UMass Boston

UMass Boston offers affordable in-state tuition for science prerequisites. Strong biology and chemistry departments. A cost-effective option for Massachusetts residents filling prerequisite gaps.

Online Prerequisites (Accepted Programs)

Many Boston PA programs now accept online prerequisites, especially post-COVID. Confirm with each program before enrolling. Commonly accepted online providers include UNE Online, SUNY Empire State, and community college online programs.

Need help choosing PA programs and building a competitive application? MedTrack Mentors provides physician-led PA admissions advising, school-list strategy, essay guidance and interview preparation. Prerequisite courses and patient care hour requirements vary by program — always verify directly with each program before applying.

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