PA School Prerequisites in Florida
Every Florida PA program has a specific list of required science courses, GPA benchmarks, and (sometimes) GRE requirements. Here is what you need to know before you start planning your coursework.
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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Book my free auditCommon Prerequisite Courses for Florida PA Programs
| Course | Requirement Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Biology I & II (with lab) | Required at virtually all programs | General biology covering cell biology, genetics, and evolution. Must include lab component. |
| General Chemistry I & II (with lab) | Required at virtually all programs | Inorganic chemistry. Lab required. Some programs accept one semester. |
| Organic Chemistry I (with lab) | Required at most programs | Orgo II sometimes required. Check each program — some accept Biochemistry as a substitute. |
| Biochemistry | Required or strongly recommended | Increasingly required. If your program requires Orgo II, Biochem may be accepted in its place. |
| Human Anatomy (with lab) | Required at virtually all programs | Cadaver lab preferred. Online anatomy is not accepted at most programs. |
| Human Physiology | Required at virtually all programs | Some programs accept a combined A&P sequence. Check whether they want separate courses. |
| Microbiology (with lab) | Required at most programs | Clinical microbiology preferred. Lab component usually required. |
| Statistics | Required at most programs | Biostatistics preferred. Some programs accept any college-level statistics course. |
| Psychology | Required at some programs | General or abnormal psychology. Check individual program requirements. |
| Medical Terminology | Recommended | Not always required but demonstrates preparation. Online courses accepted. |
GPA & GRE Requirements by Florida Program
| Program | Min / Competitive GPA | GRE | Prerequisite Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Florida | 3.2 (competitive 3.5+) | Required (~308 avg) | Full science sequence including Biochem. Cadaver anatomy strongly preferred. |
| Nova Southeastern (Fort Lauderdale & Tampa) | 3.0 (competitive 3.4+) | Required (~305 avg) | Standard science prerequisites. Anatomy with cadaver lab preferred. |
| Barry University | 3.0 (competitive 3.3+) | Required (~300 avg) | Standard prerequisites. Psychology required. Medical terminology recommended. |
| South University | 2.8 (competitive 3.2+) | Not required (dropped post-COVID) | Standard prerequisites. More flexible on course age. |
| Keiser University | 2.75 (competitive 3.2+) | Not required | Standard prerequisites. Accepts community college coursework. |
| Larkin University | 2.75 (competitive 3.1+) | Not required | Standard prerequisites. Focus on underserved community experience. |
| Adventist University (ADU) | 3.0 (competitive 3.3+) | Required (~300 avg) | Standard prerequisites. Mission alignment valued. |
| Bethune-Cookman | 2.8 (competitive 3.2+) | Not required | Standard prerequisites. Community service experience valued. |
* GRE requirements changed significantly post-COVID. Always verify directly with each program before applying.
How to Handle Prerequisite Gaps
Dr. Tomei's Perspective
Missing Prerequisites
If you're missing required courses, take them at a Florida state university or community college. Florida's SUS (State University System) schools — UF, FSU, USF, UCF, FAU, FIU — all offer the prerequisite courses PA programs require. Community college courses are generally accepted, but some programs (especially UF) prefer 4-year university coursework for upper-division sciences.
Low Science GPA
If your science GPA is below 3.0, consider a post-bacc program or taking additional upper-division science courses to demonstrate an upward trend. Florida has several formal post-bacc programs, including at UF, USF, and FIU. Alternatively, taking 4–6 upper-division science courses and earning A's can significantly improve your science GPA.
Old Coursework
Many Florida PA programs have a "recency" requirement — typically 5–10 years. If your Anatomy or Physiology is more than 7 years old, you may need to retake it. Check each program's policy. Retaking old coursework and earning a strong grade is always a positive signal.
Online vs. In-Person
Most Florida PA programs require lab courses to be completed in person. Online labs are generally not accepted for Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, or Microbiology. Lecture components may be accepted online at some programs. When in doubt, take the in-person version.
Dr. Tomei's Perspective
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.
Learn About PA AdvisingNeed Help Planning Your Prerequisite Coursework?
Dr. Tomei can review your transcript and build a specific plan to close prerequisite gaps and strengthen your science GPA for Florida PA programs.
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