PA School Prerequisites in Washington D.C.
Every prerequisite course Washington D.C. 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 Washington D.C. PA Programs
Biology with Lab
8 credits (2 semesters)Required by: All Washington D.C. PA programs
General Biology I and II with lab. Must include lab component. Community college prerequisites are widely accepted at Washington D.C. PA programs.
General Chemistry with Lab
8 credits (2 semesters)Required by: All Washington D.C. 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 Washington D.C. PA programs
Some Washington D.C. programs require only one semester of Organic Chemistry. Check each program's specific requirements. Lab component typically required.
Biochemistry
3–4 creditsRequired by: Most Washington D.C. PA programs
Biochemistry is increasingly required by competitive Washington D.C. PA programs. GWU and Georgetown both require it. Take it before applying.
Microbiology
3–4 creditsRequired by: All Washington D.C. 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 Washington D.C. PA programs
Human Anatomy is required by all Washington D.C. 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 Washington D.C. PA programs
Human Physiology is required by all Washington D.C. PA programs. Some programs accept a combined Anatomy & Physiology sequence. Check each program's requirements.
Statistics
3 creditsRequired by: Most Washington D.C. PA programs
Biostatistics or general statistics. Required by most Washington D.C. PA programs and increasingly important for evidence-based medicine. Can be taken at a community college.
Psychology
3 creditsRequired by: Most Washington D.C. PA programs
General Psychology or Abnormal Psychology. Required by most Washington D.C. PA programs. Demonstrates understanding of the psychological dimensions of patient care.
Medical Terminology
1–3 creditsRequired by: Some Washington D.C. PA programs
Not required by all programs, but recommended. Can often be completed online. Demonstrates preparation for clinical training.
GPA Benchmarks for Washington D.C. PA Programs
| Program | Minimum GPA | Competitive GPA | Science GPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Washington University PA | 3.2 | 3.5+ | 3.4+ |
| Georgetown University PA | 3.2 | 3.5+ | 3.4+ |
| Howard University PA | 3.0 | 3.4+ | 3.3+ |
| Marymount University PA | 3.0 | 3.3+ | 3.2+ |
Dr. Tomei's Perspective
Community College Prerequisites in Washington D.C.
Washington D.C. is one of the most community-college-friendly states for PA school prerequisites. Most Washington D.C. 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.
Washington D.C.-area community colleges (Northern Virginia Community College, Montgomery College, Prince George's Community College, Community College of the District of Columbia) are widely accepted for PA school prerequisites.
Community college prerequisites are generally accepted at all Washington D.C. 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 Washington D.C. PA programs but not all — verify before enrolling in online courses.
Grade replacement policies vary by program — some Washington D.C. 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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