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Pre-Physician Associate/Assistant Studies

This curriculum is designed to meet the admission requirements of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at Mississippi College and the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program at Mississippi State University-Meridian. Students must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA as well as a 3.0 science GPA on a 4.0 scale for both programs. In addition, a minimum grade of C is required on each prerequisite course accepted for transfer, and each prerequisite course must be taken within 10 years of matriculation at the University or College. Mississippi College will not accept online or hybrid courses for prerequisite courses (except for statistics). The curriculum below leads to an Associate of Arts Degree.

Students applying for either program must have a bachelor's degree, take the GRE, and have evidence of clinical experience. At least 80 hours of healthcare experience and 20 hours of shadowing experience with a medical doctor or physician assistant are required for the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program at Mississippi State University-Meridian. For this program, students must also complete CPR Certification (American Heart Association) or higher.
Health Sciences Pathway

Program Curriculum

ASSOCIATE OF ARTS

FIRST YEAR:
First Semester
  • English Composition I ENG 1113
    ENG 1113 - English Composition I (Prerequisite: ENG 0124 or ENG 1033 with C or appropriate placement score). This course prepares the student to think critically and compose texts for academic and professional rhetorical situations. Three hours lecture. Three hours credit.
  • General Biology I BIO 1134
    BIO 1134 - General Biology I (Prerequisite: MAT 0124 or higher or placement score for MAT 1233 or higher and ENG 0114 or higher or placement score for ENG 0124). A combined lecture and laboratory course for science majors that covers the major themes of biology, the scientific method, chemistry relevant to biological systems, cell processes including photosynthesis and cellular respiration, cell division, genetics, and molecular genetics. Three hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Four hours credit.
  • General Chemistry I CHE 1214
    CHE 1214 – General Chemistry I (Co-requisite: MAT 1313 or appropriate placement in a higher level math course). A combined lecture and laboratory course that covers the fundamental principles of chemistry and their application. Chemical nomenclature, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, atomic structure, bonding theories, energy, periodic properties, and gas laws are among the topics discussed in depth. Labs associated with this course contain experiments and exercises that reinforce the principles introduced in lecture classes. Three hours lecture. Three hours laboratory. Four hours credit.
  • College Algebra MAT 1313
    MAT 1313 – College Algebra (Prerequisite: MAT 1233 with a C or appropriate placement score for MAT 1313). This course includes the following topics with applications: inequalities; functions; linear and quadratic equations, and their graphs; rational, radical, and higher-order equations; polynomial and rational functions; logarithmic and exponential functions; systems of equations. Three hours lecture. Three hours credit.
Total 14 Hours
Second Semester
  • English Composition II ENG 1123
    ENG 1123 – English Composition II (Prerequisite: ENG 1113). This course is a continuation of English Composition I with emphasis on research, argumentation, and composition. Three hours lecture. Three hours credit.
  • Microbiology BIO 2924
    BIO 2924 - Microbiology (Prerequisite: BIO 1134 or higher). A combined lecture and laboratory course providing a comprehensive study of microbial agents to include taxonomy, metabolism, physiology and genetics, concepts of pathogenesis and immunity. Labs in this course provide experiments that reinforce principles introduced in the lecture to include fundamental laboratory techniques in lab safety, microscopy, culturing and identification of microbes, and effectiveness of antimicrobial agents. Three lectures. Two hours laboratory. Four hours credit.
  • General Chemistry II CHE 1224
    CHE 1224 – General Chemistry II (Prerequisite: CHE 1214 or CHE 1213 & CHE 1211). A combined lecture and laboratory course that covers solutions, kinetics, equilibria, thermodynamics, acid-base chemistry, and electrochemistry. Labs associated with this course contain experiments and exercises that reinforce the principles introduced in lecture classes. Three hours lecture. Three hours laboratory. Four hours credit.
  • Fine Arts Elective (3)
Total 14 Hours
SECOND YEAR:
First Semester
  • Anatomy & Physiology I BIO 2514
    BIO 2514 - Anatomy and Physiology I (Prerequisite: ACT Composite of 18 or BIO 1134). A combined lecture and laboratory course that covers the anatomical and physiological study of the human body as an integrated whole. The course includes detailed studies of: biological principles; tissues; and the integumentary, skeletal, muscular and nervous systems. Labs associated with this course contain experiments and exercises that reinforce the principles introduced in lecture classes. Three hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Four hours credit.
  • Organic Chemistry I CHE 2424
    CHE 2424 – Organic Chemistry I (Prerequisite: CHE 1224). A combined lecture and laboratory course that covers carbon chemistry, bonding structure and behavior, aliphatic compounds, stereochemistry, reaction mechanisms, and an introduction to spectroscopic methods. Labs associated with this course provide students with techniques to characterize, identify, purify, and synthesize organic compounds. Three hours lecture. Three hours laboratory. Four hours credit.
  • General Psychology PSY 1513
    PSY 1513 - General Psychology. An introduction to the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. This includes history and theories of psychology, research methods, biological bases of behavior, the principles of learning, personality and abnormal behaviors. Three hours lecture. Three hours credit.
  • Public Speaking I SPT/COM 1113
  • Humanities Elective (3)
Total 17 Hours
Second Semester
  • Anatomy & Physiology II BIO 2524
    BIO 2524 - Anatomy and Physiology II (Prerequisite: BIO 2514). A combined lecture and laboratory course that includes detailed studies of the anatomy and physiology of human special senses, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic and immune, respiratory, digestive, and urinary systems, as well as reproduction and development. Labs associated with this course contain experiments and exercises that reinforce the principles introduced in lecture classes. Three hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Four hours credit.
  • Organic Chemistry II CHE 2434
    CHE 2434 – Organic Chemistry II (Prerequisite: CHE 2424). A combined lecture and laboratory course that covers spectroscopy, aromatic compounds, carbonyl compounds, and other complex compounds with emphasis on reactions and their mechanisms. Labs associated with this course use organic techniques to characterize, identify, purify, and/or synthesize organic compounds, including aromatics and complex compounds. Three hours lecture. Three hours laboratory. Four hours credit.
  • Introduction to Sociology SOC 2113
    SOC 2113 - Introduction to Sociology. This course introduces the scientific study of human society and social interaction and examines social forces on individuals and groups. Three hours lecture. Three hours credit.
  • Statistics MAT 2323
    MAT 2323 – Statistics (Prerequisite: MAT 1313 or appropriate placement score of MAT 1613). This course is an introduction to statistical methods of describing, summarizing, comparing, and interpreting data to include probability distributions, sampling, estimation, confidence intervals, and hypothesis testing. Three hours lecture. Three hours credit.
  • Humanities Elective (3)
Total 17 Hours
Consult with your chosen transfer university/college to determine changes to this curriculum.

Both programs at Mississippi College and Mississippi State University-Meridian have a limited class size with competitive admissions.
Enrollment in a minimum of 15 hours each semester is recommended for eligibility for state aid, institutional scholarships, and the tuition break.

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