Why Major in Medical Diagnostics Pre-Physician Assistant Concentration?

The demand for Physician Assistants/Associates (PAs) is expected to grow 20 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Medical Diagnostics is a clinically oriented science program that incorporates the basic science courses required for admission to PA school complemented by medically related courses that encompass the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Students learn the pathophysiology of disease in 5 major areas of study: clinical chemistry, hematology/hemostasis, immunology, immunohematology, and medical microbiology. Students study detailed information about laboratory analysis and how laboratory data correlate to human disease. The Medical Diagnostics Pre-PA major studies a wide range of disease processes and patient diagnostic patterns and applies this information to patient case studies in order to evaluate hematological, microbiological, and biochemical disease states.

Uniqueness of Our Program

The program is taught by excellent faculty working at the frontiers of their field. Faculty are noted researchers who are making fundamental contributions to their respective fields including cancer, diabetes, inheritable eye diseases, nanomedicine, immunology, and infectious disease. Students often participate in faculty research through independent study.

The capstone experience includes opportunities to interact with healthcare providers in areas such as mental health, emergency medicine, pediatrics, and others.