Pre-Physician Assistant
Students who plan to pursue a career as a physician assistant are considered to be on the “pre-physician assistant” or “pre-PA” track. Pre-PA is not an academic major; students on the pre-PA track must declare and work towards a degree as they fulfill the admission requirements for their preferred PA graduate program(s). High-achieving, first-time college students may seek participation in one of Mercer’s Accelerated Special Consideration Programs (ASCP) described in detail on the Special Consideration Programs page.
Students need to be aware that the prerequisite science coursework for the pre-health professions tracks is only offered on Mercer’s Macon campus. Students must therefore be enrolled in one of Mercer’s colleges or schools on the Macon campus to complete any of the pre-health professions tracks.
Students should also note that the prerequisite for all introductory science courses (chemistry, biology, and physics) is “calculus-readiness” (competency in mathematics at or above the pre-calculus level). Students planning on following a pre-health professions track are therefore advised to take mathematics in high school at least through the pre-calculus level.
Pre-PA Track Advising Resources
Current Mercer Students
Students enrolled at Mercer who are following one of the pre-health professions tracks should enroll in the “GPS” (pre-Graduate & Professional School) advising course on Canvas.