I Have a Non-Science Bachelor’s Degree. Can I Still Apply to PA School- YES— and you’re far from alone. Career changers with non-science degrees are one of the largest segments of the PA applicant pool. Here’s exactly what you need to do to get there.
THE QUICK ANSWER
Yes. PA programs do not require a science major — they require that you complete the science prerequisites. Your bachelor’s degree can be in English, business, music, history, or anything else. What matters is that you finish the required prerequisite courses (anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, statistics, and others), earn the grades programs expect, and gain hands-on patient-care experience.
A non-science degree is not a disadvantage — admissions committees value the maturity, communication skills, and life experience career changers bring. You don’t need to start over with a second bachelor’s; you just need to complete the prerequisites, which can be done online and self-paced.
If you majored in something other than science and you’ve started dreaming about becoming a physician assistant, you’ve probably had the same anxious thought thousands of applicants have: “Is it too late? Did I close this door when I picked my major?” The short answer is no — and it’s worth saying clearly, because this worry stops capable people before they even start.
PA programs are explicitly open to applicants from any academic background. As one PA program admissions director put it, the beauty of PA school is that you don’t need to be a science major to apply — you just need to have completed the science prerequisites. Career changers with non-science degrees aren’t a fringe case; they’re one of the largest groups in the applicant pool, and many programs actively prize the perspective they bring.
This guide walks through exactly what that path looks like: why your major doesn’t disqualify you, what you actually need to complete, how to do it efficiently and affordably, and how to turn a “non-traditional” background into a genuine strength in your application.
PA admissions are built around prerequisite courses, not degree titles. Programs require a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution — but they don’t specify what that degree must be in. What they specify is a set of science and math courses you must complete, regardless of your major.
This is a deliberate design. The PA profession was created to bring capable people into medicine through an efficient, focused graduate program — and the field has always drawn career changers from nursing, EMS, the military, research, teaching, and countless non-clinical backgrounds. Your major tells an admissions committee what you studied; your prerequisites, grades, patient-care hours, and personal statement tell them whether you’re ready for graduate medical training. The second set matters far more.
So the real question isn’t “Can someone with my degree get in?” — people with every imaginable degree do, every cycle. The real question is “What do I need to complete to be a competitive applicant?” That’s a logistics problem, and logistics problems have solutions.
Regardless of your major, a competitive PA application generally rests on four pillars. As a non-science applicant, you likely already have the degree; the work ahead is concentrated in the prerequisites and patient-care hours.
Prerequisites vary by program, but the common PA science and math requirements are remarkably consistent. As a non-science major, this is your roadmap — the courses to complete that your bachelor’s degree didn’t cover. Each maps to an accredited, self-paced course you can complete online:
| Prerequisite | Course | Typical Requirement |
| Anatomy & Physiology I & II | A&P I (BIO 270)A&P II (BIO 275) | Often two semesters with lab; the most universally required science. |
| Microbiology | Microbiology with Lab (BIO 210) | One semester, lab usually required. |
| General Biology I & II | Biology I (BIO 135)Biology II (BIO 140) | Required by many programs. |
| General Chemistry I & II | Gen Chem I (CHEM 151)Gen Chem II (CHEM 152) | Two semesters with lab at many programs. |
| Organic Chemistry / Biochemistry | Organic Chem I (CHEM 251)Biochemistry I (CHEM 330) | Program-dependent; increasingly required. |
| Statistics | Elementary Statistics (MATH 220) | Nearly universal; one semester. |
| Psychology | General Psychology (PSY 190) | Required or recommended by many programs. |
Requirements vary by program. Always verify each target program’s exact prerequisites, credit-hour minimums, lab requirements, and recency rules before enrolling. See our full PA prerequisite guide for details on each course.
The encouraging part: this is a finite, completable list — not a second degree. Most non-science applicants complete the missing prerequisites in roughly 12 to 24 months of part-time study while working, especially using self-paced online courses. For the complete breakdown of each requirement, see our PA school prerequisite course guide.
As a working career changer, the practical questions are when, where, and how to fit prerequisites into your life. A few principles make the path manageable:
Career changers sometimes apply apologetically, as if a non-science degree is something to overcome. Flip that. Admissions committees actively value the qualities career changers tend to bring, and your background can become one of the strongest parts of your application when you frame it well.
The one thing to get right: your prerequisites and science GPA must prove you can handle graduate-level science. A non-science applicant with strong prerequisite grades and meaningful patient-care hours is a compelling candidate — the major is a footnote, not the headline.
Can I get into PA school with a non-science degree?
Yes. PA programs require a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in any field, plus completion of the science and math prerequisites. Your major can be anything — what matters is finishing the required prerequisite courses with strong grades, gaining patient-care experience, and assembling a competitive application. Non-science career changers are one of the largest segments of the applicant pool.
Do I need a second bachelor’s degree to apply to PA school?
No. You do not need a second degree. You only need to complete the specific prerequisite courses your first degree didn’t include — typically anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, statistics, and others depending on the program. These can be completed individually, online and self-paced, while you keep working.
What prerequisites will I need as a non-science major?
Common PA prerequisites include Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Microbiology, General Biology, General Chemistry (often two semesters with lab), sometimes Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry, Statistics, and Psychology. The exact set varies by program, so verify each target program’s requirements. As a non-science major, these courses are the core of the work ahead.
How long does it take to complete PA prerequisites?
Most non-science applicants complete the missing prerequisites in roughly 12 to 24 months of part-time study while working, especially using self-paced online courses. The exact timeline depends on how many courses you need and how many you take at once — balancing speed against keeping your prerequisite grades strong.
Will a non-science degree hurt my chances?
No — and it can help. Admissions committees value the maturity, transferable skills, and clear motivation career changers bring. What they assess is whether you can handle graduate-level science, which your prerequisite grades and science GPA demonstrate. A non-science applicant with strong prerequisites and solid patient-care hours is a competitive candidate.
Can I complete PA prerequisites online?
Yes, in most cases. The majority of PA programs accept online prerequisite courses from regionally accredited institutions, which lets working career changers complete coursework without relocating or quitting their jobs. Lab policies vary by program, so confirm whether online labs are accepted at each of your target programs before enrolling.
A non-science bachelor’s degree does not close the door to PA school — it never did. PA programs are built around prerequisites, not majors, and career changers from every background are admitted every cycle. Your path is clear and finite: complete the science and math prerequisites at a regionally accredited institution, earn strong grades, build your patient-care hours, and tell your story with confidence. When you’re ready to start closing the gap, PrereqCourses.com offers accredited, self-paced prerequisite courses through a regionally accredited university — designed for working career changers doing exactly what you’re about to do.
Start Closing Your Prerequisite Gap
PrereqCourses.com delivers self-paced prerequisite courses through Upper Iowa University (HLC-accredited) — built for working career changers completing PA prerequisites without quitting their jobs or starting a second degree. Map what you need, then complete it on your own schedule.
This guide is for general planning. PA prerequisite, experience, and admissions requirements vary by program and change between cycles. Always verify requirements directly with each PA program and with CASPA before enrolling in any course.
