Admissions Requirements
Earn Necessary Skills to Qualify for Graduate-Level Physician Assistant Program
Admission into the Marywood Pre-Physician Assistant program is selective, as students must maintain the high standards necessary for admittance into the professional phase of the program. All Pre-Physician Assistant students must apply and pass admissions standards to move on to the professional phase. Students who qualify are automatically accepted into the professional phase (Master’s program).
Undergraduate Admissions Requirements
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Completed application
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Official transcripts
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Letter of recommendation
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Official SAT and/or ACT test scores (Marywood is test optional)
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Essay (optional)
Facilities & Technology
The O'Neill Center for Healthy Families joins academic programs to innovative research. Students from the physician assistant program are among those who have classes in this building. The Physical Assessment Lab (PAL) includes 22 exam tables and 5 private exam rooms for practical education and individual testing of history taking and physical examination techniques. In addition, there are X-ray view boxes, operating room scrub sinks, and a variety of teaching models.
In addition to lab and classroom spaces, The Center for Natural and Health Sciences features an Anatomage virtual dissection table, made possible through a generous grant from the Moses Taylor Foundation in Scranton. This table allows students to study human and animal anatomy using state-of-the-art digital technology.
O'Neill Center for Healthy Families
The O'Neill Center for Healthy Families, located on University Avenue, provides classroom and research space, joining academic programs to innovative research. Students from the Nursing, Nutrition and Dietetics, Exercise Science, Respiratory Therapy, and Physician Assistant programs have classes in this building. It is also home to The Human Performance Lab, a state-of-the-art facility designed to serve the needs of student, professional, amateur, and recreational athletes and the community.
The Keith J. O'Neill Center for Healthy Families, dedicated on October 18, 2002, was named in honor of its benefactor, esteemed alumnus and former trustee Keith J. O'Neill '76, the first male to graduate from Marywood's dietetics program and an accomplished leader in the dietetics profession. He credits Marywood for "(giving) me the skills and confidence to take on the challenges that come from running a large food service department and eventually from the challenges created by starting my own company."
In 2024, Marywood University further expanded its deep commitment to health sciences during the dedication of the Pascucci Family Health Sciences Pavilion, a transformative addition to the Keith J. O'Neill Center for Healthy Families and a cornerstone of the EMPOWER Campaign.
The $11.5 million Pascucci Family Health Sciences Pavilion is a realization of Marywood's commitment to providing state-of-the-art facilities for education in the health sciences. Generously supported by the Pascucci Family and other dedicated donors, this new space elevates the learning experience of future healthcare professionals and contributes to the University's mission of fostering excellence in education.
Healthy Families Classrooms
The O'Neill Center for Healthy Families is the academic home of students in the nursing, nutrition and dietetics, respiratory therapy, and physician assistant programs, all of whom have classes in this building. Exercise Science students also take classes here. The facility includes traditional classroom space as well as clinical and lab space.
Center for Natural and Health Sciences
The Center for Natural and Health Sciences contains various science laboratories, including a Microbiology and Molecular/Cellular Biology lab, an Organic Chemistry lab, an Anatomy and Physiology lab, a Physics lab, a Biotechnology research lab, and an Environmental wet laboratory, along with a greenhouse, computer labs, and various classrooms.
Classrooms for our Math and Computer Science, Science, and Public Administration programs are in this building. The 100-seat Comerford Theatre, one of two large lecture halls on campus, is located here.
Science Center Classrooms
The Center for Natural and Health Sciences contains various science laboratories, including a Microbiology and Molecular/Cellular Biology lab, an Organic Chemistry lab, an Anatomy and Physiology lab, a Physics lab, a Biotechnology research lab, and an Environmental wet laboratory, along with a greenhouse, computer labs, and various classrooms.
Scholarships
Noyce Scholarship
Every biology/secondary education major is eligible to apply for the Noyce Scholarship (up to $18,000 per year for junior and senior years of study). This scholarship is funded by the National Science Foundation and details can be found at marywood.edu/noyce
Agreement with Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Effective in Fall 2019, Marywood and the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine (GCSOM) have entered into an agreement to offer a guaranteed GCSOM interview for Marywood pre-medical students who achieve the highest ranking from the Health Professionals Advisory Committee (HPAC) in the Science, Math and Computer Science Department. The HPAC ranking is based upon GPA, community service, clinical shadowing, an interview and review of personal statement and letters of recommendation.
Financial Aid for STEM Education from Affordable Colleges Online
Affordable Colleges Online (Ryan Kelly) has compiled a list of scholarships for students in all STEM fields, tips to cut the cost of their degree, and how to maximize their chances of landing a scholarship. Read the full guide. »
Faculty
Dr. Lisa Antoniacci
Department Chair | Associate Professor
Dr. Dhanapati Adhikari
Professor
Patrick James Barney
Lecturer | Lecturer
Marie R Betti
Lecturer
Dr. Derrick E Boucher
Assistant Professor
Brian G Bradish
Lecturer
Christine S Fleming
Lecturer
Conor Flynn
Instructor
Dr. Deanne Dulik Garver
Professor Emeritus | Lecturer
Dr. Michael J Gottstein
Assistant Professor
Joseph J Granko
Chemical Hygiene Officer | Science Lab Manager
Kimberly Stanek Hague
Assistant Professor
Lawrence Eugene Hahn
Lecturer
Kathryn R Haines
Lecturer
Dr. Michael C Kiel
Professor
Brittany E Legath
Lecturer
Catherine A Malenovitch
Lecturer
Sara A Melick
Assistant Professor
Jenna L Milheim
Instructor of Practice
John Barry Minora
Lecturer
Rosann M Moskel
Lecturer
Dr. Brian J Piatak
Assistant Professor of Practice
Anthony Michael Pusateri
Lecturer
Joseph Snedeker
Lecturer
Thomas Snyder
Lecturer
Krista F Wargo
Assistant Professor of Practice
Donald W White
Lecturer
Courses & Curriculum (120 Credits Total)
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Course Numbers
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Course Names
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Credit Hours
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|---|---|---|
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NEW CORE REQUIRED COURSES
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34 total credits
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ENGL 160
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Composition/Rhetoric
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3
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ENGL 3xx
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Literature
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3
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PHIL 120 or PHIL 121
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3
|
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FA
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Fine Arts Elective
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3
|
|
OS
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Oral/Speaking
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3
|
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RST 112
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Encountering Faith
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3
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WI
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Writing Intensive
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3
|
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LANG 150/250
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Language
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3
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Any core elective
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3
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History XXX
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3
|
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PHIL 2XX or RST 2XX
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3
|
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DEI
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|
3
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Information Literacy
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3
|
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REQUIRED MAJOR COURSES
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55 total credits
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BIOL 150 + L
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General Biology I
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4
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BIOL 151 + L
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General Biology II
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4
|
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BIOL 222
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Medical Terminology
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3
|
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BIOL 235 + L
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Microbiology
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4
|
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BIOL 300 + L
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Human Gross Anatomy
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4
|
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BIOL 301 + L
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Human Physiology
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4
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BIOL 332 + L
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Immunology
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4
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BIOL 410
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Science Literacy Capstone
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2
|
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CHEM 131 + L
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General Chemistry I
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4
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CHEM 132 + L
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General Chemistry II
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4
|
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CHEM 221 + L
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Organic Chemistry I
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4
|
|
CHEM 222 + L
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Organic Chemistry II
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4
|
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*MATH 155
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Statistics
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3
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**MATH 170 or **MATH 211
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Applications of Calculus to the Life Sciences Calculus
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4
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ND 112
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Nutrition
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3
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STEM 102
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|
1
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Math Placement Test: all students must take this test unless they have AP or dual enrollment credits which meet all required courses for the major.
< 40: must take MATH 095 before any other math course (credits do not count towards graduation)
> 40: eligible for MATH 155, MATH 160 (pre-requisite course for MATH 170)
> 75: eligible for all math courses including MATH 170 (Calculus for Biology majors)/MATH 211
*you may need to take MATH 095 prior to taking MATH 155 requirement depending on Math Placement Test
** you may need to take MATH 095, MATH 160 prior to MATH 170/MATH 211 requirement depending on Math Placement Test
Program Learning Outcomes
Students who have completed a Bachelor’s degree in another institution may apply to the graduate program in PA through the PA Eligibility Track. Details are provided in the Graduate program section of the catalog. Students must take at least 16 credits of Science pre-requisite courses at Marywood to qualify for this program. Students in the PA eligibility program are advised by faculty in the graduate program.
Student Resources
Marywood is here for you each step of the way. For currently enrolled students visit the
Pre-Physician Assistant Student Resources Website
for academic tips, research/career opportunities, and more to guide you on your academic journey.
When comparing colleges with pre-PA programs, students should look for a balance of strong science coursework and real-world clinical preparation. A pre-PA bachelor’s degree, often structured through a biology track—sometimes called an “ology pre-physician assistant” focus—provides the academic background, problem-solving skills, and professional experience that PA schools expect.
The Marywood Edge gives students a competitive advantage when preparing for a career as a Physician Assistant. Our Pre-PA program combines rigorous science coursework with hands-on clinical exposure, providing the knowledge, skills, and real-world experience PA schools expect.
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Direct Admission Opportunities: High-achieving students can secure a guaranteed seat in Marywood’s graduate PA program, streamlining the transition from undergraduate to professional studies.
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Strong Science Foundation: A biology-focused curriculum builds the problem-solving and analytical skills essential for success in advanced clinical training.
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Early Clinical Experience: Students gain meaningful patient care exposure, building confidence and practical expertise from day one.
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Individual Support: Small class sizes and dedicated faculty mentors ensure personalized guidance throughout your academic journey.
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Modern Facilities: State-of-the-art labs and learning spaces make science and medicine engaging, practical, and relevant.
At Marywood, Pre-PA students don’t just learn — they prepare for a seamless, successful transition into graduate PA studies, setting the stage for a meaningful, in-demand healthcare career.
