Physician with a patient

About the Pre-Physician Assistant Program

On Campus

Physician assistants (PAs) practice medicine under a physician’s supervision and are licensed to examine patients, diagnose injuries and illnesses, provide treatment, and prescribe medications. Physician assistants can specialize in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, geriatrics, emergency medicine, orthopedics, surgical procedures, and general and thoracic surgery. Learn more at aapa.org.

UNK students must complete a bachelor’s degree concurrently with the pre-physician assistant program. UNK’s pre-physician assistant program will meet the admissions requirements for the PA programs at Creighton University, Union College, College of Saint Mary’s, and the University of Nebraska Medical Center at the Omaha or Kearney campus. Students applying to other schools should check their admissions requirements. 

PROGRAM INFORMATION GUIDE

75% Acceptance Rate in Clinical Programs and Graduate Schools

Statistics based on cumulative placement data for the last 3 years.

Median Pay: $126,010

27% Projected Employment Growth

from 2022 to 2032 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Acceptance into a physician assistant program is competitive and not guaranteed. Admission to a PA program is based on academic record, GRE scores, recommendations, an interview, shadowing, exposure to health care, and other extra-curricular activities. Our dedicated advisors will guide and equip students to excel in these areas. In addition, smaller class sizes, top faculty, and unique learning experiences such as research opportunities at the University of Nebraska at Kearney will give you an advantage. UNK graduates in the pre-physician assistant program have a phenomenal acceptance rate showcasing our commitment to excellence.

Kearney Health Opportunities Program

Kearney Health Opportunities Program

Rural Nebraska students pursuing pre-physician assistant may be eligible for the KHOP Program at UNK. Learn More about KHOP

Michelle Craig, PA-C

“I graduated from UNK and went on to complete my Masters of Physician Assistant Studies at UNMC. I am thankful for the incredible education I received at UNK. The top-notch Health Science department was vital in helping me apply, get into, and complete my Physician Assistant certification. I felt prepared for graduate school thanks to the classes I took while fulfilling my pre-physician assistant coursework. UNK provided abundant opportunities to get involved and foster my growth.”

Michelle Craig, PA-C

Children's Hospital, Omaha, Neb.

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