Physician with a patient

About the Physician Assistant Pre-Professional Program

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Physician assistants, also known as PAs, practice medicine under the direction and supervision of physicians and surgeons. They are formally trained to examine patients, diagnose injuries and illnesses, and provide treatment.

Physician assistants can specialize in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, geriatrics, emergency medicine, orthopedics, surgical procedures, and general and thoracic surgery. Majoring as Pre-Physician Assistant at the University of Nebraska at Kearney will prepare you for higher education in the field.

PROGRAM INFORMATION GUIDE

Responsibilities of a physician assistant:

  • Works under the supervision of a physician or surgeon
  • Reviews patients’ medical histories
  • Does physical exams to check patients’ health
  • Orders and interprets diagnostic tests, such as X rays or blood tests
  • Makes preliminary diagnoses of a patient’s injury or illness
  • Provides treatment, such as setting broken bones and giving immunizations
  • Counsels patients and their families along with answering questions
  • Prescribes medicine
  • Records a patient’s progress
  • Completes insurance paperwork

Median salary for PA: $104,860

37% Projected Employment Growth

from 2016 to 2026 according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

PLACEMENT IN CLINICAL PROGRAMS AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS

Data based on cumulative placement data for the last 3 years

54% Accepted

54%
Accepted

Taryn Trosper

“I love that UNK is a small enough campus that you can get to know your professors while still offering the opportunities of a bigger university.” “I chose my major because psychobiology not only fits my physician assistant prerequisites, but the subject matter was interesting and would be helpful for real-life situations.”

Taryn Trosper

Pre-Physician Assistant