Health Sciences : Pre-Physician Assistant

Students in the Health Sciences – Pre-Physician track generally seek a career as a physician assistant after completing a physician assistant graduate program. 

Physician assistants work with people across the lifespans and generally work in:

• Physician offices
• Hospitals
• Outpatient clinics
• Other health care settings

If you decide not to pursue a physician assistant program, you will be prepared for a variety of other graduate programs, certifications and employment opportunities.

Graduate Education Opportunities

• Medical school (MD)
• Osteopathic medical school (DO)
• Physician assistant school (PA-C)
• Chiropractic school (DC)
• Optometry school (OD)
• Pharmacy school
• Dental school (DDS or DMD)
• Doctor of Physical therapy programs
• Athletic Training programs
• Occupational Therapy programs
• Orthotics and Prosthetics programs (CO or CP)
• Public Health programs (MA, MS, or PhD)
• Exercise Physiology or Biomechanics programs (MS or PhD)
• Nutrition programs and more.

Professional Certification Opportunities

American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)

• Certified personal trainer - Many professionals who hold this certification work in public or medical facilities that offer organized programs for healthy people or for people with mild, controlled health conditions such as arthritis.
• Health/fitness instructor - Most professionals who hold this certification work in programs offered through medical facilities with people with low-risk medical conditions or controlled disease such as outpatient cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation or diabetes programs.

National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)

• Certified personal trainer (NSCA-CPT)- Many professionals who hold this certification work in or start small businesses in fitness and health
• Certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) -Most professionals who hold this certification work in high school, collegiate or professional athletics. Some professionals work in public/retail fitness and health as facility managers responsible for the design and implementation of the facility's programs.

Career Opportunities

• Advanced coaching opportunities
• Activities director/fitness director at recreation facilities or camps
• Medical or biomedical equipment representative/sales
• Exercise equipment representative/sales
• Pharmaceutical product representative/sales

Advisors will be there to help you at every step of your academic journey. If you have advising-related questions, please visit the College of Allied Health Sciences’ Academic Advising.  

Students who have earned a high school diploma or GED and have attended a college or university other than the University of Cincinnati since earning their high school credentials are considered transfer students. Please visit UC Admissions for information about applying to the university as a Transfer Student. 

If you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate program at the University of Cincinnati (including UC Blue Ash and UC Clermont), but want to change your major to one in the College of Allied Health Sciences, please visit Transition Students for more information.