Pre-PA/PT Biology Prerequisites Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
The Pre-PA/PT Biology Prerequisites Post-Baccalaureate Certificate at West Liberty University is one in a series of three certificate programs (Core Courses, Biology Prerequisites, and General Prerequisites) intended for individuals wishing to prepare for a career change to Physician Assistant, Physical Therapist, or other 2 to 2.5 year professional health programs. The series of three certificates can be completed over four semesters of study. The Pre-PA/PT Biology Prerequisites Post-Baccalaureate Certificate focuses on upper-level biology courses required by many Physician Assistant and Physical Therapy programs.
Applicants must already hold a BA or BS in any field from an accredited 4-year institution of higher education. Professional programs often have a time limit for prerequisite coursework; if courses from the applicant’s prior degree exceed the time limit, those courses can be added into the post-bacc curriculum. The applicant is responsible for determining the time limit on prerequisite coursework.
Required Courses
The required courses provide 12 credit hours of human anatomy and physiology and microbiology that form the foundation of upper-level biology prerequisites for many programs in physical therapy and physician assistant studies.
| BIO 302 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 3 |
| BIO 303 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I Lab | 1 |
| BIO 325 | General Microbiology | 3 |
| BIO 326 | General Microbiology Lab | 1 |
| BIO 328 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 3 |
| BIO 334 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II Lab | 1 |
Restricted Electives
Choose a minimum of 7 credit hours from the following:
The restricted electives provide the ability to tailor choices toward target programs of study in the healthcare professional fields.
While the choices within the restricted electives represent courses typically recommended or helpful to an individual pursuing a professional education for Physician Assistant, Physical Therapist, or other program of study, other choices do exist. If the target professional program requires or recommends a course not in the restricted electives, please see the department chair.