Many prospective physician assistant students worry about whether online courses will count toward admission requirements. The pandemic accelerated virtual learning, and today more colleges offer online biology, chemistry, and anatomy than ever before. But PA schools do not follow one uniform policy.
Some welcome online prerequisites, while others accept them only if the coursework meets specific accreditation and lab requirements. Students must review each program’s stance carefully. In this article, you will learn how different PA programs treat online courses, what schools expect, and how to strengthen your application.
Understanding PA School Admissions
Admission into physician assistant programs remains competitive. Applicants often need a bachelor’s degree, prerequisite courses in sciences, direct patient care experience, and strong GPAs. Programs also expect evidence of communication skills and professionalism.
Because prerequisites lay the academic foundation for rigorous PA coursework, schools set clear standards on where and how applicants can complete them. That is where the debate around online courses begins.
Do PA Schools Accept Online Prerequisites?
The short answer is yes, many PA schools accept online courses. However, the acceptance depends on accreditation, lab structure, and timing. Accredited universities offering online classes with the same rigor as in-person courses are usually acceptable. The problem arises when courses lack in-person labs or come from institutions without recognized accreditation.
Fairleigh Dickinson University’s PA program, for example, states that they accept online coursework as long as it comes from accredited institutions. The University of Bridgeport notes a similar stance but cautions that applicants should confirm if science labs meet the standard of in-person experience. Meanwhile, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) makes clear distinctions: they allow certain online coursework but do not accept online labs in critical science prerequisites.
Why Some Schools Restrict Online Courses
PA education prepares students for direct patient care. Programs want to ensure that applicants develop the hands-on skills needed for anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and chemistry. Online labs often struggle to provide the same tactile experience. Schools that restrict online labs do so to protect the integrity of their training process.
For instance, UAMS explicitly requires that labs must be completed in-person. They argue that skills developed in a traditional lab—such as microscope work, dissection, and chemical measurements—cannot be replicated online at the same level. This is not a dismissal of online learning, but a safeguard to ensure students arrive ready for advanced PA training.
Accreditation Matters
Almost every PA program emphasizes accreditation. Online coursework must come from regionally accredited institutions. Schools like Doane University confirm that medical, PA, and dental schools often accept online prerequisites if the courses are from accredited colleges and universities. Accreditation reassures programs that the quality of the online class matches classroom standards.
Community college courses can also be acceptable if accredited. PrepAClinic, an advisory source, explains that many PA schools accept community college and online credits, but competitive applicants usually demonstrate success in upper-level science courses at four-year universities as well.
Variations Between Programs
Each PA program sets its own policies. For example:
- University of Bridgeport: Accepts online coursework from accredited schools, but applicants must confirm with admissions regarding science labs.
- Fairleigh Dickinson University: Permits online courses but stresses proper accreditation.
- UAMS: Requires in-person labs and sets clear limits on online science requirements.
- Doane University: Confirms many professional schools accept online courses if from accredited institutions.
The takeaway is that no universal rule exists. Applicants must research every program individually.
Pandemic Shifts and Permanent Changes
COVID-19 forced nearly all institutions to adopt online learning. During that period, PA programs temporarily relaxed their restrictions. Many schools accepted online labs and virtual science prerequisites to accommodate students. While some of those exceptions ended once campuses reopened, others have incorporated flexibility into their permanent policies.
Today, some programs remain open to online science courses, particularly for non-lab components like psychology, statistics, and medical terminology. Others reverted to requiring in-person labs but still accept lecture-based online courses. Applicants benefit from this greater acceptance, but should never assume a policy without checking with each admissions office.
How to Strengthen an Application with Online Coursework
If you plan to take or have taken online courses, you can still build a strong application. Consider these strategies:
- Verify accreditation before enrolling in an online course.
- If the course includes a lab, ask whether it requires in-person attendance or virtual simulation.
- Balance online classes with in-person coursework to show adaptability.
- Earn strong grades in both formats to prove academic readiness.
- Highlight patient care hours and hands-on experience to complement online learning.
Admissions committees evaluate the whole applicant. If online courses are part of a well-rounded record that includes direct patient care and academic success, they are often acceptable.
The Role of Direct Patient Care
Beyond coursework, PA schools value direct patient care experience. While online classes can deliver knowledge, patient interaction requires real-world settings. Successful applicants accumulate hundreds to thousands of hours as medical assistants, EMTs, paramedics, or nurses. Demonstrating competence with patients offsets concerns about the format of prerequisite classes.
Online Courses and Competitive Edge
Taking online classes may not harm your application if you perform well. However, consider the competitive landscape. Many applicants have strong grades from in-person science labs. If you rely entirely on online labs, you may appear less prepared in comparison. To stand out, combine online prerequisites with some traditional coursework.
Communication with Admissions Offices
Every program FAQ highlights one recommendation: contact admissions directly. Because policies shift, the only reliable confirmation comes from the program itself. Schools encourage applicants to email or call before registering for an online prerequisite. This proactive step shows responsibility and ensures you do not waste time or money on unaccepted credits.
Future of Online Learning in PA Education
As technology advances, online learning will only expand. Virtual reality labs, interactive simulations, and proctored online testing are improving rapidly. Over time, more PA schools may embrace hybrid formats that balance convenience with rigor. The current cautious stance could soften as these technologies mature and prove their effectiveness.
Still, the emphasis on patient-centered training means that PA education will always require some in-person components. Programs may accept online prerequisites but will continue to demand clinical experiences and hands-on skills.
Common Online Courses Accepted by PA Schools
Many schools draw lines between science labs and non-lab classes. Courses often accepted online include:
- Medical terminology
- Psychology
- Statistics
- English composition
- Sociology
On the other hand, courses like microbiology, organic chemistry, anatomy, and physiology often face restrictions if labs are online. Applicants should plan accordingly.
GPA Considerations
A strong GPA can outweigh concerns about course format. Most PA schools require minimum GPAs between 3.0 and 3.2, but competitive applicants often present GPAs above 3.5. If you choose online classes, aim for excellent grades. Programs will see that you can excel regardless of format.
Advice from Programs
Bridgeport and FDU both note that online courses are acceptable if accredited. UAMS emphasizes in-person labs. Doane highlights that many schools recognize the validity of online coursework. These consistent themes across programs suggest that online prerequisites are generally fine, but science labs remain the sticking point.
Preparing for the CASPA Application
The Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) requires detailed transcripts. When you list online courses, ensure they come from institutions with recognizable accreditation. CASPA does not distinguish between in-person and online classes on transcripts. Admissions committees, however, may ask questions, so be prepared to clarify if needed.
Tips Before Enrolling in Online Courses
- Check program websites for the latest admission requirements.
- Confirm with admissions officers by email.
- Prefer hybrid courses with in-person labs when possible.
- Choose regionally accredited institutions.
- Keep documentation in case programs request course details.
The Bottom Line
PA schools do accept online courses, but the rules are not identical across institutions. Accreditation and lab requirements are the main deciding factors. Applicants should mix online and in-person coursework when possible, excel academically, and build strong patient care experience.
The trend toward greater online acceptance is growing, but programs still prioritize rigor and hands-on skills. Careful planning and clear communication with admissions can help you navigate these requirements confidently.
Conclusion
Online courses have become an established part of higher education, including for PA applicants. While most programs allow online prerequisites from accredited schools, many continue to require in-person labs for core sciences.
The safest approach is to confirm with each program, balance your coursework formats, and excel in every class you take. Strong academics, patient care, and clear communication remain the most important factors in admission success.
