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Pre-Physician Assistant

Available as a pre-professional advising track

Physician assistants are licensed to diagnose and treat illness as well as to prescribe medication for patients. As part of a primary care team, they can provide nearly all of the clinical services of a licensed MD.

Here at Roanoke College, we offer a rigorous preparation in the sciences, along with a strong liberal arts background and access to clinical experiences and research opportunities. That gives our students an edge in gaining admission to top-quality graduate programs across the country.

student and doctor in operating room

Student Experiences

Kate Yukuboff: Research will give her an edge applying to grad schools

US News & World Report ranked Physician Assistant as the 5th best job in America in 2016.

Pursuing their dreams

  • Emergency medicine is his passion
    After Roanoke, Michael Gil '09 received his master's in Physician Assistant Studies from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, then returned to Virginia to participate in the Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant fellowship program at Eastern Virginia Medical School.  Michael is now working as an emergency medicine physician assistant at Emergency Physicians of Tidewater in Norfolk, VA.

    Student writing notes on a clipboard

  • Athletic injuries spark interest in future career
    Brayden Gerrie '13 was an All-American lacrosse player at Roanoke. His own athletic injuries sparked an interest in orthopedics and sports medicine, leading him to conduct a physiological study of his teammates, where he looked at measures of oxygen efficiencies, anaerobic responses, and body composition. "I was able to show them the scientific work I was doing," Gerrie said, "and how it related to our performance on the field." 

    Photo of Brayden gerrie

Learn By Doing

Internships give you the experience you need to get into top graduate programs

Intern working in a lab

We've established relationships with internship and placement sponsors in a wide range of medical organizations. Our students have completed internships at organizations such as:

  • Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare
  • Brandon Animal Hospital
  • Carilion Community Hospital
  • Child Abuse Prevention Council
  • Lewis-Gale Clinic
  • Merck Laboratories
  • Physicians to Children
  • Q-Biochem, LLC
  • Thompson's Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center

The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the demand for physician assistants to grow by more than 30% from 2014-2024.

News

Contact

Exterior photo of Life Science Building

Health Careers Advising Board

A team of faculty advisors dedicated to supporting students pursuing healthcare professions

Department:
HCAB

  • Workshop: Communicating Your Research in a Nutshell

    This interactive workshop, the first of a two-part event, is intended to train researchers to better communicate their work with people outside of their field. Folks from all programs are encouraged to attend!

    Date:
    March 27, 2026
    Time:
    4 - 6 p.m.
    Location:

    Antrim Chapel

    Workshop: Communicating Your Research in a Nutshellevent image

  • Nutshell Games Competition

    Engaged in research? Consider competing in this year's Nutshell Games Competition for a chance to win an Amazon e-gift card.

    Date:
    April 21, 2026
    Time:
    6 - 7:30 p.m.
    Location:

    Antrim Chapel

    Nutshell Games Competitionevent image

Interested in studying pre-physician assistant at Roanoke College?

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