Prerequisites
You will need to spend some time checking your prospective schools and their specific prerequisites. The good news is that for many PA schools, there is not a timeline, so if you took Biology years ago, it might still be fine.
I switched from a social science background, so unfortunately many of my prerequisites were for “non-majors” which is not going to fly for PA school. As I was working full-time as I was changing careers, I needed to find classes at night and on weekends.
It was a challenge, but I did it and so can you.
Community of Four-Year College?
I took almost all of the science prerequisites I needed for PA school at my local community college, at night and on the weekends while working a full-time job.
Community colleges are made for career changers and their courses are accredited through the same bodies as four year colleges. So technically a biology class is a biology class whether you take it at Harvard or the junior college around the corner.
I was told many times that Admission Committees view community colleges negatively and that you are better off taking the classes at a four year college. I did not receive any negative comments in my interview and one of my community college classmates who did this same thing actually went to Duke, the current highest rated PA program, so I disagree there is blanket bias against it.
The basics (Biology, A&P, Microbiology) were pretty easy to find and fit into my schedule, but a few upper level classes were more of a challenge.
Hard to Find Classes
Genetics
Genetics was offered at my local community college, but only during the day and I just could not make it work out with my work schedule.
Luckily, I found an online Genetics class accepted by my program at the University of Minnesota. Actually it was not really online – it was more like a correspondence and it was a TON of work. There were a lot of assignments, and pages upon pages of problems. Studying and learning alone, mostly just by reading the book, was really tough. But I actually learned a lot in the course and made an A. The exams were proctored, which I did through my local university and community college.
I can’t find that that the option I utilized is still offered but you can search for it here
Other online options:
Oregon State
University of New England
https://online.une.edu/science-prerequisites/online-genetics/
Kansas State
http://catalog.k-state.edu/content.php?catoid=2&navoid=513
Washington State
http://www.smb.wsu.edu/academic-training/online-courses
University of Phoenix
https://www.phoenix.edu/courses/bio410.html
UC Berkley Extension
https://extension.berkeley.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=41578
Organic Chemistry
I took Organic Chemistry in person at my community college. Though it is traditionally an upper level ( junior level) class, many community college’s offer it.
I HIGHLY recommend this gem of a book to help you (now in it’s glorious 5th edition), and I also highly recommend taking Organic Chemistry in in person. You will need the lab for PA school so online probably won’t be an option.
Organic Chemistry is HARD. I would recommend trying to take it by itself so you can really focus on it.
Immunology
UC San Diego Extension
https://extension.ucsd.edu/courses-and-programs/applied-immunology
University of Phoenix
https://www.phoenix.edu/courses/bio402.html
UC Berkley Extension
https://extension.berkeley.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=41569
Does online = easy?
Uhhh.no A word about online classes. Do not underestimate the workload.
Online classes especially science classes. In my experience, they are a HUGE time commitment. Set aside class time just like you have to for your in-person classes. Otherwise procrastination will be your ruin.