FranU continues monitoring upcoming weather conditions in the Baton Rouge region. The area remains under an enhanced risk for severe weather resulting in hazardous road conditions and potential power outages beginning Tuesday, January 21. As a result, FranU will extend remote operations through Friday, January 24.
We will continue to share updates as they become available. Please check your FranU email for more information.
Shorten the time toward your future career with FranU’s accelerated 3+2 physician assistant studies track. The pathway allows you to earn your master’s degree in physician assistant studies in two years or less instead of the traditional three.
The multidisciplinary curriculum equips you with a solid knowledge base in biology, chemistry, human anatomy, physiology, and other disciplines. Apply the skills learned in the classroom to lab exercises, internships, and a required medical/surgical observation course that prepares you to enter this exciting and in-demand field.
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Learn more about the accelerated 3+2 pathway to physician assistant studies at FranU to discover how the program can launch your career!
Fast-track your graduate studies - Shorten the path toward a career as a physician assistant. The accelerated 3+2 pathway lets you apply for admission to FranU’s 28-month PA program after your third year of undergrad.
Learn from expert faculty - Benefit from the personalized attention of our experienced faculty, who offer mentorship and are active researchers in the field.
Develop multidisciplinary skills - Tailor your education to your interests in electives that span across a wide range of natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities topics and hone skills applicable in many facets of the field.
Gain real-world experience - Apply your newfound knowledge in lab activities, internships, simulation exercises, and a research-focused senior project.
The pre-PA program consists of 122 credit hours (106 in the pre-professional phase and 16 in the professional phase). The program requires courses in biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, human anatomy, physiology, cell biology, physics, biochemistry, genetics, pathophysiology, and other sciences.
Lab credit hours reinforce many of these foundational courses, and we require a medical/surgical observation course to introduce students to clinical medicine.
Through our robust curriculum, students develop proficiency in scientific reasoning, abstract thinking, problem-solving, and oral and written communication. They also hone essential laboratory and research skills and fulfill the prerequisites for graduate education in physician assistant studies.
FranU’s forensic science and biology faculty members are highly skilled professionals with extensive subject area expertise and a passion to teach students how to apply scientific knowledge to their future careers in forensic science and beyond.
Students must meet the following requirements to apply to the accelerated PA program pathway:
3.3 GPA minimum in high school or college transcripts, whichever is most recent.
26 ACT with 27 Math subscore, 61 or higher on ALEKs, or credit for MATH 1315. Equivalent SAT scores are acceptable.
Fewer than 66 college credits or the University’s current maximum for transfer credits.
Once admitted into FranU, students must:
Declare biology as their major, with a concentration in human medicine.
Upon receipt of the declaration of major form, the program director contacts all eligible students regarding the accelerated program.
Learn more about how to apply and the required materials by visiting the Admissions Requirements page and Undergraduate Admissions Requirements page.
To successfully graduate from the pre-PA program, students must:
Complete the minimum semester hours and courses required for the physician assistant studies track.
Earn an overall grade point average of 2.00, including all transfer courses (a grade of C or better in BIOL, CHEM, MATH and PHYS courses).
Fulfill the residency requirement of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University for the baccalaureate degree.
Fulfill the University requirement to successfully complete two courses using service-learning (SL).
Clear any debt to Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, including the return of all materials borrowed from the University Library.
The mission of the Biology Program at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University is to create quality educational experiences in all areas of biology and chemistry, especially those integral to the health of the population. The core principles of scientific inquiry and ethics serve to integrate coursework throughout the curriculum.
At FranU, we understand that planning and preparing to fund your education can be challenging. We seek to make your education more affordable and work together to help you discover grants, loans and other forms of financial assistance. We also offer various scholarships to incoming freshmen and graduate students.
We encourage you to estimate the amount of financial aid you may qualify for with ourNet Price Calculator Tool. You may also learn more about your funding options on the Office of Financial Aid page.
As licensed medical professionals working under the supervision of physicians, physician assistants can conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat patients, prescribe medicine, develop treatment plans, provide preventative care and educate patients and their families on issues relating to their health.
Many find careers in a variety of healthcare settings, including:
Doctor’s offices
Inpatient and outpatient hospitals
Community clinics
Universities
One of the most in-demand credentials in the healthcare sector, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects job opportunities for PAs to grow 27% in the next 10 years, much faster than the national average. Salaries for PAs can vary, but many trend in the six-figure range, with the median annual wage hovering around $126,000 in 2022.
Fast-track your career as a healthcare professional with FranU’s pre-PA program. Our hands-on, rigorous curriculum lets you begin your master’s degree after the third year of undergraduate studies so you can launch your career earlier and just as prepared. Apply today to the bachelor’s in biology - accelerated 3+2 pathway to physician assistant studies.
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. Questions about accreditation of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Total hours for Bachelor of Science in Biology - Pre-Professional Human Medicine Degree = 122 credit hours (106 pre-professional phase and 16 professional phase)
* MATH 1315 is waived with an ACT Math subscore of 27 or SAT equivalent
**Students apply to the PA program in semester 7.
If admitted into the PA program, students begin the program in semester 9 (spring semester). For information on the PA curriculum, visit franu.edu/ Physician Assistant Studies.
Behavioral/Social Sciences electives may be taken from subjects ANTH, ECON, HIST, POLI, PSYC, RELS, SOCI
Ethics/Philosophy elective courses are PHIL 2315, PHIL 2320, THEO 3345, THEO 3350, THEO 3360
Humanities/Fine Arts electives may be taken from subjects ENGL, MUSI, ART, HIST, HUMN, PHIL, RELS, THEO.
Human biology electives may be taken from BIOL 3000 or 4000 level anatomy and/or physiology courses.
If admitted into the PA program, students begin in semester 9 (spring semester). For information on the PA curriculum, visit the Physician Assistant Studies page.
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