The Medical Diagnostics Major: Gateway to Medical School and Physician Assistant School

Abstract

Medical diagnostics, offered at the University of Delaware College of Health Sciences, represents a novel major in higher education. This major incorporates courses similar to the preclinical content of professional schools along with the standard science and mathematics prerequisites. Students have the option of taking a pre-physician assistant (PA) concentration or non-pre-PA concentration. Students in the non-pre-PA concentration typically apply to medical or dental school, while students in the pre-PA concentration apply to PA school. The medical diagnostics major began in 2013 in a 2+2 format. Students completed prerequisite courses in their first two years and then applied to the permanent major, medical diagnostics. In 2021, the format for both concentrations transitioned to a direct admissions model. A study was conducted with the goal of ascertaining if there was an increase or decrease in enrollment from 2020 to 2021. Results of the study indicated a ten percent increase in enrollment for Medical Diagnostics pre -PA and a nineteen percent decrease in enrollment for Medical Diagnostics non-pre PA. This paper outlines the critical role of the pre-health advisor for students who plan to apply to medical school or PA school as well as administrative procedures associated with a 2+2 model compared to a direct admissions model.