Master of Physician Assistant Studies, MPAS

Jennifer Eames, MPAS, DHSc, PA-C

Founding Physician Assistant Program Director

The Hardin-Simmons University Physician Assistant (PA) Program is dedicated to academic excellence in medical education. Our mission is to develop and prepare compassionate, professional PA providers who are committed to life-long leadership, learning and community service. Our graduates will work as part of the healthcare team to deliver exceptional healthcare to rural West Texas and under-served communities worldwide.

Physician Assistant Program Goals

Recruit outstanding PA students that will display a commitment to community service. 

Prepare PA students for the practice of medicine as exemplified by achieving a pass rate on the national certifying examination that exceeds the national average and attainment of employment after graduation.

Provide training opportunities for PA students in rural and under-served medical settings.

Physician Assistant Program Admission Criteria

Applications are accepted by applying to CASPA (Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants). A new class begins each fall semester.

Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university
GPA minimum 3.0
Science GPA 3.0
GRE Required
Health Care Experience Recommended
Class Size 30
Program Length 27 months
Overview of Prerequisite Requirements Hours
Anatomy 4
Biology 8
Chemistry 4
English 3
Microbiology 4
Organic Chemistry 4
Psychology 3
Physiology 4
Sociology* 3
Statistics 3

*Will accept 3 additional hours of Psychology as an alternative

Physician Assistant Program Curriculum

The Physician Assistant curriculum will be delivered on a full-time, continuous basis for a total of 27 months. Students will matriculate as a cohort (30 students) into a 12-month academic phase, followed by 13 months of clinical education. In the final semester, the two months prior to graduation are didactic.

Year One: Didactic

Semester: Fall

PA 6402Human Anatomy

4

PA 6404Medical Interview and Physical Exam

4

PA 6206Preventive Medicine & Patient Education

2

PA 6208Intro Health Professions & PA Practice

2

PA 6310Physiology & Pathophysiology I

3

PA 6112Medical Ethics

1

PA 6214Clinical Medicine I

2

Semester: Spring

PA 6416Clinical Medicine II

4

PA 6312Physiology & Pathophysiology II

3

PA 6218Diagnostic Methods

2

PA 6220Patient Assessment I

2

PA 6224Pharmacology & Medical Therapeutics I

2

PA 6228Behavioral Medicine

2

PA 6130Cross Cultural Health

1

PA 6232Clinical Laboratory Science

2

PA 6234Research & Evidence-Based Medicine

2

Semester: Summer

PA 6418Clinical Medicine III

4

PA 6226Pharmacology & Medical Therapeutics II

2

PA 6222Patient Assessment II

2

PA 6236Care for Special Population

2

PA 6538Clinical Skills

5

Total Credit Hours: 53

Year Two: Clinical

Clinical Rotations include 5 weeks (5 credit hours each) in the following:

Family Medicine / Pediatrics / Women’s Health / Mental Health / Internal Medicine / General Surgery/Emergency Medicine /Elective 1 / Elective 2 / Professional Development

Semester: Fall

Clinical Rotations 1,2, & 3 (15 Credits)

Semester: Spring

Clinical Rotations 4,5, & 6 (15 Credits)

Semester: Summer

Clinical Rotations 7,8, & 9 (15 Credits)

Semester: Last Fall Prior to Graduation

Clinical Rotation 10 (5 Credits)

PA 6458Professional Practice Preparation

4

PA 6362Capstone

3

PA 6264Health Policy, Billing & Coding

2

Total Credit Hours: 59

Total Credit Hours: 112