Information Session
Physician Assistants/Associates
- Definition and background
Definition
A Physician Assistant (PA) is a medical provider who is nationally certified, and state licensed to practice medicine in every specialty and setting.
Background
PAs are in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as in U.S. territories.
PAs have been part of the American healthcare system for almost 60 years.
Today there are more than 100,000 certified PAs in the United States.
- Roles of the PA
Roles
Take medical histories
Perform physical examinations
Order and interpret diagnostic studies
Prescribe medication
Develop and implement treatment plans
Confer with physicians and other clinicians
Provide patient education
Assist in intra-operative surgical procedures
Mission Statement
The Mission of the Physician Assistant Studies Program is to:
- Excel in the art and science of PA education.
- Promote inter-professional primary health care delivery to a diverse and dynamic population to improve health outcomes.
- Foster a dedication to evidence-based medicine, quality improvement, and patient safety.
- Cultivate a commitment to faculty, staff, and student wellness.
- Encourage leadership, service, and excellence among our faculty, staff, students, and graduates.
National & State Demographics
- United States
• Approximately 178,708 Certified PAs across the US
• 71.2% Female
• In 2023, there were 53 certified PAs per 100,000 population in the U.S. compared to 42 in 2019.
• ARC-PA estimates that the number of PA educational programs will grow from 306 in January of 2024 to 348 by 2027, thus increasing the number of individuals who may join the certified workforce.
- State of Texas
• ≈12,000+ PAs In Texas
• ≈11,687 Certified PAs in Texas
• ≈9,610 Licensed PAs in Texas
• 38.3 PAs/100K Population in TX (Ranks 42)
• 6.6% of Total PAs in the U.S
Employment Outlook
2024 U.S. News Rankings:
- #2 in Best Health Care Jobs
- #3 in the 100 Best Jobs
- #3 in Best Stem Jobs
- Forbes rated the Master of Physician Assistant Studies the Top 10 Best Master’s Degree in the U.S.
- Highest Paying Jobs National Median Base Salary - $130,000
Program Requirements
- Application Deadline: September 1st
- Admitting Semester: Summer (May)
- Program Length: 30 continuous months
- Required Minimum Overall GPA: 3.0
- Required Minimum Science GPA: 3.0
Admission Requirements
- Required Courses must be completed by the date the application is submitted
- A U.S. or Canadian-acquired bachelor's degree must be obtained by May in the year of enrollment.
- Professional or volunteer hands-on patient care experience is strongly recommended
- Grade of “C” or higher in all required courses
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
- The GRE is not required of applicants with both a U.S.-acquired bachelor’s and master’s degree or higher.
- All prerequisite courses must have been completed in the past 10 years.
- Prospective applicants who have interviewed for our program for two cycles and have not been offered acceptance, will not be reviewed for a third application cycle.
Required Courses
Course | Credit Hours |
---|---|
*Human Anatomy/Lab | 4 Semester Credit Hours |
*Human Physiology/Lab | 4 Semester Credit Hours |
*General Chemistry/Lab | 8 Semester Credit Hours |
*Organic Chemistry/Lab | 4 Semester Credit Hours |
*Microbiology/Lab | 4 Semester Credit Hours |
Genetics | 3 Semester Credit Hours |
Psychology | 3 Semester Credit Hours |
Statistics | 3 Semester Credit Hours |
*Indicates courses that need to be for science majors and must have a lab component.
Course Deadlines
- Required courses and those in progress must be completed by the time of application submission.
- All transcripts must be received by September 1.
- All other requirements (Application, Official GRE Scores, Letters of reference) remain September 1.
Considerations
- Quality and quantity of academic preparations
- Health care experience
- Awards, honors, service, and leadership
- Letters of Reference
- Personal Statement/Essay
- Interview for most competitive candidates
Competitive Applicants
- Bachelor's degree with greater than 50 semester hours in science courses
- Greater than 3.25 overall and science GPA
- Hands-on patient care experience >200 hours
- Evidence of leadership
- Superior references
- Mature, insightful essay
- Evidence of community services
- Superior people skills
- A Strong Work Ethic
- Professionalism
- Conscientiousness
- Maturity
- Commitment
- Evidence of Service
- Humility
- Adaptability
- Tolerance of Ambiguity
Admissions Process
- Early admissions confirmation is offered to the most competitive candidates following interview dates.
- Early application is strongly encouraged; DO NOT WAIT until the deadline if application is otherwise complete
Applicant Profile
Applicant profile provides details about the number of applications reviewed, interviews conducted, enrollments, and the gender and resident status of accepted students for the given year.
- Reviewed Applications: 2795
- Interviewed: 207
- Enrolled: 55
- Female: 42 / Male: 13
- Non-Texas Resident: 1
- Reviewed Applications: 2616
- Interviewed: 165
- Enrolled: 57
- Female: 46 / Male: 11
- Non-Texas Resident: 1
- Reviewed Applications: 2429
- Interviewed: 162
- Enrolled: 56
- Female: 41 / Male: 15
- Non-Texas Resident: 3
Student Profile
Student profiles include information on the age range, average science GPA, overall GPA, and GRE scores of all students for the given year.
- Average Age: 23
- Average Science GPA: 3.70
- Average Overall GPA: 3.76
- Average GRE: 300
- Average Age: 24
- Average Science GPA: 3.64
- Average Overall GPA: 3.71
- Average GRE: 304
- Average Age: 24
- Average Science GPA: 3.68
- Average Overall GPA: 3.73
- Average GRE: 302.9
2025-2026 Academic Year
- Tuition Texas Residents
$366.00 per semester hour x for 112 hours = $40,992.00
- Tuition Non-Texas Residents
$786.00 per semester hour x 112 hours = $88,032.00
- Fees
Estimated fees over the 30-month program = $6,143
Fees include the following:
Student Services Fee
Medical Service Fee
Computer Usage Fee
Malpractice Fee
BCLS/ACLS Course Fee
SIM Center Fee
Anatomy Lab Fee
Graduation Fee
2024-2025 Academic Year
- Incidentals
Computer= $2500
Lab Coats= $80
Books= $800
Medical Equipment = $700
Tuition Plus Fees
- Texas Resident
$47,135.00 over 30 months or $1,571.17/Month ($18,854.00 Year)
Final cost is subject to change per UT Southwestern Medical Center Office of Student Financial Aid - Non-Texas Resident
$94,175.00 Over 30 Months or $3,139.17/Month ($37,670.00/Year)
Final cost is subject to change per UT Southwestern Medical Center Office of Student Financial Aid.
Earnings
- Physician Assistant Income National Average in 2023:
- $130,000 per year
- Texas Average in 2024:
- $125,000 per year
Didactic Phase
The didactic curriculum is 15-months (May - July), and in-person attendance is mandatory.
Didactic Highlights:
- Evidence Based Medicine
- Full Cadaver Dissection
- Integrated Block of Instructions
- Packrat Exam
- Professional Practice Issues
- Simulated Patient Lab
- Small Group Tutorials
- School Organized Tutoring
- First Year
- Summer | 13 Credit Hours
Human Anatomy Lecture
Human Anatomy Lab
Human Physiology
Introduction to Human Neuroscience
Professional Practice Issues I (P/F)
- Fall | 14 Credit Hours
*Clinical Medicine I
*Pharmacology I
*Integration Skills I
*Patient Evaluation I
Introduction to Pathology
Professional Development (P/F)
*Indicates integrated blocks of instruction
- Spring | 14 Credit Hours
*Clinical Medicine II
*Pharmacology II
*Integration Skills II
*Patient Evaluation II
Clinical Prevention and Population Health
Evidence Based Medicine
Professional Development (P/F)
*Indicates integrated blocks of instruction
- Summer | 13 Credit Hours
- Second Year
- Summer | 12 Credit Hours
Clinical Medicine III
Patient Evaluation III
Clinical Skills (P/F)
Psychiatry
- Summer | 12 Credit Hours
Clinical Phase
The clinical phase is 15-months (August - November).
*UTSW’s affiliate institutions do require students to train at their locations to comply with all applicable site policies, including vaccinations. Those policies vary by location, and some site policies do not contain exemptions.
Clinical Highlights:
- Vetted Preceptors & Stellar Sites Across the State of Texas
- Balanced Mix of Private, Public, Inpatient, and Outpatient Settings
- Internationally Renowned Preceptors
- Labor and Delivery Exposure
- Research Opportunities (Directed Studies Month)
- In-House PANCE Review Course
- Resume Workshop
- Private Graduate and Alumni Job Fair Hosted by UT Southwestern Department of PA Studies
- Multiple On-campus Post-graduate Fellowship and Residency Opportunities
Clinical Rotations
- Family Medicine: 8 Weeks
Outpatient Based
Multiple Private Practice Sites
- Internal Medicine/Hospitalist: 8 Weeks
Inpatient Based
Parkland Health & Hospital System
Clements University Hospital
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center (Student housing provided)
Hospitalist Inpatient
Students Housing Provided at Scott & White
- Primary Care Preceptorship: 8 Weeks
Outpatient Based
Primary Care Specialty Setting of Either:
Family Medicine
Geriatrics
Internal Medicine
Pediatrics
Women’s Health
- Emergency Medicine: 4 Weeks
Outpatient Based
Clements University Hospital
Parkland Health & Hospital System
Presbyterian Hospital
Methodist Medical Center
VA Medical Center – Multiple Locations
Ten to Twelve-Hour shifts
- Infectious Diseases: 4 Weeks
Inpatient and Outpatient Based
Parkland Health & Hospital System
Dallas Veterans Medical Center
Clements University Hospital
- Pediatrics: 4 Weeks
Outpatient Based
Multiple Private Practice Settings
- Psychiatry: 8 Weeks
Inpatient and Outpatient Based
Hospital & Correctional Facility
Dallas Correctional Health
Clements University Hospital
Parkland Health Hospital
- Surgery: 4 Weeks
Intraoperative/Outpatient/Inpatient Based
Parkland Health & Hospital
Clements University Hospital
Presbyterian Hospital
Includes 24 Hour On-call Shifts, Weekends and Early Mornings
- Women's Health: 4 Weeks
Intraoperative/Outpatient/Inpatient Based
Clements University Hospital: 2 weeks Inpatient Obstetrics
Multiple Community Practice Settings: 2 weeks Outpatient Gynecology
- Elective: 4 Weeks
Intraoperative/Outpatient/Inpatient
Approximately 35 to Choose From
Popular Choices Include: Dermatology, Pediatric Specialties, Surgical Sub-specialties, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, Cardiology, Interventional Radiology, Palliative Care, Behavioral Health
International Rotation Possibilities
Ranking
As of 2025, ARC-PA ranked UT Southwestern Master of Physician Studies Program #8 out of 310 programs.
PANCE
UT Southwestern Master of Physician Studies Program first-time pass rates for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE):
Year | First-Time Pass Rate |
---|---|
2024 | 98% First-Time Pass Rate |
2023 | 96% First-Time Pass Rate |
2022 | 96% First-Time Pass Rate |
2021 | 93% First-Time Pass Rate |
2020 | 100% First-Time Pass Rate |
2019 | 98% First-Time Pass Rate |
2018 | 100% First-Time Pass Rate |
2017 | 100% First-Time Pass Rate |
2016 | 100% First-Time Pass Rate |
2015 | 100% First-Time Pass Rate |
2014 | 100% First-Time Pass Rate |
2013 | 100%First-Time Pass Rate |
Program Accreditation
- Accreditation Required for PA Licensure and Certification
- UT Southwestern has Maintained Continuing Accreditation Since 1973, with NO Adverse Accreditation Actions
- UT Southwestern is currently fully accredited until 2033
Application Service
- Web-Based Application System sponsored by the Association of PA Programs
- Allows applicants to apply to multiple of participating PA schools
- Beat the deadline; early application recommended
- Apply to several programs if PA is your ultimate goal
- Applying to one program is not advised
- CASPA
- Application Outcomes:
- 25% chance of acceptance if only applying to one school
- 49% chance of acceptance if applying to 12 programs
- No additional advantage was noted for applying to more than 12 programs
- Application Outcomes:
- CASPA Facebook
- CASPA Video Instructions for entering coursework
Application Cost
- Number of designated CASPA Programs:
- $184
- $245
- $306
- $367
- $428
Disclosure
PA education is intense, fast paced, and difficult for the duration of enrollment.
- The expectation of having a life balance as a PA student is often unrealistic.
- True life balance comes with the end point; graduation and employment.
- It is very important to have all support systems in place and all personal health conditions well-managed prior to starting the curriculum
- Reminder: The UT Southwestern PA Program curriculum is lock-in-step
- Preparation, dedication, commitment, and flexibility are keys to a successful PA education journey
Department Faculty
The Department of Physician Assistant Studies is led by an expert faculty recognized for excellence in academics, research, and clinical care. For a complete list of faculty for the Department of Physician Assistant Studies, please visit our faculty page.
Department Chair & Program Director
- Cissy and W. Plack Carr, Jr. Professorship in Medical Education
- P. Eugene Jones, Ph.D., PA-C Professorship in Physician Assistant Studies.
Temple Howell-Stampley, M.D., M.B.A., is a Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center and a member of its Division of General Internal Medicine.
Bethany Grubb, Ph.D., M.P.A.S., M.P.H., PA-C.
Associate Program Director
- Assistant Professor
Bethany Grubb, Ph.D., M.P.A.S., M.P.H., PA-C, has worked clinically in a private dermatology practice and in the Pigmented Lesion Clinic at UT Southwestern.
Veronica Coleman, M.P.A.S., PA-C
Director of Admissions
- Assistant Professor
Veronica Coleman, M.P.A.S., PA-C, works clinically with the UTSW Clements University Department of Surgery, Divison of Surgical Oncology with the Pancreatic Cancer Prevention Multidisciplinary Program.
Academic Coordinator
- Assistant Professor
Laura Mattingly, MHS, PA-C, has worked clinically as a Physician Assistant in family medicine, long-term care, pediatrics, pulmonology, and sleep medicine.