Program Overview

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Physician Assistant Studies

The Physician Assistant Studies program at Lipscomb University is designed to prepare students for a career in healthcare. The program is committed to fostering excellence in education and preparing compassionate, skilled practitioners for the dynamic field of medicine.

Program Overview

The program is a Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree that consists of 131 credit hours. The program is completed in 28 months, including four semesters of didactic education and three semesters of clinical education.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Earn a Bachelor's Degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the international equivalent
• Meet the minimum GPA requirements: 3.0 cumulative GPA and 3.2 overall science GPA
• Complete the prerequisite courses:
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II (8 credits minimum)
  • Biology for science majors (8 credits minimum)
  • Microbiology (3 credits minimum)
  • Chemistry for science majors (8 credits minimum)
  • Psychology (3 credits minimum)
  • Statistics (3 credits minimum)
• Document patient care experience and PA shadowing experience
• Submit three letters of recommendation
• Meet the technical standards for the program

Technical Standards

The program has identified certain professional behaviors, abilities, and skills that are essential for students to succeed in the program and provide excellent care to patients. These include:

• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Communication skills
• Intellectual capabilities
• Interpersonal abilities and social interactions
• Fine and gross motor skills and strength
• Observational skills

Curriculum

The curriculum includes a variety of courses, such as:

• Introduction to PA Practice and Health Care
• Ethics in Health Care
• Medical Communications
• Biostatistics and Evidence-Based Medicine
• Human Anatomy
• Physiology & Pathophysiology I
• Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving I
• Pharmacology & Medical Therapeutics I
• Clinical Medicine I
• Laboratory and Diagnostic Methods I
• Introduction to Behavioral and Mental Health

Tuition and Fees

The estimated total cost for the program is $127,240, which includes:

• Tuition: $120,440
• Medical equipment expense: $800
• Housing/travel for remote clinical sites: $6,000

Financial Aid

The program offers financial aid options, including:

• Direct Unsubsidized Loan
• Private loans
• FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

Career Paths

Physician assistants practice medicine on teams with physicians, surgeons, and other healthcare workers. They examine, diagnose, and treat patients.

Faculty

The program has a diverse faculty with expertise in various areas of healthcare, including:

• Jason Huddleston, Associate Dean
• Johanna Brooks, Director of Clinical Education
• Wade Denney, Medical Director
• Linda Elrod, Associate Professor
• Lizzie Monroe, Principal Faculty
• Casie Sanders-Ramirez, Part-Time Faculty
• Matt Steidl, Associate Professor
• Richard Thompson, Adjunct Faculty
• Lauren Webb, Part-Time Faculty
• Cindy Wingert, Associate Professor
• Geoff Wright, Part-Time Faculty
• Abbey Wu, Assistant Professor

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). The program has been granted Accreditation-Continued status, which is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA standards.