Graduate Physician Assistant Studies

Go to Programs and Course Listings | Official approval of department is pending

Faculty

Paul Harrelson, Chair, Assistant Professor
Bradley W. Cantley, Assistant Professor; Director of Clinical Education
John B. Hurt, Assistant Professor; Director of Academics and Curriculum
S. Wesley Johnson, Assistant Professor

Accreditation

Program Accreditation: Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant

Other Accreditation: National Commission on Certification for Physician Assistants

Graduate Programs and Requirements

Degree
Physician Assistant Studies (M.S.P.A.S.)

The Department of Physician Assistant Studies (pending approval) offers the master of science in physician assistant studies (M.S.P.A.S.) degree-a full-time, 27-month curriculum, totaling 117 credit hours.

Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (M.S.P.A.S.)

Admission Requirements

Minimum requirements for admission to the Samford physician assistant studies program include:

A bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited university or college.
Completion of all prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better from a regionally-accredited university or college within the United States.
If coursework is completed in an institution outside of the United States, an international credential evaluation is required reporting prior university credits. Samford accepts evaluations from World Education Services (WES), found at www.wes.org or AACRAO International Education Services (IES), found at ies.aacrao.org.
Completion of 24 semester credits as a full-time student in a U.S. regionally-accredited institution is required.
The program is a lock-step program and no advanced placement is allowed.
The following are the minimum required prerequisite courses:
1. Human anatomy and human physiology with labs, or anatomy and physiology I and II with labs, or comparative anatomy and mammalian physiology with labs. (Must complete a full sequence. Substitutions for a separate course sequence will not be accepted.) (6-8 hours)
2. Microbiology with lab. (3-4 hours)
3. General chemistry I and II with labs or higher chemistry (organic I or organic II). (8-9 hours)
4. Statistics, including statistical tests and analysis. (3 hours)
5. Medical terminology. (1 hour)
6. General psychology or abnormal psychology or developmental psychology (two of the three required). (6 hours)
A cumulative overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 of a possible 4.00 on all undergraduate and graduate work completed at an accredited university or college.
A natural science grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 of a possible 4.00 on all undergraduate and graduate work completed at an accredited university or college within the United States.
A cumulative non-science grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 of a possible 4.00 on all undergraduate and graduate work completed at an accredited university or college within the United States.
Direct patient care experience in strongly encouraged but not required.
GRE or MCAT is required. There is no minimum score and students will be evaluated on a competitive basis.

Progression Policies

Must earn a “C” or better in all coursework. Must have a 3.00 overall GPA in program coursework to progress to the clinical year. Student will be placed on probation if program cumulative GPA falls below the minimum of 3.00.

Programs

Master

Physician Assistant Studies (M.S.P.A.S.)

Courses

Physician Assistant Studies