Physician Assistant Studies (Graduate)

Faculty

Paul Harrelson, Chair, Assistant Professor
Bradley W. Cantley, Assistant Professor; Director, Clinical Education
R. Mark Caulkins, Assistant Professor
Heather G. Hallman, Assistant Professor
John B. Hurt, Assistant Professor; Director, Academics and Curriculum
S. Wesley Johnson, Assistant Professor

Accreditation

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA, 3325 Paddocks Parkway, Suite 345, Suwanee, GA 30024) has granted accreditation-provisional status to the physician assistant studies program (M.S.P.A.S.) sponsored by Samford University. Accreditation-provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding accreditation-provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.

Accreditation-provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class.

Other Accreditation: National Commission on Certification for Physician Assistants

Graduate Programs and Requirements

Degree
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (M.S.P.A.S.)
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The Department of Physician Assistant Studies offers the master of science in physician assistant studies degree (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.)

The master of science in physician assistant studies degree (M.S.P.A.S.) is a full-time, 27-month curriculum, matriculating each fall semester. Students will undergo an intense curriculum focusing on clinical medicine, evidence-based practice, anatomy, pharmacology, and physiology preparing them to work within diverse medical practices. The program will prepare students to work in both medical and surgical sub-specialties. This includes family practice, surgery, internal medicine, emergency medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, and a variety of other medical specialties.

Admission Requirements

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

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college.
Completion of all prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better from an 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.

Transfer Credit

At this time, students may not transfer in any credit to count towards the physician assistant studies program.

Programs

Master

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

Courses

Physician Assistant Studies