Master of Science in Physician Assistant Program

Mission

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Physician Assistant Program’s mission is to recruit and prepare graduate students to become competent, compassionate, service-driven physician assistant leaders who deliver evidence-based medical care to meet universal healthcare needs. 

Program education occurs in a Christian environment guided by faculty who teach and mentor with integrity, sensitivity, and a commitment to excellence.

Vision

The vision of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Physician Assistant program is to be a regionally and nationally recognized medical education program, with a reputation for developing highly sought after physician assistants who are dedicated to the delivery of compassionate evidence-based healthcare, professional leadership, and community service. 

UMHB MSPA Program Goals

Goal 1: Recruit and admit diverse qualified graduate students committed to the PA profession

Goal 2: Provide a competency-driven, practice-based training experience that prepares students for entry into clinical practice

Goal 3: Deliver quality clinical instruction that provides experiences in a variety of patient care settings. 

Goal 4: Encourage professional involvement, leadership, and service

Goal 5: Graduate competent medical practitioners who are in high demand for careers as Physician Assistants

Goal 6: Create a supportive environment for faculty and staff that promotes continued educational development, ingenuity, scholarship, and collaboration.

Physician Assistant Program Curriculum

The UMHB MSPA program consists of 28 months of graduate curriculum resulting in a Master of Science in Physician Assistant degree. It is comprised of pre-clinical and clinical educational experiences. The pre-clinical phase is 12 months in duration consisting of courses that prepare graduate students for the clinical training. The clinical phase is 16 months in duration and is comprised of rotations in Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Behavioral and Mental Health, Family Medicine, and elective rotations. The last month of the clinical phase is devoted to preparing students for graduation and the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). Students will demonstrate their acquired medical research knowledge through a capstone research project and poster delivered prior to graduation.

The total academic credit awarded by the MSPA program is 120 credit hours.

Entrance Prerequisite Courses

*Comparative and Vertebrate Anatomy Accepted

General Program Requirements

Below are the required academic standards and documents for a completed UMHB MSPA application:

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or the equivalent academic accomplishments, approved by the World Education Service (WES) Credential Evaluation
• An overall, science, and prerequisite GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale as calculated by CASPA.The science GPA includes all college science courses taken at regionally accredited institutions. All prerequisite course must be completed by August 31 during the year prior to matriculation.
• Original transcripts submitted to CASPA
• Completed essay portions on the CASPA
• Three professional letters of recommendation (from non-relatives). Examples of acceptable recommendation letters may be submitted from (but not limited to) professors, medical professionals, employers, religious leaders, or area leaders
• 100 hours of service-oriented volunteerism or work
  • In alignment with the university mission of leadership and service, the MSPA program requires applicants to have 100 hours of service-oriented volunteerism or work. This includes community work, Peace Corps, military, paramedic, firefighter, emergency medical technician, mission trips, religious, and environmental services.
• While clinical shadowing experience with a physician assistant and a physician is highly recommended, the UMHB MSPA program does NOT require a set number of shadowing or clinical medical experience hours for admission.
• The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is NOT required nor considered for UMHB MSPA program applicants.

Additional requirements for international applicants or domestic applicants who attended foreign universities:

• Transcript Evaluation by World Education Services (WES), submitted through CASPA
• Official iBT TOEFL scores submitted to CASPA with a minimum total score of 100 AND at least 25 in each section (reading, listening, speaking, and writing). TOEFL scores are only valid for two years.
• Immigration documents, including a copy of a valid passport submitted to www.umhb.edu/graddocs
• If offered admission, further documents may be requested by the UMHB International Student Services Office.