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Physician Assistant Studies Program

Physician Assistant Studies Program

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Program Mission

The mission of the University of 草榴社区 Mississippi Physician Assistant Studies 
program is to educate students to provide evidence-based, collaborative, patient-centered care. With an emphasis on underserved populations, our graduates will be prepared to provide compassionate care that is equitable and inclusive.

Program Vision

The Physician Assistant Studies program鈥檚 evidence-based curriculum will promote the development of ethical, clinically knowledgeable practitioners prepared to serve the diverse populations in Mississippi and throughout the country. Our graduates will be prepared to function in primary care and specialty care in both rural and urban settings and will promote and participate in transformation of the healthcare system to a model that provides compassionate and culturally responsive care to all.

Program Goals (A3.12b)

  • Goal 1: Recruit, admit, and retain highly qualified students with diverse backgrounds.
  • Goal 2: Educate and prepare students for clinical practice to provide evidence-based medical care.
  • Goal 3: Prepare students to provide compassionate, collaborative healthcare as part of an 
    interprofessional team.
  • Goal 4: Foster a learning environment that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Goal 5: Prepare graduates to meet the healthcare needs of the community and medically underserved 
    areas.

The effectiveness of the Program in meeting its Goals will be published promptly after the graduation of the inaugural class in 2029.

Jan. 2027Anticipated first cohort
27-monthProgram
30Students per cohort

REQUEST%20INFO         

ARC-PA Accreditation Status (A3.12a, D1.02a, b, c)

The University of 草榴社区 Mississippi Physician Assistant Studies Program has applied for Accreditation - Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). The University of 草榴社区 Mississippi Physician Assistant Program anticipates matriculating its first class in January 2027, pending achieving Accreditation - Provisional status at the June 2026 ARC-PA meeting.
 
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鈥檚 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. 
 
If the University of 草榴社区 Mississippi Physician Assistant Studies Program does not achieve 
Accreditation - Provisional status as planned, students will not matriculate and will receive a refund of any paid deposits, and any tuition paid. 

Policy: Soliciting clinical sites (A3.03)

All supervised clinical practice experiences, including both clinical sites and preceptors, will be coordinated by the Physician Assistant Studies Program.  Students may request a specific clinical site or preceptor; however, each must be approved by and meet all Physician Assistant Studies Program and accreditation requirements.   

The Physician Assistant Studies Program will publish the annual NCCPA PANCE Exam Performance Summary Report Last 5 Years provided by the NCCPA when the first cohort graduates and completes their certification examinations, but no later than April 1, 2030.

The Physician Assistant Studies Program will publish its attrition and graduation information when the first cohort graduates in May of 2029.

    1. Attrition Rate: Number of students who attritted from cohort divided by the entering class size.
    2. Graduation Rate: Number of cohort graduates divided by the entering class size. 

Coming soon - 草榴社区 PA Program

Contact Us

School of Health Professions

Elizabeth Harkins Hall

118 College Dr. #5122
Hattiesburg, MS 39406

Hattiesburg Campus 

Campus Map

Email
shpFREEMississippi

 Phone
 601.266.5437

Physician Assistant Studies Program

West Academic Building

Gulf Park

Email
physician.assistantFREEMississippi

Phone
228-214-3379