About the program
The Mercer University PA program is described in PAEA's published program data; full curriculum details, faculty, and admissions cycle specifics are maintained on the program's own website.
From the program's mission statement: "The mission of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies is to educate patient-centered medical providers of the highest quality who are critical thinkers, and lifelong learners."
Focus on underserved populations and service to both local and international communities in need. Individual support from faculty.
Matriculant data
Actual stats for students who enrolled in the most recently reported cohort, sourced from PAEA's published program data.
Admission policies
Out-of-state applicants are accepted. International applicants: yes. DACA status applicants are considered. Distance learning is not offered. Part-time enrollment is not available. On-campus housing is available. Veteran support programs are available; consult the program directly for details.
Prerequisite coursework
Recency: 10 Years · up to 4 outstanding at application
Program overview
Mercer University's Department of Physician Assistant Studies offers a 28-month Master of Medical Science degree program based in Georgia, with an upcoming cohort beginning January 2028. The program holds continued ARC-PA accreditation, accepts both out-of-state and international applicants, and enrolls an estimated 70 students per class. Applications are reviewed on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis with a deadline of April 1, 2027, so early submission carries a real strategic advantage.
The program's mission centers on developing patient-centered providers who are strong critical thinkers and committed to lifelong learning. Its curriculum leans on case-based learning and incorporates early clinical exposure, giving students patient-facing context before they complete the didactic phase. A defining element of this program's identity is its emphasis on serving underserved populations, extending that commitment to both local communities and international settings. Faculty are noted for providing individual support to students, which may appeal to applicants who value accessibility to instructors in a mid-sized cohort.
On the academic side, matriculants typically bring a 3.73 overall GPA and a 3.58 science GPA, which signals a competitive pool despite minimum thresholds of 3.00 overall, 2.90 in science, and 3.00 for prerequisites. Applicants should be aware that prerequisite coursework must have been completed within the last ten years, and no more than four prerequisites may remain outstanding at the time of application. Required science coursework includes general chemistry with lab (8 credits), general biology with lab (8 credits), human anatomy with lab (4 credits), human physiology with lab (4 credits), microbiology with lab (4 credits), and statistics (3 credits).
Patient care requirements are substantive: at least 1,000 hours of direct patient care are required, and those hours must be paid - volunteer experience alone will not satisfy this criterion. Healthcare experience beyond direct patient care is also required. Applicants must submit a minimum of three reference letters and complete the CASPer standardized assessment. Interviews involve a combination of traditional, panel, and group formats and are not required to be conducted onsite.
Total tuition runs $108,504 with a $1,000 seat deposit. There is no part-time enrollment option and no distance learning component, making full-time, on-campus commitment necessary for the entire 28 months.
Applicants who are the strongest fit here will have paid clinical hours that reflect genuine healthcare engagement, a GPA trajectory that meets or exceeds the competitive averages, and a sincere interest in service to underserved communities - both domestically and globally - that they can speak to concretely throughout the application and interview process.