About the program
The Middle Tennessee State 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 MTSU Physician Assistant Studies Program is to provide comprehensive innovative medical education of the highest quality to prepare a diverse community of Physician Assistants to thrive as compassionate and collaborative members of the healthcare team with a commitment to community service and increasing access to care."
We utilize a holistic review process to support matriculating a diverse student body. We have a focus on community service and we have innovative curriculum that heavily utilizes POCUS.
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: no. DACA status applicants are not considered. Distance learning is not offered. Part-time enrollment is not available. Veteran support programs are available; consult the program directly for details.
Prerequisite coursework
Recency: 10 Years · up to 3 outstanding at application
Program overview
Middle Tennessee State University offers a 27-month MSPAS program currently holding Provisional ARC-PA accreditation, with its inaugural cohort slated to begin in May 2027. The program accepts 30 students per incoming class and does not accept international applicants, though out-of-state domestic applicants are welcome.
The program's mission centers on producing practice-ready PAs who are committed to community service and expanding healthcare access, with an emphasis on graduating a diverse cohort prepared to work collaboratively within healthcare teams. These priorities are reflected directly in the curriculum and admissions process. Coursework is organized around case-based, team-based, and organ/systems-based learning - approaches that mirror how clinical medicine is actually practiced. A notable curricular feature is the program's heavy integration of point-of-care ultrasound, known as POCUS, which is increasingly valued in clinical settings and represents a concrete differentiator from programs with more traditional skill sets.
On the admissions side, the program uses a holistic review process and operates on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis with a December 1, 2026 deadline - meaning early submission matters. The minimum GPA requirement sits at 3.0 for both overall and prerequisite coursework, and matriculants have typically arrived with a 3.5 overall and a 3.4 science GPA, giving applicants a realistic benchmark for competitiveness. Paid direct patient care hours are required, as is broader healthcare experience, so applicants without a substantive hands-on clinical background should not apply before building that foundation. Prerequisites must have been completed within the past ten years, and applicants may enter with up to three outstanding prerequisites still in progress. Required science courses include Human Anatomy with lab at four credits, Human Physiology with lab at four credits, and Microbiology at three credits.
The application requires a minimum of three reference letters. Interviews are conducted in person and include both a traditional format and a group interview component, so candidates should prepare for collaborative and interpersonal evaluation alongside individual assessment. The seat deposit is $1,500, and the program does carry separate tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state students, which applicants should factor into their financial planning. No part-time or distance learning options are available.
Applicants should assess fit by honestly weighing their GPA against the matriculant averages, confirming their paid patient care hours meet the requirement, and considering whether the program's community service mission and POCUS-forward curriculum align with the type of clinician they want to become.