About the program
The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center 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 Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Health Professions Nadine and Tom Craddick Physician Assistant Studies Program is to provide comprehensive medical education to physician assistant students. Through an environment of academic excellence and the promotion of life-long learning and professionalism, graduates will be prepared to practice patient-centered primary care, increasing access to healthcare for medically underserved areas of West Texas and beyond."
Dedicated new PA facility, including clinical skills, simulation lab, and gross anatomy lab. Rural track with longitudinal rural rotations in West Texas. Extensive curriculum in Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse Disorder. Community Service Learning experiences in underserved populations, including early clinical experiences in a free clinic setting (Leslie’s Place). Faculty with extensive clinical experience and dedication to student-centered teaching and learning.
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, with exceptions. please visit the program's website. DACA status applicants are 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: 7 Years · up to 3 outstanding at application
Program overview
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center offers a 27-month program awarding the Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree, with the next cohort beginning in May 2027. The program holds continued ARC-PA accreditation and accepts a relatively large incoming class of approximately 72 students, making it one of the more sizeable programs in Texas. Applications are reviewed on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis with a deadline of October 1, 2026, which means applicants benefit meaningfully from submitting early rather than waiting until the window closes.
The program's mission is grounded in primary care service to medically underserved communities, with a particular emphasis on West Texas and rural populations. This is not an abstract commitment - the curriculum backs it up with a dedicated rural track featuring longitudinal rotations in West Texas, community service learning in underserved settings, and early clinical exposure through a free clinic called Leslie's Place. The program also carries an unusually substantial focus on behavioral health and substance use disorder, which reflects the healthcare realities of the communities graduates are expected to serve. Instruction follows an organ-based and systems-based curriculum delivered in a purpose-built facility housing clinical skills labs, a simulation lab, and a gross anatomy lab. Faculty are described as clinically experienced and teaching-focused.
The GPA floor is 3.00 across overall, science, and prerequisite coursework, though matriculants typically arrive with a 3.6 overall and a 3.62 science GPA, so competitive applicants should aim meaningfully above the minimum. Required prerequisites include human anatomy with lab, human physiology with lab, microbiology with lab, and statistics, all completed within the past seven years with no more than three outstanding at the time of application. The GRE is required; the MCAT is not accepted. Paid direct patient care experience is recommended but not required, and healthcare experience carries no requirement at all - a distinguishing feature that may benefit applicants who have strong academics and community involvement but less clinical hours than programs with hard patient-care thresholds typically demand.
Three letters of reference are required. Interviews are traditional in format and can be conducted without requiring an on-site visit. Out-of-state and international applicants are accepted, though international applicants should review the program's website for applicable conditions. Separate tuition rates exist for in-state and out-of-state students, and the seat deposit is $125. The program does not offer part-time enrollment or distance learning options.
An applicant who genuinely wants to work in rural or underserved primary care, can demonstrate that commitment through service or community involvement, and meets or exceeds the 3.6 GPA benchmark will be best positioned to judge whether this program aligns with both their credentials and their intended practice trajectory.