About the program
The The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Southwestern School of Health Professions 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 Physician Assistant Studies Program is to: Excel in the art and science of PA education. Promote inter-professional primary health care delivery to a diverse and dynamic population to improve health outcomes. Foster a dedication to evidence-based medicine, quality improvement, and patient safety. Cultivate a commitment to faculty, staff, and student wellness. Encourage leadership, service, and excellence among our faculty, staff, students, and graduates."
on-campus simulation lab, international rotations, infectious disease core rotation, human anatomy with cadaveric dissection, primary care preceptorship, student academic support services, faculty and peer mentorship
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.
Prerequisite coursework
Recency: 10 Years
Program overview
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center's Physician Assistant Studies Program is an ARC-PA accredited, 30-month program leading to a Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree. It accepts its next cohort beginning May 2027, with an application deadline of September 1, 2026. Rolling admissions means applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, so submitting early is a concrete strategic advantage.
The program enrolls approximately 60 students per cohort and accepts both out-of-state and international applicants, though separate tuition rates apply, making in-state residency a meaningful financial consideration. The program does not offer part-time enrollment or distance learning, and the full 30 months require on-site commitment.
On the academic preparation side, the minimum GPA threshold sits at 3.00 for both overall and science coursework, but matriculants have averaged a 3.75 overall and 3.71 science GPA, signaling that competitive applicants should aim considerably higher than the floor. Prerequisites include eight credits of general chemistry with lab, four credits each of human anatomy with lab, human physiology with lab, and microbiology with lab, plus three credits of statistics. All prerequisites must have been completed within the last ten years. The GRE is required; the MCAT is not accepted.
Paid direct patient care is recommended but not required, as is general healthcare experience - a notably accessible bar that may suit applicants still building their clinical hours. Three letters of reference are required, and candidates who advance will complete a required on-site Multiple Mini Interview.
The curriculum blends case-based, problem-based, systems-based, and collaborative team learning approaches. Distinctive features include human anatomy instruction with cadaveric dissection, an on-campus simulation lab, an infectious disease core rotation, an international rotation option, and a primary care preceptorship - all of which reflect the program's mission emphasis on primary care delivery to diverse populations. The mission also explicitly prioritizes evidence-based medicine, interprofessional practice, and faculty, staff, and student wellness, suggesting a program culture that takes mentorship and sustainability seriously. Academic support services and both faculty and peer mentorship structures are built into the program.
An applicant should weigh this program carefully if they are drawn to a primary care and public health orientation, are comfortable with an intensive systems-based and problem-based learning model, and can realistically submit an early application given the rolling admissions process.