Physician Assistant Studies
Availability: Gulf Park
Prepare to provide compassionate, evidence-based care where it’s needed most.
The USM Physician Assistant (PA) Program is a Master of Science in Medicine graduate program within the University of Southern Mississippi School of Health Professions and is designed for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in any field. The program is located on USM’s beautiful scenic Gulf Park campus in Long Beach, MS.
The USM PA program’s fast-paced and rigorous curriculum provides student learning opportunities using a variety of learning strategies including active learning, hands-on labs, and immersive clinical education. Our unique curriculum features a virtual anatomy dissection platform, clinical ultrasound integration, simulations, and interprofessional experiences. Students enjoy strong mentorship in small, faculty-led groups throughout the program.
Students develop competencies and knowledge necessary to enter clinical practice and are eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE) after graduation. Graduates are awarded a Master of Science in Medicine degree.
What is a Physician Assistant?
They are licensed medical professionals who work in hospitals, doctor’s offices, and both rural and urban clinics, delivering high-quality, cost-effective medical care.
Physician Assistants can work in over 60 specialties, including primary care, emergency medicine, psychiatry, and women’s health, providing a wide variety of clinical services, such as:
- Performing medical exams and procedures
- Diagnosing and treating disease
- Prescribing medication
- Assisting in surgery
Is A Physician Assistant The Career For You?
PAs have extensive medical responsibilities, including diagnosing illnesses and prescribing medicine. PAs work on healthcare teams alongside other providers, so working well with others is crucial. For those who want to continue to expand their skills, PAs can also change specialties. For example, you could go from working in obstetrics to neurology to cardiology, without additional schooling.
Source: Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA)
Accreditation
ARC-PA Accreditation Status
The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the University of Southern Mississippi Physician Assistant Studies MSM Program sponsored by the University of Southern Mississippi.
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’s 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.
Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class.
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at: https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-university-of-southern-mississippi/.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you have any other questions or need further information about the PA program’s admissions policies, requirements, or processes, click the button below or contact Taylor Williams at: PA.admissionsFREEMississippi.
Additional Information
Degree Plan
View the complete degree requirements and course sequence.
Physician Assistant Studies MSM
Gulf Park