Physician Assistant Studies

Degree Requirement

Applicants must earn the following degree prior to matriculation into the program:

• Bachelor's Degree

Academic Standards for Degree

The following academic standards apply to the degree requirement: 

• The bachelor's degree must be from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the international equivalent, as verified by World Education Services (WES).*
• The bachelor's degree must be completed by the end of the spring semester preceding the anticipated fall matriculation date.

*For more information about international admission requirements, please refer to the International Students section below.

GPA Requirements

The program strictly adheres to a standardized approach to evaluating applicants' academic qualifications to ensure consistency and fairness in the admissions process. As such, we utilize the grade point averages (GPA) calculated by the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) at the time of application submission.

By relying on CASPA-calculated GPAs, we maintain a uniform and reliable method for assessing academic performance across all applicants. This approach helps mitigate discrepancies that may arise from variations in GPA calculations among different educational institutions or systems.

The program does not replace grades or recalculate GPAs based on coursework completed after application submission.

Academic Standards for GPA

Students must meet the following GPA minimum requirements to be considered for admission:

• CASPA-calculated minimum cumulative GPA: 3.0
• CASPA-calculated minimum overall science GPA: 3.2

Prerequisite Requirements

In addition to the requirements noted above, all applicants must complete the following prerequisite courses:

Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II – 8 credits minimum.

• Two-course sequence with laboratory experiences:
  • Introduction and survey-type courses will not satisfy this requirement.
  • Coursework must be 200 or 2000 course level or higher.
  • Each 4-credit section must have an accompanying lab.
• Examples of courses that would satisfy the requirement include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • A 4-credit Human Anatomy course with lab and a 4-credit Human Physiology course with lab could also fulfill this prerequisite.

Biology for science majors – 8 credits minimum.

• Biology coursework with associated laboratory experience:
  • Introduction and survey-type courses will not satisfy this requirement.
• Examples of courses that would satisfy the requirement include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Biology I & II
  • Cell Biology with lab
  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology with lab

Microbiology – 3 credits minimum.

• Microbiology coursework with associated lab work (if applicable)

Chemistry for science majors – 8 credits minimum.

• Chemistry coursework with associated laboratory experience:
  • Introduction and survey-type courses will not satisfy this requirement.
• Examples of courses that would satisfy the requirement include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • General Chemistry I and II
  • Organic Chemistry I and II
  • Any upper-level chemistry may be mapped to this requirement.

Psychology – 3 credits minimum. 

• Psychology coursework:
  • AP/CLEP credit accepted. AP/CLEP credit must be verifiable by transcript to meet the qualifications for this prerequisite.
• Examples of courses that would satisfy the requirement include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • General Psychology
  • Abnormal Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology

Statistics – 3 credits minimum.

• Statistics coursework
  • No Calculus or other math coursework fulfills this requirement.
• Examples of courses that would satisfy the requirement include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • General Statistics
  • Biostatistics 

Academic Standards for Prerequisite Coursework

Qualifying prerequisite coursework must meet the standards below to be considered acceptable:

• Institution: All prerequisite coursework must be completed through a regionally accredited U.S. Institution.
• Course Expiration: All prerequisites must have been successfully completed within ten (10) calendar years of the planned year of matriculation into PA school. For example, an applicant expecting to enroll in Fall 2026 must have taken all prerequisites no earlier than 2016.
• Course Completion: All prerequisite courses must be completed by the end of the spring semester preceding the anticipated fall matriculation date.
• Course Grade: Students must have earned a "C" or better grade on all prerequisite coursework.
• Prerequisites Still Outstanding: To be considered for admission, students must have no more than two (2) prerequisites outstanding at the time of application submission. 

Required Experiences

Applicants to our program must demonstrate a breadth of experience that aligns with and reflects the demands and expectations of the profession.  The program values diverse experiences that showcase a candidate's commitment, adaptability, and understanding of the healthcare landscape. Accordingly, the program requires both patient care experience and PA shadowing experience to be considered for admission.

Patient Care Experience

Lipscomb requires all applicants to document patient care experience at the time of application submission. However, we do not require a specific number of hours to be considered as an applicant. Patient care experience is defined as those experiences in which you are directly responsible for a patient's care.  Examples of these skills include but are not limited to checking vital signs, bathing/grooming patients, feeding patients, performing phlebotomy, and assisting with medical procedures.  Patient care hours may be paid or volunteer. It is imperative to provide a detailed description of your experiences on your CASPA application to ensure that you are given appropriate credit.

Examples of typical patient care roles may include but are not limited to nurse, certified nursing assistant, medical assistant, patient care technician, athletic trainer, physical therapist assistant, paramedic, emergency medical technician, emergency room technician, home health aide, and phlebotomist.

In recognition of valuable direct patient interaction and clinical exposure, the program also considers work as a medical scribe to be a qualifying patient care experience for applicants.

PA Shadowing Experience

PA shadowing experience is also a mandatory requirement that must be documented at the time of application submission. However, there is no minimum number of hours required for application processing. We urge students to see high-quality interactions with practicing PAs to help develop a holistic understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a future physician assistant. 

Virtual PA shadowing experiences are not accepted. To count toward this requirement, all PA shadowing must be conducted in person.

Encouraged Experiences

Prospective applicants are encouraged to have volunteer experience to help make them more well-rounded applicants. Though not a mandatory requirement, such experiences are valued as part of the holistic selection process.

Volunteer Experience 

Volunteer experience and community service reflect a candidate's dedication to serving others and commitment to improving their community. Beyond aligning with the ethos of our program, volunteer experiences offer aspiring PAs the opportunity to engage with diverse populations, cultivate empathy, and gain invaluable insight into diverse populations. Whether volunteering for an organization, serving your community, or participating in mission trips, these experiences provide fundamental exposure to the human condition while simultaneously fostering compassion and humility. When detailing volunteer experiences in the CASPA application, students are encouraged to provide a comprehensive description, highlighting the specific duties performed, the impact made, and the lessons learned from each endeavor. By showcasing such altruistic endeavors and the meaningful connections forged through volunteerism, applicants can effectively demonstrate their readiness and passion for the PA profession.

The School of Physician Assistant Studies requires a minimum of three (3) letters of recommendation for admission consideration. These letters serve as vital endorsements of an applicant's character, academic prowess, and suitability for the rigorous demands of the program. By requiring at least three distinct perspectives, the school ensures a comprehensive evaluation of each candidate's qualifications and potential. Through these letters, applicants may demonstrate professional aptitude, strong interpersonal skills, and commitment to the field of healthcare, thus presenting a holistic picture of their candidacy to the admissions committee.

For additional information regarding advantages and letters of recommendation, please refer to the Holistic Applicant Review section below.

Professional healthcare providers are challenged in environments that demand specific abilities, behaviors, and skills. The Lipscomb University School of Physician Assistant Studies has identified certain professional behaviors, abilities, and skills that are essential for students to be able to succeed within the program and provide excellent care to patients. For a student to be eligible to enroll in the program, he or she must be able to perform these skills and behaviors successfully, either unassisted, with dependable use of reasonable assistive devices, or by employing another reasonable accommodation. The following descriptions define the capabilities expected from an individual to successfully complete the Lipscomb University Physician Assistant Program. 

Minimum Performance

The PA student must possess skills related to critical thinking, communication, gross motor dexterity, fine motor coordination, interpersonal skills, observational abilities, and social skills in an individual, group, classroom, laboratory, or other educational setting. All students must be able to effectively perform and function in settings that are solitary, small group, large group, social environment, public space, or large classroom settings without disruption to other students, patients, faculty, or staff. All students must be able to function and remain calm within stressful situations. All students must be able to attend classes and laboratory sessions and be present for examinations and testing. All students must be able to perform overnight call when required on supervised clinical rotations.

Communication Skills

The PA student must be able to effectively hear, understand, speak, and observe patients to elicit history and other necessary information from patients, students, faculty, and staff. The student must be able to perceive nonverbal communication and cues, describe patient mood or changes, describe posture and appearance, and interpret and describe patient activity and behavior. The PA student must be able to communicate in verbal, written, typed, and electronic formats in a manner that is effective, efficient, and sensitive, and in the English language. The PA student must be able to communicate effectively with others in a professional manner. The PA student must be able to interact, communicate, and understand other students, clinicians, faculty, patients, and their families to respond appropriately and in a timely fashion.

Intellectual Capabilities

The PA student must possess and demonstrate the physical, emotional, intellectual, compassionate, and ethical capabilities required to undertake the full curriculum at a normal pace with on-time completion. The student must be able to learn, retain, and recall information and make reasoned decisions in a timely fashion. The student must be able to achieve a competent level of critical thinking and reasoning required to function in an entry-level PA position. To achieve this level, the student must be able to perform in areas of reasoning, measurement, analysis, interpretation, synthesis, calculation, and deduction. These skills must be evident in dealing with other students, faculty, staff, patients, patient families, and other healthcare professionals. Critical thinking and problem-solving in stressful situations are necessary to complete the program.

Interpersonal Abilities and Social Interactions

The PA student must be able to establish and maintain appropriate relationships in a professional manner with other students, faculty, staff, health care professionals, patients, and patient families. This encompasses possessing the maturity and emotional health necessary to function within the health care and educational environments while fully utilizing his or her abilities, intellectual function, sound judgment, sensory input, critical thinking, and promptness. The student must be able to demonstrate compassion, empathy, responsibility, and tolerance towards patients, families, faculty, staff, other students, and colleagues. This includes the ability to remain calm and function at this level within stressful situations and with competing demands for the student's time and energies.

Fine and Gross Motor Skills and Strength

Within educational environments and the clinical practice of healthcare, interacting with patients requires strength, coordination, and endurance. The PA student must have sufficient fine and gross motor coordination to function within the patient care and educational environments, which may include clutter, equipment, tables, family members, stairs, textbooks, supplies, and distractions. This includes the ability to ambulate, stand for extended periods of time, concentrate, balance, interact, assist in movement, use medical instruments, use electronic devices, position patients, and lift heavy objects. In general, a PA student should be able to safely lift 50+ pounds without any assistance or injury. Interaction within the environment may include classrooms, treatment rooms, laboratory spaces, patient rooms, waiting rooms, operating rooms, public spaces, stairwells, outdoors, and any other space generally necessary to interact with and treat patients or interact in the educational environment. This interaction may require standing or sitting for extended periods of time without disruption or change in position. This interaction may require altering lighting, including bright or fluorescent or low light conditions. All students must be able to travel to clinical rotation sites.

Observational Skills

The PA student must be able to observe a patient or simulated patient accurately from varying distances. This includes adequate vision. The PA student must possess the visual, auditory, tactile, and olfactory sensations sufficient enough to receive the sensory input in the classroom, clinical, laboratory, or educational setting. These skills include the ability to inspect, palpate, percuss, and auscultate accurately during the physical examination.

To apply to the Lipscomb University School of Physician Assistant Studies, applicants must be either:

• U.S. citizens, or
• U.S. permanent residents. 

Graduates of foreign institutions must have a degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree, as verified by the World Education Services (WES). Contact information for WES can be found at www.wes.org. Transcripts must be provided in the original language and with an English translation. Since CASPA-calculated GPAs are not available for international degree equivalents, the program will use the WES-calculated cumulative GPA and require a minimum of 3.0. In addition, all prerequisite classes must be completed from a regionally accredited post-secondary U.S.  institution.  The Physician Assistant Program requires a course-by-course evaluation, including verification of lab components of the courses with the CASPA application. Applications will not be considered for admission until the WES report is received.

TOEFL Requirement

Applicants who speak English as a second language must present the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) results when applying to the program. Applicants can submit scores to the university using Lipscomb's TOEFL code (1161). For more information, please visit www.toefl.org.

Minimum TOEFL scores are as follows:

• Computer Exam - 213
• Paper Exam - 550
• The equivalent TOEFL iBT score is 80.

TOEFL Exemption

Individuals who learned English as a primary language before age five are exempt from submitting TOEFL scores. This exemption recognizes that early exposure to English typically results in a high level of proficiency. Such individuals usually demonstrate sufficient English language skills without the need for additional testing. Therefore, the program may waive the TOEFL requirement for these applicants.

To be considered for a TOEFL Exemption, please answer the custom questions in your CASPA application. Our admissions team will review your responses to determine if you qualify for an exemption.

Our program uses a rolling admissions process and strongly encourages applicants to apply for the Fall 2026 cohort as early as possible. The 2025-2026 CASPA cycle opens on April 24, 2025, and closes at 11:59 PM Eastern Time on December 1, 2025. To be considered, all applications must be verified by CASPA and received by the program prior to the December 1, 2025, closure deadline. Applications that remain unverified by CASPA and have not yet been received by our program by the aforementioned deadline will not be considered.

Please note that a nonrefundable supplemental application fee of $75 is required for all program applicants. We encourage applicants to review all program requirements and ensure their applications are complete before submission. 

Once the program receives your verified application from CASPA, you will receive a confirmation email with a direct payment link and additional directions to pay your supplemental application fee. Your application will not be considered complete until the supplemental payment is received and processed. 

The Admissions Committee takes a broad range of factors into consideration as we select candidates, including:

• Capacity for academic success*
• Patient care experience (including medical scribe)*
• Superior interpersonal skills
• An understanding of the PA profession with PA shadowing experience*
• Letters of recommendation (3 required) with additional weight given for those from a healthcare provider (PA, NP, MD, DO)*
• Written expression of personal thought and technical proficiency in writing

*Applicants who exceed the minimum requirements for specific admission criteria will receive incremental weighting during the applicant review process.  

The Lipscomb University School of Physician Assistant Studies endeavors to recruit and retain a diverse community of physician assistant students whose qualifications align with the program's mission and goals. As such, the program has admissions and enrollment practices that advantage specific individuals or groups. Applicants demonstrating any of the following attributes will be advantaged within various sections of the admission's rubric:

• Applicants who are licensed healthcare professionals
• Applicants who are multilingual (advanced or fluent)
• Applicants with socioeconomic indicators*
• Applicants who have military service with honorable discharge
• Applicants with teaching experience*
• Applicants with extracurricular activities*
• Applicants who have evidence of service (volunteer/community service) *
• Applicants who have taken and performed above-threshold scores in the following science courses:
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Organic Chemistry I
  • Immunology
• Lipscomb degree-seeking students, alumni, and those with strong connections to the university

*Certain advantages will receive additional incremental weighting.

The average profile for the cohort entering in Fall 2025:

• Overall Science GPA: 3.86
• Cumulative GPA: 3.88
• PA Shadowing Hours: 80
• Patient Care Experience Hours: 2,128
• Volunteer Hours: 607

1462 verified applications for 50 seats

Our Physician Assistant (PA) program is a proud participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program, demonstrating our commitment to making graduate education accessible and affordable for eligible veterans and their dependents. We are honored to support those who have served our country in achieving their academic and professional goals in healthcare. For more information, please visit Veteran Services.

Does Lipscomb participate in the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA)?

Yes. Lipscomb participates in CASPA. All applications and materials must be submitted through CASPA.

Does Lipscomb require a supplemental application?

Yes. The supplemental application fee is $75.

Is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Physician Assistant College Admission Test (PA-CAT) required for admission?

No, our program does not require applicants to submit these scores, nor do we advantage those students who have taken these examinations.

Does Lipscomb accept Advanced Placement (AP) or College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) for prerequisites?

Lipscomb will only accept AP or CLEP credit for the psychology prerequisite.

Does the PA program accept Dual Credit for prerequisites?

Yes. Lipscomb will accept dual credits as long as the dual-credit course meets the minimum grade requirement, credit requirements verifiable by official transcripts, and all other prerequisite criteria.

Does Lipscomb have a pathway program?

No.

Does Lipscomb University give an advantage to specified individuals or groups?

Yes. Please see our Holistic Applicant Review section of the website for further information.

Where can I find physician assistant shadowing opportunities?

You can visit Physician Assistant Shadow Online. Lipscomb cannot make recommendations on specific shadowing opportunities for applicants.

Does the Lipscomb PA program do open house sessions on campus?

Yes. The program periodically hosts both in-person and/or virtual sessions. Please click the applicable link in the sidebar for more information.

I meet the minimum requirements. Does that mean I am guaranteed an interview?

No. Lipscomb does not guarantee an interview based on any academic or other standards. All interviews are granted based on a holistic admissions approach.

How many cohorts are admitted per year?

One cohort is admitted per year in the fall semester.

How many seats are available per cohort?

There is a maximum of 50 seats in the cohort.

What is the duration of the program?

This program consists of seven consecutive semesters, which are completed in twenty-eight (28) months, including four (4) semesters of didactic education and three (3) semesters of clinical education.

Does Lipscomb offer graduate housing for PA students?

Yes. Graduate housing options are available currently.

Do you have a part-time or online option for your PA program?

No. All students must participate on campus on a full-time basis.

How many letters of recommendation are required?

Three.

Do all of my recommendation letters on CASPA need to be written by physician assistants?

No. However, applicants with letters of recommendation written by a healthcare provider (MD, DO, PA, NP) will be given incremental weighting in the application review process.

Do you accept transfer students from another PA program?

No.

Can I apply if I have outstanding prerequisite courses?

Yes. However, at the time of application submission, no more than two (2) prerequisite courses can be in progress or pending completion.

How do you define patient care experience hours?

Please see the Experience section of our Admissions Requirements page for definitions and clarifications.

Does the program accept updates to the original CASPA application submission?

No. 

Physician Assistant Curriculum (131 hours)

The following courses of study are designed to prepare a student for the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree at Lipscomb University.

Semester I

• PA 5012 - Introduction to PA Practice and Health Care (2)
• PA 5022 - Ethics in Health Care (2)
• PA 5033 - Medical Communications (3)
• PA 5042 - Biostatistics and Evidence Based Medicine (2)
• PA 5065 - Human Anatomy (5)
• PA 5104 - Physiology & Pathophysiology I (4)

Semester Credit Hours: 18

Semester II

• PA 5032 - Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving I (2)
• PA 5114 - Pharmacology & Medical Therapeutics I (4)
• PA 5156 - Clinical Medicine I (6)
• PA 5204 - Physiology & Pathophysiology II (4)
• PA 5262 - Clinical Assessment I (2)
• PA 5272 - Laboratory and Diagnostic Methods I (2)
• PA 5502 - Introduction to Behavioral and Mental Health (2)

Semester Credit Hours: 22

Semester III

• PA 5132 - Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving II (2)
• PA 5214 - Pharmacology & Medical Therapeutics II (4)
• PA 5256 - Clinical Medicine II (6)
• PA 5282 - Laboratory and Diagnostic Methods II (2)
• PA 5303 - Physiology & Pathophysiology III (3)
• PA 5362 - Clinical Assessment II (2)

Semester Credit Hours: 19

Semester IV

• PA 5232 - Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving III (2)
• PA 5233 - Advanced Clinical Skills (3)
• PA 5356 - Clinical Medicine III (6)
• PA 5513 - Introduction to Surgery (3)
• PA 5523 - Introduction to Women’s Health (3)
• PA 5533 - Introduction to Pediatrics (3)
• PA 5543 - Introduction to Emergency Medicine (3)

Semester Credit Hours: 23

Semester V/VI/VII

• PA 6001 - Professional Practicum (1)
• PA 6016 - Pediatrics (6)
• PA 6026 - Behavioral and Mental Health (6)
• PA 6036 - Women’s Health (6)
• PA 6046 - Emergency Medicine (6)
• PA 6056 - Surgery (6)
• PA 6066 - Internal Medicine (6)
• PA 6076 - Family Medicine (6)
• PA 6A16 - Clinical Elective I (6)

Semester Credit Hours: 49

Welcome to the Financial Aid section of the School of Physician Assistant Studies website! We understand that pursuing a career in healthcare requires not only dedication and passion but also financial support. Our aim is to provide comprehensive information and resources to assist you in navigating the complexities of financing your education.  Our Graduate Financial Aid Office is committed to helping you explore all available options to make your PA education affordable and accessible. Whether you're a prospective student or a current one, we're here to guide you on your journey toward achieving your academic and professional goals.

Direct Unsubsidized Loan

This type of student loan is money borrowed from the federal government and has the lowest interest rate and fees of the federal loan options.  It is not based on credit or income level.  We recommend using the full amount of this loan first and then considering the Direct PLUS loan for additional needs.

• Maximum loan amount:  $10,250 per semester (awarded two terms at a time as $20,500).
• Interest accrues from the date of disbursement to your account.
• Interest can be paid monthly or will be capitalized into the principal of the loan.
• Principal payments are deferred until six (6) months after graduation or leaving school.

A borrower must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment for at least three (3) credit hours and working toward a degree or certificate. Loans must be actively accepted in the aid offer letter to be applied as an expected payment to the student bill. Direct Unsubsidized Loans will not be paid until the student has completed both Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note at studentaid.gov.

The FAFSA form is your application for the Direct Unsubsidized Loan. For more information about the FAFSA form, please refer to the Applying for Aid - Completing the FAFSA section below.

Direct PLUS Loan

If you need additional loan funds, the Direct PLUS Loan is available to independent graduate and professional students. The rate and fee are slightly higher than the Direct Unsubsidized Loan. This loan requires credit approval by the Department of Education and a FAFSA submission. Additionally, you can click HERE to access the Direct PLUS Loan application.

• The maximum loan amount is the difference between the Cost of the Attendance Budget and all other scholarships, grants, and loans (including the Direct Unsubsidized Loan). For more information, please see:
  • myLipscomb > CNS Student Portal > My Financial Aid > My Award for Cost of Attendance Budget
• Interest accrues from the date of disbursement to your account.
• Interest can be paid monthly or will be capitalized into the principal of the loan.
• Principal payments are deferred until six (6) months after graduation or leaving school.

A borrower must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment for at least three (3) credit hours and must be working toward a degree or certificate. Lipscomb’s Financial Aid Office will receive approved loan applications in about three (3) to five (5) days and add the loan to your aid package.  This will be applied as an expected payment to the student bill.  Graduate Plus Loans will not pay until the student has completed the Master Promissory Note for Plus loans at studentaid.gov. 

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step in obtaining Financial Aid.  Students should complete the FAFSA at studentaid.gov as soon as possible after acceptance into the PA program.  

If you have previously filed a FAFSA as an undergraduate, you will use the same FSA ID to log in and complete the form as a graduate student.  If you have never filed a FAFSA, you must create your FSA ID account first.  It may take a couple of days to have your account verified and ready to use. 

Lipscomb University's school code is 003486. 

For financial aid purposes, you are considered a professional student once accepted into the School of Physician Assistant Studies. This means that you will file as an independent student on your FAFSA, even if you are claimed as a dependent on your parent's income taxes. You will not use any of your parents' information when you file your FAFSA.

Once your FAFSA has been received by the Financial Aid office, an aid package will be created. You will be notified through your student email when it is ready for your review at: 

• myLipscomb > CNS Student Portal > My Financial Aid > My Award 

The FASFA is your application for federal aid, specifically the Direct Unsubsidized Loan. The loan amount displayed is the maximum amount available through the unsubsidized loan for graduate students. You may edit the award amount to a lower amount (if desired) by following these steps: 

• Select the box to the right and check after any changes you make
• Scroll down and select Accept/Reject Loan.

If done correctly, you can view your award letter again, and a green “A” will appear next to your accepted loan. If rejected, the loan will no longer appear in the letter. 

If you need to make any adjustments after accepting the loan, please complete the Loan Adjustment Form to notify the Financial Aid Office.