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Program Overview

Program Overview

With a robust healthcare ecosystem and growing medical education contingency, there is no better place to reach your potential as a physician assistant than in Nashville, the healthcare industry capital of the U.S.  Let us help you prepare for your future career as a PA through excellence in education, meaningful engagement, and the empowerment of students.  With small class sizes, veteran faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities, the School of Physician Assistant Studies offers a top-tier education aimed at impacting healthcare, one student at a time.

At Lipscomb University, Christian faith is foundational, infused in both the curriculum and the campus community. Our PA program will serve your spiritual and vocational goals, as you train to serve others.

On your way to becoming a PA,  our dedicated faculty and staff will mentor and guide you through every step of the process, remaining invested in your success. Once you graduate, you will become peers and colleagues in one of the fastest-growing and most rewarding health professions in the United States.

Your journey starts now… at the Lipscomb University School of Physician Assistant Studies.

Preceptor Information

The School of Physician Assistant Studies is always interested in recruiting skilled and experienced providers to educate our students during the clinical portion of the program’s curriculum. Precepting PA students is an enriching experience for providers and students alike.

Do you remember the provider that inspired you?

Be a Light! Become a Lipscomb Preceptor and impact healthcare one student at a time.

Admissions Requirements

Admissions Requirements

Requirements Overview

Admission Process

Courses

Courses

Our courses are the result of extensive research, evidence-based insights, and expert input, ensuring that you receive the most up-to-date and relevant content available. As you navigate through our curriculum, you will find a diverse array of subjects and topics, all sequenced and aimed at providing you with a solid foundation and advancing your knowledge for entry into clinical practice as a physician assistant.

At the Lipscomb University School of Physician Assistant Studies, we are committed to your success, and our curriculum reflects that dedication. So, take a moment to explore our required curricular components that will undoubtedly resonate with your goals and aspirations. 

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 5204 - Physiology & Pathophysiology II (4)
  • PA 5156 - Clinical Medicine I (6)
  • PA 5114 - Pharmacology & Medical Therapeutics I (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: 20

Semester III

  • PA 5303 - Physiology & Pathophysiology III (3)
  • PA 5256 - Clinical Medicine II (6)
  • PA 5214 - Pharmacology & Medical Therapeutics II (4)
  • PA 5362 - Clinical Assessment II (2)
  • PA 5281 - Laboratory and Diagnostic Methods II (1)

Semester Credit Hours: 16

Semester IV

  • PA 5356 - Clinical Medicine III (6)
  • PA 5513 - Introduction to Surgery (3)
  • PA 5533 - Introduction to Pediatrics (3)
  • PA 5523 - Introduction to Women's Health (3)
  • PA 5233 - Advanced Clinical Skills (3)
  • PA 5543 - Introduction to Emergency Medicine (3)

Semester Credit Hours: 21

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

Tuition & Aid

Tuition & Aid

 

Tuition and Fees for 2023-24

  Tuition Fees Total
Semester 1 $15,250 $2,723 $17,973
Semester 2 $15,250 $1,933 $17,183
Semester 3 $15,250 $1,933 $17,183
Semester 4 $15,250 $2,128 $17,378
Semester 5 $15,250 $1,111 $16,361
Semester 6 $15,250 $1,111 $16,361
Semester 7 $15,250 $1,311 $16,561
Tuition and Fees Total     $119,000
Estimated Medical Equipment Expense     $700
Total Cost1 $119,700

1 All amounts shown are estimates and subject to change. 
 

Financial Aid

98%

First Time PANCE Pass Rate for the class of 2022

Networking

Both our deeply connected faculty and our experiential learning opportunities offer myriad ways for you to form relationships with leaders in the industry. These connections will serve and support you throughout your career.

Impact

With a focus on faith, we offer a top-tier education aimed at impacting healthcare, one student at a time.

Nashville, TN

A big city. An even bigger opportunity. We consider Nashville, Tennessee, an extension of our classroom, and as a leading city in many industries, that means you’ll gain experience and insight you won’t find anywhere else.

PA Ranked #4

100 Best Jobs in 2023 by US News & World Report

Our Faculty

  • Jason Huddleston headshot

    Jason Huddleston

    Program Director

    Jason H. Huddleston is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Physician Assistant Studies program. Dr. Huddleston holds a Doctor of Medical Science degree from the University of Lynchburg...

    Meet Jason Huddleston
  • Wade Denney headshot

    Wade Denney

    Medical Director

    Dr. Denney returned to Lipscomb to join the faculty of the School of Physician Assistant Studies as Medical Director in 2020. He obtained his undergraduate degree in biochemistry from Lipscomb...

    Meet Wade Denney
  • Linda Elrod headshot

    Linda Elrod

    Assistant Professor

    Elrod ('77), assistant professor of physician assistant studies, holds a Master of Science in Medicine from Trevecca Nazarene University and is a Physician Assistant-Certified (PA-C). She has eight years of...

    Meet Linda Elrod
  • Lizzie Monroe headshot

    Lizzie Monroe

    Principal Faculty

    Dr. Monroe joined the faculty of the School of Physician Assistant Studies in 2023. She obtained her medical degree from Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University. She...

    Meet Lizzie Monroe
  • Casie Ramierz headshot

    Casie Sanders-Ramirez

    Assistant Professor

    An Alabama native, Casie comes to us with nine years of experience as a physician assistant in various clinical settings. She obtained her MS in Physician Assistant Studies from the...

    Meet Casie Sanders-Ramirez
  • Matt Steidl headshot

    Matt Steidl

    Assistant Professor

    Matt ('00) met his wife Erin (Tews '99) at Lipscomb as an undergraduate. He and Erin have three daughters. He worked as a software engineer for Lockheed Martin on the...

    Meet Matt Steidl
  • Lipscomb Featured Faculty

    Richard Thompson

    Adjunct Faculty

    Meet Richard Thompson
  • Byron Turkett headshot

    Byron Turkett

    Director of Clinical Education - PA Program

    Byron E. Turkett is an Associate Professor and the Director, Clinical Education of the PA Studies Program. Mr. Turkett holds a Master's Degree in PA Studies from the University of...

    Meet Byron Turkett
  • Cindy Wingert headshot

    Cindy Wingert

    Assistant Professor

    With over 17 years of teaching experience, Cindy comes to Lipscomb University from The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Cindy's primary area of interest is teaching human gross anatomy; however,...

    Meet Cindy Wingert
  • Geoffrey Wright headshot

    Geoff Wright

    Adjunct Faculty

    Geoff Wright, Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies, joined Lipscomb's PA program in the summer of 2020. Prior to Lipscomb, Wright, a certified PA, spent three years as a hospitalist...

    Meet Geoff Wright
  • Terri Jerkins headshot

    Terri Jerkins

    Supervising Physician in Health Clinic

    Jerkins is an assistant professor for the School of Physician Assistant Studies. Jerkins received her Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis, Tenn. She...

    Meet Terri Jerkins
  • Abbey Wu headshot

    Abbey Wu

    Assistant Professor

    Abbey Wu is an Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant studies where she provides didactic education and supports the Director of Clinical Education to help empower aspiring Physician Assistant students reach...

    Meet Abbey Wu

Career Paths

Physician Assistants

Physician assistants, also known as PAs, practice medicine on teams with physicians, surgeons, and other healthcare workers. They examine, diagnose, and treat patients.