South University Tampa Master of Science in Physician Assistant

Physician assistants perform many medical functions under the supervision of a licensed Physician, including, but not limited to, evaluation, monitoring, diagnostics, therapeutics, counseling, and referral. The scope of the practice varies according to state laws, the medical setting, and the training of the Physician Assistant.

Mission:

The mission of the South University Physician Assistant (MSPA) program is to educate a diverse student population and prepare graduates to practice the art and science of medicine who provide high-quality, compassionate, patient-centered healthcare that is responsive to the needs of all individuals.

Vision:

The South University Master of Science in Physician Assistant (MSPA) degree program strives to provide an educational environment that empowers students to practice evidence-based, patient-centered medical care. With an emphasis on increasing access to care, addressing barriers in healthcare delivery, and engaging in community outreach, we aim to offer meaningful connection and experiences for students, faculty, and staff. As future clinical leaders, the program’s focus is to graduate physician assistants who will champion compassionate care and patient advocacy.

Goals:

The following are program goals for the South University, Tampa Master of Science in Physician Assistant program:

• The program will promote advocacy and leadership within the PA profession.
• The program will  prepare graduates to achieve a first-time pass rate on the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE) that equals or exceeds the national average.
• The program will offer community service and outreach opportunities that promote a commitment to improving access to quality healthcare.

Fast Facts:

• This is a campus-based program located in Tampa, Florida 
• The program is 174 credits and includes 15 months of didactic coursework and 12 months of clinical curriculum
• Classes begin in January each year
• This is the first Physician Assistant program to be established in Tampa

Admissions Requirements

General Procedures:

Entrance to the Physician Assistant (PA) program is gained through a formal application review and interview. Application to the program is made through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA).  Applicants must specifically designate the South University campus(es) to which their application should be submitted within the CASPA system. Additional, campus-specific information regarding the application process can be obtained through the PA program website or by calling the campus at (813) 393-3720.

Individuals whose applications are deemed competitive will be invited for a required interview. Therefore, those who apply early in the admission cycle are more likely to be granted an interview than those who apply later. Each program concludes interviews for the admissions cycle upon filling all available seats. Not all qualified applicants will receive an interview.

The application process requires submission of scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Applicants must specifically designate the South University code for the Tampa campus (0454) to which their GRE scores should be submitted electronically to CASPA directly from ETS (Educational Testing Service).

For South University, Richmond, South University, Savannah, South University, Tampa, and South University, West Palm Beach applications must be completed and verified in the CASPA application portal. Submission deadlines vary by campus. Please refer to the individual program’s website for further details.

Applicants who are offered a seat into the Physician Assistant program are only permitted to reserve a seat at one campus. Within 14 calendar days of the applicant signing and submitting the acceptance form, it is the responsibility of the applicant to notify any other South University Physician Assistant program(s) of his/her intent to withdraw. Seat acceptance fees are non-transferable to other South University programs.

Note: Applicants should refer to the Physician Assistant Program policy on Acceptance Fee for more details.
 

Admissions Criteria:

Selection for the Master of Science in Physician Assistant program is highly competitive. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview or admission. Successful applicants will generally exceed the minimum criteria. The following criteria represent the minimum conditions established for students interested in applying to the South University Master of Science in Physician Assistant degree program:

• Applicants must have an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution no later than August 1st of the year they apply.
• Applicants must have an overall GPA as calculated by the CASPA service of 3.0 or greater (on a 4.0 scale) (including undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate coursework).
• Applicants should have a Biology-Chemistry-Physics (BCP) science GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) as calculated by the CASPA service.
• Applicants must submit scores from the GRE general exam directly to the CASPA service using the South University PA program code 0454.
• At least three letters of reference on the CASPA application must be submitted
• At least one reference on the CASPA application must be from a physician (MD/DO), Physician Assistant, or Nurse Practitioner with whom the applicant has worked or shadowed and to whom the applicant is not related. Impressive, well- articulated, and unequivocal letters attesting to the applicant’s motivation, communication and interpersonal skills, professionalism, and future contribution towards health care are considered competitive.
   

Clinical Experience

Clinical experiences should provide the applicant with a knowledge of and orientation to the presentation, signs, and symptoms of a variety of ill or injured patients. Although clinical experience is not required, preference is given to applicants who have direct patient care experience (i.e., care that involves personal interaction with patients such as: physical therapist, respiratory therapist, emergency medical technician/paramedic, nurse, medical assistant, or certified nursing assistant, or other similar professions). However, there is no requirement for a predetermined number of hours (or months) of health care experience to be earned by an applicant.

Admissions Selection Committee Factors:

Applicants for admission are considered using multiple selection factors. Applicants are awarded preference based upon the following:
 

Academic achievement (overall GPA, BCP, GRE)

• Preference will be given to those with an Overall GPA at or above 3.4.
• Preference will be given to those with a prerequisite Biology-Chemistry-Physics (BCP) GPA at or above 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale) as calculated by the CASPA service.
• Preference will be given to those with a Prerequisite GPA at or above 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale) as calculated by the CASPA service.
• Preference will be given to those with GRE scores (Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning) at the 50th percentile or above.
• Preference will be given to those with a GRE Analytical Writing Score of 4.0 and above.

Quality of letters of reference from medical providers (e.g., MD, DO, NP, PA)
Clinical experience that requires direct patient care
Personal statement/essay.
Healthcare provider mentorship/shadowing experiences.
Community service
Interview performance

The Admissions Committee assesses evidence of an applicant’s interpersonal skills, problem-solving ability, professionalism, motivation, academic potential, communication, knowledge of the PA profession and the healthcare system with an alignment to the mission and vision of the program. The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Program adheres to the South University Non-discrimination policy.
 

Curriculum

Didactic Year

1st Quarter: 17 Credits

• PAS5100 Physical Diagnosis I 3.0 Credit Hours
• PAS5102 Medical Interviewing and Documentation 3.0 Credit Hours
• PAS5125 Medical Anatomy and Physiology I 4.0 Credit Hours
• PAS5135 Laboratory Diagnostics 3.0 Credit Hours
• PAS5173 Professional Seminar I 2.0 Credit Hours
• PAS5200 Physical Diagnosis Lab I 1.0 Credit Hours
• PAS5225 Medical Anatomy and Physiology I Lab 1.0 Credit Hours
   

2nd Quarter: 21 Credits

• PAS5115 Physical Diagnosis II 3.0 Credit Hours
• PAS5126 Medical Anatomy and Physiology II 4.0 Credit Hours
• PAS5370 Medical Ethics 2.0 Credit Hours
• PAS5180 Clinical Medicine and Pharmacotherapeutics I 8.0 Credit Hours
• PAS5215 Physical Diagnosis Lab II 1.0 Credit Hours
• PAS5226 Medical Anatomy and Physiology II Lab 1.0 Credit Hours
• PAS5295 Applied Learning Experience I 1.0 Credit Hours
• PAS5480 Clinical Medicine and Pharmacotherapeutics I Lab 1.0 Credit Hours
   

3rd Quarter: 18 Credits
 

• PAS5124 Essentials of Behavioral Medicine 3.0 Credit Hours
• PAS5130 Diagnostic Methods 4.0 Credit Hours
• PAS5181 Clinical Medicine and Pharmacotherapeutics II 8.0 Credit Hours
• PAS5296 Applied Learning Experience II 2.0 Credit Hours
• PAS5481 Clinical Medicine and Pharmacotherapeutics II Lab 1.0 Credit Hours
   

4th Quarter: 21 Credits
 

• PAS5143 Special Populations in Primary Care I 3.0 Credit Hours
• PAS5160 Public Health and Evidence Based Medicine 4.0 Credit Hours
• PAS5365 Surgery and Procedures I 4.0 Credit Hours
• PAS5182 Clinical Medicine and Pharmacotherapeutics III 8.0 Credit Hours
• PAS5297 Applied Learning Experience III 1.0 Credit Hours
• PAS5482 Clinical Medicine and Pharmacotherapeutics III Lab 1.0 Credit Hours
   

5th Quarter: 23 Credits
 

• PAS5144 Special Populations in Primary Care II 4.0 Credit Hours
• PAS5366 Surgery and Procedures II 2.0 Credit Hours
• PAS5174 Professional Seminar II 3.0 Credit Hours
• PAS5183 Clinical Medicine and Pharmacotherapeutics IV 8.0 Credit Hours
• PAS5190 Essentials of Emergency Medicine 4.0 Credit Hours
• PAS5298 Applied Learning Experience IV 1.0 Credit Hours
• PAS5483 Clinical Medicine and Pharmacotherapeutics IV Lab 1.0 Credit Hours

Clinical Year

The clinical year curriculum consists of 8 five-week rotations (7 mandatory rotations and 1 elective rotation). The clinical year also features 3 one-week Special Topics in Clinical Practice courses and 1 two-week Senior Seminar course.

Mandatory Rotations

• Behavioral Medicine
• Emergency Medicine
• Family Medicine
• Internal Medicine
• Pediatrics
• Surgery
• Women's Health

Elective Rotations

Students receive one elective rotation to broaden their clinical experience. The Clinical Education Team aligns student interests with rotation availability and student factors to determine an appropriate placement in the clinical year.

A sample of elective rotations available to our students are as follows. This is not a comprehensive list and rotation availability is subject to change.

• Cardiology
• Cardiothoracic Surgery
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• Pediatric Emergency Medicine
• Neonatal ICU
• Gastroenterology
• Oncology - various specialties
• Dermatology
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Transplant Medicine
• Functional Medicine
• Ophthalmology

Accreditation

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation Continued to the South University Physician Assistant Program, Tampa, Florida sponsored by South University, Tampa, Florida. Continued accreditation is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA standards. Continued Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the standards. The approximate date for the next comprehensive review of the program by the ARC-PA will be March 2027. The program's accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at: http://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-south-university-tampa/ Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc., 12000 Findley Road, Suite 275, Johns Creek, GA, 30097; Telephone: 770.476.1224