Physician Assistant Studies Program

About the TTUHSC Nadine and Tom Craddick Physician Assistant Studies Program

The TTUHSC Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program is committed to educating PAs to meet the challenge of increasing access to and providing high-quality, patient-centered health care for communities in West Texas and beyond.

The program focuses on primary care and family medicine and awards a Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree following 27 months of intensive academic and clinical training. The 15-month academic phase is conducted in a dedicated, state-of-the-art facility in Midland, Texas, a thriving community between Fort Worth and El Paso. The 12-month clinical experience occurs at various sites throughout West Texas. As a program graduate, you will be eligible to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). All states require physician assistants to be licensed.

Accreditation

Contacting the Program

Admissions Inquiries, contact us by phone at 806-743-3220 or email at health.professions@ttuhsc.edu.
All other inquiries, contact us by phone at 432-620-1120 or email at admin.paprogram@ttuhsc.edu.

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Program Curriculum

The TTUHSC PA Program is a 27-month program consisting of 125 semester equivalent credit hours of academic and clinical education. Students will spend 15 months completing didactic coursework at the Midland campus. Students will then enter the clinical phase, completing eight supervised clinical practice experiences in various medical disciplines. Students will learn applied medicine, behavioral and social sciences; patient assessment; clinical medicine; health systems and policy; evidence-based medicine; and professional practice issues consistent with the program’s mission and goals. The program is competency-based. Each student must be able to demonstrate competency in the following domains:

Medical Knowledge
Clinical & Technical Skills
Interpersonal & Communication Skills
Professionalism
Community Consciousness & Societal Health
Clinical Reasoning & Problem Solving

Upon completing the program, students are awarded the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Degree and are eligible for the National Commission for Certification of the Physician Assistant (NCCPA) PANCE examination.

The PA student must be prepared for long hours of study and clinical training; therefore,
holding a job while in the program is discouraged. Students should be prepared for travel by
personal vehicle. Clinical rotation sites may be away from the Midland-Odessa or home
regional campus area during the clinical year. Students must plan for the arrangements
and expenses of rotations away from home.

Courses

Summer Semester – Year 1

HPPA 5191 Professional Development I (1 hour)
HPPA 5306 Pharmacology I (3 hours)
HPPA 5406 Basic Sciences I (4 hours)
HPPA 5401 Human Anatomy (4 hours)
HPPA 5361 Clinical Skills I (3 hours)

Fall Semester – Year 1

HPPA 5392 Professional Development II (3 hours)
HPPA 5307 Pharmacology II (3 hours)
HPPA 5308 Basic Sciences II (3 hours)
HPPA 5102 Anatomy II (1 hour)
HPPA 5120 Clinical Medicine: Dermatology (1 hour)
HPPA 5121 Clinical Medicine: Ophthalmology (0.5 hours)
HPPA 5122 Clinical Medicine: Ears, Nose, and Throat (1 hour)
HPPA 5223 Clinical Medicine: Gastroenterology/Nutrition (2.5 hours)
HPPA 5124 Clinical Medicine: Hematology/Oncology (1 hour)
HPPA 5125 Clinical Medicine: Infectious Disease (1 hour)
HPPA 5326 Clinical Medicine: Psychiatry/Behavioral Science (3 hours)
HPPA 5362 Clinical Skills II (3 hours)

Spring Semester – Year 1

HPPA 5193 Professional Development III (1 hour)
HPPA 5427 Clinical Medicine: Cardiovascular (4 hours)
HPPA 5128 Clinical Medicine: Endocrinology (1 hour)
HPPA 5329 Clinical Medicine: Musculoskeletal (3 hours)
HPPA 5130 Clinical Medicine: Neurology (1.5 hours)
HPPA 5331 Clinical Medicine: Pulmonary (3 hours)
HPPA 5132 Clinical Medicine: Renal (1.5 hours)
HPPA 5333 Clinical Medicine: Essentials of Pediatrics (3 hours)
HPPA 5363 Clinical Skills III (3 hours)

Summer Semester – Year 2

HPPA 6302 Patient-Centered Care (3 hours)
HPPA 5194 Professional Development IV (1 hour)
HPPA 5134 Clinical Medicine: Genitourinary (Male and Female) (0.5 hours)
HPPA 5235 Clinical Medicine: Reproductive (Male and Female) (2 hours)
HPPA 5136 Clinical Medicine: Essentials of Geriatrics (0.5 hour)
HPPA 5237 Clinical Medicine: Essentials of Surgery (2.5 hours)
HPPA 5238 Clinical Medicine: Essentials of Emergency Medicine (2.5 hours)
HPPA 5364 Clinical Skills IV (3 hours)

Clinical Year Clerkship Courses

HPPA 6601 Family Medicine Clerkship (6 hours)
HPPA 6602 Internal Medicine Clerkship (6 hours)
HPPA 6603 Prenatal Care and Gynecology Clerkship (6 hours)
HPPA 6604 Pediatric Clerkship (6 hours)
HPPA 6605 Emergency Medicine Clerkship (6 hours)
HPPA 6606 Selective Clerkship (6 hours)
HPPA 6607 Psychiatry Clerkship (6 hours)
HPPA 6608 Surgery Clerkship (6 hours)

Clinical Year Didactic Courses

Fall 2
HPPA 6194 Evidence-Based Medicine I (1 hour)

Spring 2
HPPA 6195 Evidence-Based Medicine II (1 hour)

Summer 3
HPPA 6196 Professional Development V (1 hour)

Total Hours

Didactic 77 hours
Clinical Rotations 48 hours
Total Program Hours 125 hours

Please refer to the detailed description of the competencies below.

Admissions

The PA program begins in late May of each year. Please visit SHP Application for deadline information. An applicant’s CASPA application must be verified and all other requirements must be received by the deadline. Priority in application review and invitation for interview will be given to those applicants who have verified CASPA, the supplemental application complete, and official GRE scores reported by August 1.  Applications after this date will be reviewed in order of receipt until all interview invitations are filled.

Due to the current IT outage, applicants for the 2024-2025 admissions cycles with verified CASPA applications by October have an extended deadline of Friday, October 25, to submit the online TTUHSC SHP Application and Application Fee.

Admissions Requirements

Online Application
Applicants for the PA program must complete both the CASPA Application and your personalized SHP supplemental application.

Step One: Start and Complete the CASPA Application.

Step Two: You will receive an email from SHP Application Systems within two business days of submitting your CASPA application, with your login information, to complete your personalized Physician Assistant SHP supplemental application. Please note that if you submit your CASPA application between April 25, 2024 – May 20, 2024, you will not receive the email link for the supplemental application until after May 20, 2024.

You must wait to receive this email before beginning your supplemental application. Do not go to the TTUHSC SHP website and attempt to access your supplemental application. The “start your application link” on the TTUHSC SHP website does not link to your personalized application.

If you did not receive your email, please check your junk email folder.

Please contact our Application Team with any questions at 806-743-3220 or shp.application@ttuhsc.edu.

Application Fee

The $75.00 application fee may be paid by credit card through the TTUHSC SHP online application. You may also pay by check or money order by selecting the “Money Order” option; mail a check or money order to the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs (3601 4th Street, MS 6294, Lubbock, TX 79430). Please make checks and money orders payable to “TTUHSC.” Your application will be considered for admission once your fee has been paid.

Official Transcripts

All official transcripts need to be submitted to CASPA. You will only need to send updated transcripts to our office. Transcripts must be in a sealed envelope from the institution and must have been printed within the last year. Please send all updated, official transcripts to the following address:

TTUHSC SHP Admissions and Student Affairs
3601 4th Street MS 6294
Lubbock, TX 79430

Official GRE Scores

Official GRE scores are required for admission. GRE Scores must be sent to CASPA, not to TTUHSC. The SHP GRE submission code is 3652. If your GRE scores are over 5 years old, they are not considered valid.

Bachelor’s Degree

A Bachelor’s Degree is required for admission in addition to the specific prerequisite courses listed in Section 7.

Minimum GPA

A minimum cumulative GPA and science GPA of 3.0 as calculated by CASPA is required; this includes all courses taken at every institution attended. Applicants who do not meet minimum GPA requirements will not be sent to the admissions committee.

Prerequisite Coursework

All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to matriculation. Applicants who have completed all or most of their prerequisite coursework at the time of application may be at an advantage during the admissions process. AP and CLEP credits will not be accepted for any science prerequisite courses. No more than 9 hours of prerequisite courses may be in progress at the time of application. Prerequisite courses must be taken at a regionally accredited US or Canadian college or university. Transfer credit from a school outside the US or Canada will not be accepted. Prerequisite courses completed within the last 7 years are preferred. Every student must successfully complete all courses in the program. No advanced placement is granted. 

• Prerequisite courses
  • Genetics (3 hours)
  • Microbiology (4 hours)
  • Anatomy and Physiology+,* (8 hours)
  • Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry (3 hours)
  • Psychology (3 hours)
  • Statistics (3 hours)

All science courses must be intended for science majors.
+ Human preferred;* see FAQs below for additional information. 

Letters of Recommendation 

Three letters of recommendation are required for an application to be complete. Letters of recommendation are submitted online through the CASPA Application.

International Applicants

All foreign coursework must be evaluated by a Foreign Credential Service. We also require TOEFL/IELTS Scores for any applicant for whom English is their second language (scores are considered on a case-by-case basis). Please refer to our International Applicants webpage for more information and TOEFL/IELTS exemptions.

Our Physician Assistant program is not approved to admit F-1 visa students at this time.

Technical Standards

A student admitted into the TTUHSC Physician Assistant Program must meet basic and essential requirements for obtaining employment and performing as a Physician Assistant. See below for an overview of those requirements.

Holistic Admissions Process

Applications are considered on a rolling basis for acceptance into the professional PA program. Individual applications are reviewed once all required materials have been received; therefore, it is in the applicant’s best interest to complete their application, including submission of required documentation, as early as possible. Fulfillment of the basic requirements does not guarantee admission. An ideal candidate has a strong work ethic and exemplifies the program mission with a commitment to academic excellence, primary care, and increasing access for diverse and underserved communities of West Texas and beyond. They will have a combination of life, work, and academic experience, demonstrating their ability to perform under the demands of a rigorous, challenging academic and professional program.

The selection process for the TTUHSC PA Program is highly competitive. Applicants must meet the minimum prerequisite requirements. Each year, a large number of completed applications are received for a limited number of class positions.

The Admissions Committee considers a broad range of factors as we select candidates who will best exemplify the mission of the PA Program, including:

• • Quality and quantity of academic preparation and evidence of strong performance; typical candidates have additional science courses beyond the minimum with strong performance (B+ average) in upper division sciences courses and GRE scores > 35th percentile.
  • Overall GPA and Science GPA
  • Promotion of activities improving the health of communities similar to those of West Texas
  • Evidence of community service, leadership
  • Other nonacademic and extracurricular activities; including awards and honors
  • Overcoming barriers to education
  • Background experiences contributing and promoting diversity in organizations and community
  • Strength of letters of recommendation
  • Strength of personal statement
  • Superior interpersonal communication skills evaluated by the application submission and required interview process.

Special consideration may be given to the following applicants: Residents from the 121 counties in the service area of TTUHSC, Veterans and Military, Residents from underserved populations, or Residents from economically or environmentally disadvantaged backgrounds.

Admission offers are effective for matriculation only in the year of the application cycle and will not be transferred to subsequent years. Re-application is required if a candidate intends to matriculate within a cycle year that differs from their application year. Deferrals to another class year are not granted except in cases of required military duty. Offers of admission are contingent on candidate’s intent to complete the program within the matriculation year continuously without planned periods of leave for any reason.

Interviews

Admission interviews are granted by the PA admissions committee by invitation only. Applicants are selected for interviews based on a holistic evaluation of their application and supporting documents. Interviews for the 2024-2025 admission cycle will be completed on Zoom. For additional information regarding the PA program, estimate of costs, and other frequently asked questions, please see the FAQs below.

Application Submission Checklist

1. 1. Online CASPA Application
   2. Online TTUHSC SHP Application
   3. Application Fee
   4. Official GRE Scores
   5. Letters of Recommendation (3 required)

Contact Information

Questions regarding the application process should be directed to the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs. Please contact our office by phone at 806-743-3220 or email at health.professions@ttuhsc.edu.

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School of Health Professions Student Handbook

Frequently Asked Questions

1. 1. Where is the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) Physician Assistant (PA) program located?
      Recognizing the need for increased access to health care in West Texas, the TTUHSC PA Program is at a dedicated facility located on the Midland College campus in Midland, Texas.
   2. Will I be able to work while attending this program?
      Due to the rigor of the curriculum, students are strongly discouraged from employment during their time in the program.
   3. What is the board pass rate for the TTUHSC PA program?
      Please see the table on this page for the five-year first-time taker summary.
   4. What is the relationship between faculty and students like?
      The faculty and instructors are very accessible and concerned with the welfare and success of each student. All students are assigned academic advisors available to meet with students upon request. With a strong focus on mental health and student wellness, we have several activities and discussions focusing on this area.
   5. How is the camaraderie between classmates?
      Every class varies. Many classes set up study groups and social functions. Our students are very active with professional service in local, regional, state, and national PA associations and community service activities throughout West Texas.
   6. What opportunities exist to serve the community and get patient care experience during the didactic year?
      All of our students complete service learning during the didactic phase of the program. We have several service learning community partners: Midland County Drug Court, Families Matter!, Barbara Culver Juvenile Detention Center, and the Field’s Edge. Our students also serve at Leslie’s Place free clinic.
   7. Where will I do my clinical rotations?
      Students are assigned to clinical regions and move to those regions for the clerkship year. Clinical sites are currently established in the Lubbock, Midland/Odessa, Amarillo, Abilene, and El Paso areas. Travel within or between regions may be required. Students also complete rural rotations, with longitudinal rotations also available as part of the program’s rural track. Students submit preferences for specific areas assigned in the spring of the didactic year. The program considers those preferences in relation to the program’s needs and clinical site availability for region assignment.
   8. May I contact a clinical site to see if they can host me for a clinical experience?
      The TTUHSC PA Program has a Clinical Team dedicated to recruiting and maintaining clinical sites for our PA students. PA students are not required, nor should they solicit clinical sites. Our clinical team is always looking to onboard new preceptors dedicated to providing clinical experiences and training to students. If a provider may be a valuable preceptor, we ask prospective students not to reach out to the site directly, but please reach out to our clinical team at Clinicalteam.PAProgram@ttuhsc.edu.
   9. What makes a successful physician assistant student candidate?
      The TTUHSC PA Program utilizes a holistic admissions process where the GPAs and GRE scores are only part of the evaluation process. Work and life experience, service, character, motivation, and knowledge of the profession are all highly valued in the process. Under the mission and goals of the PA Program, special consideration may be given to the following applicants: Residents from the 121 counties in the service area of TTUHSC, Veterans and Military, Residents from underserved populations, or Residents from economically or environmentally disadvantaged backgrounds.
   10. How does my GPA and prerequisite coursework impact the selection process?
       We will utilize the cumulative and overall science GPA calculated by CASPA to determine if you meet the minimum requirement defined on the admissions page. Therefore, your GPA used for application screening will be calculated based on the courses you completed when completing your CASPA application. Prerequisite course completion and overall GPA will be confirmed before matriculation. Applicants should realize their entire academic transcript is reviewed to evaluate overall performance and preparation, improvement over time, and rigor of studies.
   11. How much clinical experience is required?
       There are no set parameters for this. Although no clinical experience is required, it does show that you have been exposed to the medical field. The students in recent classes varied drastically. Some selected had no experience, while others had over 10 years of clinical experience.
   12. What courses may I use to fulfill the Anatomy and Physiology requirement?
       To fulfill the anatomy and physiology requirement, you may complete a full course series of Anatomy and Physiology I and II or separate Anatomy and Physiology courses, 4 hours each. These courses must cover all areas and systems of the body. Courses in human anatomy and physiology are preferred, however, comparative, animal, or vertebrate courses may also be accepted. Upper division courses are highly recommended.
   13. Are there other courses that are recommended in preparation for the PA Program Curriculum?
       There are courses not required as prerequisites that may help better prepare students to undertake the rigorous curriculum of the program. These courses include Human Development, Cellular or Molecular Biology, and Immunology. Knowledge of Medical Terminology is also beneficial.
   14. Is health care or shadowing experience required?
       No, health care or shadowing experiences are not required. These experiences do strengthen the admissions application. PA mentorship or shadowing experiences are encouraged.
   15. How many candidates will be selected for the class?
       The PA Program typically interviews approximately 220-260 applicants. Up to 72 students in May 2025 will matriculate into the class. For more information on the number of applications and other admissions outcomes, please see the Mission and Goals report on the “About the Program” page.
   16. How soon after the interviews will I be notified of my acceptance status?
       The TTUHSC PA Program offers a “rolling” interview process beginning in the fall semester. Some applicants will be notified of their acceptance within a week of their interview, and others will be notified of their acceptance or non-selection after all interviews are completed. Acceptances may occur throughout the Fall and Spring up to the date of enrollment.
   17. Is there a fee for “guaranteeing” my position in the program?
       Yes, there is a $125, non-refundable placement guarantee fee. This fee amount is subject to change.
   18. Can I complete this program part-time?
       No, due to the fixed sequence of the curriculum, all students must enroll on a full-time basis.
   19. Do I have to complete all of the courses in the program?
       Yes, every student must successfully complete all courses in the program to be eligible for graduation. No advanced placement is granted. The listing of courses is available on the “Curriculum” page on the PA Program Website. The academic performance and progression standards are located in the Student Handbook.
   20. What are the program’s tuition, fees, and estimated financial aid budget?
       TTUHSC PA Program Estimated Financial Budget 2024-2025:

PA Budget Items & Costs	Year 1 Resident 12 Months	Year 1 Non-Resident 12 Months	Year 2 Resident 12 Months	Year 2 Non-Resident 12 Months	Year 3 Resident 12 Months	Year 3 Non-Resident 12 Months
Tuition	16,073	40,263.37	14,439	36,168.79	3,542	8,871.59
Fees	6,914.54	6,914.54	5,969.98	5,969.98	1,540.58	1,540.58
Books Supplies	2,700	2,700	2,700	2,700	900	900
Total	24,992	49,772	22,603	44,863	5,710	11,170

Total tuition and fees are estimated at $48,479.10 for residents and $99,728.85 for non-residents. Other costs related to the program for all students are estimated at $6,300. For additional information on tuition and fees, contact health.professions@ttuhsc.edu or sbs@ttuhsc.edu.

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TTUHSC PA Program Mission, Vision, and Goals (March 2024)

The Vision, Mission, and Goals of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Physician Assistant Program reflect the reason for founding the program in West Texas. These are consistent with the Vision, Mission, and Goals of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and the School of Health Professions.

VISION

The vision of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Physician Assistant Program is to be regionally and nationally recognized for graduating excellent health care providers.

MISSION

The mission of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Health Professions Physician Assistant Program is to provide comprehensive medical education to physician assistant students. Through an environment of academic excellence and the promotion of life-long learning and professionalism, graduates will be prepared to practice patient-centered primary care, increasing access to health care for diverse and underserved communities of West Texas and beyond.

GOALS

1. Provide students clinical opportunities in primary care rural and Medically Underserved Areas (MUA) in West Texas
Benchmark: 100% Student Participation in a Rural or Underserved Primary Care Clinical Rotation.

Percentage of Students Placed in Rural or Underserved Clinical Rotations

	class of 2021	class of 2022	class of 2023	class of 2024
% of students placed in clinical rotation sites that were underserved only	15%	13%	15%	12%
% of students placed in clinical rotation sites that were underserved and rural	85%	87%	85%	88%
Student % Participation in a rural or underserved primary care clinical rotation	100%	100%	100%	100%

2. Admit individuals with diverse backgrounds and life experiences

Diverse applicants
Benchmark: Students disadvantaged or underrepresented in health care professions comprising >50% of the cohort.

Applicant Diversity

	cohort 2021	cohort 2022	cohort 2023	class of 2024
Underrepresented Minority in Medicine (URM)	5	4	5	3
URM Disadvantaged	19	20	18	18
Disadvantaged (other minority and white)	18	15	20	20
Total Diversity (URM and disadvantaged status)	42	39	38	41

Applicants with Diverse Life Experiences
Benchmarks

• • Direct Patient Care Hours >2,000 hours average for cohort
  • Volunteer Hours Average >300
  • Maintain diversity of persons in consideration of hometown size to represent all geographic areas.

Diversity of Life Experiences

	class of 2021	class of 2022	class of 2023	class of 2024
Direct Patient Care Hours Average	2,890	2,778	2,779	2,758
Volunteer Hours Average	362	465	464	217
Urban (>1M)	8	6	4	8
Large City (100,000-1M)	23	20	28	21
Mid-Size City (50,000-99,999)	7	2	6	10
Large Town (10,000-49,999)	10	11	6	15
Small Town (2,500-9,999)	7	11	8	7
Isolated Rural	5	7	6	17

3. Foster an attitude of compassion, stigma reduction and service for the underserved communities of West Texas.

Benchmarks: Provide educational opportunities for stigma reduction and better understanding of underserved populations so that compassion can be cultivated with 100% of students exposed to one or more stigma reduction experiences and one or more volunteer opportunities.

Number of Student Experiences by Cohort

Stigma Reduction Educational Activities

	class of 2022	class of 2023	class of 2024
Substance Use Disorder Patient Panel	57	56	63
Health care Disparities Workshop	56	55	62
Medication Assisted Treatment Waiver Training	55	55	In progress
Human Trafficking Workshop	55	55	62
Food Insecurity Workshop	56	56	64
Percentage of Students Participating	100%	100%	100%

Volunteer Opportunities

	class of 2022	class of 2023	class of 2024
Families Matter CPS Program	n/a	85	71
Culver Juvenile Detention Center	n/a	76	60
Midland County Drug Court	n/a	n/a	58
Casa de Amigos	55	55	62
Percentage of Students Participating	100%	100%	100%

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Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination

Definitions of the report headings are provided at the end of the report.
All information is current as of the date the report was generated unless otherwise specified.

Report Print Date: 3/01/2024 5:19 p.m.

Definitions of Report Headings

Class
Class nomenclature and the individuals included in each class are determined by PA programs when assigning students to a particular class.

Class Graduation Year
Graduation year for the majority of the individuals in the specific class based on the confirmed graduation date provided by the PA program.

Group
All takers include first time takers as well as those individuals in the class who repeated the exam one or more times. First time takers are those candidates who took PANCE for the first time.

Number of Candidates Who Took PANCE
Number of individuals from the class who have taken PANCE. First-time takers are included in the all-takers group.

Number of Exam Attempts
Total number of exams administered, including multiple exam attempts for an individual candidate in the all takers group. (This is a count of exams administered, not a count of individual candidates.)

Number of Exams Passed
Number of exams administered that resulted in a passing score.

Program Exam Pass Rate
Percent of exams that were passed as compared to the number of exams that were administered to the class, including multiple exams taken by individual candidates.

National Exam Pass Rate for the Class Graduation Year
Percent of exams that were passed at the national level as compared to the number of exams that were administered. The calculation is based on the total number of exams administered and passed, not the number of individual candidates. The reporting period is based on the calendar year corresponding with the class graduation year and will only be provided after the end of the current calendar year.

% of Candidates in the Class Who Ultimately Passed PANCE
Percent of candidates from the specified class that have passed PANCE as of the date the report was generated, regardless of the number of attempts or the calendar year in which PANCE was passed.

Student Attrition

To be in compliance with the 5th edition accreditation standard A3.12i, the program must complete the ARC-PA Student Attrition TEMPLATE below with its most current information. This completed table must be published and readily available to prospective students.

Standard A3.12
The program must define, publish and make readily available to enrolled and prospective students general program information to include:

In accordance with the ARC-PA instructions, the following table is provided with the most current annual student attrition information for the 3 most recent graduating classes. (As of January 1, 2023)

• • the most current annual student attrition information, on the table provided by the ARC-PA, no later than April first of each year.

	Class of 2021	Class of 2022	Class of 2023
Maximum entering class size (as approved by ARC-PA)	60	60	60
Entering class size	60	62	61
Graduates	51	55	53
* Attrition rate	15	11	13
** Graduation rate	85	89	87

Comments:

The table includes the number of newly enrolled students plus those re-entering from a different cohort. The attrition rate calculates the number of students from the entering class who did not complete the program due to dismissal plus the number of students from the entering class who left their cohort due to deceleration or personal leave of absence. The program did not admit more students than the maximum entering class size. Returning students account for the number exceeding the maximum class size. Notably, the attrition rate for the Class of 2021, 2022, and 2023, in comparison to previous years, was higher. This was primarily due to a higher rate of early personal withdrawal in these cohorts.

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TTUHSC PA Program Graduate Competencies

A. MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE: Demonstrate knowledge and application of established and evolving biomedical, clinical, epidemiological, and social-behavioral sciences.

1. 1. Apply principles of basic science to patient care.
   2. Apply epidemiological principles to aid in diagnosis and treatment.
   3. Apply principles of the clinical sciences to the differential diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
   4. Apply clinical science principles to diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making.
   5. Differentiate between acute, chronic and emergent disease states.
   6. Facilitate inclusion of evidence-based medical practice by locating, appraising, and assimilating peer-reviewed information into solutions for novel health problems and presentations.

B. CLINICAL AND TECHNICAL SKILLS: Demonstrate ability to perform the skills needed to adequately address the patient’s presenting complaints and humanistic needs.

1. 1. Compile essential and accurate information about patients using history, physical exam, laboratory data, imaging, and other diagnostic tests.
   2. Interpret laboratory data, imaging, and other tests used in primary care.
   3. Demonstrate patient care that is age-appropriate, patient-centered, safe, effective, and efficient.
   4. Perform medical and diagnostic procedures considered essential for a primary care PA.
   5. Formulate informed diagnostic and treatment decisions using the following: patient information, patient preference, up-to-date scientific evidence, and clinical judgement.
   6. Develop patient management plans, including counseling, education, appropriate referral, follow-up, and preventive surveillance.
   7. Recognize when and why to use telehealth, and effectively use it to communicate with patients and interprofessional teams to both transmit and receive information effectively in a professional and patient-centered way.

C. INTERPERSONAL & COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients, their families, and other health professionals.

1. 1. Communicate effectively with other members of the health care team to establish and
      enhance interprofessional teams.
   2. Demonstrate sensitivity, honesty, and compassion in difficult conversations.
   3. Develop patient-centered communication skills to establish therapeutic relationships
      understanding of the patient and their story such that appropriate care can be
      delivered that is conscious of the patient’s environment, finances, and culture.
   4. Maintain comprehensive, timely, and legible medical records.

D. PROFESSIONALISM: Demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities and an adherence to ethical principles.

1. 1. Demonstrate compassion, integrity, and respect for others.
   2. Demonstrates sensitivity and openness to a diverse patient population.
   3. Demonstrates both a commitment to ethical principles and knowledge of Texas laws and regulatory requirements for PAs.
   4. Develops healthy coping mechanisms to respond to stress and mitigate burnout.
      Understand the PA’s role in the reduction of stigma toward vulnerable patient populations.

E. COMMUNITY CONSCIOUSNESS AND SOCIETAL HEALTH: Demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context and system of health care, as well as the ability to call effectively on other resources in the system to provide optimal health care. Provide care that is socially conscious and understanding of the resources, needs and limitations of one’s community of practice.

1. 1. Design patient care plans with consideration of social determinants of health and community/population health.
   2. Consider the structural barriers within society that contribute to health care disparities as well as own personal biases and the PA’s duty in promoting equitable health care for all.
   3. Coordinate patient care within the health care system.
   4. Incorporate cost-awareness and risk-benefit analysis in patient care decisions
   5. Demonstrate the physician assistants’ value-add to the health care team, including the collaborative physician/PA relationship.
   6. Recognize when to refer patients to other disciplines to ensure that patients receive optimal care at the right time and appropriate level.

F. CLINICAL REASONING AND PROBLEM SOLVING: Demonstrate the ability to investigate and evaluate the care of patients, to appraise and assimilate scientific evidence, and to continuously improve patient care based on self-evaluation and lifelong learning.

1. 1. Demonstrate an investigatory and analytical approach to clinical situations.
   2. Demonstrate critical thinking in the evaluation of clinical problems.
   3. Appraise self in the clinical encounter through reflective practice in order to improve ability to treat
   4. diverse patient populations and adjust behaviors that are detrimental to patient care.
      Incorporate feedback into daily practice.

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TTUHSC PA Program Technical Standards

A student admitted into the TTUHSC Physician Assistant Program must meet basic and essential requirements that are necessary for obtaining employment and performing as a Physician Assistant. The technical standards each student must master include cognitive, physical, and behavioral characteristics that are identified in the following:

Observation: The applicant/student must possess the ability to observe required demonstrations, visual presentations in lectures and laboratories, and written and audiovisual presentations. Examples of perceptual abilities include but are not limited to gross and microscopic studies of organisms, cadaver dissections, and various diagnostic tests such as interpretation of echocardiograms, digital and wavelength readings, and graphic or radiographic images. The applicant/student must be able to observe patients accurately and completely, both at distance and closely using functional visual, hearing, and somatic sensation.

Communication: The applicant/student must possess the ability to communicate effectively with patients to elicit information, including nonverbal communications, and describe changes in mood, activity, and posture with immediate assessment of information provided. Individuals must possess the ability to communicate effectively with clinical preceptors and other members of the health care team, didactic and clinical faculty, and colleagues. The applicant/student must possess the ability to effectively and sensitively communicate in oral, written, and electronic form with patients and members of the health care team in order to provide safe and effective patient care

Motor: The applicant/student must possess sufficient gross and fine motor function, equilibrium, and sensation to elicit information from patients through customary techniques for physical assessment such as visual observation/inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation as well as carry out diagnostic maneuvers and technical procedures involved in the practice of medicine and surgery. Examples reasonably required of physician assistants include cardiopulmonary resuscitation, application of pressure to stop bleeding, venous and arterial punctures, suturing, pelvic and rectal exams, obstetrical maneuvers, and opening of obstructed airways.

Intellectual, conceptual, integrative, and quantitative abilities: The applicant/student must possess the ability to comprehend three dimensional relationships and spatial relationships of structures; and be able to collect, organize, prioritize, analyze and synthesize large amounts of detailed and complex information to apply in problem-solving and decision-making in clinical and educational settings including lectures, laboratories, small group discussions and clinical settings.

Behavioral and Social Attributes: The applicant/student must be able to tolerate physical and mental taxing workloads, function effectively under stress, adapt to changing environments, display flexibility, and function in the face of uncertainty inherent in the evaluation and treatment of patients. The applicant/student must have the emotional health to fully use his/her intellectual ability, exercise good judgment and complete all responsibilities necessary to the diagnosis and care of patients. The applicant/student must possess integrity, compassion, and effective interpersonal skills to interact with patients and members of the health care team with sensitivity to cultural differences. The applicant/student must be able to understand and apply the concepts of medical ethics and demonstrate ethical behavior.

Candidates for selection to the PA program will be required to verify that they understand and meet the essential functions or believe that, with reasonable accommodations they can meet the standards. TTUHSC OP 10.15 complies with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and state and local requirements regarding students with disabilities. Under these laws, no otherwise qualified and competitive individual with a disability shall be denied access to or participate in services, programs, and activities of TTUHSC solely on the basis of the disability.