Our student learning outcomes are considered entry-level competencies and were adapted from the Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession document (Adopted 2005; revised 2012 and 2020). The purpose of the document is to communicate to the PA profession and the public, a set of competencies that all PAs, regardless of specialty or setting, are expected to acquire and maintain throughout their careers. The competencies provide a road map for the individual PA, the physician-PA team, and the PA-related professional organizations. These competencies are in similar alignment with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) competencies for the medical resident.  

Graduate physician assistant students will demonstrate  

Medical knowledge (MK)  

1. Discern among acute, chronic, and emergent disease states.  

1. Utilize current medical information to make informed decisions about 
   patient care.  

1. Demonstrate knowledge about established and evolving biomedical and clinical 
   sciences and the application of this knowledge to patient care.  

Clinical and technical skills (CTS)  

1. Conduct effective, patient-centered history-taking and physical examination for 
   comprehensive and problem-focused patient visits.  

1. Perform procedural and clinical skills considered essential for entry into the PA Profession.  

Interpersonal skills (IS)  

1. Communicate effectively to elicit and provide information.  

1. Counsel, educate, and empower patients and their families to participate in their 
   care and enable shared decision-making.  

1. Demonstrate the ability to engage with a variety of other healthcare professionals 
   in a manner that optimizes safe, effective, patient-and population-centered care.  

Clinical reasoning and problem-solving (CRPS)  

1. Formulate a most likely diagnosis based on an appropriate history, physical exam, 
   and diagnostic workup for a variety of settings for patients across a lifespan.  

1. Provide evidence-based health care, that supports patient safety, and 
   advances health equity.  

1. Collect, order, and interpret laboratory and diagnostic studies.  

Professional Behaviors (PB)  

1. Demonstrate a commitment to practicing medicine in ethically and legally 
   appropriate ways.  

1. Recognize when to refer patients to other disciplines to ensure that patients 
   receive optimal care at the right time and appropriate level.  

1. Exercise good judgment and fiscal responsibility when utilizing resources.  

Semester 1 — Spring  

Semester 2 — Summer  

Semester 3 — Fall  

Semester 4 — Spring  

The Meharry Medical College Physician Assistant Sciences Program does not grant Advanced Placement. All courses are required, no transfer credit is accepted, and no credit is granted for past experiential learning.  

Course Descriptions

Course descriptions are available to download.

Read Didactic Course Descriptions

Semesters 5—7  

The clinical year will require travel across the United States. Living/travel expenses, including but not limited to rent, gas, food, and parking, for the clinical phase of the program depend on arrangements made by the students. The program advises students to set aside a minimum of $4,000 for living/travel expenses for clinical rotations.  

The program does not currently offer any international SCPEs.   

Tuition and Scholarships

VIEW CLASS OF 2027 TUITION AND FEES

The clinical year will require travel across the United States. Living/travel expenses, to include but not limited to, rent, gas, food, and parking, for the clinical phase of the program depend on arrangements made by the students. The program advises students to set aside a minimum of $4,000 for living/travel expenses for clinical rotations.  

Cost of Living is budgeted for each student by the Financial Aid Department. Cost of living includes: housing, food, utilities, transportation and personal costs.

Visit the Office of Financial to learn about financial aid opportunities and Cost of Attendance

Student tuition and fees described above are good faith projections for the Physician Assistant Program. They are, however, subject to amendment at any time at the discretion of the Program and the School of Graduate Studies and Research to meet its financial commitments and to fulfill its role and mission. Every effort will be made to provide advance notice of such changes.  

Refund Policy

Accreditation standards require PA Programs to notify prospective applicants of the program’s refund policy. If a student leaves the PA Program for any reason-dismissal, withdrawal, drop period, transfer- tuition is refundable according to the Meharry Medical College Student Refund Policy.  

Scholarship Information

NHSC Scholarship Program 
PA Foundation 
Joyce Nichols Memorial Scholarship 
Prentiss L. Harrison Memorial/African Heritage PA Caucus Scholarship 
PAs For Latino Health 
Indian Health Service Scholarship Program  

Please direct all admissions related questions PA-Admissions@mmc.edu.