91ÉÙÅ®¼¯ÖÐÓª

All USM PA Program admissions policies are aligned with approved University, Graduate Admissions, and School of Health Professions admission policies. Additional policies, processes, or requirements unique to the USM PA Program have been reviewed and approved by University administrators and legal counsel.

• Non-discrimination policy:

91ÉÙÅ®¼¯ÖÐÓª does not discriminate based on age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, gender identity, genetic information, religion, race, color, national origin, veteran status, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local law, in its admission, treatment, or access to its educational programs and activities or in its employment practices. The University of Southern Mississippi prohibits sexual and gender-based harassment, including sexual assault and misconduct, and other forms of interpersonal violence.

91ÉÙÅ®¼¯ÖÐÓª complies with federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination based on the protected categories listed above, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination based on sex (including sexual misconduct) in the University's educational programs and activities. Consistent with our commitment to providing a learning, living, and working environment free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, it is the policy of the University not to tolerate unlawful discrimination or harassment in any form and to provide those who feel that they are victims of discrimination with mechanisms for seeking redress.

For more information on USM Compliance & Ethics Policies and Procedures: /compliance-ethics/policies-and-procedures.php

• Advanced Placement policy:   (Standards A3.13c, B2.01)

No advanced placement is granted for any reason in any circumstances. This includes, but is not limited to transfer credits, credits for experiential learning, PA courses completed at a different institution, and foreign medical graduates. Completion of prerequisite or other courses does not substitute for or replace any component of the PA program curriculum. 

• Admissions Committee Conflict of Interest policy:

The USM PA Program Admissions committee members are expected to use their professional integrity and excuse themselves from participating in the application scoring or interviewing process of candidates with whom they have a significant relationship outside of the PA Program. This may include but is not limited to family members, friends, family friends, acquaintances, individuals they know well, and those with whom they have established professional relationships in other settings.

• Application Code of Conduct policy:

The USM PA Program Admissions committee reserves the right to investigate the authenticity, accuracy, and authorship of any materials submitted, information provided, and any assertions made in connection with the application. Any applicant found to have forged, fabricated, plagiarized, or falsely represented any part of the applications or supporting documentation will be denied immediately and prohibited from reapplying to the USM PA program. If a violation of this policy is discovered after matriculation, this may be cause for immediate withdrawal or dismissal from the PA program and reapplication is prohibited.

• Grade point average (GPA): both required to meet minimum
  • Overall undergraduate (cumulative) GPA: 3.00 (4.00 scale)
  • Prerequisite course GPA: 3.00 (4.00 scale)
    • GPA requirements are assessed at the time of application. Any outstanding coursework that is not included in GPA upon application will be reviewed before matriculation. If the GPA falls below the minimum after application and before matriculation, a seat offer will be revoked.
• Baccalaureate (Bachelor’s) degree in any field from a US accredited Institute of Higher Learning
• Standardized testing: None required
• Healthcare experience:   (Standard A3.13b)
  • 500 minimum Direct Patient Care (DPC) hours
    • Can be paid or unpaid (volunteer) hours
  • DPC hours must be completed in the United States, US territories, or as part of US organizations such as the military, peace corps, etc. Acceptance of US organization-based DPC hours is at the discretion of the PA program Admissions committee.
  • The USM PA Admissions committee will determine which and how many hours are accepted towards the requirement. This determination considers what the applicant writes as a ‘description of duties’ on the application. If duties are unclear, the program reserves the right to determine how many hours will be accepted based on the description.
  • Applicants are not required to submit documentation of DPC hours, but the USM PA Admissions committee reserves the right to verify them.

• • Other healthcare roles or life experiences that are not counted toward DPC hours may help demonstrate an applicant’s alignment with the Program’s mission and goals or extraordinary life or healthcare experiences. Applicants are encouraged to include all other experiences on their application.
• Shadowing:
  • 16 hours total required (at least 4 hours must be with a practicing PA)
  • All hours must be completed with a ‘prescribing’ clinician (e.g. PA, MD, DO, NP)
  • Shadowing hours do not count toward DPC hours
• Outstanding Requirements:
  • No more than 2 outstanding prerequisite courses at the time of application
  • ALL DPC hours must be complete at the time of application
  • ALL shadowing hours must be completed at the time of application
  • Undergraduate degree can be pending at the time of application

ALL requirements must be completed before the anticipated matriculation date.

All applicants to the USM PA Program must meet all the following minimum requirements to be considered for admission:

• Must meet all USM (Graduate Program) application requirements
  • /graduate-admissions/graduate-program-contacts-and-application-deadlines.php 
• Must meet all required Technical Standards (Standard A3.13e)
• Prerequisite courses:   (Standard A3.13b)
  • Required courses (see table)
    • Anatomy & Physiology I & II + labs → 8 credits total
    • Biology (lab not required) → 3 credits
    • General Chemistry I & II + labs → 8 credits total
    • Organic Chemistry + lab → 4 credits
    • Microbiology (lab not required) → 3 credits
    • Statistics → 3 credits
  • Course selection, grading, and timeframe
    • All courses must be intended for ‘science majors’
    • ‘Survey’ or ‘Introduction’ courses not accepted
    • Must have a grade of ‘C’ or better in all courses
      • Grades of ‘C-‘ or below are not accepted for prerequisite courses
    • No more than 2 outstanding prerequisite courses at the time of application
    • No more than 2 prerequisite courses completed with a ‘non-grade’ (i.e. ‘Pass / Fail’ or ‘Credit/Non-credit’)
    • All courses must have been taken within the last 10 years

NOTE: No applications or application materials will be accepted prior to the anticipated date that the first PA program admissions cycle opens (January 5, 2026).

• Important deadlines and due dates:
  • Admissions cycle opens: January 5, 2026
  • Final deadline for application submission: September 1, 2026
  • Anticipated matriculation date: January 4, 2027

There is an anticipated maximum of 30 seats available in the program each year. Early application is strongly encouraged to increase a candidate’s chances of acceptance.

• Review the ‘General Admissions requirements (minimum requirements)’ section
• Complete the PA Program Supplemental Application
  • A personal statement/essay is required as part of the supplemental application for all applicants.
  • A secondary essay is required for applicants who wish to discuss details of an ‘extraordinary life or healthcare experiences’ which may qualify them for additional scoring points.
  • Save a copy of your completed application – you will need to upload this with your application to the USM Graduate School (SLATE)
• Complete the application to the USM Graduate School (SLATE) 
  • Application fee ($60) must be submitted with the (SLATE) application
• Send ALL official transcripts (from all educational institutions attended) to Graduate admissions
  • All official transcripts should be requested/ordered at the time of application. Applications are not considered complete and will not meet initial screening requirements until all official transcripts are received by Graduate Admissions. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure official transcripts are received by Graduate Admissions.
  • Graduate Admissions accepts official transcripts sent in sealed, official envelopes via postal mail and via electronic transcript services. For electronic transcript services requiring an email address, please use graduateschoolFREEMississippi, otherwise, be certain to select 91ÉÙÅ®¼¯ÖÐÓª - Graduate Admissions from any lists. Transcripts being sent via the postal mail should be addressed to:

91ÉÙÅ®¼¯ÖÐÓª Graduate School Admissions

118 College Drive #5024

Hattiesburg, MS 39406

• Submit 2 Reference Letters:   (3 maximum)
  • Include at least 1 reference from a ‘prescribing clinician’ (PA, MD, DO, NP)
  • References from family members or friends are not accepted
  • Reference letters must be submitted directly via SLATE. Letters that are emailed, scanned, delivered, or otherwise submitted by anyone other than the requested referrer will not be accepted.
• International applicants:
  • Applicants must be a US citizen, legal permanent resident (green card), or possess a current, valid education visa.
  • All prerequisite courses must have been taken at an accredited US Institution of Higher Learning.
  • Direct patient care (DPC) hours accrued outside of the US by international applicants may be accepted to meet the minimum DPC hours requirement. Acceptance of DPC hours outside of the US or as part of a US organization (such as military, peace corps, etc.) is at the discretion of the PA program Admissions committee.
  • More information for international applicants:

/graduate-admissions/international-admissions/index.php 

The PA Program Admissions review committee is primarily comprised of faculty and staff members of the USM PA Program and may also include faculty or staff from the College of Nursing and Health Professions. Once a completed application is received, the following review process is utilized:

• STEP 1 – Application prescreening / verification:   (Standard A3.14)
  • A screening checklist is used to verify each application meets all minimum requirements
• STEP 2 – Application review (pre-interview):
  • Once an application has been verified (meets all minimum requirements), it is reviewed by a member of the PA Admissions Committee to determine if and when the candidate will be invited for an interview.
    • If a reviewer encounters a conflict of interest (see policy above), the application review is reassigned, and the faculty member will generally abstain from the assignment of a status category for that applicant.
  • During this review, the committee member will determine which area(s) of the candidate’s application are competitive and if any ‘additional points’ are earned.
  • Individuals and groups given ‘additional points’ on Admissions committee review scoring: (Standard A3.13a)
    • MS residents (graduated from a MS high school and/or regionally accredited MS IHL)
    • USM students and alumni
    • Military veterans and members (active duty, guard/reserve, history of service with honorable discharge)
    • Candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds: (HRSA defined)
      • Geographically underserved / rural area or identified Healthcare Provider Shortage Area (HPSA)
      • First generation scholar
      • Economically and/or Educationally disadvantaged
  • Candidates that demonstrate a commitment to service and/or the mission and goals of the Program and/or the PA profession:
    • Community service
    • Research experience (publishing not required)
    • Leadership experience (paid or volunteer)
  • Candidates that demonstrate extraordinary life or healthcare experiences (secondary essay required for consideration)
    • For example, healthcare or other experiences, medical missions in an underserved area/population, etc.
  • Repeat applicants who demonstrate improvement in their application.
  • Certification or licensure in a healthcare field (e.g. EMT, paramedic, CNA, Athletic Trainer, Chiropractor, Podiatrist, etc.).
  • Master’s degree (completed or projected to be completed prior to matriculation)
• STEP 3 – Interviews:        
  • The USM PA program plans to use Multiple Mini-Interviews (MMI) to assess the candidate’s alignment with the Program’s mission and goals and the PA profession. MMI interviews are conducted by trained personnel and may or may not include PA Admissions committee members.
  • There may be opportunities to meet with faculty members informally on interview days.
  • All interviews are held in-person.
  • Candidates are not permitted to select their interview date.
  • USM students and alumni and military veterans and service members (active duty, guard/reserve, history of service with honorable discharge) who meet all the minimum application requirements are guaranteed an interview.
  • See FAQ page for more information about MMI
• STEP 4 – Admissions committee review (post-interview) and selection status:   (Standard A3.14)
  • After each interview cycle, all interviewed candidates’ applications are discussed at a PA Admissions committee meeting. 
    • If a committee member encounters a conflict of interest (see ‘General Admissions policies’), they will abstain from the assignment of a status category for that applicant.
  • ‘Modified rolling’ admissions – The PA Program Admissions committee reviews each application and all associated materials after each interview cycle and assigns a status as defined below:
    • Accepted – Candidate is admitted having a conferred baccalaureate (bachelor’s) degree and has completed all application prerequisites and requirements. Candidate will be allowed to matriculate pending payment of their seat deposit and completion of all ‘Post-Acceptance’ requirements.
    • Accepted (Conditional) – Candidate is admitted pending completion of any/all outstanding prerequisites (all must meet minimum requirements for admission) or other application requirements. Candidate will be allowed to matriculate pending payment of their seat deposit and completion of all ‘Conditional’ Acceptance and ‘Post-Acceptance’ requirements.
    • Accepted (Deferred) – In extenuating circumstances, if accepted or accepted conditionally, a candidate may apply for a deferral request if extenuating circumstances prevent the candidate from matriculating with the current cohort. If approved, deferred candidates will be offered matriculation in the next cohort (1 year maximum). A deferred candidate may only request deferral for 1 admissions cycle. After the deferment period, the candidate will be allowed to matriculate pending payment of their seat deposit and completion of all ‘Post-Acceptance’ requirements.
      • USM Graduate Admissions link for deferral request: /graduate-admissions/next-steps.php 
    • Alternate/Hold – Candidate is placed on an alternate/hold list for possible acceptance if a seat becomes available prior to matriculation of the cohort. Candidates on the alternate list that aren’t accepted or accepted conditionally may reapply without penalty in future admissions cycles.
    • Denied – Candidate is not selected for admission to the current cohort for the current admissions cycle. Candidates that are denied admission may reapply without penalty in future admissions cycles.

Candidates will be notified of their status following the committee review. This may or may not be before the end of the admissions cycle but will be well in advance of the matriculation date. USM Graduate Admissions will send the first notice of the applicant’s status. The PA Program Admissions committee may also call accepted or accepted (conditional) candidates after notification by USM Graduate Admissions.

 

If accredited, the USM PA program will publish a summary of Admissions statistics and class profile information following matriculation of the first cohort of students in 2027.