The Top Physician Assistant Programs In Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville, known affectionately as "Music City," has rapidly established itself as a hub for healthcare and medical education over the past two decades. The Nashville area is now home to over 500 healthcare companies and organizations, including hospital systems, insurers, health IT developers, and pharmaceutical research firms.

With this expanding healthcare industry comes a growing need for skilled medical providers, especially physician assistants (PAs). The PA profession has exploded in popularity nationwide due to the high availability of jobs, competitive salaries, and manageable educational requirements. In fact, the number of practicing PAs is projected to increase 37% over the next decade.

Nashville offers aspiring PAs diverse options when it comes to PA education. Ranging from small private institutions to large university medical centers, PA programs in Nashville combine strong academics with ample hands-on clinical experience. Most also focus on addressing healthcare disparities and meeting the needs of underserved populations.

This guide provides an in-depth overview of the top physician assistant graduate programs available in Nashville and the surrounding area. It profiles each school‘s history, academic curriculum, specialized tracks, admission requirements, and more. Read on to learn why Music City is such an exceptional location for launching a career as a PA.

1. Lipscomb University Physician Assistant Program

Founded in 1891, Lipscomb University is a private Christian institution with a main campus situated just miles from downtown Nashville. The Lipscomb University Physician Assistant (PA) Program welcomed its first cohort in January 2021 at a satellite campus in Franklin, Tennessee.

This three-year graduate program awards a Master of Science degree upon completion. Courses follow a sequential curriculum that integrates classroom instruction with hands-on labs and clinical experiences. Students also complete surgery-focused rotations in orthopedics, cardiothoracics, neurosurgery, and more.

Some key benefits of the Lipscomb PA program include:

• Small class size of 30 students
• Interprofessional training alongside other healthcare students
• State-of-the-art facilities and simulation technology
• Rotations at premier clinical sites like Vanderbilt Medical Center
• Optional global health and pediatric care tracks

The full-time Lipscomb faculty have extensive medical knowledge and years of practice under their belts as PAs, physicians, pharmacists, and nurses. They provide individualized mentorship focused on clinical skills and professional development.

To apply, prospective students must hold a bachelor‘s degree with prerequisite courses in anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, psychology, and statistics. An overall GPA of 3.2 and GRE scores are recommended. The program does not require healthcare experience.

Over 90% of the inaugural class achieved first-time pass rates on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). Program graduates have a 100% job placement rate so far, demonstrating the strong demand for PAs in Middle Tennessee.

2. Trevecca Nazarene University Physician Assistant Program

Trevecca Nazarene University (TNU), founded in 1901, emphasizes faith, service, and community in its educational mission. TNU offers a broad range of degree programs on its campus off Murfreesboro Pike near Nashville International Airport.

The Master of Science in Medicine Physician Assistant program launched in 2014 as part of the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies. It stands out as one of the only faith-based PA programs in Tennessee.

Hallmarks of the Trevecca program include:

• Christian foundation woven throughout curriculum
• Close-knit cohort of 24 students per class
• Specialty rotations available in medical missions and wilderness medicine
• Strong focus on primary care in medically underserved areas
• Optional tuition discounts through work-study programs

Students gain real-world experience during clinical rotations occurring in the Nashville area and surrounding towns. These supervised rotations cover all major medical and surgical disciplines in clinics, hospitals, and private practices.

Applicants to the PA program must hold a bachelor‘s degree with specific science prerequisites. An overall and science GPA of 3.0 is recommended along with patient care experience and three letters of reference. The program does not require GRE scores.

PA students at Trevecca can pursue unique elective courses in topics like medical Spanish, ultrasonography, nutrition, health psychology and interprofessional collaboration. They also have access to global health experiences in Nicaragua, Swaziland, and beyond.

3. Meharry Medical College Physician Assistant Program

Meharry Medical College has an important place in history as one of the nation‘s first and largest historically black medical institutions. Founded in 1876, the school holds a strong mission to serve disadvantaged populations while diversifying the healthcare workforce.

The Master of Health Science (MHS) program prepares PAs to deliver high-quality, culturally competent care in clinics, hospitals, private practices and beyond. All students complete core clinical rotations in emergency medicine, family medicine, general surgical care, pediatrics and more.

Distinctive elements of Meharry‘s PA program include:

• Curriculum focused on healthcare equity and cultural sensitivity
• Clinical experience within Nashville‘s diverse communities
• Collaborative, small-group learning environment
• Option to extend program for combined PA/MPH degree
• State-of-the-art simulation center for honing clinical skills

Over 2,500 hours of supervised clinical training equip students to succeed on board exams and meet the needs of today‘s multicultural patient populations. Specialty rotations cover demanding areas like trauma surgery, cardiology, OB-GYN, hematology-oncology and orthopedics.

While Meharry prefers applicants with healthcare or clinical research experience, it considers those from disadvantaged backgrounds who demonstrate the ability to thrive in a rigorous medical curriculum.

The 41 students admitted per cohort gain not only extraordinary medical training, but membership in the Meharry family – a tight-knit community that supports its members throughout their education and careers.

4. Vanderbilt University Medical Center Physician Assistant Program

As part of a world-class academic medical center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) provides unmatched opportunities for clinical training and hands-on learning. VUMC serves as the teaching hospital affiliate of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

The Vanderbilt PA program curriculum provides a solid foundation for delivering compassionate, evidence-based care. Students develop clinical reasoning skills through real patient encounters, simulation scenarios and the study of actual case histories.

Key features of Vanderbilt‘s PA program include:

• Rotations across 10+ VUMC departments and clinics
• Interprofessional education emphasizing coordinated care
• Cutting-edge simulation training using robotic mannequins
• Opportunities to join clinical research projects
• Option to extend program for combined PA/MPH degree

Students gain extensive exposure to advanced surgical techniques by rotating on VUMC‘s highly specialized services in otolaryngology, urology, vascular surgery and other complex areas.

Vanderbilt demands academic excellence, accepting only 12% of PA applicants per cohort. Admitted students hold prior patient care experience and stellar academic credentials, including a 3.5 minimum GPA.

Graduation from such an esteemed program gives Vandy PAs an advantage in the job market. The most recent graduating class achieved a 100% PANCE first-time pass rate and 100% job placement prior to graduation.

5. Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia PA Program

The Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia (MTSA) offers a distinctive PA program catering to those interested in anesthesia and advanced airway management. Founded in 1950, MTSA has decades of experience educating top-tier nurse anesthetists and anesthesiologist assistants (AAs).

The Master of Health Science PA program allows students to delve into the fast-paced specialty of anesthesia while also gaining broad medical knowledge. Students rotate through MTSA‘s state-of-the-art simulation lab and work alongside CRNA and AA students.

Other highlights include:

• One of few anesthesiology PA programs nationally
• Advanced airway instruction using high-fidelity mannequins
• Flexible distance learning options combined with on-site labs
• Exceptional first-time PANCE pass rate of 97%
• Popular site for elective rotations for students from PA programs nationwide

Applicants must demonstrate aptitude for fast-paced, complex medical environments through prior work or shadowing exposure. MTSA offers rolling admissions, allowing qualified candidates to join the program year-round based on availability.

In addition to mastering routine anesthesia skills like intubation, ventilator management, invasive line placement, and advanced pharmacology, students also complete traditional primary care rotations. This allows them to acquire well-rounded clinical competency.

Making the Decision

All of the PA programs profiled here provide top-notch medical training rooted in Nashville‘s advanced healthcare ecosystem. While some programs last 26-27 months, others extend to 36 months for combined master‘s degrees.

Some students desire a faith-based education or curriculum addressing care for marginalized groups. Others may wish to pursue a specialty like anesthesia or global health. Review all prerequisites, admissions factors and areas of focus to discern the best fit.

The table below compares key aspects of the major Nashville-area programs:

Program	Length	Class Size	GPA/GRE Requirements	Tuition
Lipscomb	36 months	30 students	3.2 GPA	$115,000
Trevecca	27 months	24 students	3.0 GPA	$79,000
Meharry	26 months	41 students	No minimum	$62,000*
Vanderbilt	27 months	24 students	3.5 GPA/GRE	$91,000
MTSA	26 months	varies	No minimum	$88,500

*Significantly lower for disadvantaged students

With Nashville being a bonafide healthcare hub, graduates find abundant job opportunities in diverse specialties ranging from surgery, emergency medicine, cardiology, dermatology and beyond. Vanderbilt and Meharry alumni often gain preference in hiring for jobs and postgraduate residencies at their renowned affiliated medical centers.

No matter which program you choose, Music City offers an unparalleled launchpad for starting your career as physician assistant. Let your passions guide you to the ideal Nashville PA program for your needs and interests!