MSU-Meridian seats fifth Master of Physician Assistant Studies cohort in Mississippi’s only public program
MERIDIAN, Miss.—Mississippi State University-Meridian’s Master of Physician Assistant Studies program seated its fifth cohort this month with students selected from the most competitive applicant pool to date.
The 32 students join 58 contemporaries currently enrolled in Mississippi’s sole public PA program, based at the MSU-Meridian Riley Campus in downtown Meridian.
Program Director and Associate Clinical Professor Shey Washburn said the cohort—with students who hail from California to Florida—boasts an average GPA of 3.7, the highest average since the program began in 2021. Students were selected from an applicant pool of 320.
Washburn said in the selection process educators interviewed 110 applicants to ultimately fill the 32 seats. Of those, 13 were chosen from Mississippi.
Washburn said public awareness of the program has encouraged more Mississippi students to apply.
“As you would expect, the program has grown more competitive over the years, specifically the Mississippi resident applicants. I think that can be attributed to increased community awareness of the profession and the success of the program,” Washburn said.
The program has graduated 42 students since 2023, all completing 10 five-week clinical rotation blocks in hospital and clinic settings. Another 21 are expected to graduate this May.
Training prepares these students to fill critical gaps in pediatrics, internal medicine, emergency medicine, family medicine, general surgery, behavioral health and women’s health.
Associate Vice Provost of Health Sciences and Interim Head of Campus David Buys said such provider roles are vital in filling healthcare gaps in Mississippi’s rural areas. Currently 80 of the state’s 82 counties are designated as such by the Health Resources and Services Administration, the federal agency tasked with improving access to healthcare services for people who are uninsured, isolated or medically vulnerable.
“The number of state registered physician assistants has grown significantly, even in the past dozen years,” Buys said. “Twelve years ago, the state had just more than 150 physician assistant providers. Today there are more than 400, with MSU-Meridian’s highly successful program contributing significant to the yearly growth.”
The degree also drives a higher income in rural areas, Washburn said, adding that students who seek such degrees often return home to work.
“After two and a half years, our graduates are emerging with high income potential,” she said, adding that current PA graduate salaries range from $108,000 to $180,000.
For more information about the MSU-Meridian Master of Physician Assistant Program, visit www.meridian.msstate.edu/PA. Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.