Barry PhilipsTexas is home to a large and growing number of physician assistant programs, making it an attractive destination for students interested in pursuing a career as a physician assistant (PA). With programs located in cities such as Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Galveston, Austin, Abilene, Midland, Edinburg and other parts of the state, prospective students have several options to consider.
Most physician assistant programs require applicants to complete a bachelor’s degree, prerequisite science courses, clinical or patient-care experience, recommendation letters and a centralized application. However, requirements vary considerably from one institution to another.
As of now, Texas has 17 active ARC-PA-accredited PA programs, while four additional institutions appear on the ARC-PA applicant-program list and are still working toward accreditation. Therefore, this guide covers 21 Texas PA programs and developing programs to give prospective students a broader picture of their options.
Before applying, students should always verify the latest admission requirements, accreditation status, deadlines and prerequisite courses directly with the program.
Top 21 Physician Assistant Schools in Texas
1. Baylor College of Medicine – Houston
Baylor College of Medicine’s Physician Assistant Program is located in Houston and is one of the established PA programs in Texas. The program operates within Baylor College of Medicine’s School of Health Professions.
Applicants should expect to complete a bachelor’s degree and the program’s prerequisite coursework before matriculation. The application is submitted through CASPA.
Typical requirements include:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Required prerequisite courses
- Competitive academic record
- CASPA application
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Interview
- Ability to meet technical standards
Baylor College of Medicine currently holds continued ARC-PA accreditation.
2. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center – Midland
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center offers a Master of Physician Assistant Studies program through its School of Health Professions.
The program is particularly notable for students interested in studying within a major health sciences institution.
Applicants generally need a bachelor’s degree, prerequisite coursework, CASPA application materials, recommendation letters and other documentation required by the program.
Texas Tech’s PA program currently holds continued ARC-PA accreditation.
3. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center – Dallas
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center offers a well-established Master of Physician Assistant Studies program in Dallas.
UT Southwestern requires a bachelor’s degree from an institutionally accredited U.S. or Canadian institution and a minimum 3.0 overall and science GPA. Applicants must also complete the required prerequisites before submitting their application.
Required courses include:
- General chemistry
- Genetics
- Human anatomy
- Human physiology
- Microbiology
- Organic chemistry
- Psychology
- Statistics
Most required science courses must include laboratory components. Prerequisites must generally have been completed within the previous 10 years.
Hands-on patient-care experience is strongly recommended, although UT Southwestern does not specify a minimum number of hours.
4. University of Texas Medical Branch – Galveston
The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) offers a Master of Physician Assistant Studies program in Galveston.
Applicants need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution and at least a 3.0 overall and science GPA. The program’s prerequisites must generally be completed within 10 years of the application deadline.
Prerequisites include courses such as:
- Microbiology with laboratory
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Human anatomy with laboratory
- Human physiology with laboratory
- Organic chemistry with laboratory
- Behavioral sciences
- Statistics
- Medical terminology
UTMB also requires CASPA, recommendation letters, a supplemental application and CASPer.
5. University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth
The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth offers physician assistant education through its School of Health Professions.
Applicants should prepare for a graduate-level healthcare program requiring a strong academic foundation, prerequisite coursework, healthcare experience and a complete CASPA application.
The program currently holds continued ARC-PA accreditation.
6. University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio offers a physician assistant program through its School of Health Professions.
Applicants should expect requirements involving a bachelor’s degree, prerequisite science courses, GPA standards, application materials, recommendation letters and an interview.
The program currently holds continued ARC-PA accreditation.
7. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley – Edinburg
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offers physician assistant education through its College of Health Professions.
Students interested in this program should prepare for graduate-level healthcare education and complete the required prerequisite courses before applying.
The program uses CASPA and currently holds continued ARC-PA accreditation.
8. Hardin-Simmons University – Abilene
Hardin-Simmons University offers a physician assistant program in Abilene.
Applicants should expect to complete undergraduate prerequisite courses before entering the professional PA curriculum. Academic preparation, healthcare exposure, recommendations and a strong application are important components.
The program currently holds continued ARC-PA accreditation.
9. University of Mary Hardin-Baylor – Belton
The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor offers a physician assistant program in Belton, Texas.
Applicants generally need undergraduate preparation in the sciences, a bachelor’s degree, prerequisite courses and the required application materials.
The program currently has continued ARC-PA accreditation and accepts applications through CASPA.
10. Sam Houston State University – Conroe
Sam Houston State University offers physician assistant education in Conroe.
The program is designed for students who want to progress from undergraduate preparation into professional physician assistant training.
Applicants should expect requirements involving undergraduate education, prerequisite coursework, academic performance, CASPA materials, recommendations and an interview.
The program currently holds provisional ARC-PA accreditation.
11. Austin College – Sherman
Austin College offers a physician assistant program in Sherman, Texas.
Because it is a relatively newer program, prospective applicants should pay particular attention to its current accreditation status and admission requirements before applying.
Austin College’s PA program currently holds provisional ARC-PA accreditation and uses CASPA.
12. Baylor University – Waco
Baylor University’s physician assistant program is located in Waco and should not be confused with Baylor College of Medicine’s separate PA program in Houston.
The program requires applicants to have a qualifying bachelor’s degree and meet its prerequisite and admission requirements. Baylor University currently has provisional ARC-PA accreditation for its PA program.
Prospective students should carefully review the current prerequisite courses, application deadlines, GPA expectations and other requirements before applying.
13. South University – Austin
South University’s Austin physician assistant program provides another option for students seeking PA education in the Austin area.
Applicants should expect to complete prerequisite education, submit an application through CASPA and provide academic and professional documentation.
The Austin program currently holds provisional ARC-PA accreditation.
14. Tarleton State University – Fort Worth
Tarleton State University offers a physician assistant program in Fort Worth.
Students interested in Tarleton should prepare for graduate-level health sciences education and satisfy the program’s prerequisite and admission requirements.
The program currently holds provisional ARC-PA accreditation and uses CASPA.
15. West Coast University – Texas
West Coast University offers a physician assistant program in Texas, with its PA program located in the Dallas area.
Applicants should expect to complete a bachelor’s degree, prerequisite coursework and the required application materials.
The Texas program currently holds continued ARC-PA accreditation.
16. Franklin Pierce University Hybrid PA Program – Round Rock
Franklin Pierce University’s hybrid physician assistant program has an instructional presence in Round Rock, Texas.
The hybrid format can be of interest to students looking for a program that combines online/distance education with required in-person and clinical components.
Applicants should carefully examine the program’s current curriculum, residency requirements, clinical expectations and admission requirements.
As of September 2026, the program holds ARC-PA Accreditation-Probation status, so applicants should verify the latest accreditation information before making an application decision.
17. Army Medical Center of Excellence – Fort Sam Houston
The Army Medical Center of Excellence at Fort Sam Houston provides a physician assistant education pathway associated with military service.
This option differs substantially from traditional civilian PA programs because applicants follow a military application and eligibility process rather than the standard CASPA route.
Prospective students must therefore examine military eligibility, service obligations and program-specific requirements.
As of September 2026, the program is listed with ARC-PA Accreditation-Probation status.
18. South College – Dallas
South College’s Dallas campus appears on the ARC-PA applicant-program list.
This means the program is developing toward accreditation but does not currently hold ARC-PA accreditation. ARC-PA specifically notes that appearing on the applicant list does not guarantee that a program will eventually receive provisional accreditation.
Students considering this program should therefore verify its accreditation status before applying or enrolling.
19. Texas Christian University – Fort Worth
Texas Christian University is developing a physician assistant program in Fort Worth.
The institution currently appears on the ARC-PA applicant-program list rather than the active accredited-program list. Consequently, prospective students should not assume that the program is already accredited.
Students should monitor the program’s accreditation progress and admissions announcements before applying.
20. University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences – Dallas
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is another institution listed by ARC-PA as developing a PA program in Texas.
The Dallas program is currently listed as an applicant program and is therefore not included among Texas’s active accredited PA programs.
Applicants should confirm whether the program has subsequently received provisional accreditation before enrolling.
21. University of Texas at Tyler
The University of Texas at Tyler also appears on ARC-PA’s applicant-program list.
The institution is developing a physician assistant program, but its appearance on the applicant list does not mean the program has already achieved accreditation.
Students interested in the program should monitor its official announcements and ARC-PA status before submitting an application.
Common Prerequisite Courses for Texas PA Schools
While requirements differ, students applying to physician assistant schools in Texas will often encounter several recurring prerequisite subjects.
These may include:
- Human anatomy
- Human physiology
- Microbiology
- General chemistry
- Organic chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Statistics
- Psychology
- Medical terminology
- Biology
- Behavioral sciences
For example, UT Southwestern requires general chemistry, genetics, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, organic chemistry, psychology and statistics. UTMB requires a combination of microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, anatomy, physiology, organic chemistry, behavioral sciences, statistics and medical terminology.
Students should not assume that completing prerequisites for one Texas PA school automatically satisfies another school’s requirements.
Do Texas PA Schools Require Healthcare Experience?
Healthcare and patient-care experience can be an important part of a PA school application.
However, the number of required hours varies. Some schools establish specific minimums, while others do not require a minimum number of hours but still consider healthcare experience during holistic admissions.
UT Southwestern, for example, strongly recommends hands-on patient-care experience but does not require a minimum number of hours. Examples of potentially relevant experience include EMT, paramedic, nursing, medical assisting, CNA, emergency-room technician, phlebotomy and pharmacy technician work.
Shadowing a physician assistant can also help an applicant understand the profession, although requirements vary by program.
Do Texas PA Schools Require the GRE?
GRE requirements vary among physician assistant programs.
Some programs require the GRE, some do not, and some provide exemptions or alternative policies.
UT Southwestern requires GRE scores for most applicants but does not require the GRE from applicants who have both a U.S.-accredited bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree or higher.
Because testing policies can change, applicants should check each school’s current admissions page before registering for an examination.
Do Texas PA Schools Use CASPA?
Most civilian physician assistant programs in Texas use the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants, commonly known as CASPA.
The military Army Medical Center of Excellence program is an important exception because it follows a military application process rather than the standard CASPA process.
Applicants should therefore confirm the application method for each program before beginning their application.
Comparison Table of Physician Assistant Schools in Texas
| # | PA School/Program | Location | Current Status | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baylor College of Medicine | Houston | Continued | CASPA |
| 2 | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center | Midland/Lubbock | Continued | CASPA |
| 3 | UT Southwestern Medical Center | Dallas | Continued | CASPA |
| 4 | UT Medical Branch | Galveston | Continued | CASPA |
| 5 | UNT Health Science Center | Fort Worth | Continued | CASPA |
| 6 | UT Health San Antonio | San Antonio | Continued | CASPA |
| 7 | UT Rio Grande Valley | Edinburg | Continued | CASPA |
| 8 | Hardin-Simmons University | Abilene | Continued | CASPA |
| 9 | University of Mary Hardin-Baylor | Belton | Continued | CASPA |
| 10 | Sam Houston State University | Conroe | Provisional | CASPA |
| 11 | Austin College | Sherman | Provisional | CASPA |
| 12 | Baylor University | Waco | Provisional | CASPA |
| 13 | South University | Austin | Provisional | CASPA |
| 14 | Tarleton State University | Fort Worth | Provisional | CASPA |
| 15 | West Coast University | Dallas | Continued | CASPA |
| 16 | Franklin Pierce University | Round Rock | Probation | CASPA |
| 17 | Army Medical Center of Excellence | Fort Sam Houston | Probation | Military application |
| 18 | South College | Dallas | Applicant | Developing |
| 19 | Texas Christian University | Fort Worth | Applicant | Developing |
| 20 | University of St. Augustine | Dallas | Applicant | Developing |
| 21 | University of Texas at Tyler | Tyler | Applicant | Developing |
The accreditation classifications above reflect information available in September 2026. ARC-PA accreditation status can change, particularly for provisional, probationary and developing programs.
How to Choose a Physician Assistant School in Texas
Choosing a PA program involves more than looking at the school’s name. Prospective students should compare several factors before submitting applications.
First, check ARC-PA accreditation status. Accreditation is particularly important because PA education and entry into the profession depend on completing an appropriately accredited program.
Next, compare prerequisite courses. A student who applies to several programs should create a spreadsheet showing which prerequisites have already been completed and which remain outstanding.
Applicants should also compare GPA requirements, patient-care experience, testing requirements, tuition, program length, location and clinical rotation opportunities.
It is also important to check whether the program uses CASPA and whether additional supplemental applications are required.
Finally, students should examine the program’s mission and curriculum to determine whether its educational approach fits their career goals.
Related
Conclusion
Texas offers a wide range of physician assistant education opportunities, from established programs at major health sciences institutions to newer provisional programs and developing programs.
Among the established options are Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, UT Southwestern, UTMB, UNT Health Science Center, UT Health San Antonio, UT Rio Grande Valley, Hardin-Simmons University, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and West Coast University. Several newer programs, including Austin College, Baylor University, Sam Houston State University, South University and Tarleton State University, also provide additional opportunities.
At the same time, students should pay close attention to accreditation status. ARC-PA’s applicant-program list includes South College–Dallas, Texas Christian University, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences and the University of Texas at Tyler, but these programs should not be treated as currently accredited simply because they are pursuing accreditation.
Before applying, carefully review each school’s current GPA requirements, prerequisite courses, healthcare experience expectations, testing policies, application deadlines and accreditation status. Meeting the minimum requirements does not necessarily guarantee admission, so a strong academic record and well-prepared application can be important when applying to competitive physician assistant programs.