Department of Physician Assistant Studies and Athletic Training
Chair: Wilma Mealer, MPAS, PA-C
Contact: 936-202-5108
Mission
The mission of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies and Athletic Training at Sam Houston State University promotes a team based student-centered curriculum that will encourage personal growth, life-long learning and community engagement, advancing future physician assistants that are capable of distinction in caring for the underserved and marginalized population of Texas and beyond.
Highlights
- Wide variety of laboratory and practical experiences including an anatomy dissection lab
- Clinical rotations at many world-renowned facilities
- Outstanding faculty and staff with extensive experience in their professional fields
- Small group, team-based learning seminar sessions
- Interprofessional activities with medical, nursing, physical therapy, dietetics, and athletic training students
- Professional development and simulation activities with high-fidelity models
- PANCE Prep software and resources
Career Opportunities
- Certified Physician Assistant (with completed MPAS degree and successful completion of certification and licensure)
- Direction patient care roles in a variety of settings from family medicine to palliative care
- Hospital based in-patient care to include hospital medicine, ICU critical care, emergency medicine, cardiology and more
- Academia/PA Education
- Research
- Clinical Operations
- Leadership
- Public Health
- Postgraduate training and certifications
SHSU Graduate School Opportunities in Related Disciplines
- Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT)
- Master of Science in Kinesiology (Sport and Human Performance)
- Master of Science in Sport Management
- Master of Public Health (MPH)
College of Osteopathic Medicine
Additional graduate program opportunities outside of Sam Houston State University may include Master's or Doctorate in Occupational Therapy, Master's in Orthotics and Prosthetics, Doctorate in Physical Therapy, Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine, Doctorate in Chiropractic Medicine, Doctorate in Pharmacy, and other allied health and exercise science-related areas at other institutions (currently not offered at SHSU).
Scholarships
The SHSU Graduate School provides an opportunity for interested students pursuing their graduate degree to receive scholarships and funding for course work.
These opportunities are listed below and can be found through the following links:
- Financial Aid for Graduate Students
- The General Graduate School Scholarship Application
- Graduate A.S.P.I.R.E. (Academic Success Program in Research Empowerment) Program
- Graduate School R.O.A.D. to PhD program
College of Health Sciences
- Cady/Huskey-Health Scholarship: $2,000
- COHS Bridge Scholarship: $2,000
- Crowley/Gilbert Family Scholarship: $1,000
- William (Al) and Elizabeth Rampmeier Endowed Scholarship: $1,000
National Physician Assistant Scholarships
- Physician Assistant Foundation Scholarship: $1,000-$2,500
- Prentiss L. Harrison Memorial/African Heritage PA Caucus Scholarship: $500-$1,500
- PAs for Latino Health Scholarship: $1,000
- LGBT PA Caucus: $1,000 Conference Attendance Grant
- AAPA Veterans Caucus Scholarship: $1,500-$6,500
- PAs in Hospice and Palliative Medicine (PAHPM) Scholarship: $1,500
- Association of Physician Assistants in Oncology Scholarship: $2,000
- California Academy of Physician Assistants
- Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants Scholarship: $2,000
- Physician Assistant Academy of Vermont Scholarship: $1,000
- Physician Assistants in Orthopaedic Surgery Scholarship: $5,000
- Society of PAs in Otorhinolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery Scholarship
- Society of Army PAs Scholarship: $1,000
- Connecticut PA Foundation Scholarship
