Department of Physician Assistant Studies and Athletic Training

Chair:  Wilma Mealer, MPAS, PA-C

Contact:  936-202-5108

Website:  Department of Physician Assistant Studies and Athletic Training

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.

Academic Programs

Please visit the current graduate catalog for more details. 

Undergraduate Pathways to Graduate Programs in Physician Assistant Studies and Athletic Training

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

Scholarships

The SHSU Graduate School provides opportunities for interested students pursuing their graduate degree to receive scholarships and funding for course work.

These opportunities are listed below:

  • 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
  • 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

Athletic Training (ATTR)

ATTR 2300. Introduction to Athletic Training. 3 Hours.

Students are introducted to the profession of Athletic Training. Topics may include methods of care, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. Laboratory experiences are provided to allow students the opportunity to practice skills and procedures. Fifty clinical observation hours under the supervision of a licensed and certified athletic trainer are included in this course. This course is offered in the Fall only.
Prerequisite: Department Approval.

ATTR 3370. Prevention & Care of Injuries. 3 Hours.

This course includes instruction and laboratory work in the care and prevention of injuries. It is designed to meet the needs of the athletic coach and physical education teacher. Course Equivalents: KINE 3370
Prerequisite: BIOL 2401 or BIOL 2403 or KINE 3321, and 45 Credit Hours or Department Approval.

ATTR 4369. Therapeutic Exercise Interventions. 3 Hours.

Students focus on therapeutic exercise for a variety of injuries and conditions common in sport and exercise settings. Emphasis may be placed on timing and healing phases as indicators of appropriate interventions. Indications, contraindications, and precautions of various interventions will be included. This course is recommended for those students pursuing the health care professions fields (e.g. physical and occupational therapy, athletic training, chiropractic, etc...)
Prerequisite: ATTR 3370 and BIOL 2403 or BIOL 2401.

Director/Chair: Wilma Jane Mealer

Christopher D Greenleaf, PHD, Clinical Assistant Professor of Kinesiology, Department of PA Studies & Athletic Training, PHD, Rocky Mountain Univ Health Pro; MS, Middle Tennessee State Univ; BS, Charleston Southern University

Mayrena Isamar Hernandez, PHD, Assistant Professor of Kinesiology, Department of PA Studies & Athletic Training, PHD, Univ of Wisconsin-Madison; MPH, Kansas State University; BS, Univ of Texas-Arlington

Wilma Jane Mealer, MPAS, Clinical Professor, Founding Director, and Chair of Physician Assistant Studies and Athletic Training, Department of PA Studies & Athletic Training, MPAS, Univ of Texas-Rio Grande Valley; BPAS, Univ of Texas-Rio Grande Valley; BIS, Univ of Texas-Rio Grande Valley

Jinae Elise Spear, DMS, Clinical Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies, Department of PA Studies & Athletic Training, DMS, University of Lynchburg; MMS, Methodist University; BS, Univ of S Carolina-Columbia

Tiffany Renee Webb, MPAS, Clinical Assistant Professor of the proposed Physician Assistant Studies Program, Department of PA Studies & Athletic Training, MPAS, Univ of Texas SW Medical Cente; BS, Baylor University; BS, Baylor University

Mary Lola Williams, EDD, Associate Professor of Kinesiology and Assistant Dean of Health Sciences, Department of PA Studies & Athletic Training, EDD, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi; MA, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi; BA, Coe College; BA, Coe College; BA, Coe College

Connor L. Woods, BS, Clinical Assistant Professor for the proposed Physician Assistant Studies Prog, Department of PA Studies & Athletic Training, BS, Sam Houston State University; CERT, Seton Hall University