Why the Physician Assistant Program is a Top Choice for Future Healthcare Providers
Milligan’s Physician Assistant program offers a distinctive blend of academic excellence and a Christ-centered foundation, preparing students for the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE) and entry into primary care practice. Students benefit from small class sizes and personalized mentorship from dedicated faculty who are committed to their growth. The program’s didactic phase training and healthcare partnerships provide students with practical experience, preparing them for success in both further education and direct patient care roles. The program continues to begin a new class of students in January of each year.
SCHOOL OF SCIENCES & ALLIED HEALTH
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES (MSPAS)
Application Process
The Milligan PA program utilizes a rolling admission process, meaning we review applications as they are completed and make decisions throughout the admissions cycle until the class is filled. Applicants should apply as early as possible and check the CASPA site frequently until all requirements including references have been submitted and the application is complete.
Selected candidates will be considered for a face-to-face on-site interview. Each cohort/class will have a maximum of 26 students. No advanced placement status will be given to students in the program.
All applicants who are offered a seat of admission will be required to pay a $1000 non-refundable deposit which will be applied to your account upon matriculation.
Admission Requirements
The minimum requirements to be considered for admission to the Physician Assistant program are as follows:
- A baccalaureate degree with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
- A minimum 3.0 GPA for prerequisite science courses
- Health care experience with a minimum of 300 documented hours of direct patient care or observation experience. Click here for more info.
- Strong verbal and quantitative reasoning skills as reported on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). A minimum composite score of 289 will be accepted, and the exam must have been taken within the past five years. GRE scores are to be submitted directly through Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA), and the Milligan University PA GRE code is 7342. Applicant FAQ for GRE Scores
- Three completed reference forms through CASPA from persons who have adequate knowledge of the applicant’s Christian commitment, character, and professional qualities of potential for success as a graduate student. At least one reference must be from someone with/for whom the applicant has worked/volunteered in a health care setting.
- Meet technical standards
- Clear level one background check if offered and accept a seat of admission
- Obtain BLS certification through the American Heart Association prior to starting the program
- A completed baccalaureate degree that includes the following prerequisite courses:
- Math and Science
- General Biology – 4 semester hours*
- Anatomy & Physiology – 8 semester hours*
- Microbiology – 4 semester hours*
- General Chemistry – 8 semester hours*
- Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry – minimum 3 semester hours, lab not required
- Statistics – 3 semester hours
*Courses must include live hands-on lab; courses with online laboratory will not be accepted. More competitive applications will show successful completion of science courses that are above the introductory or “essentials” level.
- Social Science
- Intro to Psychology, Intro to Sociology, OR Intro to Anthropology – 3 semester hours
- Developmental Psychology OR Lifespan Psychology – 3 semester hours
- Communication
- Writing/English Composition – 6 semester hours
- Public Speaking – 3 semester hours
- Medical Terminology – 1 semester hour
- Math and Science
- International students whose native language is not English or do not hold a bachelor’s degree completed in residency in the U.S. must also provide proof of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of at least 79 or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of at least 6.5. Click here for information on the immigration/visa process
DISCOUNTED PRE-REQ COURSES: You might be able to take some prerequisite courses at Milligan at a reduced rate. For more information, please contact your admissions recruiter.
Substitution or waiver of a requirement for any of the above prerequisite courses may be granted by the Physician Assistant program admissions committee on an individual basis.
Academic Profile
For reference, the academic profile of all students who have matriculated into the Physician Assistant program is as follows:
| Average Cumulative Undergrad GPA | Average Prerequisite Science GPA | Average GRE Score |
| 3.68 | 3.69 | 303 |
Interview
Prospective students meeting the minimum admission criteria will be considered for a face-to-face on-site interview. However, meeting the minimum requirements guarantees neither an invitation for a face-to-face on-site interview nor admission to the program as most if not all successful applicants will generally exceed these minimum requirements. Selection for the Physician Assistant program is very competitive, and all parts of each application are reviewed including undergraduate cumulative and pre-requisite course GPAs, health care experience, letters of reference, personal statement, and GRE scores. Personal interviews with the principal physician assistant faculty will be required for final admission and will be offered only to the most qualified individuals. Interviews will occur during and after the admissions cycle. Final selection of students will be made by the admissions committee of the Physician Assistant program.
International Students
International students whose native language is not English, or who do not hold a bachelor’s degree completed in residency in the United States, must provide proof of English proficiency. Acceptable scores include a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT score of at least 4.5 for exams taken on or after January 21, 2026, or a minimum score of 79 for exams taken before January 21, 2026; an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of at least 6.5; ELS Master’s Level Proficiency (successful completion of ELS Level 112); or a Duolingo English Test score of at least 110.
After a student is admitted, there is required documentation to submit BEFORE form I-20 can be issued. Students may begin gathering and submitting this information even prior to admission, but no I-20 will be issued until a prospect has been fully admitted AND has submitted the required documentation. Click here for information on the immigration/visa process.
Military Affiliation
The Milligan PA program welcomes and encourages applicants with military affiliation—active duty, reservists, veterans, and family. We’ll walk you through and assist you with enrollment, financial aid, and achieving your personal and academic goals.
Two of our PA faculty members have served in the military, one of our PA faculty members is married to a veteran, and several of our university staff have military affiliation. The following individuals—and many more—are ready to welcome you and your family to Milligan and Northeast Tennessee.
- Shane Smith, PA-C, is a veteran of the U.S. Army. Prior to becoming a PA, he worked as a pharmacy tech, medic, and flight medic in the United States Army, and he has served in multiple roles in several different deployed theaters around the world.
- Dr. Ron Blackmore completed his medical residency at Eglin Air Force Base Family Medicine and spent his first year in practice in Turkey while in the Air Force.
- Whitney Hanor, PA-C, is married to veteran, Sergeant Christopher Hanor, who served in the United States Marine Corps from 2006-2014 as an Ammunition & Explosive ordinance technician, serving abroad in Iraq and locally in the Gray, TN Marine Corps reserve unit.
We understand what it’s like to transition from the military into a civilian world. And we honor and appreciate your service to our nation.
Veteran-friendly
The university allows for payment deferments while awaiting properly applied-for educational benefits. Milligan also provides individual counseling during the application and admission process.
Milligan is located in a veteran rich area with almost 10% of the region’s population military veterans. A highly-rated VA hospital and health care system are 10 minutes from campus. There is a vibrant support system in the Tri-Cities Military Affairs Council. And it’s a beautiful location with an attractive cost-of-living and many regional amenities.
VA Educational Benefits
We are honored to assist students who have served in the United States Armed Forces and now desire to use their Montgomery GI Bill®, Post 9/11 GI Bill®, or VA Vocational Rehabilitation educational benefits. We look forward to assisting you to reach your education goals as well as those of dependents and or spouses of deceased soldiers through Dependents Educational Assistance.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
CONTACT: Becky Robertson, Associate Registrar
Yellow Ribbon Scholarship
Milligan University has been approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs to participate in the Post 9/11 GI Bill ® Education Enhancement Program, also known as the Yellow Ribbon Program. Milligan has agreed to provide scholarship contributions for up to 10 graduate students. These scholarships are on a first-come-first-serve basis. Learn more
Admissions Assistance
Give Stacy Shankle in our Office of Graduate Studies a call at 423.461.8424, and we’ll be glad to help you with questions and help make your educational goals a reality!
Click here for more benefit information and resources.
Tuition & Fees
The Milligan PA program is priced competitively, and we will work with you every step of the way to help investigate all the options available for financing your education.
The tuition rate for 2027 is $900 per credit hour, for a total approximate tuition cost (108 credit hours) of $97,200 plus applicable fees.
| Tuition (per credit hour) | $900 x 108 credit hours = $97,200 |
| Technology Access Fee | $475/semester x 4 semesters = $1,900 total |
| Graduate Activity Fee (Wellness Center, Health Services, etc.) | $100/semester x 4 semesters = $400 total |
| Life-time academic records fee | $100 one time fee |
| Additional course fees | $7,575 (click here for details) |
| Criminal Background Screening | $145 one time fee (additional fees may apply) |
| Repeat Criminal Background Screening for Clinical Year | $115 |
| Professional Instruments | $1,000 (approximate) |
| Textbooks | $1,440 (approximate) |
| Laptop Computer | $1,500 (approximate) |
| ESTIMATED TUITION AND FEES FOR PROGRAM | $111,375 |
The estimated cost of living per year in this region is $29,600. Based on that number, the total estimate for living expenses for Milligan’s entire 28-month program is $69,067. This means that the total cost for tuition, fees, and estimated living expenses is $180,442. For more details, click the link below and scroll down to MSPAS.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Financial aid is available for graduate students. Learn more about cost & aid
VETERANS SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
If you qualify for VA Chapter 33 Yellow Ribbon benefits, you may also be eligible for a Yellow Ribbon scholarship from Milligan. There are a limited number of scholarships available each year so apply now! For more information about VA Educational Benefits at Milligan, click here.
Preceptor Interest Form
To learn more about becoming a preceptor for the Milligan University PA Program and complete the form, click here.
Career Paths for Physician Assistant Students
Milligan’s Physician Assistant program prepares highly trained healthcare professionals with a foundation in primary care to work with physicians and other members of the healthcare team in a variety of medical specialties.
Equipped to work in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings, they are ready to meet the demands of today’s healthcare system and make a significant impact. Milligan’s PA program prepares its students to enter into primary care practice, and some specialties are highlighted below.
Potential Careers
Primary Care PA
Internal Medicine PA
Emergency Medicine PA
Pediatric PA
Women's Health PA
Surgical PA
Questions about upcoming federal loan changes for graduate students? Please contact our financial aid office. Several federal loan changes go into effect July 1, 2026, but students already enrolled may not be immediately impacted. Either way, our financial aid counselors will be able to provide guidance and solutions specific to your program and timeline. A historical listing of private lenders that Milligan University students have utilized over the last 3 years is listed here.
Curriculum
The 108-credit-hour curriculum unfolds in two phases over 28 months. Graduation takes place in May of each year, marking the culmination of their journey in the physician assistant education.
- Didactic Phase consists of 72 credit hours of coursework delivered in face-to-face instruction over the course of 15 months.
- Clinical Phase consists of 36 credit hours of clinical rotations. Each student completes a series of eight six-week clinical placements over the course of 13 months. Students may suggest a clinical rotation site and/or clinical preceptor at least three months prior to the start of a rotation. However, students will NOT be required to provide or solicit clinical rotation sites or preceptors, simplifying their school application process. Approval of a student requested rotation site and/or preceptor lies with the clinical coordinator and other PA faculty.
Facilities
A financial investment from Ballad Health established the Ballad Health Physician Assistant Center, housed in Milligan’s B.D. Phillips Building. This area has three private exam rooms equipped with appropriate medical equipment and a larger space with an open floor plan with 13 patient exam tables. Eight of these exam tables are equipped with medical equipment, including ophthalmoscopes, otoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, thermometers, wall desks, and privacy curtains that separate each area. The Center is used to train students in a wide array of clinical competencies, including communication, history taking, physical examination, counseling, and patient safety. Clinical skills training, such as practice with urinary catheter trainers, IV injection manikin arms, casting, and suturing, also take place in the Ballad Health PA Center.
The anatomy lab in Milligan’s Science Building allows PA students to study and dissect human anatomical gift donors. The program’s close proximity to other healthcare programs, which allow for numerous interprofessional education opportunities, and Johnson City Medical Center, a reputable tertiary teaching hospital, are other advantages that set Milligan’s PA program apart from many other programs.
Mission & Goals
Mission: To prepare physician assistants as servant leaders who provide clinical expertise while positively contributing to the profession, the communities they practice in, and society as a whole.
Goals: The Milligan University Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program goals are designed to educate physician assistants who:
- provide competent and compassionate health care to diverse individuals and populations across the lifespan
- effectively interact and communicate with all health professionals, patients, and patients’ families
- engage in life-long learning to maintain professional quality
- demonstrate competence in social, legal, and ethical issues related to healthcare practice
- apply evidence-based medicine to all areas of practice
- demonstrate the ability to integrate practice with a Christian worldview
Student Success
PANCE FIRST-TIME PASS RATE
The class of 2026 had a first-time test-taker pass rate of 100% on the PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certification Exam), and Milligan’s program has a 95% overall PANCE first-time test-taker pass rate since the program’s inception. The national average for first-time test-takers over the past five years is 92%.
STUDENT GRADUATION RATE
Milligan’s attrition rate for the class of 2026 was 3.8%. The graduation rate was 96.2%.
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PROGRAM COMPETENCIES
The Milligan University PA Program competencies are defined using the “Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession,” which can be viewed here.
Professional Licensure
ARC-PA accredited Physician Assistant programs satisfy the states’ educational requirements in all states, allowing students to become a physician assistant. Students graduating from an ARC-PA accredited program can take the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE) and apply for licensure in any state. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, please refer to the AAPA Initial Licensure Requirements.
Faculty
Milligan’s Physician Assistant Program faculty are committed to preparing PAs as servant-leaders with clinical expertise. Combined, our faculty have over 70 years of clinical experience in different specialties and many years of teaching experience. Five faculty members are certified physician assistants who practice clinically, while two other faculty members hold a Ph.D. Our faculty members value Milligan’s longstanding tradition of forming great mentoring relationships with students, and they are dedicated to ensuring that students are successful both during the program and as practicing PAs.
Adjunct Faculty
Ryan Bader, PA-C, Family Medicine Physician Assistant, Blue Ridge Family Medicine
Randy Belt, DO, Emergency Medicine Physician, Greenville Community Hospital East
Katie Boslooper, PA-C, Inpatient Hospitalist Physician Assistant, Greenville Community Hospital East
David Cluck, PharmD, BCPS, AAHIVP, Associate Professor, East Tennessee State University Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy
Will Dodd, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, East Tennessee State University
Emily Flores, PharmD, BCPS, Associate Professor, East Tennessee State University Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy
Bailey Jessee, PA-C, Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant, Greenville Community Hospital East
John Kitsteiner, MD, Emergency Medicine Physician, Greenville Community Hospital East
Deronna Moore, PA-C, Family Medicine Physician Assistant, Ballad Health Urgent Care
Jim Thigpen, PharmD, BCPS, Associate Professor, East Tennessee State University Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy
Robert Wood, PharmD, BCPS, VHA-CM, Inpatient Medicine Pharmacy Specialist, Mountain Home VA Healthcare System
Accreditation
Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards required by the Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be June 2032, ensuring it continues to meet the standards for accredited PA programs. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website.
Milligan’s MSPAS program has received the status of Accreditation-Continued from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) and began its first class in January 2018.
MSPAS Faculty & Staff
Ron Blackmore
Medical Director of Physician Assistant Studies
Andy Hull
Area Chair of Physician Assistant Studies; Director of Physician Assistant Studies; Associate Professor of Physician Assistant Studies
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Physician Assistant program at Milligan University?
What makes Milligan's Physician Assistant program unique?
What kind of clinical experience will I gain?
What are the prerequisites for applying to the Physician Assistant program?
What career opportunities are available after graduation?
Graduates of Milligan’s Physician Assistant program are well-prepared for various roles in healthcare. Career paths include positions as Primary Care PAs, Emergency Medicine PAs, Surgical PAs, Pediatric PAs, and more. This program is an excellent foundation for those preparing to pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) and enter into primary care practice.
With the training and mentorship provided at Milligan, students are equipped to excel in diverse medical specialties and positively impact the lives of their patients.