STEM PA Scholar Pathway

As Tennessee’s flagship university for PA education since 1976, Trevecca understands the importance of strong undergraduate preparation for a career in medicine.

Undergraduate students majoring in any STEM program who take all their college courses at Trevecca can qualify for the STEM PA Scholar Pathway. Upon completing an undergraduate STEM degree and meeting all required criteria, qualifying candidates in the pathway can receive either a guaranteed interview for Trevecca’s graduate PA program or early assurance of a guaranteed seat in the PA program.

Students utilizing the pathway receive tailored course selections to build a competitive application to physician assistant school, maximizing their chances for admittance and success in Trevecca’s esteemed Master of Science in medicine (PA) program. The pathway combines the courses required for a student’s chosen STEM degree with select additional upper-level courses to build a strong foundation for PA school success.

What to Expect

Coursework for the STEM PA Scholar Pathway is a combination of classes required for your STEM major of choice, plus some specific requirements for the PA program. On top of a solid academic foundation, Trevecca’s STEM PA Scholar Pathway offers the following benefits:

1. Strong mentoring relationships. STEM PA Scholar students interact with our current PA students, faculty and staff through valuable mentoring relationships that help them succeed in their academic journeys and increase their professional skills and network contacts.
2. A guaranteed interview. Trevecca undergraduate STEM students who complete all of the Pre-PA course requirements and meet the Trevecca PA program admissions standards are offered a guaranteed interview for the Trevecca PA program.
3. A chance for early assurance of admittance into Trevecca’s PA program. Trevecca offers early assurance of admittance (guaranteed seats) in our PA program for a minimum of seven Trevecca STEM PA Scholar Pathway candidates per cohort,* based on the following criteria:

• Exceptional academic performance: A cumulative undergraduate and overall science GPA of 3.5 or greater (guaranteed interview granted with a 3.25 or greater)
• Alignment with the Trevecca PA program mission
• Evidence of a character consistent with the highest standards of the PA profession
• Acceptance by interview with the STEM PA Scholar Committee

Students who qualify will be invited for an interview during the spring semester of sophomore year. When criteria are delayed, candidates may be invited for interview as juniors, though this option will require a fifth year of undergraduate study.

Becoming a STEM PA Scholar is an excellent pathway to success as an entry point for Trevecca’s esteemed PA program, where you can earn a Master of Science in medicine in 27 months. Trevecca has graduated more than 1,300 PA students who now serve all over the world. Program graduates consistently achieve above national average first-time pass rates on the national certification exam. In the last 4 years, 100 percent of our graduates have passed the exam on first attempt giving the program a 99 percent five-year average.

*A maximum of 10 STEM PA Scholar guaranteed seats will be designated per cohort. Trevecca STEM PA Scholar students will have the option to fill 7 or more of the 10. Olivet will have a minimum of 3 available to their qualified applicants. 

Why Choose Trevecca?

Founded in 1901, Trevecca helps students discover and pursue an individual calling by providing innovative instruction; cultivating a supportive, Christ-centered community; and establishing relationships that open doors.

Recognized nationally and locally for academic quality, Trevecca has earned a reputation for providing the world with servant leaders, problem solvers and difference makers. Trevecca’s holistic approach to education encompasses intellectual, social, emotional, physical and spiritual growth.

As a Christian university, Trevecca offers programs that explore the ways faith intersects with your field of study. This means you can gain your pre-physician assistant degree in a supportive, Christian community with small classroom sizes and engaged faculty members who care about you, your faith and your goals.