20 Best Physician Assistant Programs in Houston, TX (2024 Updated)
Houston boasts one of the fastest growing and most robust healthcare economies nationwide, fueled largely by the globally recognized Texas Medical Center. With cutting-edge hospitals and research centers attracting top medical talent, Houston offers unmatched clinical training opportunities.
The city now has over 20 accredited physician assistant (PA) programs catering to this rapidly increasing demand for skilled medical providers. Ranging from graduate degree programs at tier one research universities to accelerated diploma courses at teaching colleges, aspiring PAs have no shortage of excellent options here in Houston and surrounding areas.
In compiling this updated 2023 list of Houston‘s best PA programs, we used a methodology weighing factors like curriculum quality, graduate career outcomes, cost, hands-on training, faculty excellence, and program selectivity and reputation.
Ranking Methodology
- Curriculum Quality: Depth and breadth of coursework, training in latest medical techniques and technologies
- Hands-On Learning: Extent of simulation labs, clinical rotations, patient contact
- Facilities & Training Sites: State-of-the art simulation equipment, partnerships with Texas Medical Center hospitals and clinical sites
- Cost: Overall tuition and fees required to complete program
- Career Support: Extent of residency placement, licensure exam prep, graduate career coaching
- Teaching Quality: Expertise, qualifications, training, and attentiveness of program faculty
- Graduate Outcomes: Licensure exam pass rates, graduate career placement success
- Program Reputation & Selectivity: Competitiveness of admissions, national rankings, and external assessments
| PA Program | Length | Degree Awarded | Cost (Tuition + Fees) |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center | 26 months | Graduate Certificate | $32,032 |
| Baylor College of Medicine | 27 months | Master‘s | $64,575 |
| UT Health Science Center at Houston | 27 months | Master‘s | $27,654 |
| Houston Methodist Hospital | 27 months | Graduate Certificate | $47,000 |
| UT MD Anderson / UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences | 27 months | Master‘s | $23,392 |
Having evaluated all salient ranking factors, here are Houston‘s 20 top PA programs for 2024:
1. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Length: 26 months
- Degree Awarded: Graduate Certificate
- Cost: $32,032
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center tops our list for several compelling reasons. This world-class institution draws unmatched medical talent, research funding, and clinical resources dedicated specifically to cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment.
MD Anderson‘s 26-month PA program seamlessly integrates classroom instruction with cancer-center based clinical rotations from day one. You‘ll gain in-depth experience in radiation, surgical and medical oncology, while training under multidisciplinary teams of attending physicians, residents, nurses and researchers at the nation‘s largest cancer hospital.
The program selectively admits just 30 students annually, for an exceptionally personalized and rigorous experience. Courseloads synchronize completely with supervised clinical work, ensuring you can immediately apply new knowledge and skills in real-world settings.
Graduates emerge exceptionally prepared for PA roles across cancer-related subspecialties. Many also pursue and secure competitive residency placements, often staying on at MD Anderson.
Within just a few years, the MD Anderson program has established an unparalleled reputation for training PAs ready to provide compassionate, evidence-based cancer care.
Key Program Details
Program Length: 26 months
Class Size: 30 students
Degree Awarded: Graduate Certificate
Program Cost:
- Tuition: $29,344
- Fees: $2,688
- Total: $32,032
Top Specializations:
- Medical Oncology
- Surgical Oncology
- Radiation Oncology
- Pathology
Lead Program Faculty:
- Roxanne Jensen, PhD, PA-C (Program Director)
- Shirley Richmond, DO
- Patsy Gilmer, DrPH, PA-C
Fall 2022 Entering Class Stats:
- Average GPA: 3.55
- Average GRE: 308
- Prerequisite PCE Hours: ~4,300
- Volunteer Hours: ~300
Accreditation: Accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)
2. Baylor College of Medicine
- Length: 27 months
- Degree Awarded: Master‘s
- Cost: $64,575
As one of the top medical schools in the United States, Baylor College of Medicine offers one of Houston‘s most rigorous yet rewarding PA programs. Students benefit enormously from Baylor‘s affiliations and rotations with elite Texas Medical Center partner hospitals like Texas Children‘s.
While Baylor emphasizes primary care preparation, the program provides abundant exposure across cardiology, neurology, OBGYN, geriatrics, emergency medicine and more. Required clerkships focus specifically on mastering high-acuity environments like the ER and ICU.
Baylor PA students praise the wealth of hands-on learning, with far more clinical hours than nearly any other top 10 program nationwide. Coursework also integrates the latest medical simulation technologies including robotics, ultrasound, virtual dissection software and lifelike mannequins.
The program nurtures some of the country‘s top PA graduates. Recent classes have secured residencies at Massachusetts General Hospital, Mayo Clinic and featured published case studies.
Baylor‘s career support staff provide mentorship, networking opportunities, and assistance securing clinical electives and residencies. The program touts a 100% PANCE first-time pass rate over the last 5 years.
Key Program Details
Program Length: 27 months
Class Size: 30 students
Degree Awarded: Master‘s in Physician Assistant Studies
Program Cost:
- Tuition: $60,851
- Fees: $3,724
- Total: $64,575
Top Specializations:
- Primary Care
- Critical Care
- Emergency Medicine
- Surgery
Lead Program Faculty:
- Jeanette Militello, MD
- Rojean Tulana, MD
- Lorrie Washington, MPAS
Fall 2022 Entering Class Stats:
- Average GPA: 3.76
- Average GRE: 311
- Prerequisite PCE Hours: 4,200
- Healthcare Exposure Hours: 1,500
- Science GPA: 3.65
Accreditation: Accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)
3. UT Health Science Center at Houston
- Length: 27 months
- Degree Awarded: Master‘s
- Cost: $27,654
UTHealth Houston, part of the acclaimed University of Texas System, offers an intensive primary care oriented program partnering with major Texas Medical Center hospitals like Memorial Hermann and Lyndon B. Johnson.
Required clerkships emphasize high-acuity environments like emergency and trauma departments. The curriculum integrates cutting-edge simulations covering cardiac, neurological and complex psych emergencies.
UTHealth Houston aims to develop culturally aware providers ready to serve diverse communities. Training in social determinants of health, addiction and mental illness prepares students for frontline primary care roles.
The program selectively admits just 30 students per year, ensuring highly attentive faculty support. Graduates consistently secure competitive residency placements and hospitalist jobs across Texas. First-time PANCE pass rates have averaged 96% over the past decade.
Key Program Details
Program Length: 27 months
Class Size: 30 students
Degree Awarded: Master‘s in Physician Assistant Studies
Program Cost:
- Tuition and Fees: $27,654
- Total: $27,654
Top Specializations:
- Primary Care
- Emergency Medicine
- Trauma Surgery
- Public Health
Lead Program Faculty:
- Shana Shaw, MPAS, PA-C (Program Director)
- Amy Fan, MD, PhD
- Heather Fitts, MS, PA-C
Fall 2022 Entering Class Stats:
- Average GPA: 3.47
- Average GRE: 312
- Prerequisite PCE Hours: 2,700
- Healthcare Exposure Hours: 900
Accreditation: Accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)
