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traditional undergraduate on campus

STEM PA Scholar Pathway

Unlock your future in healthcare with the STEM PA Scholar Pathway. Designed for STEM majors (excluding nursing) at Trevecca and Olivet Nazarene University, this exclusive pathway empowers you to strategically shape your undergraduate experience, build a competitive PA school application and prepare for success in Trevecca’s nationally respected physician assistant program.

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Program Benefits

In addition to providing a rigorous academic foundation, Trevecca’s STEM PA Scholar Pathway offers the following advantages:

  • Meaningful mentoring connections: STEM PA Scholar students have opportunities to connect with current PA students, faculty and staff through mentoring relationships that support their academic progress and help them prepare for the program.
  • A guaranteed interview. Trevecca and Olivet undergraduate STEM graduates who meet the Trevecca PA program admissions standards are offered a guaranteed interview for the Trevecca PA program. An interview is guaranteed with a cumulative overall and science GPA of 3.25 or greater.
  • A chance for early assurance of admittance into Trevecca’s PA program. Trevecca offers seven Trevecca and three Olivet STEM PA Scholar Pathway students early assurance of admittance (guaranteed seats) in the PA program based on the following criteria:

    o   Acceptance into the STEM PA Scholar Pathway contingent upon an interview with the STEM PA Scholar Committee

    o   Exceptional academic performance: A cumulative undergraduate and overall science GPA of 3.50 or greater

    o   Adherence to the course progression requirements

    o   In good academic standing with the university and aligned with the PA program mission

What to Expect

Students participating in the pathway benefit from a curated academic plan designed to strengthen their PA school application and to enhance their readiness for success in Trevecca’s distinguished Master of Science in Medicine (PA) program. The pathway integrates the requirements of the student’s chosen STEM major with select upper-level courses, providing a robust foundation for advanced study and professional achievement. Students who are eligible for the STEM PA Scholar Pathway will be invited to participate in an interview during the spring semester of their sophomore year. A maximum of 10 STEM PA Scholar Pathway seats will be designated per PA cohort. All students who meet the program admission standards will receive a guaranteed interview and a chance for early assurance of admittance into Trevecca’s PA program. 

The STEM PA Scholar Pathway provides an exceptional entry point into Trevecca’s highly regarded physician assistant program, culminating in the Master of Science in Medicine degree within 27 months. Since its inception, Trevecca has graduated more than 1,300 physician assistants who serve communities worldwide. Program graduates consistently exceed national averages for first-time pass rates on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). Over the past five years, 100 percent of graduates have passed the examination on their first attempt, contributing to a five-year average pass rate of 100 percent.

Financial Aid & Costs

Financial Aid & Costs

Nearly every student at Trevecca receives some form of assistance in paying for college. Learn all about the affordability of a TNU education and options for receiving aid.

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Career Opportunities

The U.S. News & World Report ranks the job of a physician assistant as a top profession in the field of healthcare, based on an analysis of salary, employment rates and work/life balance criteria. PA jobs are projected to grow and provide ample career opportunities over the next decade. That means when you complete your pre-PA undergraduate degree at Trevecca and go on to earn your master’s degree, you’ll be prepared for a lucrative and rewarding career. 

As a PA, you can choose to serve in a variety of medical settings from hospitals to nonprofit medical clinics with a focus on compassionate ministry. Your pre-physician assistant degree from Trevecca is your first step toward a future serving as part of a collaborative team to offer patient-centered care. A PA works as a crucial member of healthcare teams at hospitals, urgent care centers and clinics by examining patients, prescribing medicine, ordering diagnostic tests, assisting with procedures and performing many other essential duties.

I could not be more grateful for my experience at Trevecca. The program not only provided me with the medical skills and knowledge needed to be a competent PA, but expanded my ability to face challenges, deepened my faith, gave me life-long friendships and ultimately helped me become a better version of myself.

Jocelyn Benton Trevecca graduate

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