Hardin-Simmons University Physician Assistant Program Earns National Recognition

The Hardin-Simmons University College of Health Professions has earned national recognition in the U.S. News & World Report 2025 rankings, with its physician assistant (PA) graduate program ranked No. 93 out of 311 ARC-PA-accredited programs nationwide.

“This ranking is a testament to the community-based PA program offered at HSU,” said Tina Butler, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, program director and associate professor. “We’re a young program, having only graduated six cohorts, and this speaks volumes about the level of graduates entering the workforce from HSU.”

The PA program, accredited by ARC-PA, offers a rigorous and hands-on curriculum designed to prepare graduates to step into clinical roles immediately upon passing the national board certification exam, the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). Graduates are uniquely prepared to meet the increasing demand for primary care providers in Texas with an emphasis on a community-based approach in rural and underserved communities.

“This national recognition is a reflection of God’s provision and the calling we feel to serve others through health care,” said Janelle O’Connell, PT, DPT, Ph.D., dean of the Hardin-Simmons University College of Health Professions. “At Hardin-Simmons, we believe in equipping students not only with clinical excellence but also with a heart for service to bring hope and healing to communities in need. Our graduates are taught and mentored by outstanding faculty and exposed to numerous educational and extracurricular opportunities that help mold them into exceptional practitioners.”

Graduates from the HSU physician assistant program complete over 2000 hours of experience in clinical rotations through the following clinical experiences: family medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, mental health, internal medicine, surgery, emergency medicine, and their choice of two elective rotations. Each student will complete at least one clinical rotation in a rural or medically underserved area, and students dedicate a minimum of 50 hours to community outreach prior to graduation.

HSU’s PA program has consistently maintained an overall 100% pass rate among its graduates and has exceeded the national average each year for first-time attempts on the PANCE, reflecting the program’s ongoing commitment to academic and clinical excellence.

The U.S. News & World Report rankings are based solely on peer assessments from academic leaders nationwide, who rate programs on a scale of one (marginal) to five (outstanding). Highly ranked programs are recognized for their academic strength, faculty credentials, student success, and graduation outcomes.