Your Future in Physician Assistant Studies

South College’s Physician Assistant (PA) program is more than a graduate degree—it’s a launchpad into one of the fastest-growing and most vital professions in healthcare. Ranked 23rd in the nation, #1 in Tennessee, and #4 in the Southeast by College Factual, South College’s PA program is recognized nationally for excellence, rigor, and impact.

Why PAs Matter
As Dr. Don Yager, Associate Dean and Program Director for the South College PA program in Knoxville explains, physician assistants are a cornerstone of modern healthcare. PAs conduct exams, diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, assist in surgeries, and deliver critical preventative and primary care. With more than 178,000 PAs practicing across the U.S., the profession is expanding access to care, reducing costs, and filling crucial gaps in underserved communities.
“Essentially, we’re helping to bridge the shortage of primary care providers,” Dr. Yager notes. “We provide high-quality care at a lower cost, making healthcare more affordable and accessible.”

A Program Built for Excellence
South College’s PA program is intentionally rigorous, reflecting the seriousness of the role. Students complete a 27-month curriculum. The training is rooted in primary care but opens doors to countless specialties upon graduation.
The admissions process is highly selective, drawing thousands of applicants each year. Successful candidates typically hold a strong GPA (average 3.6), GRE scores around 304, and 2,000–3,000 hours of direct patient care experience. But academic performance alone isn’t enough. Applicants are also evaluated for leadership, community service, and clinical judgment.
“Our interview process is key,” Dr. Yager explains. “We want students who are not only academically strong, but who also demonstrate genuine passion, resilience, and the ability to thrive under pressure.”

A Legacy of Leadership
For Dr. Yager, the PA profession is deeply personal. A Navy veteran, he began his medical journey as a corpsman before pursuing his PA degree nearly 30 years ago. He has practiced in family medicine, emergency medicine, and rural healthcare, often paving the way as the first PA in his clinics. Nearly two decades ago, he helped co-develop South College’s PA program, which has since graduated over 1,000 students, including many veterans and reservists.
“I can’t tell you how passionate I still am about this field after 30 years,” he says. “And to see our program recognized nationally—it’s the product of our dedicated faculty, staff, hospital partners, and incredible students.”

Student Perspective: Samantha’s Journey
For first-year PA student Samantha Strauss, the program is both challenging and rewarding. Having just completed the didactic portion, she recently earned her white coat and is preparing to begin clinical rotations.
“The pace is like drinking from a fire hydrant,” she admits. “But the program teaches you how to adjust, manage your time, and focus on what’s most important.”
Miss Struass, a Texas native, chose South College not only for its academic reputation but also for its supportive culture. “From the moment I interviewed, I felt welcomed. The faculty wanted to know who I was as a person, not just as an applicant.”
She’s also found meaning in the program’s emphasis on community service, from volunteering under bridges to provide care for Knoxville’s homeless population to working with uninsured patients at local clinics. “Even simple tasks like cleaning a wound remind me why I’m here—it’s about people, not just textbooks.”

Preparing for the Future of Medicine
Looking ahead, the PA profession is poised for even greater impact. Legislative changes may soon grant PAs more autonomy, especially in underserved areas, and programs like South College’s are leading the way in preparing graduates for this evolving role.
Miss Strauss’s advice to future PA students is simple yet powerful: “Apply. Even if you don’t feel 100% ready, take the leap. And once you’re in, stay confident in your own path instead of comparing yourself to others.”

Why South College?

With campuses in Knoxville, Nashville, Atlanta, and Asheville, and more on the way, South College offers PA students unmatched opportunities to train in diverse healthcare environments. The program’s national ranking, emphasis on service, and culture of support make it one of the most competitive and rewarding PA programs in the country.
As Dr. Yager puts it: “If you have the passion and the motivation, there is no reason you can’t succeed here. We’ve proven it with over a thousand graduates making an impact in communities across the nation.”

South College PA Program: Where passion meets purpose, and the future of medicine begins.