PA Schools in Texas: All 17 ARC-PA Accredited Programs (2027)
If you are researching PA schools in Texas, you have a long list to choose from. Texas has 17 ARC-PA accredited physician assistant (PA) programs, and four more are applying for accreditation.
I'm Dr. Mario Tomei, a practicing emergency physician, university professor and former medical school admissions committee member. I work with pre-PA students applying to programs in Texas and across the country. This guide lists every accredited PA program in Texas, groups them by region, and explains what it takes to get in.
Last verified: October 2026. Source: ARC-PA accreditation records and each program's official website. Accreditation status, program length and admissions requirements change, so confirm details with each program and on CASPA before you apply.
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How Many PA Schools Are in Texas?
Texas has 17 ARC-PA accredited PA programs:
- ·10 hold Accreditation-Continued, ARC-PA's standard status for established programs.
- ·5 hold Accreditation-Provisional, the status for newer programs that have not yet graduated their first classes.
- ·2 are on Accreditation-Probation, meaning ARC-PA found they were not fully meeting its standards. Read each program's current ARC-PA record before applying.
Four more programs (South College – Dallas, Texas Christian University, the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in Dallas and the University of Texas at Tyler) are seeking accreditation and are listed separately below the table.
Texas PA Schools at a Glance
17 ARC-PA accredited programs. Source: ARC-PA Entry-Level Accredited Program Directory.
| Program | Location | ARC-PA Status | Apply Via | Admissions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Army Medical Center of Excellence | Fort Sam Houston, TX | Accreditation-Probation | Military application — does not use CASPA | Military program — see notes |
| Austin College | Sherman, TX | Accreditation-Provisional | CASPA | University website |
| Baylor College of Medicine | Houston, TX | Accreditation-Continued | CASPA | Education |
| Baylor University — Waco | Waco, TX | Accreditation-Provisional | CASPA | Official page |
| Franklin Pierce University Hybrid Program — Round Rock | Round Rock, TX | Accreditation-Probation | CASPA | Official page |
| Hardin-Simmons University | Abilene, TX | Accreditation-Continued | CASPA | Official page |
| Sam Houston State University | Conroe, TX | Accreditation-Provisional | CASPA | Official page |
| South University — Austin | Austin, TX | Accreditation-Provisional | CASPA | University website |
| Tarleton State University | Fort Worth, TX | Accreditation-Provisional | CASPA | University website |
| Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center | Midland, TX | Accreditation-Continued | CASPA | School of Health Professions |
| University of Mary Hardin-Baylor | Belton, TX | Accreditation-Continued | CASPA | University website |
| University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth | Fort Worth, TX | Accreditation-Continued | CASPA | Official page |
| University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio | San Antonio, TX | Accreditation-Continued | CASPA | Official page |
| University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston | Galveston, TX | Accreditation-Continued | CASPA | University website |
| University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | Edinburg, TX | Accreditation-Continued | CASPA | Official page |
| University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center | Dallas, TX | Accreditation-Continued | CASPA | Education and Training |
| West Coast University — Texas | Richardson, TX | Accreditation-Continued | CASPA | University website |
GPA averages, acceptance rates, tuition, and patient care hour minimums are not publicly reported by most Texas PA programs. Do not rely on third-party estimates — verify all requirements directly with each program.
Texas PA Programs by Region
Dallas–Fort Worth: UT Southwestern Medical Center (Dallas), University of North Texas Health Science Center (Fort Worth), Tarleton State University (Fort Worth), West Coast University – Texas (Richardson)
Houston and the Gulf Coast: Baylor College of Medicine (Houston), Sam Houston State University (Conroe), University of Texas Medical Branch (Galveston)
Austin and Central Texas: South University – Austin, Franklin Pierce University (Round Rock), University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Belton), Baylor University (Waco)
San Antonio and South Texas: UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, Army Medical Center of Excellence (Fort Sam Houston), University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (Edinburg)
West and North Texas: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (Midland), Hardin-Simmons University (Abilene), Austin College (Sherman)
Public vs. Private PA Programs in Texas
Texas's public PA programs are at UT Southwestern, the University of North Texas Health Science Center, the University of Texas Medical Branch, UT Health San Antonio, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Tarleton State University and Sam Houston State University. Public programs usually cost Texas residents much less than private programs, and they tend to draw the most applicants.
The Army Medical Center of Excellence program trains Army PAs and uses a military application process rather than CASPA. The other Texas programs are at private universities. Check the total cost of attendance, not just tuition, before you build your list.
Program Length at Texas PA Schools
Most Texas PA programs take about 27 to 30 months. A few examples from official program websites:
- ·UT Southwestern: 30 months
- ·Baylor College of Medicine: 30 months
- ·Tarleton State University: 28 months
- ·Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center: 27 months
Confirm length, start dates and cost on each program's website.
How to Compare Texas PA Schools
Texas has one of the largest concentrations of ARC-PA accredited PA programs in the country. Because most programs do not publicly report acceptance rates, average GPA, or average patient care hours, applicants need to evaluate programs on the factors that are publicly available and verifiable.
Accreditation status
Continued, Provisional, or Probation — each carries different implications for your degree and licensure.
Prerequisites
Science course requirements vary by program. Verify each program's prerequisite list directly on its admissions page.
Patient care experience
Minimum hours and accepted experience types differ. Some programs specify direct patient care only; others accept indirect experience.
Testing policies
GRE requirements, waivers, and CASPer requirements vary. Confirm the current policy with each program before applying.
Program length and structure
Most Texas PA programs run 27–30 months. Some offer hybrid or distributed models. Verify the current structure directly.
Location and clinical rotations
Consider where clinical rotations are conducted, especially for programs with multiple instructional sites.
For a deeper breakdown of what Texas PA programs require, see the Texas PA school prerequisites guide and the Texas PA application strategy guide.
Understanding ARC-PA Accreditation Status
ARC-PA (Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant) assigns one of three active accreditation statuses to entry-level PA programs. Understanding the difference matters before you apply.
The program has demonstrated ongoing compliance with ARC-PA Standards. This is the standard active accreditation status for established programs. Most Texas PA programs hold this status.
Granted to a qualified program that has demonstrated sufficient progress toward compliance with ARC-PA Standards. Provisional status is typically assigned to newer programs. Applicants should verify the program's current status directly with ARC-PA before applying, as provisional status is subject to review.
A public action indicating the program is not in compliance with ARC-PA Standards. Probation does not automatically mean the program will close, but it is a significant concern for prospective applicants. A program on probation is still accredited, so its graduates remain eligible for the PANCE, but probation signals problems the program must correct. Verify the current status directly with ARC-PA before applying to any program on probation.
CASPA vs. TMDSAS: Which Do Texas PA Schools Use?
Texas pre-med students applying to medical school are familiar with TMDSAS (Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service), the state-specific application system for Texas MD and DO programs. PA school applications in Texas work differently.
The large majority of Texas PA programs use CASPA (Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants), the national PA school application portal. TMDSAS is not used for PA school applications. The one exception in the list above is the Army Medical Center of Excellence at Fort Sam Houston, which uses a military application process entirely separate from CASPA.
For a full breakdown of the CASPA application process and Texas-specific strategy, see the Texas PA application strategy guide.
How to Get Into PA School in Texas
Dr. Tomei's Perspective
- ·Build real patient care experience. Roles such as EMT, CNA, medical assistant and scribe are common starting points. See our guide to patient care hours in Texas.
- ·Check prerequisites program by program. Requirements differ on biochemistry, statistics, psychology and how recent your science courses must be. See Texas PA prerequisites.
- ·Confirm testing policies. Some programs require the GRE, some waive it in certain cases (UT Southwestern waives it for applicants with a U.S. master's degree or higher), and some do not use it. Check each one.
- ·Apply early on CASPA. Many Texas programs use rolling admissions.
- ·Shadow a PA and write program-specific essays. Programs want to see that you understand the PA role and why each program fits you.
UT Southwestern PA Program: A Note on Acceptance Rate Data
UT Southwestern Medical Center's PA program is one of the most frequently searched Texas PA programs. A reliable, officially published acceptance rate for the UTSW PA program was not located in the ARC-PA directory or on the program's official admissions page as of September 2026.
Acceptance rate figures circulating on third-party sites are not verified by UTSW or ARC-PA and should not be used to assess your competitiveness. Instead, evaluate the program using the information it does publish: admissions requirements, prerequisite coursework, application policies, and any cohort information available on the UT Southwestern Education and Training page.
For guidance on building a competitive application for selective Texas PA programs, see the Texas PA application strategy guide.
Developing Texas PA Programs Not Yet Accredited
The following four institutions appear on the ARC-PA applicant-program list. They do not currently hold ARC-PA accreditation and are not included in the 17-program accredited count above. Appearance on the applicant list does not guarantee that a program will receive provisional or continued accreditation.
| Program | Location | ARC-PA Status |
|---|---|---|
| South College — Dallas | Dallas, TX | Applicant — not yet accredited |
| Texas Christian University | Fort Worth, TX | Applicant — not yet accredited |
| University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences | Dallas, TX | Applicant — not yet accredited |
| University of Texas at Tyler | Tyler, TX | Applicant — not yet accredited |
Source: ARC-PA Applicant Programs list, verified September 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited PA schools are in Texas?
Texas has 17 ARC-PA accredited PA programs. Four more (South College – Dallas, Texas Christian University, the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in Dallas and the University of Texas at Tyler) are seeking accreditation.
Which Texas PA schools are on accreditation probation?
As of September 2026, two Texas PA programs hold Accreditation-Probation status: the Army Medical Center of Excellence at Fort Sam Houston and the Franklin Pierce University Hybrid Program in Round Rock. Probation is a public ARC-PA action indicating the program is not in compliance with ARC-PA Standards. Prospective applicants should verify the current status of these programs directly with ARC-PA before applying.
Do Texas PA schools use CASPA or TMDSAS?
Texas PA programs generally use CASPA (Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants), not TMDSAS. TMDSAS is used for Texas MD and DO medical school applications, not PA school applications. The Army Medical Center of Excellence is an exception — it uses a military application process separate from CASPA. Always verify the current application system directly with each program before applying.
Are the developing Texas PA programs already accredited?
No. South College–Dallas, Texas Christian University, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, and University of Texas at Tyler appear on the ARC-PA applicant-program list, which means they have applied for accreditation but do not currently hold it. Appearance on the applicant list does not guarantee that accreditation will be granted. Do not apply to these programs expecting an accredited degree until ARC-PA grants accreditation status.
Does UT Southwestern publish its PA program acceptance rate?
A reliable, officially published acceptance rate for the UT Southwestern PA program was not located as of September 2026. Figures cited on third-party sites are not verified by UTSW or ARC-PA. Evaluate the program using the admissions requirements, prerequisites, and application policies published on the UT Southwestern Education and Training page.
How should applicants compare Texas PA programs?
Because most Texas PA programs do not publicly report acceptance rates, average GPA, or average patient care hours, compare programs on the factors that are verifiable: current ARC-PA accreditation status, prerequisite coursework requirements, patient care experience requirements, testing policies (GRE waiver or requirement, CASPer), program length and structure, location, and clinical rotation sites. For a detailed framework, see the Texas PA prerequisites guide and the Texas PA application strategy guide.
What PA schools are in Houston?
Baylor College of Medicine has a 30-month PA program in Houston. Nearby options are Sam Houston State University in Conroe and the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.
Where is the Texas Tech PA program?
The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center PA program is in Midland, Texas. It is a 27-month Master of Physician Assistant Studies program.
What are the public PA schools in Texas?
UT Southwestern, the University of North Texas Health Science Center, the University of Texas Medical Branch, UT Health San Antonio, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Tarleton State University and Sam Houston State University.
Need help choosing PA programs and building a competitive application? MedTrack Mentors provides physician-led PA admissions advising, school-list strategy, essay guidance, and interview preparation.
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