The University of Southern Mississippi’s Physician Assistant (PA) Studies MSM Program has received Accreditation-Provisional status from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), marking a significant milestone as the program prepares to welcome its inaugural cohort in January 2027.
The accreditation makes the Southern Miss program the third accredited physician assistant program in Mississippi. The inaugural Class of 2029 will include 30 students.
“Receiving Accreditation-Provisional status is a tremendous milestone for Southern Miss and our program and a direct reflection of the dedication, expertise and vision of everyone who helped bring it to life,” said Dr. Daniel Watkins, PA program director. “I’m incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished as we build a program committed to preparing highly skilled, compassionate and practice-ready physician assistants.
“What excites me most is welcoming our inaugural cohort and beginning this journey alongside our first students. They will have a unique opportunity to help shape the culture and traditions of this program from the very beginning, and we look forward to preparing them to make a meaningful difference in the communities they serve,” added Watkins.
Reaching this milestone followed an extensive development and accreditation process that included institutional approvals, curriculum and policy development, faculty and staff recruitment, clinical partnerships and an on-site review. The program’s accreditation application addressed approximately 280 ARC-PA standards and substandards and included 43 appendices demonstrating its compliance or plans for compliance with national standards for PA education.
“Earning provisional accreditation on our first attempt is a tremendous accomplishment and a testament to the dedication of our PA faculty, community partners and institutional leadership,” said Dr. Melissa Kossman, director of the School of Health Professions. “Mississippi has a significant need for healthcare providers, and the launch of this program gives us an opportunity to help address that need by preparing exceptional, compassionate physician assistants who are equipped to serve communities across our state and beyond.”
The Southern Miss PA program places a strong emphasis on preparing students to provide compassionate medical care in rural and medically underserved areas. With every Mississippi county considered medically underserved, the program prioritizes recruitment of qualified Mississippi residents, applicants from rural and health professional shortage areas, and those who demonstrate a commitment to serving underserved communities.
That mission extends into students’ clinical education. Southern Miss has partnered with 18 healthcare organizations across the Mississippi Gulf Coast and south Mississippi, securing qualified preceptors and more than 240 clinical rotation placements for the 30-student cohort. Each student will complete eight clinical rotations, with many experiences taking place in rural and underserved communities.
Interest in the inaugural cohort has been strong, with approximately 120 applications initiated and 86 completed applications screened and reviewed for the 30 available seats.
The Class of 2029 will matriculate in January 2027, followed by another significant milestone in May 2028 when the inaugural cohort participates in its White Coat Ceremony as students advance into the clinical phase of the program.
