The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Southwestern School of Health Professions

Clinical experience that includes direct hands-on patient care is strongly recommended. Applicants should demonstrate evidence of completion of patient care experience prior to submitting the CASPA application. We do not require a minimum number of hours. Examples of acceptable patient care experience include, but are not limited to: EMT, paramedic, nurse, scribe, medical assistant, CNA, ER tech, physical therapy aide, phlebotomist, pharmacy tech, clinical research assistant, etc. Student training experiences such as student nurse, student EMT, student athletic trainer, or other health care student training may be considered as clinical hours. Experiences such as student training, “shadowing,” laboratory testing with no patient contact, nonclinical research, lifeguard, or clerical work are not as valuable as hands-on clinical hours. We encourage applicants to “shadow” a physician assistant to gain insight into the PA’s role, although this experience is not required. Evidence of community service in a health care setting (such as in a hospital or hospice, a clinic for underserved populations, or in the medical mission field) is highly valued.