More than 80 prospective graduate students attended Mississippi College’s open house Thursday to learn of requirements for a newly developed physician assistant program.

As the first of its type in Mississippi, the course of study will generate graduates who practice medicine as a team supervised by physicians.

More than 73,000 physician assistants are practicing in all 50 states, according to the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Dr. Bob Philpot, Mississippi College PA program director, said only about 100 are in Mississippi.

He said the course of study on the Clinton campus will mimic real-world issues by having students learn in faculty-coached five-member groups.

“In a hospital, you’re not going to be out there solving problems by yourself. You’re going to be in a team,” said Philpot.

The PA program runs year-round for 30 months earning each student a master’s degree in medicine.

“We restructured the curriculum so that courses are more horizontal,” said Philpot of such classes as pharmacology and diagnostic medicine that will be taught every semester with others to reinforce learned information.

Karen Verell, director of admissions, stressed “do your best” as she offered tips for filling out applications for the program.

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, at least a 3.0 grade point average, a Graduate Record Examination score of 850 or more, have taken prerequisite courses necessary for the program, graduated in pre-med, pre-pharmacy or other science majors and have clinical experience or exposure documented by time, location and responsibilities.

Vicksburg native and Alcorn State University graduate Angela Smith said after earning a degree as a registered nurse, she wanted to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner, “but then I heard about the physicians assistant (program) last Thursday.”

The former Vicksburg High School honor student said she plans to remain in Mississippi after being a part of the inaugural class.

“I will probably start at home in Vicksburg,” said 21-year-old Smith.

A nurse practitioner, of which Vicksburg has several, is licensed to prescribe medications and may perform many of the same jobs as a physician. They can act as a primary-care provider without a physician’s supervision, while a physician assistant must work under the supervision of a physician or surgeon and cannot operate an independent practice.

Verell told the prospective students they would not be able to hold a job while enrolled as they will face class schedules running from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day and some weekends.

Upon graduation, PAs enter their careers with salaries starting around $85,000.

Requirements for PAs include being at least 21 years old, having a master’s degree, passing a national certification exam, having a background check along with other exams, Rebecca Loveless, director of pre-clinical studies, said.

MC will partner on the program with the University Medical Center, where students will go for their rotations. The program will be on the third floor of the Baptist Healthplex on the Mississippi College campus in the fall of 2011.

As the program is not yet accredited, the school will not accept applications before January. Mississippi College, a Christian university serving about 4,900 students from 41 states and 26 countries, expects to receive a provisional accreditation in March.

Statements of interest were provided to those who attended the open house to remain in contact with faculty, Verell said.

Two more open house events are scheduled for August and October. Classes are targeted to begin in May.

Affiliated with the Mississippi Baptist Convention, the school has 80 areas of study, 12 graduate degree programs, a doctor of jurisprudence degree and a doctor of education leadership degree, while pursuing academic excellence and commitment to the cause of Christ.

For more information on the PA program, contact Verell at verell@mc.edu.