Southern Nazarene University (SNU) is excited to introduce Jennifer Boyett, MHS, PA-C, as Program Director for the Master of Science in Physician Assistant (PA) Studies Program. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma Physician Associate Program, Jennifer has over a decade of clinical experience in family medicine and urgent care, as well as an extensive background in leadership of PA education. She brings both professional expertise and a heart for student success to her work at SNU.
Before joining SNU, Jennifer served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Oklahoma Physician Assistant Program, where she contributed to both the didactic and clinical phases, precepting students in the clinical setting. She also served as Director of Student Affairs. Jennifer has been recognized with multiple teaching awards, including PA Faculty of the Year, PA Lecturer of the Year, and the Dewayne Andrews, MD Excellence in Teaching Award.
Jennifer’s journey to becoming a physician assistant was shaped by her passion for science and her desire to serve others. “I became a physician assistant because I wanted a career that combined my love of science with my desire to serve people,” she explained. “Over time, I was drawn into PA education through the students I precepted in clinic. Their drive to learn, their questions, and their growth inspired me daily. They challenged me to be a better clinician, kept me on my toes, and reminded me why I chose this path.”
As Program Director for SNU’s PA program, Jennifer is deeply committed to fostering a supportive learning environment that balances academic excellence with a foundation of Christlike service. “The most valuable element of our program is the supportive, student-centered environment,” she shared. “With small class sizes, our faculty can truly know each student and invest in their growth both academically and personally. We combine rigorous medical education with a commitment to Christlike service, preparing graduates to be not only excellent clinicians but also compassionate leaders.
Jennifer believes that students will succeed in the program by remaining dedicated to their studies and leaning on the strong support system around them. “Success comes from hard work, humility, and a willingness to be teachable by asking questions, seeking feedback, and growing through the process,” she said. “When students embrace diligence, resilience, and humility, they are equipped not only to succeed in PA school but also to thrive in their future careers.”
Her advice to aspiring PAs is both practical and encouraging: “Know your ‘why’ and let it guide you through the journey. PA school is rigorous, but it is also a rare and exciting season of life where you can dedicate yourself fully to learning, so lean into it and take full advantage. Along the way, make time for your own wellness, because caring for yourself allows you to care well for others.”
When it comes to teaching, Jennifer particularly enjoys courses where students can apply what they’ve learned in real-world situations. “I especially enjoy teaching application-based courses like Clinical Procedures and Skills, Clinical Correlations, and Patient Encounters,” she said. “Students are always engaged and having fun, and it’s inspiring to watch their confidence grow as they put what they’ve learned into practice.”
Her passion for both medicine and education extends beyond the classroom. Jennifer stays connected to the same material her students are learning by keeping up with medical texts and resources. Recently, she and her colleagues read Religion and Medicine: A History of the Encounter Between Humanity’s Two Greatest Institutions by Jeff Levin. She said reading this book together, “sparked meaningful conversations about how faith and medicine intersect.”
Jennifer is honored to be a part of launching the new PA program at SNU. “We are honored to launch this program at SNU and to welcome students into the very first cohort,” she said. “It is a special opportunity to help shape the future of PA education, and we are excited to see the impact our graduates will make.”
Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma, and completed her PA training at the University of Oklahoma Physician Associate Program. She currently lives in Choctaw, Oklahoma, with her husband and their two sons. As a family, they enjoy traveling and exploring new places together.
To learn more about SNU’s Physician Assistant program, please visit our program page. You can also contact the PA program directly by emailing PAadmissions@snu.edu.
SNU has applied for Accreditation-Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). SNU anticipates matriculating its first class in January 2027, pending receiving Accreditation-Provisional status at the October 2026 ARC-PA meeting. Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding accreditation-provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students. SNU is making every effort to meet all ARC-PA accreditation standards for the purposes of achieving Accreditation Provisional status. In the event that ARC-PA does not award Accreditation Provisional status to the program, SNU will not matriculate students. All applicants will be notified, and SNU will refund money received directly from the student: specifically, university application fees, seat deposit fees, and tuition. SNU will not refund costs associated with onsite interviewing with the program.
Pending accreditation provisional approval, SNU PA program graduates will be eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) and subsequently qualify for application for licensure in all U.S. states and territories. Some states may have additional requirements for licensure separate from the PA education. Individual graduates are responsible for achieving state-specific requirements not specific to PA training.