MS in Physician Assistant: Mission & Goals

Mission: Physician Assistant Program 

The mission of the Physician Assistant Program at Carlow University is to offer transformational educational opportunities for a diverse community of learners who are prepared as healthcare professionals to contribute to the quality and safety of healthcare for all. Consistent with the heritage and values of the Sisters of Mercy, graduates are expected to excel as compassionate, responsible leaders in the creation of a just and merciful world. 

Goals: Physician Assistant Program 

The goals of the Physician Assistant Program at Carlow University are: 

1. Matriculate a diverse and highly qualified student body who are academically qualified and possess relevant experience for the physician assistant program. 
2. Prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to effectively practice medicine as a physician assistant. 
3. Achieve a NCCPA PANCE examination pass rate at or above (greater than) the national average. 
4. Foster cultural awareness and responsiveness to the needs of diverse patients and communities. 
5. Graduate physician assistants who demonstrate strong interpersonal communication abilities and collaborate effectively within healthcare teams.

Goal #1: Matriculate a diverse and highly qualified student body who are academically qualified and possess relevant experience for the physician assistant program.

Criteria #1: Diverse Student Matriculants

Measures/Benchmarks: 15% of each cohort comprised of underrepresented groups (ethnic minorities and gender (males)) in the PA profession as defined on CASPA.  
 
Class of 2024: 30.7% ethnic minorities and 8% male  
Class of 2025 – 33.3% ethnic minorities and 25% male 
Class of 2026 – 31.8% ethnic minorities and 16% male 

*Please note the ethnic diversity and gender statistics provided are intended for informational purposes only and reflect the demographic composition of our program. These statistics are collected to promote transparency and to celebrate the diversity within our community. Please note that ethnicity, gender, and other demographic factors are not used as criteria in the admissions process. Admission decisions are made based on academic qualifications, experience, and other merit-based factors, in accordance with our commitment to fairness and equal opportunity.  

Criteria #2: Academically Qualified Matriculants 

Measures/Benchmarks: Undergraduate cumulative GPA > 3.4 average for cohort. Prerequisite requirements GPA > 3.4 average for cohort. 
 
Undergraduate cumulative GPA > 3.4 average for cohort:
Class of 2024: 3.61  
Class of 2025: 3.56  
Class of 2026: 3.54  
 
Prerequisite Requirements GPA > 3.4 average for cohort:
Class of 2024: 3.55  
Class of 2025: 3.45  
Class of 2026: 3.45  

Criteria #3: Relevant Experience of Matriculants  

Measures/Benchmarks: Direct Patient Care and Healthcare Experience hours >600 average total hours per cohort.
 
Class of 2024: 2524 hours  
Class of 2025: 2521 hours  
Class of 2026: 2669 hours

Goal #2: Prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to effectively practice medicine as a PA.       

Criteria #1: Knowledge to effectively practice medicine.

Measures/Benchmarks: Preceptor Evaluation of Students’ Performance (Medical Knowledge) as evidenced by score of 3.5/5.

Medical Knowledge for Class of 2024:  
Behavioral Health: 4.90  
Women’s Health: 4.80  
Surgery: 4.76  
Pediatrics: 4.74  
Internal Medicine: 4.63  
Family Medicine: 4.84  
Emergency Medicine: 4.79  
Elective: 4.81  
Overall: 4.78  

Criteria #2: Skills to effectively practice medicine.   

Measures/Benchmarks: Preceptor Evaluation of Students’ Performance (Clinical Reasoning and Problem Solving) Cohort Average >3.5/5 and Preceptor Evaluation of Students’ Performance (Clinical and Technical Skills) Cohort Average >3.5/5.

Criteria #3: Attitudes to effectively practice medicine.   

Measures/Benchmarks: Preceptor Evaluation of Students’ Performance (Student Readiness) Cohort Average >3.5/5.
 
Student Readiness for Class of 2024: 
Behavioral Health: 4.94  
Women’s Health: 4.91  
Surgery: 4.75  
Pediatrics: 4.80  
Internal Medicine: 4.88  
Family Medicine: 4.96  
Emergency Medicine: 4.85  
Elective: 4.84  
Overall: 4.87

Goal #3: Achieve a NCCPA PANCE examination pass rate at or above (greater than) the national average.     

Criteria #1: PANCE Pass Rate 1st time takers

Measures/Benchmarks: PANCE Pass Rate 1st time takers/at or above national average for cohort.
Class of 2024: National average not yet available   

Criteria #2: PANCE Pass Rate All test takers   

Measures/Benchmarks: PANCE Pass Rate All Takers/at or above national average for cohort.
Class of 2024: National average not yet available

Goal #4: Foster cultural awareness and responsiveness to the needs of diverse patients and communities.  

Criteria #1: Cultural Awareness/Responsiveness  

Measures/Benchmarks: Students completing Harvard Implicit Bias test with debriefing to understand personal bias and avoid stereotyping of patients/100% cohort participation.
 
Class of 2024: 100% completion  

Criteria #2: Cultural Awareness/Responsiveness  

Measures/Benchmarks: Preceptor Evaluation of Students’ Performance (Cultural Competence) Cohort Average >3.5/5.0.
                    
Class of 2024: 
Behavioral Health: 4.94  
Women’s Health: 4.91  
Surgery: 4.96  
Pediatrics: 4.91  
Internal Medicine: 4.96  
Family Medicine: 5.0  
Emergency Medicine: 4.91  
Elective: 4.99  
Overall: 4.95  

Criteria #3: Cultural Awareness/Responsiveness 

Measures/Benchmarks: Student Graduate Exit Survey (instruction in cultural awareness and sensitivity/ >3.5/5.0 cohort average).  

Class of 2024: 4.52 

Goal #5: Graduate physician assistants who demonstrate strong interpersonal communication abilities and collaborate effectively within healthcare teams.  

Criteria #1: Interpersonal Skills  

Measures/Benchmarks: Preceptor Evaluation of Students’ Performance (Interpersonal Skills) Cohort Average >3.5/5.0.
 
Class of 2024: 
Behavioral Health: 4.94  
Women’s Health: 4.87  
Surgery: 4.86  
Pediatrics: 4.90  
Internal Medicine: 4.89  
Family Medicine: 4.93  
Emergency Medicine: 4.81  
Elective: 4.87  
Overall: 4.88  

Criteria #2: Interpersonal Skills  

Measures/Benchmarks: Student Graduate Exit Survey Preparation in Interpersonal Skills: Benchmark > 3.5/5.0.

Class of 2024: 3.7  

Criteria #3: Work collaboratively within a healthcare team

Measures/Benchmarks: Preceptor Evaluation of Student Performance Work collaboratively with a healthcare team: Benchmark >3.5/5.0.
 
Class of 2024: 
Behavioral Health:4.94  
Women’s Health: 4.91  
Surgery: 4.91  
Pediatrics: 4.93  
Internal Medicine: 4.84  
Family Medicine: 4.98  
Emergency Medicine: 4.98  
Elective: 4.94  
Overall: 4.93  

Criteria #4: Work collaboratively within a healthcare team  

Measures/Benchmarks:  Student Graduate Exit Survey Preparation to Work collaboratively with a  healthcare team: Benchmark > 3.5/5.0  
 
Class of 2024: 4.24