Mission & Goals

Mission Statement

The Marshall University Physician Assistant Program is dedicated to providing high-quality medical education to develop a competent physician assistant workforce to meet needs in primary and specialty care. Graduates of our program will contribute to the quality of life in their communities and regions through excellent health care. Building upon this foundation, we strive to fulfill the need for care in rural underserved areas and to engage our physician assistants in lifelong learning in an academic community that promotes diversity.

Program Goals

To utilize an application process that selects quality students
To train physician assistants to work in interprofessional teams and to practice medicine with professionalism
For students to achieve a pass rate on the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants exam at or above the national average
100% of Marshall University physician assistant graduates will have the knowledge, skills, and competencies to be employed in primary care or specialty care within six months of graduation
20% of Marshall University physician assistant graduates will have the knowledge, skills, and competencies to be employed in a rural underserved area

Goal	Measurement of Success	Outcome
To utilize an application process that selects quality students	Benchmarks Less than or equal to 4% (or 1 student) annual attrition rate 96% graduation rate PANCE pass rate at or above the national average	Class of 2023 0% attrition rate 100% graduation rate 84% PANCE pass rate for first-time test takers 100% of students ultimately passed the PANCE Class of 2024 8% attrition rate (4% in 2022 – withdrawal and 4% in 2023 – deceleration/dismissal) 92% graduation rate 95% PANCE pass rate for first-time test takers* 100% of students ultimately passed the PANCE* *(One student in the Class of 2024 has yet to take the PANCE)
To train physician assistants to work in interprofessional teams and to practice medicine with professionalism	Benchmarks 80% positive response on standardized patient evaluations 80% positive response on preceptor evaluations Course content at least once per semester regarding professionalism with other disciplines interprofessional event (IPE). Interprofessional outcomes presented in program syllabi occurring at least once per semester with other disciplines. Student course evaluations	During standardized patient encounters, patients indicated that students practiced with professionalism. Class of 2023 = 95% Class of 2024 = 95% Class of 2025 = 100% Preceptor evaluations. When preceptors were asked to evaluate the student on the statement “Students are able to practice professionalism in all settings,” preceptors ranked students as follows: Class of 2023 Strongly Agree = 89% Agree = 8% Somewhat Agree = 3% Class of 2024 Strongly Agree = 72% Agree = 25% Somewhat Agree = 2% PA students are placed with at least one other discipline for an interprofessional event (IPE) for at least four clock hours during each term—fall, spring, and summer
For students to achieve a pass rate on the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants exam at or above the national average	Benchmark Students to achieve at or above the national pass rate	Class of 2023 84% of first-time test takers successfully passed the PANCE 100% of students ultimately passed the PANCE Class of 2024 · 95% of first-time test takers successfully passed the PANCE* 100% of students ultimately passed the PANCE* *(One student in the Class of 2024 has yet to take the PANCE)
100% of Marshall University physician assistant graduates will have the knowledge, skills, and competencies to be employed in primary care or specialty care within six months of graduation	Benchmarks Students successfully complete all program requirements. 100% of students will be employed within six months of graduation. NCCPA Board results	Class of 2023 100% of students that matriculated in the Class of 2023 successfully completed all program requirements for graduation. 92% of graduates were employed within six months of graduation. 84% of first-time test takers successfully passed the PANCE 100% of students ultimately passed the PANCE Class of 2024 92% of students that matriculated in the Class of 2024 successfully completed all requirements for graduation. 87% of graduates were employed within six months of graduation. 100% of students ultimately passed the PANCE* *(One student in the Class of 2024 has yet to take the PANCE)
20% of Marshall University physician assistant graduates will have the knowledge, skills, and competencies to be employed in a rural underserved area	Benchmarks Students successfully complete all program requirements. 20% of students will be employed within areas considered rural underserved (by HRSA, MUA, and HPSA definition) NCCPA Board results	Class of 2023 100% of students that matriculated in the Class of 2023 successfully completed all program requirements for graduation. 56% of the Class of 2023 graduates are employed in a rural underserved area. 84% of first-time test takers successfully passed the PANCE 100% of students ultimately passed the PANCE Class of 2024 92% of students that matriculated in the Class of 2024 successfully completed all program requirements for graduation. Data related to employment in rural underserved areas will be available after the One-Year Post-Graduate Survey. 95% of first-time test takers successfully passed the PANCE* 100% of students ultimately passed the PANCE* *(One student in the Class of 2024 has yet to take the PANCE)