The Class of 2020 graduates of the Master of Physician Assistant Science (MPAS) Program at the University of Evansville have achieved a first-time pass rate of 100 percent on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). This is the second consecutive year MPAS graduates have achieved this level of excellence.
“We are very proud of the hard work and commitment our students have exhibited, including this great achievement,” said Dr. Mike Roscoe, program chair and director. “Our graduates will make excellent medical providers and continue to represent UE and this program admirably.”
Established in 2016, the Physician Assistant Program at UE is a seven-semester graduate program. Students receive a blend of classroom lecture and hands-on learning from faculty members who provide a wealth of knowledge as medical professionals and educators. During the final 3 semesters, students complete 12 months of supervised clinical experiences in a variety of medical specialties. The program is nationally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).
Classes for the Physician Assistant Program are held at the Stone Family Center for Health Sciences, located in downtown Evansville. This state-of-the-art facility is equipped with modern technology and offers the unique opportunities for interprofessional and real-world experiences while preparing for a medical career. The Stone Family Center, which was opened in 2018 thanks to a generous gift from Bill and Mary Stone, serves as a collaborative effort for health science education alongside University of Southern Indiana and Indiana University.
In 2019, the program’s first graduating class of 20 students achieved a 100 percent first-time PANCE pass rate. With the second cohort also achieving the same pass rate, UE is confident that current and incoming students will continue the trend. “Learning about the pass rates of our graduates was very exciting, because it is difficult to achieve such a rating,” said Roscoe. “To do this with new faculty and curriculum in the initial years of the program is even more impressive.” The national first-time PANCE pass rate is 93 percent.
The application period for the fifth cohort of students is open until August 1. Virtual interviews will be conducted in September to fill the 40 seats, and in-person classes are slated to begin January 2021. Roscoe reports that the application process has become more competitive as the program has seen exponential growth in applications since 2016. Interested individuals may apply for the program through graduate admission, or they may pursue the Baccalaureate to Physician Assistant pathway, in which students earn both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees through UE.
Physician assistants, or PAs, are nationally certified and state-licensed health care professionals who provide direct patient care across a broad range of medical services. PAs work in a wide variety of health care settings and specialties. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of PAs is projected to grow 31 percent from 2018 to 2028, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. In 2019, the profession provided a median salary of $112,260.
