Program Goals

updated May 2026

1. Promote academic excellence and competence in medical knowledge

• Measure: PANCE first-time taker cohort pass rate  
• Benchmark: Above national average 
• Success of Goal:

• Measure – PACKRAT 1 and 2 scores
• Benchmark – Above national mean score
• Success of Goal

• Measure - Summative End of Cirriculum Exam Average Score 
• Benchmark - Above 83%
• Success of Goal

• Measure - Average Overall GPA
• Benchmark - >3.5
• Success of Goal

The program has successfully achieved this goal. First-time PANCE pass rates consistently exceeded national averages across all reported cohorts, demonstrating strong graduate-level competence in medical knowledge. PACKRAT 1 and 2 scores were consistently above national mean scores, reflecting effective knowledge acquisition and progression throughout the curriculum. While summative end of curriculum exam averages were slightly below the established benchmark in some cohorts, overall trends remain stable and are supported by strong program GPA outcomes, which consistently exceeded the benchmark. Collectively, these data indicate sustained academic excellence and effective preparation for entry into clinical practice.

2. Enroll and retain students who exceed admission standards and show strong potential for program completion.

• Measure – Cohort Admission Data
• Benchmark – Higher than Admission Requirements
• Success of Goal

• Measure – Program Graduation Rate
• Benchmark: 90% of graduates placed in six months
• Success of Goal

The program has largely achieved this goal. Matriculant data demonstrate that admitted students consistently exceeded minimum admission requirements across overall GPA, science GPA, and direct patient care hours, reflecting success in recruiting highly qualified applicants. Graduation rates, while below the established benchmark in several cohorts, demonstrate improvement over time, with the most recent cohort exceeding the benchmark. It is recognized that attrition may result from a variety of factors, including academic, personal, financial, or health-related circumstances, rather than solely academic dismissal. Overall, these findings support continued success in student selection, with ongoing monitoring of retention and graduation outcomes to promote consistent benchmark attainment.

3. Foster and maintain collaborative connections between the students and faculty. 

• Measure: Student to Faculty Ratio 
• Benchmark: Better than National PAEA Average 
• Success of Goal

• Measure: 
  • Faculty Survey (Collaborative Connections between Faculty and Students)
  • End of Didactic Survey (Collaborative Connections between Faculty and Students)
  • Exit Survey (Collaborative Connections between Faculty and Students)
  • Graduate Survey (Collaborative Connections between Faculty and Students)
• Benchmark - Better than Program benchmark of 3.5 out of 5.0 on all assessments
• Success of Goal

• Measure - Student and faculty professional development
• Benchmark – 5 faculty and student publications or presentations per year
• Success of Goal

The program has successfully achieved this goal. Student-to-faculty ratios consistently exceeded national benchmarks, supporting individualized instruction and meaningful engagement between students and faculty. Evaluation data from faculty, didactic, exit, and graduate surveys consistently exceeded program benchmarks, indicating strong and sustained collaborative relationships. Professional development output, including faculty and student scholarship, consistently met the established benchmark. Overall, the program demonstrates a strong culture of collaboration, with continued opportunities to enhance scholarly productivity and engagement.

4. Prepare students to provide care across diverse settings and populations, with a focus on serving vulnerable and underserved populations

• Measure:
  • Faculty Survey (Education/Experience with Diverse and Vulnerable Populations)
  • End of Didactic Survey (Education/Experience with Diverse and Vulnerable Populations)
  • Exit Survey (Education/Experience with Diverse and Vulnerable Populations)
  • Graduate Survey (Education/Experience with Diverse and Vulnerable Populations)
• Benchmark - Better than Program benchmark of 3.5 out of 5.0 on all assessments
• Success of Goal

• Measure:
  • Faculty Survey (Program supports diverse backgrounds of all constituents)
  • End of Didactic Survey (Program supports diverse backgrounds of all constituents)
  • Exit Survey (Program supports diverse backgrounds of all constituents)
  • Graduate Survey (Program supports diverse backgrounds of all constituents)
  • Staff Survey (Program supports diverse backgrounds of all constituents)
• Benchmark - Better than Program benchmark of 3.5 out of 5.0 on all assessments
• Success of Goal

The program has successfully achieved this goal, consistently exceeding the established benchmark of 3.5 across all measures. Faculty, student, graduate, and staff evaluations demonstrate strong and sustained agreement that the curriculum effectively prepares students to provide care across diverse settings, with a clear emphasis on serving vulnerable and underserved populations.

Based on consistent achievement of established benchmarks across multiple measures, the following previous program goals have been successfully achieved and are considered complete:

• Provide professional experiences to complement classroom teaching
• Develop critical reasoning skills
• Emphasize a focus on interprofessional education and practice focused on early professional development
• Support the varied backgrounds of all program constituents including students, staff, and faculty

These goals are integral to the framework of the PA Program as curricular elements. The program will continue to monitor relevant outcomes and will periodically revisit these goals to ensure sustained effectiveness.