Mission Statement: The Mission of the LSUHSC-New Orleans Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program is to recruit and educate individuals of the highest quality to provide evidence-based, patient-centered healthcare to the people of Louisiana.
Program Goals
Goal 1: Recruit highly qualified applicants for enrollment as students in the LSUHSC NO program.
- Rationale: The LSUHSC NO PA Program acknowledges the competitive nature of PA school admissions. We maintain a rigorous application process to select the most qualified candidates, recognizing that overall GPA serves as a significant indicator of success within our program.
- Benchmark: National data from the PAEA Student Report 6 (2025) show an average overall GPA of 3.6 for matriculated PA students. Therefore, the Program uses an overall GPA of 3.6 as a reference benchmark for evaluating academic readiness during the admissions process.
- Outcome:
Goal 2: Achieve a graduation rate of 90% or higher for students entering the LSUHSC NO PA Program.
- Rationale: The curriculum serves as the cornerstone of academic success within the LSUHSC NO PA Program. By creating and consistently refining our curriculum through self-assessment, we aim to equip students with the requisite knowledge, skills, and support essential for their academic success. The curriculum not only facilitates the acquisition of core competencies but also fosters an enriching learning environment conducive to student engagement and retention. We aim to experience low attrition of students through this process.
- Benchmark: The program has established a graduation rate benchmark of 90%. With a cohort size of 35 students, this allows for the graduation of at least 32 students per class. The benchmark reflects a high standard for retention and academic success while accounting for the realities of small cohort variability.
- Outcome:
Goal 3: Maintain a high five-year first-time pass rate at or above the national average on the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE).
- Rationale: Passing the PANCE is a prerequisite for obtaining licensure as a physician assistant in the United States. Without passing this exam, graduates of the program cannot practice as certified PAs. We aim to have all graduates pass the PANCE on the first attempt.
- Benchmark: The program’s benchmark for each graduating class is to meet or exceed the national first-time pass rate for that specific year
- Outcome:
Goal 4: Maintain accreditation-continuing status.
- Rationale: Maintaining accreditation continuing status is essential for ensuring that students receive a degree in physician assistant studies.
- Benchmark: The program’s goal benchmark is to maintain accreditation continuous status.
- Outcome:
Goal 5: Educate high quality healthcare providers to care for the people of Louisiana.
- Rationale: Louisiana faces a significant shortage of healthcare providers. Our objective is to train healthcare professionals committed to practicing within the state, addressing this crucial need.
- Benchmark: The program aims for 75% of graduates to successfully obtain licensure to practice in Louisiana within 6 months of graduation. The rationale for this benchmark is that, while many students are Louisiana residents at matriculation, external factors such as personal circumstances (such as marriages), specialty choice, or relocation after graduation may influence practice location. Setting the benchmark at 75% accounts for these influences while still ensuring that a substantial majority contribute to the state’s healthcare workforce.
- Outcome: