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 from diverse backgrounds 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. Furthermore, we value healthcare experience for its contribution of clinical expertise beyond academic achievements.
- Benchmark: In alignment with data from the PAEA Student Report 5 (published in 2023), which indicates an average overall GPA of 3.64 and a median of 3100 direct healthcare hours for accepted PA students, our goal benchmark for admission includes an overall GPA >3.64 and 3100 hours for direct healthcare experience.
- 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’s goal benchmark is a graduation rate of 90%.
- 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 goal benchmark is a five-year first-time pass rate at or above the national average.
- 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 90% of graduates to successfully obtain licensure to practice in Louisiana.
- Outcome:
Goal 6 – Option 2: Educate high quality healthcare providers from diverse backgrounds.
- Rationale: Maintaining diversity is a key program goal, particularly in training PAs equipped to meet the needs of Louisiana's diverse patient population.
- Benchmark: The program has selected three criteria to evaluate diverse backgrounds: race/ethnicity, educationally disadvantaged and socioeconomically disadvantaged. All information is self-reported by students on admissions data.
Race/Ethnicity: The program benchmark is greater than or equal to 25% ethnically or racially diverse.
Disadvantaged: The program benchmark is greater than or equal to 25% meeting one or more of the criteria for being educationally or economically disadvantaged.
- Outcomes: