Program Self-Assessment

The tables and narratives below summarize our program goals and progress.  After the first cohort begins in 2023, progress toward our goals will be published annually.

1.   Select highly qualified and diverse applicants for admission into the program.

The program seeks to recruit and select highly capable individuals for admission to the program.  In addition, the program endeavors to increase diversity within the profession.  The program seeks candidates with overall cumulative and pre-requisite science GPA’s that exceed the required minimum.  As defined by the PAEA Annual Program Report of under-represented minorities in the PA profession and PA student populations, the program recruits, encourages application, and selects diverse candidates into the program.  In addition, the program seeks to increase the number of first generation college students and veterans with military medical experience in the student cohorts.

South College Asheville PA Program’s benchmarks are targeted to result in aggregated averages (means) that will meet or exceed the stated benchmark in each of the four categories listed above.  (Note: South College Asheville minimum GPA requirements are 2.75 for Overall GPA and 2.75 for Science GPA.  Determination of GPA, direct patient care hours, and diverse backgrounds is based on information extracted from the admissions application.)

2. Provide students with an educational curriculum that promotes lifelong learning skills/evidence-based medicine skills in preparation for clinical practice.

The effectiveness of the program at teaching lifelong learning/evidence-based medicine skills is evaluated using Likert-scale questions on a 5-point scale.  Scores are provided by students after completing the didactic phase of the program, by graduates shortly after completing the program, by program faculty, and by clinical preceptors.  The benchmark for each of these evaluations is an average of 3.5.  The table below displays scores from each group that will be queried.

*Each of the above-stated groups will complete a comprehensive program evaluation at the time interval indicated.  Students, graduates, and faculty will be asked about the effectiveness of the teaching methods used to teach these skills.  Preceptors will be asked about students’ use of these skills.  The aggregated average (mean) score for each area assessed will be based on a five-point Likert scale. The South College Asheville PA Program’s benchmark is an aggregated average (mean) score equal to or greater than 3.5 in all areas assessed.

3.  Prepare students to pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) at a rate at or above the national average.

The PA program strives to be a program of excellence in which its students are well-equipped to pass the PANCE.  The program sets as its benchmark based on the national average percentage of test-takers who passed the certifying exam on the first attempt.

*Percentage of South College Asheville students and students nationwide who pass the PANCE on the first attempt.  The South College Asheville benchmark is to have a first-time taker pass rate (Data source: NCCPA PANCE Reports) that is equal to or greater than the national average pass rate.

4.  Prepare students to practice patient-centered care and embrace cultural inclusion and diversity.

The effectiveness of the program at preparing students to practice patient-centered care and embrace cultural inclusion and diversity is evaluated using Likert-scale questions on a 5-point scale.  Scores are provided by students after completing the didactic phase of the program, by graduates shortly after completing the program, by program faculty, and by clinical preceptors.  The benchmark for each of these evaluations is an average of 3.5.  The table below displays scores from each group that will be queried.

*Each of the above-stated groups will complete a comprehensive program evaluation at the time interval indicated.  Students, graduates, and faculty will be asked about the effectiveness of the teaching methods used to teach these skills.  Preceptors will be asked about students’ use of these skills.  The aggregated average (mean) score for each area assessed will be based on a five-point Likert scale. The South College Asheville PA Program’s benchmark is an aggregated average (mean) score equal to or greater than 3.5 in all areas assessed.

5. Ensure that graduates possess the technical skills needed to practice medicine.

The effectiveness of the program at preparing its graduates with the technical skills needed for clinical practice is evaluated using Likert-scale questions on a 5-point scale.  Scores are provided by students after completing the didactic phase of the program, by graduates shortly after completing the program, by program faculty, and by clinical preceptors.  The benchmark for each of these evaluations is an average of 3.5.  The table below displays scores from each group that will be queried.

*Each of the above-stated groups will complete a comprehensive program evaluation at the time interval indicated.  Students, graduates, and faculty will be asked about the effectiveness of the teaching methods used to teach these skills.  Preceptors will be asked about students’ use of these skills.  The aggregated average (mean) score for each area assessed will be based on a five-point Likert scale.  The South College Asheville PA Program’s benchmark is an aggregated average (mean) score equal to or greater than 3.5 in all areas assessed.

6.     Provide a curriculum that fosters interprofessional education and team-based health care.

The effectiveness of the program at preparing its graduates for clinical practice in a team-based health care environment is evaluated using Likert-scale questions on a 5-point scale.  Scores are provided by students after completing the didactic phase of the program, by graduates shortly after completing the program, by program faculty, and by clinical preceptors.  The benchmark for each of these evaluations is an average of 3.5.  The table below displays scores from each group that will be queried.

*Each of the above-stated groups will complete a comprehensive program evaluation at the time interval indicated.  Students, graduates, and faculty will be asked about the effectiveness of the teaching methods used to teach these skills.  Preceptors will be asked about students’ use of these skills.  The aggregated average (mean) score for each area assessed will be based on a five-point Likert scale. The South College Asheville PA Program’s benchmark is an aggregated average (mean) score equal to or greater than 3.5 in all areas assessed.