Mission and Goals

Mission 

The North Carolina A&T Master of Science Physician Assistant Studies program will prepare graduates to improve the health of the community through preeminence in medical education, clinical care, and leadership.

Goals

Benchmark: Medical knowledge: First-time taker annual PANCE pass rate ≥ national average first-time taker PANCE overall pass rate. 
Rationale: The program recognizes graduate success on the PANCE is one marker used to demonstrate competency of graduates, particularly of their medical knowledge. A first-time taker pass rate at or above the national average demonstrates programmatic success in this area. 
Strength: for 3 consecutive years the annual first-time taker PANCE pass rates for the program are ≥ 2% higher than the national average first-time taker PANCE pass rates. We choose this level for strength as it demonstrates greater PANCE performance than the national average; if the national first-time taker PANCE pass rate is ≥ 94%, the program’s strength benchmark will be 96% first-time take PANCE pass rate. 
Weakness: below the benchmark for a period of 2 consecutive years. 
  
Benchmark: The cumulative GPA for each student across the didactic curriculum will be ≥3.0. 
Rationale: The program believes that requiring a GPA of 3.0 or higher promotes academic rigor among students; students who cannot meet this GPA requirement would be dismissed from the program following probationary processes. 
 Strength: for 3 consecutive years ≥80% of the cohort at or above a 3.5 GPA average across the didactic curriculum. 
Weakness: below the benchmark for a period of 2 consecutive years. 
  
Benchmark: Average PACKRAT performance scores for each cohort ≥ the national average. 
Data available upon graduation of the first cohort. 
Rationale: The program recognizes student success on the PACKRAT is one marker used to demonstrate students have been provided a rigorous academic experience. 
Strength: for 3 consecutive years the annual PACKRAT scores are ≥1.0 standard deviations higher than the national scores. We choose this level for strength as it demonstrates greater performance than the national average. 
Weakness: below the benchmark for a period of 2 consecutive years. 
Benchmark: Average PAEA End of Curriculum (EoC) scores for each cohort ≥ the national average 
Data available upon graduation of the first cohort. 
Rationale: The program recognizes student success on the PAEA EOC is one marker used to demonstrate students have been provided a rigorous academic experience. 
Strength: for 3 consecutive years the annual PAEA EOC scores are ≥1.0 standard deviations higher than the national scores. We choose this level for strength as it demonstrates greater performance than the national average. 
Weakness: below the benchmark for a period of 2 consecutive years. 
  
Benchmark: Greater than 50% of graduates express intent to obtain license in North Carolina as indicated on Graduate Exit Survey. 
Data available upon graduation of the first cohort. 
Rationale: The program recognizes the need for deploying graduates into the surrounding community. 
Strength: for 3 consecutive years greater than 50% express the intent to apply for NC license.
Weakness: below the benchmark for a period of 2 consecutive years. 

Benchmark: Average score of “Satisfactory” or higher (≥3) on the Program Professionalism Rubric for all students each semester.
Data available upon graduation of the first cohort. 
Rationale: Routinely evaluating the professionalism of students fosters a culture of professionalism; the program upholds its mission and core values and expects all students to act in a professional manner. 
Strength: average scores of ≥3.5 on the Professionalism Rubric for all students for 3 consecutive years. 
Weakness: below the benchmark for a period of 2 consecutive years. 
  
Benchmark: All students score at or above 70% on the Summative Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), in which students simulate assessment and management of a clinical scenario (clinical phase). 
Data available upon graduation of the first cohort. 
Rationale: In order to pass the summative OSCE students must demonstrate professional behaviors; ≥70% is the passing range for our program.
Strength: for 3 consecutive years the cohort scores above 70% on Summative OSCE. 
Weakness: below the benchmark for a period of 2 consecutive years. 
  
Benchmark: Aggregate scores of ≥ 3.5/5.0 on Graduate Exit Survey (confidence in preparation interpreting the medical literature and competence participating in applied research) 
Data available upon graduation of the first cohort. 
Rationale: A score of 3.5 is more positive than neutral. 
Strength: for 3 consecutive years the annualGraduate Exit Survey ≥ 3.5/5.0 on Graduate Exit Survey (confidence in preparation interpreting the medical literature and competence participating in applied research. 
Weakness: below the benchmark for a period of 2 consecutive years. 
  
Benchmark: Achieve 90% participation in program sponsored community service activities, professional service, or experiential learning opportunities prior to graduation. 
Data available upon graduation of the first cohort. 
Rationale: The program mission is rooted in the health of the community; service experiences helps students learn empathy and provides opportunities to work with diverse populations; 30 hours is sufficient for experiential learning while not being an excessive burden on students. 
 Strength: for 3 consecutive years 90% participation in program sponsored community service activities, professional service, or experiential learning opportunities prior to graduation. 
Weakness: below the benchmark for a period of 2 consecutive years. 

Data available upon graduation of the first cohort 
Rationale: Serving patients in medically underserved areas will provide students with exposure to diverse populations and vulnerable individuals and promotes compassion for others.  We selected 90% since want as many students as possible to have this experience, however, given the limitations of preceptor availability and scheduling constraints, it may not be feasible to reach 100% participation. 
Strength: ≥90% of students complete a minimum of one rotation in a medically underserved area for 3 consecutive years. 
Weakness: below the benchmark for a period of 2 consecutive years. 

Data available upon graduation of the first cohort
Rationale: A score of 3.5 is more positive than neutral.
Strength: An aggregate score of ≥ 3.5/5.0 across 3 years; 3.5 is more highly positive than positive to neutral.
Weakness: below the benchmark for a period of 2 consecutive years. 
Benchmark: Aggregate scores of ≥ 3.5/5.0 on Guest Lecture Evaluations reflecting Instructor demonstrates cultural sensitivity.
Data available upon graduation of the first cohort
Rationale: A score of 3.5 is more positive than neutral. 
Strength: An aggregate score of ≥ 3.5/5.0 across 3 years; 3.5 is more highly positive than positive to neutral. 
Weakness: below the benchmark for a period of 2 consecutive years