Physician Assistant Program Details

Our  Physician Assistant (PA) program is a 27-month program that provides the academic and clinical training that prepares you to be certified and licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision in an ethical, compassionate and professional manner. The first cohort of PA students matriculated in May 1996 and subsequently graduated in July 1998.  We created the program to address the healthcare needs of residents in the northern lower peninsula and the upper peninsula of Michigan, which includes many rural and medically underserved communities.

Upon successful completion of all requirements of the PA program, you will graduate with a Master of Science degree. A few short weeks after officially graduating from the PA program, you are eligible to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE) and may apply for licensure in any of the 50 states, District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories. If you are seeking employment in states other than Michigan, you may obtain further information on the submission of a state-specific licensure application from the American Academy of Physician Assistant's website or the respective state.

Goal 1:  Cultivate PA graduates with the medical knowledge and clinical skills necessary to provide competent care in all aspects of entry-level medicine.

• Benchmark:  First-time pass rate of PANCE at or above the national average.

• Benchmark:  First-time pass rate of End of Curriculum Exam (EOCE) at or above the national average.
• Benchmark:  First-time pass rate of Professionalism Evaluation ≥ 90%.
• Benchmark:  First-time pass rate of Objective Structured Clinical Exams (OSCEs) ≥ 90%.

• Benchmark:  Graduates indicate they feel prepared to enter clinical practice in reference to Goal 2 on program exit survey with score of at least 3.5 on 5-point Likert scale.
  • Exit survey response question regarding goal 1.
    • Please rate how successful you feel the program is in meeting its goal: Cultivate PA graduates with the medical knowledge and clinical skills necessary to provide competent care in all aspects of entry-level medicine.

Goal 2:  Educate students to develop the essential skills of critical thinking and appraisal of research to implore best practices of evidence-based medicine in their patient care.

• Benchmark:  100% of students earn a grade of B or greater in course PHA 645: Critical Appraisal of Medical Literature and Evidence-Based Medicine.

• Benchmark:  100% of students earn a grade of B or greater on capstone project.

• Benchmark:  Score a 3.5/5 on student exit survey regarding their ability to critically think as it pertains to practicing evidence-based medicine.

• Benchmark:  Score a 3.5/5 on student end of didactic survey regarding program effectiveness in preparing students to critically think and practice evidence-based medicine.

Goal 3:  Reinforce collaborative learning and working styles necessary to work within the interdisciplinary healthcare environment.

• Benchmark:  100% of students participate in the two-part interprofessional education workshop event.

• Benchmark:  Score a 3.5/5 on student exit survey regarding their preparedness for working in interdisciplinary healthcare environment.

• Benchmark:  Score a 3.5/5 on student end of didactic survey regarding program effectiveness in preparing students to work in interdisciplinary healthcare environment.

Goal 4:  Expose students to rural and/or underserved healthcare populations through their clinical experiences.

• Benchmark:  Greater than or equal to 60% of placements in early clinical exposure experiences (mentorship experiences) and Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPEs) offered by the university will treat patients from rural and/or medically underserved communities. The benchmark is determined by the average of the last five years. 
  • Benchmark is determined by average of last 5 years.

Percent of students placed in mentorship experience sites that are considered rural and/or underserved

Percent of students placed in SCPE sites that are considered rural and/or underserved

Program competency domains/program learning outcomes

Medical knowledge

Graduates of the CMU PA program will be able to apply comprehensive knowledge of biologic and clinical sciences to provide acute, chronic, urgent, and emergent care across the life span to infants, children, adolescents, adults and the elderly. 

• MK1:  Apply core knowledge about established and evolving biomedical and clinical sciences to provide patient-centered care to both healthy and ill patients.
• MK2:  Demonstrate knowledge of major organ systems, anatomy, and function of the human body.
• MK3:  Describe the signs, symptoms and typical clinical presentations associated with various diseases to make an accurate assessment of patients across the lifespan.
• MK4:  Select, interpret, and apply appropriate diagnostic tests and laboratory studies to appropriately inform clinical decision-making.
• MK5:  Differentiate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment strategies, including patient education and counseling, in caring for healthy and/or ill patients who present with various medical conditions. 

Patient care

Graduates of the CMU PA program graduates must demonstrate care that is effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of wellness.  Graduates of the CMU PA program will be able to analyze and synthesize relevant clinical, diagnostic, cultural, and contextual information to diagnose and manage patients across the lifespan (prenatal, infant, children, adolescents, adult, and the elderly). 

• PC1:  Demonstrate the ability to perform age-appropriate assessment, evaluation, and management of patients across the life span.
• PC2:  Perform effective, patient-centered history-taking and physical examination for comprehensive and problem-focused patient visits.
• PC3:  Perform medical and surgical procedures considered necessary for general practice.
• PC4:  Provide effective education and counseling for patients and their families.
• PC5:  Provide appropriate care to patients with chronic conditions.
• PC6:  Provide health care services and education aimed at the prevention of health problems as well as the maintenance of optimal health. 

Interpersonal and communication skills

Graduates of the CMU PA program will be able to communicate effectively with patients, families and health team members, incorporating compassion, empathy, and cultural humility to build meaningful therapeutic and interprofessional relationships. 

• ICS1:  Use interpersonal and communication skills to work effectively with other health care professionals as a member or leader of a health care team or professional group.
• ICS2:  Use effective communication skills to elicit and provide information to patients, families, and health team members.
• ICS3:  Demonstrate sensitivity, empathy, honesty and compassion in patient encounters to provide culturally responsive care that prioritizes the cultural health beliefs and practices of a diverse patient population.
• ICS4:  Accurately and adequately document medical information for clinical, legal, quality and financial purposes. 

Professionalism

Graduates of the CMU PA Program will prioritize the interests of those being served above their own. Graduates must recognize their professional and personal limitations. Professionalism also requires that PAs practice without impairment from substance abuse, cognitive deficiency, or mental illness. CMU graduates must demonstrate a high level of responsibility, ethical practice, sensitivity to a diverse patient population, and adherence to legal and regulatory requirements.

• P1:  Demonstrate respect for the dignity and privacy of patients, including maintaining confidentiality, patient autonomy, and informed consent in the delivery of patient-centered care.
• P2:  Exhibit an understanding of the regulatory environment and laws regarding professional practice.
• P3:  Demonstrate individual accountability and ability to recognize personal limitations, admit mistakes and errors and accept and provide feedback in a productive and constructive manner.
• P4:  Demonstrate commitment to excellence and on-going professional development. 

Systems-based practice

Graduates of the CMU PA Program will understand the societal, organizational, and economic environments in which health care is delivered. Graduates must demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger system of health care to provide patient care that is of optimal value. CMU graduates should work to improve the larger health care system and continually advocate on behalf of their patients.  

• SBP1:  Demonstrate an awareness of the larger context in systems of health care and effectively utilize system resources to provide optimal care.
• SBP2:  Practice cost-effective health care and resource allocation that does not compromise quality of care.
• SBP3:  Recognize the influence of genetic, socioeconomic, environmental, and other determinants on the health of the individual and community.
• SBP4:  Promote a safe environment for patient care. 

Practice-based learning and improvement  

Graduates of the CMU PA program will be able to engage in critical analysis of their own practice experience, medical literature, and other information resources for the purpose of self-improvement. CMU graduates must be able to assess, evaluate, and improve their patient care practices and provide and receive professional feedback related to optimal patient care. 

• PBL1:  Regularly assess personal strengths and areas for improvement in clinical practice using feedback from preceptors, faculty, and patients.
• PBL2:  Utilize a variety of educational resources, keeping up to date with advances in medical science, technology, and practice to enhance knowledge and skills.
• PBL3:  Participate in learning activities with other healthcare professionals, allowing for improved team-based care, and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams.
• PBL4:  Develop skills to integrate the best available evidence, apply clinical guidelines and protocols appropriately, and determine an evidence-based evaluation to optimize patient care circumstances, preferences, and outcomes.