About Us
Our Mission
The BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine PA Program prepares students to provide exceptional care to a diverse population of patients and pioneer curricular innovations across PA education. We provide an innovative education model for modern interprofessional education and practice to foster an environment of professionalism, leadership, and service in our students.
Students who successfully complete all academic requirements and come to embody the mission above will be conferred a Masters of Science degree at the conclusion of the program.
Program Goals
The goals of the BU PA Program are to:
- Provide the didactic and clinical training that prepares physician assistants for general medical practice.
- Cultivate an environment of professionalism within the program and the broader medical community.
- Prepare students to provide equitable care to all patients, with a focus on those from marginalized and medically under-served communities.
- Prepare students to be ethical members of a patient-centered, inter-disciplinary healthcare team.
The Program periodically evaluates where we are in meeting our goals. Our current progress is available in the 2024 Boston University PA Program Goals Report.
**This report contains data from our most recent graduated class. Due to changes to the curriculum, the Boston University PA Program did not have a graduated class of 2025. This report will be updated with data from our class of 2026 once it becomes available.
Program Accreditation
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.
Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be September 2028. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at http://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-boston-university/.
Program Competencies
A. Medical Knowledge
- Understand the epidemiology, anatomy, pathophysiology, and prognosis of disease processes.
- Elicit a detailed and accurate patient history, taking into consideration the influence of culture, ethnicity, age, educational and socio-economic backgrounds.
- Perform the appropriate physical examination on patients of all ages recognizing normal and abnormal findings.
- Order and interpret appropriate diagnostic tests including common laboratory, imaging, interventional, and therapeutic procedures as indicated by history and physical examination.
- Organize information from the interview, diagnostic testing and physical examination to formulate a differential diagnosis and assessment for patients.
B. Interpersonal and Communication Skills
- Document clinical information in an accurate and thorough manner.
- Effectively communicate pertinent patient data in oral and written forms to all members of the health care team.
- Interact with patients and their families with respect, trust, and cultural sensitivity.
- Develop a professional relationship, showing respect for all members of the health care team.
C. Patient Care - Clinical and Technical Skills
- Evaluate the indications and contraindications and safely perform common medical and surgical procedures.
- Develop and implement appropriate management plans, considering patients’ needs and preferences, taking into account social determinants of health.
- Counsel and educated patients and their families regarding the importance of health maintenance and prevention, treatment regimen adherence, and other aspects of care.
- Refer to and/or consult with appropriate healthcare professionals and social agencies.
D. Professionalism
- Demonstrate behavior that is ethical, compassionate, patient-centered, and acknowledges limitations and mistakes.
- Demonstrate self-directed learning, intellectual curiosity, initiative, and self-reflection.
- Demonstrate educational and professional resilience.
E. Practice-based Learning and Improvement
- Demonstrate a clear understanding of research methodology.
- Demonstrate proficiency in scientific writing.
- Contribute to a safe, diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment.
- Understand the process and importance of quality improvement projects in promoting patient safety.
F. System-based Practice
- Demonstrate effective clinical practice in a variety of healthcare settings.
- Utilize point-of-care resources to support and justify clinical reasoning.
- Practice evidence-based medicine.
- Utilize artificial intelligence ethically, responsibly, and appropriately.
Student Outcomes
PANCE Board Exam Performance
To date, all PA students in the 2016-2026 classes have taken their NCCPA Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE). Results are detailed in the report below:
2026 NCCPA PANCE Report 6.8.2026
**Due to changes to the curriculum, the Boston University PA Program did not have a graduated class of 2025.
Student Attrition Rate
|
Graduated Classes |
|
Class of 2022 |
Class of 2023 |
Class of 2024 |
Maximum entering class size
(as approved by ARC-PA) |
36 |
36 |
36 |
| Entering class size |
28 |
26 |
25 |
| Graduates |
25 |
25 |
24 |
| * Attrition rate |
10.7% |
3.8% |
4.0% |
| ** Graduation rate |
89.3% |
96.2% |
96.0% |
Due to changes to the curriculum, the BU PA Program did not have a graduating class in 2025.
Comments:
In the class of 2022, three students decelerated, returned in the class of 2023 and graduated successfully in 2023. In the class of 2023, one students decelerated, returned in the class of 2024, and graduated successfully in 2024. In the class of 2024, one student failed and decided not to return.
* Attrition rate calculation: Number of students who attritted from cohort (decelerated + withdrawals + dismissals) divided by the (entering class size + number joining class cohort).
**Graduation rate calculation: Number of cohort graduates divided by the (entering class size + number joining class cohort).
State Licensure
Students who complete the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian SOM Physician Assistant Program are eligible for licensure in all 50 states, District of Columbia, and most US territories. The complete list can be found here.
