{"id":3115,"date":"2021-04-30T12:23:17","date_gmt":"2021-04-30T16:23:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/paprogram\/?page_id=3115"},"modified":"2026-07-01T22:13:29","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T02:13:29","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/paprogram\/about-us\/","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our Mission<\/h2>\n

The BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine PA <\/span><\/span><\/span>Program prepares future healthcare leaders to provide exceptional, equitable, and patient-centered care to a <\/span><\/span><\/span>diverse population. By\u00a0 pioneering an <\/span><\/span><\/span>innovative, interprofessional education model rooted in academic excellence, scholarship, and service, we foster an environment of professionalism and strive to set the standard for the future of physician assistant education<\/span><\/span><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Students who successfully complete all academic\u00a0requirements and come to embody the mission above will be conferred a\u00a0Masters of Science degree at the conclusion of the program.<\/span><\/p>\n

Program Goals<\/h2>\n

The goals of the BU PA Program are to:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Provide the didactic and clinical training that prepares <\/span><\/span><\/span>physician assistants for general medical practice.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Cultivate an environment of professionalism within the <\/span><\/span><\/span>program and the broader medical community.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Prepare students to provide equitable care to all patients, <\/span><\/span><\/span>with a focus on those from marginalized and medically <\/span><\/span><\/span>under-served communities.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Prepare students to be ethical members of a patient-<\/span><\/span><\/span>centered, inter-disciplinary healthcare team.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    **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.<\/em><\/p>\n

    Program Accreditation<\/h2>\n

    The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued<\/strong> status to the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program<\/strong> sponsored by Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine<\/strong>. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards<\/em>.<\/p>\n

    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<\/em>. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be September 2028<\/strong>. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards<\/em> and ARC-PA policy.<\/p>\n

    The program\u2019s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at http:\/\/www.arc-pa.org\/accreditation-history-boston-university\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Program Competencies<\/h2>\n

    A. Medical Knowledge<\/h4>
    <\/p>\n
      \n
    1. Understand the epidemiology, anatomy, pathophysiology, and <\/span><\/span><\/span>prognosis of disease processes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
    2. <\/span>Elicit a detailed and accurate patient history, taking into consideration the influence of culture, ethnicity, age, educational and socio-economic backgrounds.<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. <\/span>Perform\u00a0the\u00a0appropriate\u00a0physical\u00a0examination\u00a0on\u00a0patients\u00a0of\u00a0all\u00a0ages recognizing normal and abnormal findings.<\/span><\/li>\n
    4. <\/span>Order and interpret appropriate diagnostic tests including common laboratory, imaging, interventional, and therapeutic procedures as indicated by history and physical examination. <\/span><\/li>\n
    5. <\/span>Organize information from the interview, diagnostic testing and physical examination to formulate a differential diagnosis and assessment for patients. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

      B. Interpersonal and Communication Skills<\/h4>
      <\/p>\n
        \n
      1. Document clinical information\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>in an accurate and <\/span><\/span><\/span>thorough\u00a0manner.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
      2. Effectively communicate pertinent patient data in oral and <\/span><\/span><\/span>written forms to all members of the health care team.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
      3. Interact with patients and their families with respect, trust,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>and cultural sensitivity.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
      4. Develop a professional relationship, showing respect for all\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>members of the health care\u00a0team.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
          <\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

          C. Patient Care - Clinical and Technical Skills<\/h4>
          <\/p>\n
            \n
          1. Evaluate<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the indications and contraindications and safely <\/span><\/span><\/span>perform\u00a0common medical and surgical procedures.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
          2. Develop and implement appropriate management plans, <\/span><\/span><\/span>considering patients’ needs and preferences,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>taking into account <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>social determinants of health.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
          3. Counsel and educated patients and their families regarding the <\/span><\/span><\/span>importance of health maintenance and prevention, treatment <\/span><\/span><\/span>regimen adherence, and other aspects of care.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
          4. Refer to and\/or consult with appropriate healthcare professionals <\/span><\/span><\/span>and social agencies.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

            D. Professionalism<\/h4>
            <\/p>\n
              \n
            1. Demonstrate<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>behavior that is ethical, compassionate, <\/span><\/span><\/span>patient-centered, and acknowledges limitations and <\/span><\/span><\/span>mistakes.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
            2. Demonstrate self-directed learning, intellectual <\/span><\/span><\/span>curiosity, initiative, and self-reflection.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
            3. Demonstrate educational and professional resilience.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

              E. Practice-based Learning and Improvement<\/h4>
              <\/p>\n
                \n
              1. Demonstrate<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>a clear understanding of research <\/span><\/span><\/span>methodology.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
              2. Demonstrate proficiency in scientific writing.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
              3. Contribute to a safe, diverse, equitable, and inclusive <\/span><\/span><\/span>environment.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
              4. Understand the process and importance of quality <\/span><\/span><\/span>improvement projects in promoting patient safety.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

                F. System-based Practice<\/h4>
                <\/p>\n
                  \n
                1. Demonstrate effective\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>clinical practice in a variety of <\/span><\/span><\/span>healthcare settings.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
                2. Utilize point-of-care resources to support and justify <\/span><\/span><\/span>clinical reasoning.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
                3. Practice evidence-based medicine.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
                4. Utilize artificial intelligence ethically, responsibly, and <\/span><\/span><\/span>appropriately.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

                  Student Outcomes<\/h2>\n

                  PANCE Board Exam Performance<\/h4>
                  <\/p>\n

                  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:<\/span><\/p>\n

                  2026 NCCPA PANCE Report 6.8.2026<\/a><\/p>\n

                  **Due to changes to the curriculum, the Boston University PA Program did not have a graduated class of 2025.<\/p>\n

                  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

                  Student Attrition Rate<\/h4>
                  <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
                  <\/caption>\n
                  <\/td>\nGraduated Classes<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                  <\/td>\nClass of 2022<\/strong><\/td>\nClass of 2023<\/strong><\/td>\nClass of 2024<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                  Maximum entering class size<\/strong>
                  \n(as approved by ARC-PA)<\/td>\n                  		36<\/td>\n36<\/td>\n36<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                  Entering class size<\/td>\n28<\/td>\n26<\/td>\n25<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                  Graduates<\/td>\n25<\/td>\n25<\/td>\n24<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                  * Attrition rate<\/strong><\/td>\n10.7%<\/td>\n3.8%<\/td>\n4.0%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                  ** Graduation rate<\/strong><\/td>\n89.3%<\/td>\n96.2%<\/td>\n96.0%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

                  Due to changes to the curriculum, the BU PA Program did not have a graduating class in 2025.<\/p>\n

                  Comments:<\/em><\/strong>
                  \nIn 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.<\/em><\/p>\n

                  * Attrition rate calculation:\u00a0 Number of students who attritted from cohort (decelerated + withdrawals + dismissals) divided by the (entering class size + number joining class cohort).<\/p>\n

                  **Graduation rate calculation:\u00a0 Number of cohort graduates divided by the (entering class size + number joining class cohort).<\/p>\n

                  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

                  State Licensure<\/h4>
                  <\/p>\n

                  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.\u00a0 The complete list can be found here<\/a>.
                  \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

                  \"\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                  Our Mission The BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine PA Program prepares future healthcare leaders to provide exceptional, equitable, and patient-centered care to a diverse population. By\u00a0 pioneering an innovative, interprofessional education model rooted in academic excellence, scholarship, and service, we foster an environment of professionalism and strive to set the standard for the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1158,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/paprogram\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3115"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/paprogram\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/paprogram\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/paprogram\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1158"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/paprogram\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3115"}],"version-history":[{"count":50,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/paprogram\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3115\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4184,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/paprogram\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3115\/revisions\/4184"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/paprogram\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3115"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}