{"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":"2026-06-09T14:55:03","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T18:55:03","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 mission of the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine<\/a> Physician Assistant Program is to provide a thorough and innovative education to future physician assistants so that they may go on to provide exceptional care to a diverse population of patients. We are committed to designing a successful model for patient-centered, interprofessional education and practice. We promote the qualities of professionalism, leadership, and service in our students.<\/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 PA Program are to:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Provide the didactic and clinical experiences that cultivate the development of competent entry level physician assistants.<\/li>\n
  2. Support an environment of professionalism with the Program and the broader medical community.<\/li>\n
  3. Prepare students to care for all patients, with a focus on those from marginalized and medically under-served communities.<\/li>\n
  4. Prepare students to practice medicine as an ethical member of a patient-centered, inter-disciplinary health care team.<\/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

    Medical Knowledge<\/h4>
    <\/p>\n
      \n
    1. <\/span>Understand the epidemiology, anatomy, pathophysiology, and prognosis of disease processes. <\/span><\/li>\n
    2. <\/span>Elicit a detailed and accurate patient history, taking into consideration the influence of culture, ethnicity, age, educational and socio-economical 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

      Interpersonal and Communication Skills<\/h4>
      <\/p>\n
        \n
      1. Document clinical information in an accurate and concise manner. <\/span><\/li>\n
      2. Effectively communicate\u00a0pertinent patient data in\u00a0oral\u00a0and\u00a0written\u00a0forms <\/span>to supervising or\u00a0<\/span>referring\u00a0physicians\u00a0and\u00a0other\u00a0members of the health care\u00a0team.<\/li>\n
      3. Interact with patients and their families with respect, trust, and cultural sensitivity.<\/span><\/li>\n
      4. Develop a professional relationship, showing respect for the supervising physician and other members of the health care\u00a0team.<\/span>\n
          <\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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

          Patient Care - Clinical and Technical Skills<\/h4>
          <\/p>\n
            \n
          1. <\/strong><\/span>Consider the indications and contraindications and safely perform\u00a0common medical and surgical procedures with appropriate supervision. <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
          2. <\/span>Develop\u00a0and\u00a0implement\u00a0appropriate\u00a0patient-\u00adcentered\u00a0management\u00a0plans,\u00a0considering patients\u2019 needs and preferences, taking into account\u00a0social determinants of\u00a0health. <\/span><\/li>\n
          3. <\/span>Counsel\u00a0and educate patients\u00a0and their families regarding the importance of health maintenance and prevention,\u00a0treatment\u00a0regimen\u00a0adherence,\u00a0and other aspects of care.<\/span><\/li>\n
          4. Refer to and\/or consult with appropriate healthcare professionals and social agencies.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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

            Professionalism<\/h4>
            <\/p>\n
              \n
            1. Demonstrate behavior that is ethical, compassionate, patient centered, and acknowledges limitations and mistakes.<\/li>\n
            2. <\/span>Demonstrate self-directed learning, intellectual curiosity, initiative, and self-reflection as well as recognizing one’s limits.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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

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

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

                System-based Practice<\/h4>
                <\/p>\n
                  \n
                1. <\/span>Work\u00a0within\u00a0a\u00a0variety\u00a0of\u00a0health\u00a0care\u00a0delivery\u00a0settings.<\/span><\/li>\n
                2. Utilize point-of-care resources and the best available evidence-based medicine to support and justify clinical reasoning.<\/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 mission of the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program is to provide a thorough and innovative education to future physician assistants so that they may go on to provide exceptional care to a diverse population of patients. We are committed to designing a successful model for patient-centered, […]<\/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":4165,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/paprogram\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3115\/revisions\/4165"}],"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}]}}