红杏视频

Program Goal Outcomes of the Physician Assistant Program

Updated September 2026

Goal 1: Matriculate a diverse student body with a commitment to professional and community service.

The 2026 cohort comprised 38 members who demonstrated a strong commitment to professional and community service. Upon matriculation, the cohort had an average of 1679 hands-on patient care hours and 573 community service hours. 2 students were from rural/underserved areas in Appalachia, and 21% of the cohort were from medically underserved areas.

The cohort of 2026 was a diverse student body that held undergraduate degrees in majors including Biology, Health Sciences, Neuroscience, Exercise Science, Nutrition, Biochemistry, Kinesiology, Athletic Training, Psychology, Biomedical Science, and Biological Sciences.

The cohort of 2026鈥檚 competitive admission standards upon matriculation were: 

  • Average undergraduate cumulative GPA: 3.76
  • Average undergraduate Math/Science GPA: 3.64 
  • Average scaled Quantitative GRE score: 154
  • Average scaled Verbal GRE score: 154
  • Average scaled Written GRE score: 4.28

87% of the cohort identified as female. 13% of the cohort identified as male. 86% of the cohort identified as White. 5% of the cohort identified as Asian, and 7% of the cohort identified as African American.

While in the program, the Cohort of 2026鈥檚 commitment to professional service was achieved with 100% membership in the American Academy of PAs (AAPA), 红杏视频 Association of Physician Assistants (OAPA), and PA Student Society of 红杏视频 (PASSOU).

In addition to holding professional memberships during the program, the Cohort of 2026 exceeded the program's minimum expectation of 100 community service hours by completing over 221 hours during the didactic and clinical years.

Goal 2: Educate PA students to effectively practice evidence-based, patient-centered healthcare in medically underserved areas.

OHIO University鈥檚 Department of Physician Assistant Practice is committed to educating PA students who will effectively practice lifelong, evidence-based, patient-centered healthcare in medically underserved areas.

For the 2025-2026 clinical year, 100% of students (38/38) completed at least one rotation in a medically underserved area and/or provider shortage area. According to the Exit Survey taken by the Cohort of 2026, 76% of graduates reported that the curriculum prepared them to provide patient-centered healthcare to patients in medically underserved populations.

Furthermore, 97% of graduates reported on the Exit Survey that they are competent in evaluating and applying evidence-based medical literature to practice.

Preceptor evaluations of students during the 2025-2026 clinical year revealed that 81% of Clinical Preceptors agreed that students could critically evaluate medical literature, policies, and trends to improve or enhance patient care. Additionally, 88% of Clinical Preceptors thought that students in the 2026 cohort could effectively adapt communication and care for diverse patient populations, and over 97% of Clinical Preceptors believed the students were successful in relating to their patients.

Goal 3: Develop PA students who demonstrate cultural, ethical, and professional competence.

OHIO鈥檚 Division of Physician Assistant Practice strives to develop students who demonstrate
cultural, ethical, and professional competence.

Regarding behaviors that pertained to ethical and professional practices such as, but not limited to, ethical/moral behavior in clinical practice, cultural competence/awareness, integrity, professionalism, accountability, and regulations regarding medical practice, the Class of 2026 achieved an average score of 4.74 out of 5 on the Likert Scale as reported on the Exit Survey.

According to the Clinical preceptors for the 2025-2026 clinical year, almost 100% reported that the Cohort of 2026 demonstrated professionalism in all interactions with patients, the healthcare team, caregivers, etc. In addition, when assessed on confidentiality, adaptability, professionalism, self-con铿乨ence, reliability, and dependability, relating to colleagues and to patients, the Cohort of 2025 earned an average score of 4.77 out of 5 on a Likert Scale.

The program expects 100% of students to demonstrate professional growth throughout the program. Professionalism and professional behaviors are evaluated by the program鈥檚 clinical course directors throughout the clinical year, and each student achieved a rating of competent or higher throughout the clinical year, which meets the program鈥檚 benchmark. (Professional competency scale includes the rating of beginner, advanced beginner, competent, pro铿乧ient, and expert)

Furthermore, all students are required to complete a professional behavior assessment at the beginning of the program, before the clinical year, and before graduation. The program data analysis for professional development reveals that all graduates of the 2026 cohort demonstrated professional growth throughout the program, which meets the program benchmark.

Goal 4: Train PA students to function as members of interprofessional healthcare teams in primary care settings.

OHIO鈥檚 PA program curriculum trains PA students to function as members of interprofessional healthcare teams focused on primary care settings. Results from the Exit Survey show that the Class of 2026 is con铿乨ent in their communication skills (4.41 out of 5 on the Likert Scale) and can demonstrate analytical capabilities (medical history taking, physical exam skills, clinical skills, clinical decision making, developing a differential diagnosis, interpreting diagnostic testing) in clinical practice (4.46 out of 5), both of which meet the benchmarks.

The 2025-2026 Clinical Preceptors evaluated the Cohort of 2026 on their ability to relate to patients and colleagues and communicate with others on the healthcare team (4.63 out of 5). Almost 100% of Clinical Preceptors agreed that the students in the 2026 Cohort could relate to colleagues and patients. Also, 96% of Clinical Preceptors positively rated the students鈥 ability to effectively communicate with members of the healthcare team.

Goal 5: Prepare PA students to assume leadership roles within their organizations and profession.

OHIO鈥檚 PA program is committed to preparing PA students to assume leadership roles within their organizations and the PA profession. Our faculty and students demonstrate their leadership by holding positions and memberships in the following organizations:

National Organizations

  • American Academy of PAs (AAPA)
    • Distinguished Fellow; Fellow members
  • American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians (ACOP)
    • Member
  • American College of Physicians (ACP)
    • Member
  • Military O铿僣ers Association of America (MOAA)
    • Member
  • American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
    • Member
  • American Public Health Association (APHA)
    • Member
  • Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA)
    • Members

State Organizations

  • 红杏视频 Association of Physician Assistants (OAPA)
    • Members; Past Presidents; AAPA House of Delegates Representative; Governmental A铿airs Committee Member; Conference Speakers
  • 红杏视频 Public Health Association (OPHA)
    • Member

Students

  • PA Student Society of 红杏视频 (PASSOU)
    • Board members, Members
  • 红杏视频 Association of Physician Assistants (OAPA)
    • Student members
  • American Academy of PAs (AAPA)
    • Student members

Furthermore, the Exit Survey reveals most of the cohort is prepared to assume a leadership role upon graduation (4.58/5 on a 5-point Likert scale), which meets the benchmark of 3.5 or higher.