NAU’s PA program goals and successes
Compassion, diversity, and quality – valued goals
The mission of the Northern Arizona University Physician Assistant Program is to recruit individuals of the highest possible quality from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to the profession.
We will equip graduates with clinical and professional knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide high-quality, compassionate medical care for the people of Arizona.
Providing a rigorous program
The goals of the Physician Assistant Program at NAU Accordion Closed
- provide a broad, interdisciplinary medical education that will allow graduates to adapt to the changing healthcare environment, with a focus on evidence-based practice
- prepare graduates to practice in diverse settings throughout Arizona, with special emphasis on rural communities and other underserved communities utilize technology and innovative strategies to effectively and efficiently equip graduates with the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to be a competent healthcare provider and life-long learner
- develop a tradition of excellence in preparing graduates to successfully complete the national certification examination and to perform among the top programs in the country
- develop faculty and staff members with a commitment to excellence in teaching, service, and scholarship
Success by the numbers Accordion Closed
- Of our first graduating class of 2014 (N=24), 96% took their first job in Arizona, 65% took their first job in primary care, and 52% took their first job in a medically underserved or rural community.
- In our second graduating class of 2015 (N=24), 88% took their first job in Arizona, 54% took their first job in primary care, and 46% took their first job in a medically underserved or rural community.
- In the most recent academic year, 55% of the students’ clinical rotations were completed in a rural or medically underserved practice in Arizona.
- Combining data from the first two classes of graduates (N=48), 92% took their first job in Arizona, 58% took their first job in primary care, and 48% took their first job in a medically underserved or rural community.
- Almost 70% of our current first and second year classes consist of individuals who are economically or educationally disadvantaged, first generation college attendees, military veterans, or are in an under-represented minority.
- The 24 graduates of the Class of 2014 attained a 96% first time pass rate on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE).
- The 24 graduates of the Class of 2015 also attained a 96% first time pass rate on the PANCE, and all 48 NAU PA program graduates have passed the PANCE and are practicing as PAs.
- Both graduating cohorts’ first time PANCE results equaled or exceed the national average.
- The NAU PA Program had an attrition rate of 4% (1 student) in each of the first two graduating cohorts, less than half of the national average deceleration/withdrawal/dismissal rate of 9.2%.