The Ƶ (FranU) Physician Assistant Program has been granted Accreditation-Continued status by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA). The decision follows a comprehensive review process that included program reports, an on-site evaluation, and confirmation that the program meets the ARC-PA Standards for quality education and compliance.
Accreditation-Continued status indicates that the program remains in good standing and continues to meet national standards for excellence in physician assistant education. The next validation review by ARC-PA is scheduled for October 2033, following the program’s most recent review in September 2023. Accreditation will remain in effect as long as the program complies with the ARC-PA Standards and policies.
“The Accreditation-Continued status reflects our program’s ongoing commitment to excellence in healthcare education and our mission to prepare compassionate, highly skilled clinicians,” said Josselin Carter, program director for FranU’s Physician Assistant Program. “Our graduates are prepared to lead with integrity, serve with humility and provide exceptional patient-centered care.”
The Physician Assistant Program at FranU, which admits up to 30 students per cohort, prepares graduates to provide evidence-based, patient-centered medical care grounded in the values of service and compassion exemplified by the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady. The program is guided by its mission to develop graduates who serve all God’s people through quality, compassionate care.
“This decision affirms our ministry’s commitment to educate and form Physician Assistants who, as Franciscan servant leaders, are prepared to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the communities we serve, especially those within our immediate region where the demand for advanced practice providers is critically high,” stated Brian Rash, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
The program’s goals include maintaining a first-time pass rate for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) at or above the national average, ensuring graduates are employed within one year of graduation and promoting student and faculty participation in at least 250 hours of community service each academic year.
A master’s degree in physician assistant studies from FranU provides a strong foundation for diverse career opportunities in primary care, hospitals and community clinics. Graduates may also pursue roles in research, education, public health or healthcare administration, and many go on to specialize in specific areas of medicine or take on leadership positions within the field.
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