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Introduction to the Physician Associate Program

The University of Oklahoma Health Campus Physician Associate Program is a fast-paced, 27-month graduate-level training environment that promotes cooperative learning and professional conduct. The program recognizes the rigors of the physician assistant education model and the intensive curriculum, and the core PA faculty and staff are devoted to helping and encouraging students to succeed.

Program Mission and Goals

The mission of the program is to develop extraordinarily competent and compassionate physician associates to provide evidence-based healthcare to Oklahomans, emphasizing rural and underserved communities. The program's goals include:

• Maintaining a 95% or better three-year graduation rate for students matriculating into the program
• Maintaining at least 50% of clinical rotation sites in low-income zip codes as defined by the Health Resource and Services Administration (HRSA)
• Maintaining a five-year first-time average pass rate on the PANCE at or above the national pass rate
• Creating a program learning environment that promotes a sense of belonging, inclusion, mutual respect, and support as measured by the student survey

Admissions Components

The admissions process for the Physician Associate Program involves several components, including:

• Prerequisite requirements: The program requires applicants to complete specific coursework with a letter grade of "C" or better, including science and non-science prerequisites
• Advisement: The program offers group advisement sessions for prospective students, as well as one-on-one virtual advisement meetings
• Application process: Applicants must submit their application through the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA)

Prerequisite Requirements

The program requires applicants to complete the following prerequisite courses with a letter grade of "C" or better:

• Biology with lab
• Chemistry with lab
• Organic Chemistry with lab
• Biochemistry
• Physics with lab
• Psychology
• Statistics
• Medical Terminology Prerequisite lab courses should be completed at the same institution as the corresponding science course.

Program Details

The program is a 27-month, full-time graduate program that includes both didactic and clinical components. The didactic component includes coursework in subjects such as anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and pathology, while the clinical component includes rotations in various medical specialties.

Accreditation and Certification

The program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) and is designed to prepare students to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE).

Additional Performance Indicators

The program tracks several performance indicators, including:

• PANCE Pass Rate: The program's five-year first-time taker pass rate is 98%, compared to the national average of 95%
• Graduation Rate: The program's graduation rate is 96% for the class of 2022, 100% for the class of 2023, 92% for the class of 2024, and 98% for the class of 2025
• Attrition Rate: The program's attrition rate is 4% for the class of 2022, 0% for the class of 2023, 8% for the class of 2024, and 2% for the class of 2025

Conclusion

The University of Oklahoma Health Campus Physician Associate Program is a rigorous and comprehensive program designed to prepare students for a career as a physician assistant. With its strong focus on academic excellence, clinical training, and professional development, the program is well-suited for students who are passionate about providing high-quality patient care and making a positive impact in their communities.