Welcome to Physician Assistant Studies
ECU PA Studies values, celebrates, and respects the differences in all humans. We strive to matriculate students of backgrounds that are representative of the patient populations in eastern North Carolina. We empower ECU PA students to promote healthcare literacy, wellness, and reduction in healthcare disparities among these patient populations.
Institutional and Professional Licensure Disclosures for Enrolled and Prospective Students
Completion of the educational requirements for the ECU PA Program satisfy the professional licensure and/or certification requirements in North Carolina as well as all the states, districts, and territories of the United States. All our graduates are entitled to sit for PA National Certification Examination administered by the NCCPA.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies is to prepare physician assistant graduates through educational and clinical experiences to improve the health and well-being of patients while increasing access to primary medical care in eastern North Carolina and the state. We seek to achieve this mission in an educational community where faculty, staff, clinical instructors, students, and other health care providers work together in an atmosphere of mutual respect, cooperation, compassion, and commitment.
Vision Statement
The vision of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies is to offer our students educational and experiential opportunities that will allow them to exceed national standards of medical competence as graduates. Our students will develop the professional discernment and human empathy that will facilitate their ability to merge technology and compassionate care throughout their careers as physician assistants.
Educational Philosophy Statement
We are dedicated to providing the highest quality education and instruction possible by immersing faculty and students in an environment that cultivates a sense of academic, professional, and service excellence. We respond to suggestions for modification and enrichment of the program from all who participate in the educational process because we view learning as a reciprocal and collegial interaction.
Program Goals:
These goals support the mission and vision of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies
Our goals are to educate future physician assistants who:
#1: Possess the appropriate knowledge and skills to succeed in clinical practice.
Benchmark: 1st time PANCE rate at or above the National average.
1st time PANCE rate at or above the National average | National Average | ECU Average | Goal |
Class 2020 | 93% | 97% | Met |
Class 2021 | 93% | 97% | Met |
Class 2022 | 92% | 100% | Met |
Class 2023 | 92% | 100% | Met |
Benchmark: 90% of graduates are satisfied or very satisfied ECU PA prepares them to enter the workforce.
How satisfied are you that your PA education at ECU prepared you to enter the workforce as a PA? | Class 2020 | Class 2021 | Class 2022 |
Very Satisfied | 48.15% | 30.77% | 67.86% |
Satisfied | 48.15% | 65.38% | 28.57% |
Total | 96.30% | 96.15% | 96.43% |
Goal | Met | Met | Met |
Benchmark: 100% of students pass the summative exam (assessment of clinical practice readiness, skills and professionalism).
Students Passing Summative Exam | Percentage | Goal |
Class 2020 | 100% | Met |
Class 2021 | 100% | Met |
Class 2022 | 100% | Met |
Class 2023 | 100% | Met |
#2: Are from North Carolina and have a desire to practice in and serve the communities of rural and/or medically underserved North Carolina.
Benchmark: 80% of matriculates will be from North Carolina.
Matriculates from North Carolina | Percentage | Goal |
Class 2020 | 92% | Met |
Class 2021 | 95% | Met |
Class 2022 | 94% | Met |
Class 2023 | 97% | Met |
Benchmark: 20% of Alumni reports on survey 6 months after graduation that that they work in a Medically Underserved and/or Health Professional Shortage area.
Practice in a Medically Underserved and/or Health Professional Shortage area | Percent of respondents | Goal |
Class 2020 | 29.00% | Met |
Class 2021 | 39.13% | Met |
Class 2022 | 61.54% | Met |
Class 2023 | 34.38% | Met |
Benchmark: All ECU PA students have one or more clinical rotations located in areas designated as rural and/or medically underserved.
One or more Core Clinical Rotations in a Medically Underserved and/or Rural Area | Goal |
Class 2020 | Met |
Class 2021 | Met |
Class 2022 | Met |
Class 2023 | Met |
#3: Are called to serve in primary care, providing patient-centered comprehensive care to those patient populations.
Benchmark: 25% of Alumni report on survey 6 months after graduation that they work in Primary Care.
2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
Family medicine | 33.00% | 8.00% | 17.86% |
General internal medicine | 4.00% | 12.00% | 21.43% |
Geriatrics | 0.00% | 8.00% | 0.00% |
General pediatrics | 0.00% | 0.00% | 3.57% |
Total | 37.00% | 28.00% | 42.86% |
Goal | Met | Met | Met |
#4: Represent the community we serve.
Benchmark: 20% of matriculating cohorts will have students with one or more of the following attributes: 1st generation college, military service, bilingual, low socioeconomic household, and/or from a geographically medically underserved area (MUA).
Attributes | Class of 2022 | Class of 2023 | Class of 2024 |
1st Generation College | 8.57% | 2.78% | 19.44% |
Military Service | 0% | 5.56% | 2.78% |
Bilingual | 31% | 30.56% | 5.56% |
Low Socioeconomic Household | 17.14% | 22.22% | 16.67% |
Geographical Area | 20% | 22.22% | 52.78% |
Goal | Met | Met | Met |