Program Goal Outcomes of the Physician Assistant Program
Updated August 2025
Goal 1: Matriculate a diverse student body with a commitment to professional and community service
The cohort of 2025 was comprised of 30 members who demonstrated a strong commitment to professional and community service. Upon matriculation, the cohort had an average of 2174 hands-on patient care hours and 445 community service hours. 3% of the cohort derived from rural/underserved areas in Appalachia, and one was an Armed Forces member.
The cohort of 2025 was a diverse student body that held undergraduate degrees in majors such as Exercise Science, Physiology, Neuroscience, Biochemistry, Health Sciences, Biology, Communications, Pre-Medical, Bioengineering, Chemistry, Nutrition, and Psychobiology.
The cohort of 2025’s competitive admission standards upon matriculation were: Average undergraduate cumulative GPA: 3.65
Average undergraduate Math/Science GPA: 3.54 Average scaled Quantitative GRE score: 153 Average scaled Verbal GRE score: 153
Average scaled Written GRE score: 4.31
73% of the cohort identified as female. 27% of the cohort identified as male. 78% of the cohort identified as White. 10% of the cohort identified as Asian, 6% of the cohort identified as Hispanic, 3% of the cohort identified as Black, and 3% of the cohort identified as American Indian.
While in the program, the Cohort of 2025’s commitment to professional service was achieved with 100% membership in the American Association of PAs (AAPA), the ĢƵ Association of Physician Assistants (OAPA), and the PA Student Society of ĢƵ University (PASSOU).
In addition to holding professional memberships during the program, the Cohort of 2025 exceeded the program's minimum expectation of 100 community service hours by completing over 191 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’s Division of Physician Assistant Practice is committed to educating PA students who will effectively practice life-long, evidence-based, patient-centered health in medically underserved areas.
For the 2024-2025 clinical year, 100% of students (30/30) completed at least one rotation in a medically underserved area. According to the Exit Survey taken by the Cohort of 2025, 87% of graduates reported that the curriculum prepared them to provide patient-centered healthcare to patients in medically underserved populations.
Furthermore, 92% 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 2024-2025 clinical year revealed that 92% of Clinical Preceptors agreed that students could critically evaluate medical literature, policies, and trends to improve or enhance patient care. Additionally, 98% of Clinical Preceptors thought that students in the 2025 cohort could effectively adapt communication and care for diverse patient populations, and almost 100% of Clinical Preceptors believed that the students were successful in relating to their patients.
Goal 3: Develop PA students who demonstrate cultural, ethical, and professional competence
’s&Բ;پDz&Բ;Ǵ&Բ;ʳ&Բ;ٲԳ&Բ;ʰپ&Բ;ٰ&Բ;ٴ&Բ;𱹱DZ&Բ;ٳܻԳٲ&Բ;ɳ&Բ;DzԲٰٱ
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 2025 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 2024-2025 clinical year, almost 100% reported that the Cohort of 2025 demonstrated professionalism in all interactions with patients, the healthcare team, caregivers, etc. In addition, when assessed on confidentiality, adaptability, professionalism, self-confidence, reliability, and dependability, relating to colleagues and to patients, the Cohort of 2025 earned an average score of 4.79 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’s 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’s benchmark. (Professional competency scale includes the rating of beginner, advanced beginner, competent, proficient, 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 2025 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’s 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 2025 is confident in their communication skills (4.55 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 (4.53 out of 5), both of which meet the benchmarks.
The 2024-2025 Clinical Preceptors evaluated the Cohort of 2025 on their ability to relate to patients and colleagues and communicate with others on the healthcare team. Almost 100% of Clinical Preceptors agreed that the students in the 2025 Cohort could relate to colleagues and patients, and also 100% of Clinical Preceptors positively commented on the students’ 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’s 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
Ѿٲ&Բ;ffic&Բ;dzپDz&Բ;Ǵ&Բ;&Բ;(Ѱ)
Member
American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
Member
American Public Health Association (APHA)
Member
Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA)
Members; Government Relations Steering Committee Member
State Organizations
ĢƵ Association of Physician Assistants (OAPA)
Members; Past Presidents; AAPA House of Delegates Representative; Governmental Affairs Committee Member; Conference Speakers
ĢƵ Pharmacists Association (OPA)
Member
ĢƵ Public Health Association (OPHA)
Member
Graduates and Students
PA Student Society of ĢƵ University (PASSOU)
Board members, Members
ĢƵ 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 (4.81/5 on a 5-point Likert scale), which meets the benchmark of 3.5 or higher.