The OHSU PA program prepares physician associates through high-quality education. This page provides information about our program, including mission, goals, outcomes and competencies.

On this page:

• Program background
• Mission
• Goals
• Accreditation status
• PANCE performance
• Graduation rate
• Program competencies
• Class profiles

Program background

Founded in 1995, the OHSU PA program prepares physician associates to deliver primary care in medically underserved communities. Our first class graduated in 1997, and we became a division of the School of Medicine in 2001.

Our 26-month, full-time program leads to a Master of Physician Associate Studies. The curriculum includes 12 months of didactic coursework and 14 months of clinical training. We enroll 60 students each year, with classes starting in June.

Mission

The OHSU Physician Associate Program serves as a model of excellence in PA education. We prepare you to provide patient-centered, evidence-based and culturally appropriate healthcare to diverse populations. We promote lifelong learning, leadership and service.

Program goals

Goal 1

Admit students from varied backgrounds and experiences to enhance and diversify the physician associate workforce.

Goal 2

Prepare graduates to enter clinical practice with the knowledge and skills to be competent PAs. 

Goal 3

Prepare graduates to provide patient-centered, culturally responsive care to diverse and underserved communities.

Accreditation status

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Oregon Health & Science University Physician Associate Program sponsored by Oregon Health & Science University. This status indicates that the program complies with ARC-PA Standards.

Accreditation remains in effect unless the program closes, withdraws from the accreditation process or fails to comply with the Standards, which could result in withdrawal of accreditation. ARC-PA plans the next validation review for October 2035, contingent on the program’s continued compliance with Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.

Review the PA program’s accreditation history. 

PANCE board certification exam performance

To earn physician associate certification, you must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam. The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants administers the PANCE and serves as the only certifying body for physician associates in the United States.

Over the past five years, first-time test takers from the OHSU PA program achieved a 97.3% average pass rate on the PANCE.

Review the NCCPA official five-year report. 

Student graduation rate

98.7% of students graduated from OHSU’s physician associate program from 1995 to 2025.

Entering class size: Number of students newly enrolled for the admission cycle plus number of students who are reentering from a different cohort.

Note: In response to the challenges of COVID-19, Oregon Health & Science University made the decision to reduce the class size for the cohorts of 2023 and 2024. The university maintained full staffing, support and services.

*Attrition rate calculation: Number of students who attritted from cohort divided by the entering class size. The number of students from the entering class who did not complete the program with the rest of the cohort, due to leave of absence, deceleration, dismissal or withdrawal.

**Graduation rate: Number of cohort graduates divided by the entering class size

Program competencies

Upon completion of the Physician Associate program, graduates will demonstrate competence in each of the following domains.

Medical knowledge (MK):

• Apply foundational medical, surgical, social and behavioral knowledge to a variety of acute, chronic and emergent medical conditions across the lifespan. (MK 1)
• Locate, appraise and integrate information from evidence-based studies to make informed decisions about patient care. (MK 2)

Clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities (CRPSA):

• Formulate a most likely diagnosis based on an appropriate history, physical examination and diagnostic workup for a variety of acute, chronic and emergent medical conditions for patients across the lifespan. (CRPSA 1)
• Recommend appropriate laboratory and diagnostic studies relevant to the chief complaint, history and physical exam for patients across the lifespan. (CRPSA 2)
• Relevant to the history, physical examination and diagnostic workup, determine the appropriate interventions and management plan, including pharmacologic, non-pharmacologic and health screening recommendations. (CRPSA 3)

Clinical and technical skills (CTS):

• Conduct comprehensive and focused physical and behavioral health histories and examinations appropriate to the patient presentation in a patient-centered fashion. (CTS 1)
• Generate comprehensive and focused oral presentations and written documentation, accurately portraying the history, exam findings and proposed plan of care. (CTS 2)
• Demonstrate the ability to perform basic common medical and surgical procedures and clinical skills essential for entry into PA practice, including but not limited to: local anesthetic administration; superficial wound closure (e.g., simple suturing, adhesive use, stapling); incision and drainage of abscess; superficial skin biopsy; large joint injection; Papanicolaou smear; and interpretation of diagnostic tests and imaging (e.g., plain film x-rays and EKGs). (CTS 3)

Interpersonal skills (IS):

• Demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in effective patient education and intentionally collaborate with members of the healthcare team. (IS 1)
• Center shared decision making with patients that considers disease prevention, health awareness and equitable access to care. (IS 2)

Professional behavior (PB):

• Demonstrate accountability and integrity in actions and decision making, and a commitment to lifelong learning. (PB 1)
• Identify the impact of structural factors, social justice, and equity on community health outcomes. (PB 2)

Class profiles

Students accepted into the OHSU PA program come from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds.

The program attracts applicants from across the United States. Entering students bring healthcare experience from many settings, including work as EMTs, paramedics, certified nursing assistants, medical assistants, phlebotomists, scribes and naturopaths.

We welcome students from all undergraduate majors. While many enter with degrees in biology, psychology or general science, others hold degrees in humanities or social sciences and complete science prerequisites through postbaccalaureate coursework.

The table below shows data from the most recent entering classes.