Why Choose WSU PA Program?

Why Choose 红领巾瓜报 Physician Associate (PA) Program?

Excellence in PA Education since 1972

One of the oldest PA programs in the nation, we have graduated more than 1,700 PAs since 1972
The Program鈥檚 rigorous and ongoing self-assessment process helps us identify and correct Program weaknesses
We have high expectations of ourselves and students and we work hard to help our students achieve excellence
Our faculty have a combined 130 years clinical experience and 75 years teaching experience.

PA faculty and student at Wesley hospital looking at patient records.

NCCA Certification Exam (PANCE)

Our students consistently perform above the national average on other standardized measures of medical knowledge such as the PACKRAT and End-of-Rotation exams

100% PANCE Pass Rate 5 years running!

Enthusiastic Learning Environment

A group of PA students with a faculty at Wesley hospital

Applied Learning (WSU PA Passport)

Becoming an excellent PA involves more than treating a disease. Every WSU PA student engages in applied learning in research, professional development, service-learning, diversity awareness, & interprofessional education.

Be the change you want to see in the healthcare system.

Evidence-Based Practice & Life-Long Learning

97% of graduates believe we teach and emphasize evidence-based practice and life-long learning
Clinical research has the power to improve lives. Everyone completes a team or independent research project (100%)
Our students contribute to the body of knowledge by co-authoring with faculty. We have a long, successful record of student research and publication 鈥� one of the strongest in the nation
The 5-yr publication/professional poster rate for Master鈥檚 projects is strong, 22%

PA student volunteering at the medical missions community service event.

Service-Learning Leaders

Excellent healthcare involves understanding and meeting the needs of the whole patient.
Every WSU PA student performs volunteer community service
Faculty-led initiatives include Senior Saturdays; Medical Mission at Home; Operation Wellness health education for elementary children; health topic presentations at a socioeconomically distressed high school; and many others
Every year our students leave their mark by taking the initiative to develop their own opportunities to engage with and support the community

PA students working with a child patient

Primary Care, Rural, & Underserved

Learning medicine in rural areas allows our students to see it all and really get to know their patients and community
Every WSU PA student completes at least 3 rotations in primary care and 2 rotations in rural areas
Our alumni practice in rural underserved areas at nearly 3 times the national rate, 45% vs. 15%
Our alumni practice in primary care at nearly twice the national rate, 46% vs. 25% nationally

Patient-Centered & Interprofessional Care

Providing excellent healthcare requires a patient-centered, evidence-based, and a interprofessional team approach. Every WSU PA student engages in opportunities to learn about, from, and with other healthcare professionals during their didactic education and on clinical rotations.

PA student group with a faculty member at the Wesley hospital

Low Debt & Strong Employment Opportunities

鉁匛xpect High Starting Salaries

The typical WSU PA student graduates with about half the amount of student loan debt as compared to the national average for PA students; and starting salaries are high

鉁� Employers love our Graduates

Employers rate our graduates as 4.8 out of 5.0 for knowledge, patient management skills, overall preparation, and future probability of hiring a WSU PA

鉁� Jobs are waiting for our graduates

Even before they graduate, 88% say they already have a PA job lined up or multiple offers. Shortly after graduation, 100% are practicing medicine as a PA

Discover PA Career Opportunities