PA Program Receives Full Accreditation Through 2027

Union College’s Master of Physician Assistant program celebrated this week after being extended full accreditation through 2027—the maximum time period allowed by ARC-PA, the physician assistant educational accrediting commission. The accreditors found zero areas of non-compliance and the program regained the Accreditation-Continued status for eight more years.“This is the best possible outcome,” said Dr. Frankie Rose, Union’s vice president for academic administration. “I am thankful for the work of Megan Heidtbrink and the entire PA faculty and staff to continue to provide an outstanding educational experience for our students.”

The strength of that experience has been demonstrated by Union graduates’ consistently high first-time board pass rates. In fact, 100 percent of Union graduates passed the PA National Certification Exam on their first attempt in both 2017 and 2018.

After the program was placed on Accreditation- Probation when cited for some administrative and assessment issues in 2017, Heidtbrink was named PA program director and led the team through the process of strengthening the program in a variety of ways— including adding additional faculty and overhauling assessment procedures.

Launched in 1995, the Union College PA program confers a master’s level degree that prepares graduates for a life of healthcare service in what is consistently ranked as a top career choice by national rankings—including the #3 Best Job of 2018 by U.S. News and World Report.

Ryan Teller is director of integrated marketing communications for Union College.

Learn more about the PA program by visiting ucollege.edu/pa.