At its March 2021 meeting, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) placed the Rocky Vista University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Rocky Vista University on Accreditation-Probation status until its next review in March 2023.
Probation accreditation is a temporary accreditation status initially of not less than two years. However, that period may be extended by the ARC-PA for up to an additional two years if the ARC-PA finds that the program is making substantial progress toward meeting all applicable standards but requires additional time to come into full compliance. Probation accreditation status is granted, at the sole discretion of the ARC-PA, when a program holding an accreditation status of Accreditation-Provisional or Accreditation-Continued does not, in the judgement of the ARC-PA, meet the Standards or when the capability of the program to provide an acceptable educational experience for its students is threatened. Once placed on probation, a program that fails to comply with accreditation requirements in a timely manner, as specified by the ARC-PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and is subject to having its accreditation withdrawn.
Specific questions regarding the Program and tis plans should be directed to the Program Director and/or the appropriate institutional official(s).
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at http://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-rocky-vista-university/.
RVU’s Response to Accreditation-Probation
The Rocky Vista University (RVU) Physician Assistant program has been, and remains, accredited by the ARC-PA. RVU is also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to award Master's and Doctoral degrees. The pursuit of academic excellence continues to be a primary focus of the university including all PA program faculty and staff.
ARC-PA has cited standards related to the program’s data analyses as the reason for this action. The program is working diligently to ensure that these issues are not only resolved, but that expectations are exceeded.
While we are disappointed with the probationary status, students will be reassured to know:
- The content and quality of the curriculum design or instruction are not in question.
- This does not affect currently enrolled, admitted, and prospective students on their journey toward program completion.
- Students can continue to apply, matriculate, graduate, take board examinations, obtain state licensing, and practice medicine.
RVU will continue to provide students with the high-quality education and training required to become a licensed, practicing physician assistant. We are committed to demonstrating and maintaining compliance with the standards of the ARC-PA, and are confident that the corrective measures being implemented will lead to removal of the probationary status.
