| Admissions | Master of Physician Assistant Studies

MASTER OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES (MPAS)

Thank you for your interest in the Rocky Vista University Physician Assistant Program. The 2021-2022 cycle will open through CASPA on April 20, 2021.

The goal of the RVU PA program is to support the development of clinically competent, collaborative, and compassionate physician assistants. The programs’ competency-based curriculum and its faculty provide the framework to achieve this goal, offering a learner-centered, innovative approach to medical training, promoting patient safety and primary care. Ultimately, it is the learners that make RVU a success.

This program is offered at the Colorado campus.

Accreditation Status

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. Probations 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as specified by the ARC-PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and is subject to having its accreditation withdrawn.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 masters and doctoral degrees. The pursuit of academic excellence continues to be a primary focus of the university and all PA program faculty and staff.

While we are disappointed with the decision to place the program on probationary status, RVU emphasizes that the action 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, apply to obtain state licensure, and pursue their goals to practice as a physician assistant.

RVU is committed to demonstrating and maintaining compliance with the standards of the ARC-PA and will continue to provide students with the education and training required to be eligible to become certified physician assistants.

Attrition

	Graduated Classes
	Class of 2020	Class of 2021	Class of 2022
Maximum entering class size (as approved by ARC-PA)	36	36	36
Entering class size	33	36	36
Graduates	31	N/A	N/A
* Attrition rate	6%	N/A	N/A
**Graduation rate	94%	N/A	N/A

*Attrition rate calculation: Number of students who attritted from cohort divided by the entering class size.

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

PANCE Pass Rates

Student Employment Policy

Admissions Statistics

The following highlights the demographics of each cohort that has matriculated into our program:

Class Profile	2020	2021	2022	2023
Total students	33	36	36	36
Female	22	29	26	25
Male	11	7	10	11
In-state	23	18	24	20
Out of state	10	18	27	16
Average age	27 (range 22-46)	25 (range 21-34)	24 (range 22-35)	25 (range 22-40)
Average cumulative GPA	3.43	3.46	3.5	3.64
Average BCP GPA	3.29	3.32	3.44	3.35

Professional Licensure Disclosure Statement (PDF)

Additional Resources

Admissions Process

Application Requirements

Curriculum

Faculty and Staff

FAQs

General Information Sessions

Message from the Program Director

Mission, Vision and Outcomes

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

The University reserves the right to change tuition and fees at any time without advanced notice. Learn more about the tuition payment schedule, individual health insurance status, and the tuition refund process.

The Physician Assistant Program processes hundreds of applications for admissions each year. Learn more about requirements for admissions including GRE scores, minimum prerequisite course work, and GPA requirements.

The MPAS curriculum is sequenced and designed to address and integrate the entrustable professional activities in which are contained the competencies the student must achieve to successfully enter the profession upon graduation.

RVU PA STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Jemari Roberts, PAS I

Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)

Campus Location
Colorado Campus

Hometown:
Long Beach, CA

Undergraduate studies:
Human Biology and Psychology with degree in Psych from Stanford University.

What clubs and activities are you currently involved with?
Class Council Vice President, RVU Diversity Committee, and Medical Spanish Interest Group.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born and raised in Long Beach, CA where I spent the majority of my life before moving to Colorado in 2016. After completing my formative education in southern California, I was blessed to receive a scholarship to Stanford University. I have cherished memories from my time as a Division 1 football player and student athlete on the farm. Shortly after graduation I moved to Barcelona to teach English and developed my Spanish language skills though now I'm a bit rusty so I definitely need to practice. Prior to PA school I worked at St. Joseph hospital in Downtown Denver as an emergency room technician. I currently reside in Denver with my lovely wife and 2 year old daughter.

What initially brought you to RVU? Why did you decide to pursue this degree?
In addition to being close to home, RVU offered a competency-based program that I thought would prepare me well for the career ahead. I also found the willingness to take feedback and work to make the program better over time to be desirable attributes of a learning institution. I chose the Physician Assistant career path because I wanted to begin making an impact in the healthcare field as soon as I could and I like the idea of being able to work across specialties as my career develops.

What do you enjoy doing when not at RVU (family life, interests, and hobbies)?
. I enjoy spending time with my lovely wife and beautiful daughter. We enjoy being outside and hope to make camping a bigger part of our routine now that the little one is old enough. When I'm not reading for school I enjoy novels and the occasional science fiction adventure. Also, as a collegiate student-athlete, fitness and health have always been important so I like to stay active whether it's cycling, hiking, or whatever the day brings.

What is an interesting or little known fact about you:
I had the honor of attending the 50th anniversary of the Little Rock Nine and learn lessons from the landmark Brown vs. Board of Education decision from my uncle who was a member of the group, for several weeks in the fall of 1957, was escorted to and from class by the U.S. Army.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given by a professor or student while at RVU?
Learning during the didactic year is kind of like the first-pass effect in metabolism. Don't worry if not everything that goes through your brain on the first go-around sticks.

What are your medical interests?
I'm quite excited to start clinical rotations in June and I think Emergency Medicine, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and surgery are all very interesting. Though, I can't wait to learn more about all the fields.

What is a favorite memory you have from being in RVU?
Even though it has been a zoom heavy year, we were able to play a modified version of codenames utilizing course specific clue words. It definitely challenges your brain in a new way but the interactive nature of the game was a welcome change of pace.

What advice do you have for prospective students?
Take it one day at a time and remember that the medicine will always be there. If you need a break, take one and remember to check in on friends/family when you can. School can fly by but you'll remember the small wins more than anything.

Is there anything else that you would like to add?
School is challenging but how you frame the hurdles in your path can make a world of difference. Also, try your best to learn for understanding rather than solely for recall as it makes the learning process more fun and the neural connections that much stronger.

Click here to read previous student spotlights

CONTACT THE PA PROGRAM

COLORADO CAMPUS
8401 South Chambers Rd.
Parker, CO 80134
303-373-2008

For faster response, please direct inquiries to the PA Program:
admissions@rvu.edu