Master of Physician Assistant Studies
Mission, Vision, and Graduate Outcomes
Mission
The RVU PA Program prepares clinically competent, collaborative, compassionate PAs through a rigorous, hands-on curriculum, to serve the needs of diverse communities
Vision
Revolutionizing PA Education: Inspiring skilled and compassionate PAs to lead the future of healthcare
Goals & Strategic Priorities
RVU Program Goals are to:
1. Equip graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate and manage common clinical presentations at a level of competence that allows for indirect supervision.
Measures and Graduate Outcomes:
Measure 1: Knowledge: Consistently meet or exceed the national mean for the first-time taker PANCE rate
*Graduate Outcomes:
| Cohort | RVU First-time Pass Rate | National First-time Pass Rate |
| 2023 | 97% | 92% |
| 2024 | 100% | 92% |
| 2025 | 100% | 91% |
Measure 2: Skills: Progression to an entrustable level of competence (level 3) by graduation
*Graduate Outcomes:
| Cohort | % Achieving Competency Level 3 of greater |
| 2023 | 100% |
| 2024 | 100% |
| 2025 | 100% |
Mission Alignment: Clinically Competent
- Evidence: RVU first-time PANCE pass rates of 97–100% (2023–2025) versus national 91–92%; 100% of graduates achieved Entrustable Level 3 competence by graduation each year.
- Interpretation: Graduates demonstrate the knowledge and clinical skills needed for safe, collaborative practice under indirect supervision.
2. Prepare graduates to work collaboratively in interprofessional environments
Measures and Graduate Outcomes:
Measure 1: Graduates complete an interprofessional course with various health professions students (PAS 5001, PAS 5002)
*Graduate Outcomes:
| Cohort | % Completing Interprofessional Coursework |
| 2023 | 100% |
| 2024 | 100% |
| 2025 | 100% |
Measure 2: Graduates indicate they feel prepared to work collaboratively in interprofessional environments as evidenced by exit survey scores above program benchmark (> 3.50)
*Graduate Outcomes:
| Cohort | Mean Score (exit survey) |
| 2023 | 4.65 |
| 2024 | 4.65 |
| 2025 | 4.57 |
Mission Alignment: Collaborative
- Evidence: 100% completion of interprofessional courses (PAS 5001/5002) and high exit survey preparedness scores (mean 4.57–4.65; benchmark >3.50).
- Interpretation: Graduates are trained and self-report readiness to work effectively in interprofessional teams.
3. Train graduates to provide compassionate medical care to diverse patient populations
Measures and Graduate Outcomes:
Measure 1: Graduates complete inclusive excellence training throughout the curriculum (PAS 5131, PAS 5132, PAS 5233)
*Graduate Outcomes:
| Cohort | % completing inclusive excellence training throughout the curriculum |
| 2023 | 100% |
| 2024 | 100% |
| 2025 | 100% |
Measure 2: Graduates score at or above program benchmarks for compassion across clinical disciplines and settings (competency level 3)
*Graduate Outcomes:
| Cohort | % scoring Competency Level 3 or greater |
| 2023 | 100% |
| 2024 | 100% |
| 2025 | 100% |
Measure 3: Graduates indicate they feel adequately prepared to care for patients from varied backgrounds as evidenced by exit survey scores above program benchmark (3.50)
*Graduate Outcomes:
| Cohort | Mean Score (exit survey) |
| 2023 | 4.42 |
| 2024 | 4.27 |
| 2025 | 4.64 |
Mission Alignment: Compassionate and Serving Diverse Communities
- Evidence: 100% completion of inclusive excellence training (PAS 5131/5132/5233), 100% meeting compassion competency (Level 3+), and exit survey scores indicating preparedness to care for diverse patients (mean 4.27–4.64; benchmark >3.50).
- Interpretation: Graduates show both demonstrated competencies and perceived readiness to provide culturally responsive, compassionate care to diverse populations.
4. Practice evidence-based decision-making in patient care.
Measures and Graduate Outcomes:
Measure 1: Graduates complete evidence-based practice courses (PAS 5135, PAS 5136)
*Graduate Outcomes:
| Cohort | % Completing evidence-based practice courses |
| 2023 | 100% |
| 2024 | 100% |
| 2025 | 100% |
Measure 2: Graduates complete a capstone research project (PAS 5272)
*Graduate Outcomes:
| Cohort | % Completing research project |
| 2023 | 100% |
| 2024 | 100% |
| 2025 | 100% |
Measure 3: Graduates indicate they have the skills required to gather evidence to make effective clinical decisions as evidenced by exit survey scores above program benchmarks (3.50)
*Graduate Outcomes:
| Cohort | Mean Score (exit survey) |
| 2023 | 4.65 |
| 2024 | 4.27 |
| 2025 | 4.50 |
Mission Alignment: Rigorous, Hands-on Curriculum and Lifelong Learning
- Evidence: 100% completion of evidence-based practice courses and capstone projects; exit survey scores for evidence-gathering skills 4.27–4.65 (benchmark >3.50).
- Interpretation: The curriculum fosters applied, evidence-based practice and research skills consistent with a rigorous, experiential training model.
5. Promote student success and program completion
Measures and Graduate Outcomes:
Measure 1:
- Student attrition at or below 10%
- Graduation rate at or above 90%
*Graduate Outcomes:
| Cohort | Attrition | Graduation Rate |
| 2023 | 8.3% | 91.7% |
| 2024 | 8.1% | 91.9% |
| 2025 | 5.6% | 94.4% |
Mission Alignment: Student Success and Program Completion
- Evidence: Low attrition (5.6–8.3%) and high graduation rates (91.7–94.4%).
- Interpretation: The program supports student persistence and timely completion. These low attrition and high graduation rates demonstrate our ability to deliver a rigorous, hands-on curriculum.
Program Effectiveness in Meeting Goals
These outcomes support our ability to deliver a rigorous, hands-on curriculum that produces competent, collaborative, and compassionate PAs ready to serve diverse communities.
PA Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):
The RVU PA Program Graduates:
- Provide quality comprehensive patient care (Patient Care)
- Apply medical knowledge in the practice environment (Medical Knowledge)
- Incorporate evidence-based clinical reasoning into medical decisions. (Practice-based learning)
- Communicate effectively in clinical settings (Interpersonal Communication Skills)
- Demonstrate professional behaviors in educational and practice environments. (Professionalism)
- Navigate evolving healthcare systems to provide optimal patient care (Systems-based Practice)
- Work collaboratively within an interprofessional team (Interprofessional Collaboration)
- Employ strategies that promote life-long personal and professional growth (Personal/Professional Development)
Meet the people who can be by your side
At RVU we foster an emphasis on community that drives positive outcomes for our students, and the faculty and staff play a key role in that culture. Our doors—and inboxes—are always open.
Discover the RVU difference
Ready to apply?
The Rocky Vista University PA Program is currently accepting applications for the 2025-26 academic year. Head to our MPAS Admissions page to for more specifics on the MPAS admissions process.
*Data Certified as of 3/19/2026 by Caleb Frandsen, Supervisor Institutional Research & Reporting.
Contact the Office of Admissions
Colorado Campus
8401 S. Chambers Road
Englewood, CO 80112
303-373-2008
For faster response, please direct inquiries to: [email protected]