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 knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate and manage primary care presentations at a level of competence that allows for indirect supervision
Measures and Graduate Outcomes:
Measure 1: Knowledge: Consistent improvement on the first-time taker PANCE rate to meet or exceed the national mean by 2025
*Graduate Outcomes:
| Cohort | RVU First-time Pass Rate | National First-time Pass Rate |
| 2020 | 77% | 95% |
| 2021 | 100% | 93% |
| 2022 | 97% | 92% |
| 2023 | 97% | 92% |
| 2024 | 100% | 92% |
Interpretation: The RVU PA Program has exceeded the national first-time-taker pass rate on the PANCE for four consecutive years. The program is meeting this outcome measure.
Measure 2: Skills: Progression to an entrustable level of competence (level 3) by graduation
*Graduate Outcomes:
| Cohort | % Achieving Competency Level 3 of greater |
| 2020 | 100% |
| 2021 | 100% |
| 2022 | 100% |
| 2023 | 100% |
| 2024 | 100% |
Interpretation: The RVU PA Program graduates have achieved a level of competence that allows for indirect supervision upon graduation. The program is meeting this outcome measure.
2. Prepare graduates to work collaboratively in interprofessional environments
Measures and Graduate Outcomes:
Measure 1: Graduates complete an interprofessional course with osteopathic medical students (PAS 5001, PAS 5002)
*Graduate Outcomes:
| Cohort | % Completing Interprofessional Coursework |
| 2020 | 100% |
| 2021 | 100% |
| 2022 | 100% |
| 2023 | 100% |
| 2024 | 100% |
Interpretation: All RVU PA students completed interprofessional coursework. The program is meeting this outcome measure.
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) |
| 2020 | 4.71 |
| 2021 | 4.83 |
| 2022 | 4.47 |
| 2023 | 4.65 |
| 2024 | 4.65 |
Interpretation: The RVU PA Program graduates feel prepared to work collaborative in interprofessional environments upon graduation. The program is meeting this outcome measure.
3. Train graduates to provide compassionate medical care to diverse patient populations and in a variety of clinical settings
Measures and Graduate Outcomes:
Measure 1: Graduates complete diversity, equity, and inclusivity training throughout the curriculum (PAS 5131, PAS 5132, PAS 5233)
*Graduate Outcomes:
| Cohort | % completing DEI training throughout the curriculum |
| 2020 | 100% |
| 2021 | 100% |
| 2022 | 100% |
| 2023 | 100% |
| 2024 | 100% |
Interpretation: All RVU PA graduates complete training to prepare the to work with diverse populations. The program is meeting this outcome measure.
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 |
| 2020 | 100% |
| 2021 | 100% |
| 2022 | 100% |
| 2023 | 100% |
| 2024 | 100% |
Interpretation: Upon graduation, the RVU PA Program graduates can provide compassionate care to diverse populations. The program is meeting this outcome measure
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) |
| 2020 | 4.39 |
| 2021 | 4.26 |
| 2022 | 4.29 |
| 2023 | 4.42 |
| 2024 | 4.27 |
Interpretation: The RVU PA Program graduates feel prepared to care for patients from varied backgrounds upon graduation. The program is meeting this outcome measure.
4. Practice evidence-based decision-making in patient care.
Measures and Graduate Outcomes:
Measure 1: Graduates complete evidence-based medicine courses (PAS 5135, PAS 5136)
*Graduate Outcomes:
| Cohort | % Completing evidence-based medicine courses |
| 2020 | 100% |
| 2021 | 100% |
| 2022 | 100% |
| 2023 | 100% |
| 2024 | 100% |
Interpretation. All RVU PA Program students complete evidence-based medicine coursework. The program is meeting this outcome measure.
Measure 2: Graduates complete a capstone research project (PAS 5272)
*Graduate Outcomes:
| Cohort | % Completing research project |
| 2020 | 100% |
| 2021 | 100% |
| 2022 | 100% |
| 2023 | 100% |
| 2024 | 100% |
Interpretation. All RVU PA Program students complete a research-based capstone project. The program is meeting this outcome measure.
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) |
| 2020 | 4.35 |
| 2021 | 4.51 |
| 2022 | 4.15 |
| 2023 | 4.65 |
| 2024 | 4.27 |
Interpretation: Graduates of the RVU PA Program feel they have the skills required to gather evidence that supports clinical decisions upon graduation. The program is meeting this outcome measure.
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 |
| 2020 | 6% | 94% |
| 2021 | 2.7% | 97% |
| 2022 | 5.6% | 94.4% |
| 2023 | 8.3% | 91.67% |
| 2024 | 8.1% | 91.9% |
Interpretation: The RVU PA Program has maintained an attrition rate of less than 10%, and a graduation rate of greater than 90%, meeting this outcome measure for each of the past five cohorts.
PA Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):
The RVU PA Program Competencies:
- 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 2/19/2025 by Dr. Jeff E. Hoyt, Manager 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]