Master of Physician Assistant Studies
Mission, Vision, and Graduate Outcomes
Mission
The mission of the Rocky Vista Physician Assistant Program is to prepare clinically competent, collaborative, and compassionate physician assistants to provide primary care.
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% |
Measure 2: Skills: Progression to an entrustable level of competence (level 3) by graduation
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% |
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% |
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 |
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% |
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% |
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 |
4. Promote life-long learning skills
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% |
Measure 2: Graduates complete a capstone research project (PAS 5272)
Graduate Outcomes:
| Cohort | % Completing research project |
| 2020 | 100% |
| 2021 | 100% |
| 2022 | 100% |
| 2023 | 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) |
| 2020 | 4.35 |
| 2021 | 4.51 |
| 2022 | 4.15 |
| 2023 | 4.65 |
5. Promote student success and program completion
Measures and Graduate Outcomes:
Measure 1:
- Student attrition rate below the national average (11.7% – PAEA 35th Program Report)
- Graduation rate > 90%
Graduate Outcomes:
| Cohort | Attrition | Graduation Rate |
| 2020 | 6% | 94% |
| 2021 | 2.7% | 97% |
| 2022 | 5.6% | 94.4% |
| 2023 | 8.3% | 91.67% |
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.
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]