program competencies

Entry-level primary care PAs must demonstrate competency in performing a variety of functions and tasks. These competencies are essential to preparing graduates to provide preventive, emergent, acute, and chronic care across various health care settings. Program Learner Outcomes are specific measures that verify Program Competencies have been achieved. 

Learning outcomes are defined as “the medical knowledge, interpersonal, clinical and technical skills, professional behaviors, and clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities that have been attained by the student at the completion of a curricular component, course, or program” (ARC-PA, 2020).

Upon completion of the Franklin Pierce University MPAS Program, graduates shall be able to demonstrate the following Program Competencies and Program Learner Outcomes:

1. Demonstrate core medical knowledge regarding established and evolving biomedical and clinical sciences and the application of this knowledge to patient care. (Medical Knowledge)
2. Employ interpersonal and communication skills (including oral, written, electronic) to enable effective information exchange with patients, their families and members of the healthcare team. (Interpersonal & Communication Skills)
3. Provide safe, entry-level patient care to include effective information gathering, appropriate diagnostic evaluation, and implementation of therapeutic management plans. (Patient Care)
4. Exhibit professionalism by assuming responsibility for actions, recognizing personal limitations, expressing sensitivity to diversity, and respecting colleagues, faculty/staff, preceptors and patients. (Professionalism)
5. Demonstrate ability to self-analyze current knowledge and clinical skills and enhance capabilities through reflection and critical appraisal of the medical literature. (Practice-based Learning & Improvement)
6. Demonstrate awareness of the larger system of health services including access to healthcare, continuity of care and community support services. (Systems-based Practice)

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Accreditation

The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the Franklin Pierce University Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) Hybrid Program -- Round Rock, TX Campus sponsored by Franklin Pierce University.

Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation-Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students. 

Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class. 

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