Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS)

Accreditation

At its March 2023 meeting, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) placed the Western University of Health Sciences Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Western University of Health Sciences on Accreditation-Probation status until its next review in March 2025.

The MSPA program remains accredited by the ARC-PA. It is important to understand that any classification of accreditation is in fact, accreditation. Upon completion of an accredited program, graduates are eligible for NCCPA certification and state licensure.  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. Probation 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 judgment 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as specified by the ARC-PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and is subject to having its accreditation withdrawn.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 its 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 https://www.arc-pa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Accreditation-History-Western-U-of-HS-1.pdf

Accreditation Links and Files

• Program Goal Achievements
• NCCPA PANCE Pass Rate Summary Report

Q: How does the ARC-PA’s Program decision impact prospective students?

 A: On June 29^th, we received the unfavorable appeal decision made by our accreditor, ARC-PA, that our accreditation status has been changed from “continuing” to “probation”, and, as a condition of this action, ARC-PA has restricted our ability to matriculate new students into our program for the 2023-24 academic year. As a result, we are not able to enroll students into the PA program for the fall term at this time.

 Accreditation is an ongoing process and is the result of efforts to remain on the cutting edge of PA education. Categories of accreditation include provisional, probation, and  continuing. 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. Throughout the life of a program, it is not uncommon to move up and down the ladder of accreditation for various reasons.

WesternU is not taking ARC-PA’s decision lightly. Although our appeal to ARC-PA was unsuccessful, we believe that ARC-PA’s action to restrict enrollment in our program is a flagrant injustice to our students, faculty, and the community that we serve and is unwarranted based on ARC-PA’s policies and procedures. At this time, we plan on actively challenging ARC-PA’s decision, and will keep you apprised of any relevant developments. Concurrently, we are also preparing our program to be ready for a focused site visit that is scheduled on August 24 and 25^th.

We remain hopeful for a positive outcome and resolution as soon as possible, but we cannot guarantee that our efforts will be successful.

Q: When will WesternU be able to seat/accept new PA students?

A: The ARC PA pause on matriculation extends through the 2023-24 academic year. Currently, no further information is available. We are unable to determine the exact date that ARC PA will remove this restriction.

Q: What is the University going to do related to ARC-PA’s decision?

A: WesternU is not  taking ARC-PA’s decision lightly. We believe that ARC-PA’s action is a flagrant injustice to our students, faculty, and the community that we serve and not within the scope of their bylaws or policies and procedures. At this time, we plan on actively challenging ARC-PA’s decision, and will keep you apprised of any relevant developments. Concurrently, we are also preparing our program to be ready for a focused site visit that is scheduled on August 24 and 25^th.

Q: Is WesternU’s PA program still accredited?

A: Yes, the program is accredited by the ARC-PA. It is important to understand that any classification of accreditation is in fact, accreditation. Upon completion of an accredited program, graduates are eligible for NCCPA certification and state licensure.

Q: What is WesternU’s accreditation history?

A: The WesternU PA program was accredited by CAHEA beginning in 1990. The program has been accredited by ARC-PA continuously since 1998. The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Accreditation-History-Western-U-of-HS-1.pdf

Q: Is WesternU’s PA program being discontinued?

A:  No. WesternU remains committed to PA education and there are no plans to discontinue the program.

Contact us at PA_Accreditation@westernu.edu at any time if you have questions or would like additional information about the MSPAS accreditation.

WesternU will update this page as new information becomes available.