Accreditation and Outcomes
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Accreditation
Accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA), the Physician Assistant degree at Seton Hall University prepares practitioners with a depth of knowledge and judgment to perform as knowledgeable and highly skilled clinicians.
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)
has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Seton Hall University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Seton Hall University. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited
program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.
Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation
process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards.
The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will
be March 2027. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards
and ARC-PA policy.
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website.
Program Outcomes
Students who graduate from an accredited program are eligible to sit for the national certification examination administered by the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants (PANCE).
The PANCE pass rates for first-time takers, by year of graduation is available here.
The ARC-PA Student Attrition Template can be accessed here.
Program Competencies
- Perform primary care technical skills as listed in the Program Handbook
- Complete an appropriate medical history and physical examination
- Accurately document a patient encounter.
- Select and interpret diagnostic studies as indicated by the history and physical examination.
- Develop an appropriate assessment/differential diagnosis based upon findings from the history, physical examination, and diagnostic studies.
- Develop an appropriate treatment plan including disease prevention and health maintenance education
- Apply medical knowledge required to evaluate, diagnose, and manage common medical conditions
- Use effective interpersonal and communication skills to elicit and provide information.
- Demonstrate appropriate professional behavior in the delivery of healthcare
Program Goals
Goal #1: Admit high quality applicants that succeed in the Program.
Benchmark: Maintain a three-year aggregate attrition rate below 9%.
Outcome: Current three-year aggregate attrition: 7.84%
| Class of 2023 | Class of 2024 | Class of 2025 | |
| Approved Entering Class Size | 60 | 60 | 60 |
| Actual Entering Class Size | 63 | 65 | 65 |
| Graduates | 54 | 61 | 63 |
| *Attrition rate | 14.29% | 6.15% | 3.08% |
| **Graduation rate | 85.71% | 93.85% | 96.92% |
*Attrition rate calculation: Number of students who attritted from cohort (decelerated
+ withdrawals + dismissals) divided by the (entering class size + number joining class
cohort).
**Graduation rate calculation: Number of cohort graduates divided by the (entering
class size + number joining class cohort).
Goal #2: Provide a high-quality, comprehensive education that prepares students for NCCPA certification.
Benchmark: Maintain a 5-year PANCE pass rate equal above the national 5-year pass rate.
Outcome: Current 5-year pass rate is above the national 5-year pass rate
| Year | Seton Hall First Time Pass % | National First Time Pass % |
| 2020 | 100 | 95 |
| 2021 | 100 | 93 |
| 2022 | 100 | 92 |
| 2023 | 96 | 92 |
| 2024 | 95 | 92 |
| 2025 | 98 | Pending |
| Average | 98% | 93% |
Goal #3: Ensure graduates feel well-prepared for entry-level practice.
Benchmarks: The program’s exit survey and alumni survey will maintain values >75% related to
assessment of adequacy of preparation for entry level practice.
Outcome: 2025 Alumni Survey: Mean Score: 93.8% (42 responses, Low score 2/5, High score 5/5)
Three Year Graduating Student Exit Survey Results:
| Exit Survey Results | |
| Year | Average |
| 2025 | 80.6 |
| 2024 | 78.9 |
| 2023 | 81.9 |
Program Policies
Please note the following policies which are posted in accordance with the ARC-PA Standards. Please see the program handbook for additional details on these and other program policies.
- No student is required to provide or solicit clinical sites. The program is required to maintain sufficient placements to ensure all students can complete required rotations.
- No student is required to work for the program. There may be opportunities for students to work as graduate or teaching assistants; applying for these positions is completely voluntary.
- Students are not permitted to function as instructional faculty or administrative staff.
- Students are required to comply with CDC recommendations for immunizations and screening for healthcare providers.
- Program faculty are not permitted to serve as healthcare providers for students.
- Training to become a PA demands a full-time commitment. Due to the rigorous nature of the curriculum, it is recommended that students not engage in outside employment. If a student chooses to work during the academic year, the work schedule must not interfere with class performance or clinical rotation schedules.