Arcadia University’s Physician Assistant (PA) program in the Department of Master of Medical Science was ranked #4 nationally by Intelligent.com on its “The Top 49 Physician Assistant Degree Programs.”

Arcadia’s PA program was ranked as “Best PANCE Pass Rate” among the 49 programs. The program has a 99 percent five-year, first time taker average passing rate for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). The program produces graduates well-equipped to deliver high-quality, cost-effective health care in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, and other community settings. Arcadia’s program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission of Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

“Our Physician Assistant program has a strong history of success,” said Renee Langstaff ’98M, PA, chair of the Department of Medical Science. “However, we recognize the importance of continued assessment and improvements to meet the changing needs of medicine and the evolution of the Physician Assistant profession. We are always striving to be the best that we can be. I am especially proud of these rankings due to the challenges that were imposed upon faculty and staff in the midst of the pandemic. The success of the program relies not only on this amazing team of talented individuals, but also our resilient students who never lose their focus.”

Physician Assistant is one of the fastest growing professions in the country, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The field was recently ranked by U.S. News and World Report as #1 on its 2021 list of 100 Best Jobs based on stress of the job, work-life balance, career advancement and challenges, and salary.

The PA program was also ranked 46th nationally by U.S. News and World Report in 2019.

Intelligent.com uses U.S. News & World Report data, as well as national statistics on employment opportunities and each University’s student engagement and graduation rates for its methodology.