Goal 4: Prepare graduates to practice in underserved areas

As stated in our mission statement, the PA program strives to prepare graduates to practice in rural communities and other underserved settings. To achieve this goal, the PA Program integrates its students into the generalist medical program; teaching students the full range of knowledge needed to practice in a rural setting (refer to the "Masters of PA Studies Curriculum").

All course work is designed to give graduates the highest level of education in order to practice in rural and underserved settings. Along with this education, testing models, use of standardized patients, small group, clinical rotations, and self-relection exercises are designed to promote higher order thinking and integration of material while applying the knowledge to patients in the graduates care. PANCE pass rates and achievement demonstrate this ability (See NCCPA pass rates under Goal 3).