Mission, Vision, Values, and Goals

Our Mission

The mission of the MUSC Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program is to graduate highly competent physician assistants who are compassionate, demonstrate cultural humility, and are attuned to the primary health care needs of the people of South Carolina and beyond.

They will be prepared to:

  • Provide quality, evidence based, patient-centered health care as integral members of interdisciplinary health care teams
  • Advocate for the physician assistant profession
  • Help meet the health care needs of the larger community through education, research, and service

Our Vision

To enhance access to high-quality health care throughout South Carolina (SC) and beyond.

Our Values

  • Quality, safe, and accessible patient-centered health care
  • Compassionate and respectful to the needs of the population served
  • Ethical and professional behavior
  • Diversity and inclusion
  • Confident life-long learners
  • Advance medical knowledge
  • Virtuous leadership

Program Goals

Goal #1: Enroll a richly diverse student body with varied experiences, attributes, sensitivities, and academic backgrounds:

  • Program Benchmark: To meet specific thresholds as per the table below that contribute to the program enrolling a richly diverse student body.
  • Program Outcome: The program has consistently met or exceeded the thresholds within an acceptable margin of error.

Student Demographics:

Class of 2023

Class of 2024

Class of 2025

Average

3-Year Avg.

Category Threshold

Diversity Categories

Rural

26%

19%

30%

26%

25%

25%

Urban

17%

11%

14%

14%

14%

15%

1st Generation College Student

15%

14%

32%

17%

20%

10%

Historically Black College and University Graduates

3%

0%

2%

2%

2%

2%

Underrepresented minority*

13%

13%

28%

18%

16%

15%

*Defined as Hispanic, African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and Asian students who are either Filipino, Vietnamese, or Southeast Asian non-Vietnamese.

Goal #2: Train physician assistant students to have the knowledge and skills to provide quality healthcare.

  • Program Benchmark: Achieve a PANCE first-time test-taker pass rate at or above the national average.

  • Program Outcome: The program has more consistently met or exceeded national PANCE pass rates with a 5-year first-time test taker average of 92%.

View the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination Five year First Time Taker Summary Report (PDF).

Class Graduation Year

Group

Number of Candidates Who Took PANCE

Program Exam Pass Rate

National Exam Pass Rate for the Class Graduation Year

2017

All Takers

59

98%

95%

First Time Takers

59

98%

97%

2018

All Takers

61

98%

97%

First Time Takers

61

98%

98%

2019

All Takers

59

83%

91%

First Time Takers

59

86%

93%

2020

All Takers

58

95%

93%

First Time Takers

58

95%

95%

2021

All Takers

86

82%

91%

First Time Takers

86

84%

93%

2022

All Takers

92

79%

89%

First Time Takers

92

84%

92%

Goal #3: Graduate students who are highly satisfied with the quality of their education, the state of their professional development, and their overall capability to function as a physician assistant.

Upon completion of the program, the program assesses graduate satisfaction with an exit survey at the time of graduation. Scores are evaluated on a 1-4 Likert Scale. On a scale of 1 to 4, where 4 is Strongly Agree, 3 is Agree, 2 is Disagree, and 1 is Strongly Disagree.

  • Program Benchmark: Graduates satisfaction scores of 3.0 out of 4.0 or higher.
  • Program Outcome: The program has consistently exceeded the goal with 3-year average of score 3.4 or above.

Questions

2021

2022

2023

3-year Average

I received a high-quality education

3.65

3.30

3.38

3.44

I felt welcome and encouraged to learn and grow

3.65

3.30

3.48 

3.47

I felt prepared to enter practice in my field of study

3.45

3.20

3.12 

3.25

Goal #4. Prepare students to serve an increasingly diverse patient population by promoting cultural humility and celebrating diversity across the curriculum.

Upon completion of the program, the program assesses graduate satisfaction with an exit survey at the time of graduation. Scores are evaluated on a 1-4 Likert Scale. On a scale of 1 to 4, where 4 is Strongly Agree, 3 is Agree, 2 is Disagree, and 1 is Strongly Disagree.

  • Program Benchmark: Graduates satisfaction scores of 3.0 out of 4.0 or higher

  • Program Outcome: The program has consistently exceeded the goal with 3-year average of score 3.36 or above.

Question

2021

2022

2023

3-year Average

I gained insight into the importance of cultural competency and appreciating diversity

3.44

3.34

3.43

3.40