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remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards.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. 

Master of Science in Physician Assistant 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.

Master of Science in Physician Assistant 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

PA 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.