1 – Attract and select highly qualified students.
As reflected in the chart below, entering students are academically well prepared and have clinical experiences prior to matriculating to succeed in the program.
Class stats
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GRE: verbal | 155 (147-166) | 155 (149-163) | 155 (147-169) | 155 (148-166) |
| GRE: quantitative | 154 (147-164) | 154 (148-160) | 155 (146-163) | 154 (146-166) |
| GRE: writing | 4.2 (3.5-5.0) | 4.2 (3.0-5.0) | 4.3 (3.5-5.5) | 4 |
| GPA: cumulative | 3.5 (3.02-4.0) | 3.5 (3.11-3.89) | 3.6 (3.15-3.99) | 3.6 |
| GPA: science | 3.5 (3.01-4.0) | 3.4 (3.0-3.96) | 3.6 (3.14-4.0) | 3.6 |
| Hours of clinical experience | 32 months | 27 months | 25 months | 37 months |
| Academic degrees: bachelor’s / master’s / doctorate | 60/2/0 | 54/6/0 | 52/7/1 | 53/8/0 |
2 – To have a student body representing diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Diversity is one of the core values at the School of Physician Assistant Studies and we respect and recognize each individual as unique, having different experiences, perspectives, and ideas.
Class Diversity
| CLASS | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| African American | 4 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 5 |
| Hispanic | 8 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 9 |
| American Indian | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Asian | 8 | 4 | 12 | 10 | 3 |
| Caucasian | 41 | 43 | 41 | 34 | 43 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Male | 16 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 15 |
| Female | 46 | 41 | 41 | 39 | 45 |
| Average Age | 25 (21-43) | 26 (22-44) | 26 (21-50) | 25 (22-36) | 24 (22-31) |
| Military Veterans | 0 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Educationally Disadvantaged | 17 | 19 | 30 | 29 | 29 |
| Economically Disadvantaged | 7 | 4 | 11 | 4 | 9 |
3 – Attrition rate for UF PA students will be less than the national average.
The School has been successful in graduating the vast majority of those who matriculate. The School’s attrition* rate over the last five years is 5% – 6.5% falling below the national average of 9.1% according to the PAEA “By the Numbers” 31st Report. We strive to graduate 100% of all entering students and the faculty are committed to support the students in completing the program and ultimately be successful in their chosen career.
4 – Develop lifelong learners.
The process of life-long learning begins in the classroom. Each student becomes involved in the learning process through natural inquiry. Activities such as problem-based learning, use of clinical simulation, classroom assignments, and group projects, help develop this process. The process continues during clinical rotations where each student is expected to seek answers for questions and discuss clinical cases with their preceptors. Students are given the opportunity to attend state and national clinical conferences when the schedule permits.
Each PA must pass their initial PANCE examination for certification. To remain certified, a PA must take the Physician Assistant Recertification Examination (PANRE). In addition to the PANRE, each certified PA must complete continuing medical education to help insure the PA is current in medical knowledge. Using current certification as a marker for life-long learning, over 80% of UF PA Program graduates, since 1984, are currently certified as PA-Cs. This figure does not include those graduates who are no longer certified due to retirement, those not working as a PA (some graduates have graduated medical school and are physicians), or those deceased.