Accreditation, Board Certification, and Attrition

At its June 2022 meeting, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) placed the Yale Physician Assistant Online Program sponsored by Yale University School of Medicine on Accreditation-Probation status until its next review in June 2024.

Probation accreditation is a temporary accreditation status initially of not less than two years. However, that period may be extended by the ARC-PA for up to an additional two years if the ARC-PA finds that the program is making substantial progress toward meeting all applicable standards but requires additional time to come into full compliance. Probation accreditation status is granted, at the sole discretion of the ARC-PA, when a program holding an accreditation status of Accreditation – Provisional or Accreditation – Continued does not, in the judgment of the ARC-PA, meet the Standards or when the capability of the program to provide an acceptable educational experience for its students is threatened.

Once placed on probation, a program that fails to comply with accreditation requirements in a timely manner, as specified by the ARC-PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and is subject to having its accreditation withdrawn.

Specific questions regarding the Program and its plans should be directed to the Program Director and/or the appropriate institutional official(s).

The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website.

(Please note: Individuals should click on the link above and then click again on the document that is displayed to enlarge the document.)

The Yale School of Medicine and Yale University fully support the Physician Assistant Online Program and are actively addressing the concerns raised by the ARC-PA. We have successfully responded to four of five areas of concern, and are confident the remaining issue will be resolved.

Is a program on probation still accredited?
Yes. Accreditation-Probation is a temporary accreditation status initially of not less than two years.

How will the Accreditation-Probation status affect future entering classes?
The program will continue to admit students during its regular admissions cycle. The program may admit future cohorts under the current Accreditation-Probation status.

How will the Accreditation-Probation status affect the curriculum and clinical experiences?
There is no change to didactic or clinical instruction under this status. The program will continue to deliver an innovative didactic and clinical rotation experience for every student in the program.

How will the Accreditation-Probation status affect the current staff and faculty support for newly admitted students, current students, and alumni?
The program will continue to provide the resources necessary to our students, past and present.

How does the program’s Accreditation-Probation status affect my degree from Yale?
There is no effect on your degree. You still will earn an MMSc degree once you meet the degree requirements and will be awarded your degree as scheduled.

If the program is on probation, can I take the PANCE?
Yes. The program is fully accredited, which allows all program graduates to take the PANCE.

Can I apply for licensure if the program I graduated from is on Accreditation-Probation status?
Yes. The primary requirements for licensure are graduation from an accredited program and NCCPA certification. The program remains fully accredited. 

If I have questions about what the program was cited for to place it in Accreditation-Probation status, where can I find that information?
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA Website.

Does the Accreditation-Probation status have any effect on the Yale Physician Associate Program?
No. The Yale Physician Assistant Online Program and Yale Physician Associate Program are two separate programs.  The Yale Physician Associate Program’s current accreditation status is Accreditation-Continued.

Yale PA Online prepares students to become certified physician assistants (PAs) by passing the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). The program’s most recent pass rates are noted here (PDF, 152KB).

The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) is the only certifying organization for PAs in the United States. After becoming certified, PAs must obtain state licensure. To maintain active certification status, PAs must complete a minimum of 100 hours of continuing medical education (and pay a certification maintenance fee to NCCPA) every two years.

The program’s attrition and graduation rates are noted here.