Postgraduate FAQs
The accredited Postgraduate programs are listed on the ARC-PA web site, alphabetically by state, along with information on their accreditation status, accreditation actions history, the date the program was first accredited and the next scheduled accreditation review.
The ARC-PA only investigates concerns about a program when submitted in writing, signed, and related to the program’s compliance with the Standards. Concerns may be sent by email to Complaints@arc-pa.org.
The clinical postgraduate PA program accreditation process conducted by the ARC-PA is a voluntary one entered into by institutions and programs that sponsor a structured educational experience. The process gives applicant programs the opportunity to demonstrate compliance with the approved accreditation standards. While the process is voluntary, it provides programs an external validation of their educational offering. Additionally, the process offers prospective PA trainees one means by which they can judge the quality of the educational experience offered by the program or institution.
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as specified by the ARC-PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and is subject to having its accreditation withdrawn.
If PA trainees still have questions, submit them to the ARC-PA by email.
Information regarding the program’s accreditation history can be found here. Beyond the information found on ARC-PA website, questions should be directed to the program/institution.
Actions taken at commission meetings are usually communicated to programs within four-six weeks after the meeting. If PA trainees have questions regarding a program’s accreditation status, contact the program itself.
The accreditation status for programs will be updated on the ARC-PA website when all business from the commission meeting is finalized, usually within 5-6 weeks following the meeting. If PA trainees have questions regarding a program’s accreditation status, contact the program itself.
For questions regarding Clinical Postgraduate Accreditation, please email postgraduateaccreditation@arc-pa.org.
For questions regarding Clinical Postgraduate Accreditation, please email postgraduateaccreditation@arc-pa.org.
For the Clinical Postgraduate Accreditation Standards, Standard D1.02 prohibits program faculty from serving as a health care provider for PA trainees in the program, except in emergency situations.
The ARC-PA only investigates concerns about a program when submitted in writing, signed, and related to the program’s compliance with the Standards. Concerns may be sent by email to Complaints@arc-pa.org.
The full procedure may be referenced in the Concerns about Program Compliance with Policies and/or Standards document.
Continuous feedback and assessment contribute to the ongoing enhancement of the respective clinical postgraduate PA program and the overall quality of PA education. Programs may employ various methods to solicit constructive feedback, such as a preceptor’s evaluation of its trainees and curriculum, preceptors joining program advisory committee (PAC) meetings, focus groups, and more. For inquiries about providing program feedback, please reach out to the respective program.
Before confirming your participation, please ensure your availability during the designated day and time.
The purpose of the site visit is to verify, clarify, and validate what the program wrote in its application regarding the program’s adherence to the Standards. The site visit team will report their findings to the commission based on evidence presented at the time of the site visit. The team will seek clarification on information provided by the program to the ARC-PA; thus, it’s important to respond honestly to any questions you are asked. You can anticipate questions related to the Standards.
The ARC-PA updates its website after each Commission meeting. Commission meetings occur three times a year, February, June, and September.
The ARC-PA accredited Clinical Postgraduate PA Programs are listed on the ARC-PA website, alphabetically by state, along with information on their accreditation status, and the timing of the next scheduled accreditation action.
When referring to the Standards, please reference Standard A4.09a for information on the program’s responsibilities regarding changes in the program’s ARC-PA accreditation status. While programs do have to publish their accreditation status, they are not required to contact each instructional faculty member directly.
The ARC-PA performs a comprehensive review of the program relative to the Standards. It is the clinical postgraduate PA program and the sponsoring institution’s responsibility to demonstrate compliance. Accreditation decisions are based on the ARC-PAs evaluation of information contained in the accreditation application, the report submitted by the site visit team, any additional requested reports or documents submitted to the ARC-PA by the program, and the program’s accreditation history.
When referencing the NP & PA Accreditation Standards, Standards 2.1, 2.3, and 2.5 addresses qualifications, including education, experience, and knowledge and skills reflective of the area of specialty. Similarly, the Clinical Postgraduate Accreditation Standards, specifically Standard A3.17, delineates instructional faculty qualifications, to include academic preparation, experience, knowledge, and effectiveness.
Decisions regarding specific academic preparation and/or experience are established at the individual postgraduate program level. For inquiries concerning program participation, preceptor qualifications, and program policies, please contact the respective program directly. Contact information can be found on the program website or by reaching out to the sponsoring institution.
The ARC-PA accredited Clinical Postgraduate Programs are listed on the ARC-PA website, alphabetically by state, along with information on their accreditation status, and the timing of the next scheduled accreditation action.
Regarding the contact information for a clinical postgraduate program, reference the program website or contact the sponsoring institution.
The following presentation is available to offer further insight into the distinct roles of the four major national PA organizations and their support of PAs.
The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA), Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) and the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) are the collaborating organizations of the ARC-PA. The AAPA and PAEA nominate individuals from its membership to serve as commissioners on the ARC-PA. Each commissioner serves a three-year term, which is renewable once upon recommendation by the ARC-PA.
The ARC-PA recognizes that writing learning outcomes that effectively guide student learning is no easy task. The ARC-PA has developed a guide that may be of help to programs when developing learning outcomes, competencies, and writing syllabi. The document titled “Syllabi, Competecies, and Instructional Objectives: A Guide for Clinical Postgraduate PA Program Faculty” is updated periodically and is available on the Postgraduate Accreditation Resources section of the ARC-PA website.
Submit a letter to Accreditation Services on official letterhead describing the name change and have it signed by the chief administrative officer.
The ARC-PA’s scope of accreditation does not include doctorate-level PA programs.
There is a listing of postgraduate accreditation fees on the ARC-PA website.
For additional questions, submit them to the ARC-PA by email.
Questions about the Portal should be emailed to Portal Feedback.
The ARC-PA recognizes that writing instructional objectives that effectively guide student learning is no easy task. The ARC-PA has developed a guide that may be of help to programs when developing syllabi and objectives, describing competencies, and writing syllabi. The document titled “Syllabi, Competecies, and Instructional Objectives: A Guide for Clinical Postgraduate PA Program Faculty” is updated periodically and is available on the Postgraduate Accreditation Resources section of the ARC-PA website.
While accreditation is considered a voluntary process, the accreditation process encourages sponsoring institutions and programs to continuously evaluate and improve their processes and outcomes; helps prospective PA trainees identify programs that meet nationally accepted standards; protect programs from internal and external pressures to make changes that are not educationally sound; involves faculty and staff in comprehensive program evaluation; and stimulates self-improvement.
The Accreditation Manual for Clinical Postgraduate PA Programs, includes the Standards along with suggested evidence of compliance and performance indicators and clarifying comments to help guide programs in their self-assessment of compliance with the Standards.
Anyone with comments related to the Standards may provide their comments to the ARC-PA. The ARC-PA has a standing committee that reviews and evaluates the Standards and comments received related to them. Clarification and changes to the wording of the Standards can be made by the commission at any of the three ARC-PA meetings per year. Substantial changes to the Standards are made every ten years.
The ARC-PA only investigates concerns about a clinical postgraduate program when submitted in writing, signed, and related to the program’s compliance with the Standards. Concerns may be sent by email to Complaints@arc-pa.org.
When needed, the ARC-PA will make an announcement for site visitors on the website and distribute to PA program faculty through email. To become a volunteer site visitor, an individual must apply and undergo the selection process. Site visitors are required to participate in the initial and ongoing site visitor training sessions.
Institutions interested in applying for provisional accreditation should review the Clinical Postgraduate Process and inform the ARC-PA by submitting the Postgraduate Applicant Information Form.
The ARC-PA currently accredited clinical postgraduate programs are listed on the ARC-PA Clinical Postgraduate webpage alphabetically by state, along with information on their accreditation status and the timing of the next scheduled accreditation action.
No, the suggested evidence of compliance and performance indicators are just that, suggestions for how programs can demonstrate compliance with the Standards. They are not mandatory or exclusive lists and programs should feel free to submit other documentation in addition to or instead of the suggested evidence.
First review the Accreditation Manual for Clinical Postgraduate PA Programs, for clarification. If there is still doubt, contact Accreditation Services by email.
ARC-PA policy prohibits the commission, site visitors or staff from providing consultation services or maintaining or recommending consultants. The ARC-PA staff are available to answer questions regarding accreditation processes and procedures.
Learn the unique roles that the four major national PA organizations play in the support of PAs from the beginning and throughout their careers by watching this video. Learn how they are enabling PAs to deliver high quality, accessible care to their patients.
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