Accreditation
Accreditation
At its March 2025 meeting, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) placed the Northeastern State University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Northeastern State University on Accreditation- Probation status until its next review in April 2027.
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as specified by the ARC-PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and is subject to having its accreditation withdrawn.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 at https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-northeastern-state-university/.
The College of Science and Health Professions and Northeastern State University fully support the Physician Assistant Studies Program and are actively addressing the concerns raised by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). We remain committed to student success and delivering a high-quality, nationally-ranked program.
FAQs About Accreditation
Yes. The NSU Physician Assistant Program currently holds Accreditation-Probation status from ARC-PA. Accreditation-Probation is an active accreditation status.
Accreditation-Probation is a temporary accreditation status assigned by ARC-PA when
an accredited program does not meet one or more accreditation Standards or when ARC-PA
determines that the program's ability to provide an acceptable educational experience
may be threatened.
During the probationary period, the Program continues to operate as an accredited
PA program while addressing the areas identified by ARC-PA.
Yes. ARC-PA states that students entering a program that is on Accreditation-Probation
are entering an accredited program.
For purposes of PANCE eligibility, NCCPA considers a graduate to have graduated from
an accredited program if the PA program was accredited at the time the student matriculated,
provided the student successfully completes the program and meets NCCPA eligibility
requirements.
Under current NCCPA eligibility requirements, graduates are considered to have graduated
from an accredited program if their PA program was accredited at the time they matriculated.
Students must also successfully complete the Program and satisfy all other NCCPA eligibility
requirements in effect at the time they apply for the PANCE.
Students are encouraged to consult the NCCPA website for the most current PANCE eligibility
requirements.
The Program's next ARC-PA review is scheduled for April 2027. The Program will continue
to complete all required accreditation activities and submissions during the review
process.
Accreditation decisions are made solely by ARC-PA. The Program will update this page
when ARC-PA issues any change to its accreditation status.
ARC-PA identified areas in which the Program was required to provide additional evidence of compliance with the accreditation Standards. These areas have included institutional and program resources, program assessment and evaluation processes, documentation of student achievement, and clinical education processes.
The Program and University have implemented and continue to monitor improvements in response to ARC-PA's findings. Detailed information regarding the Program's accreditation history and ARC-PA's findings is available through the Program's accreditation history on the ARC-PA website.
Accreditation-Probation does not change the Program's status as an ARC-PA-accredited program. Employment requirements vary by employer and jurisdiction and may include graduation from an accredited PA program, successful completion of the PANCE, NCCPA certification, and state licensure.
Students and graduates should review the requirements applicable to the state and position in which they intend to practice.
PA licensure requirements are established by individual states and may vary. Students should review the requirements of the state in which they intend to practice.
Because licensure requirements can change, the Program encourages students to consult the appropriate state licensing board for current requirements.
The Program's official accreditation status and accreditation history are published by ARC-PA. The NSU Physician Assistant Program will also update this page following any future ARC-PA accreditation action.