Accreditation Status

The UT Tyler Physician Assistant Studies program has applied for Accreditation - Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Our program anticipates matriculating its first class in September 2027, pending achieving Accreditation - Provisional status at the April 2027 ARC-PA meeting.

Accreditation - Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program's ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding accreditation-provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.

Status Area	Current Status	Explanation
ARC-PA Status	Applicant Program	The program has applied for Accreditation-Provisional; a decision is anticipated at the April 2027 ARC-PA meeting.
First Cohort	Anticipated September 2027	Matriculation is contingent upon receiving Accreditation-Provisional and all required institutional approvals.
Last Reviewed	July 2027	Updated whenever the program receives new official correspondence or an accreditation decision.

Accreditation is a quality assurance process used to evaluate whether a physician assistant educational program has the curriculum, faculty, clinical education, institutional support, assessment processes, and resources need to prepare graduates for entry-level practice. ARC-PA is the accrediting agency for entry-level physician assistant programs in the United States.

What Accreditation-Provisional Means

• It is the initial accreditation status available to a qualified developing PA program.
• It is granted after ARC-PA reviews the proposed program's plans, resources, curriculum, personnel, assessment systems, and clinical education preparation.
• It allows an approved developing program to enroll in its first cohort.
• It does not guarantee any subsequent accreditation status.
• The program remains subject to continued ARC-PA monitoring, reporting, and review.

Why Accreditation Matters

• Accreditation communicates that the program has undergone external peer review against nationally established PA education standards.
• Graduation from an ARC-PA accredited entry-level PA program is an important component of eligibility for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE).
• Professional certification and state licensure involve additional requirements beyond graduation and are governed by the appropriate certifying and licensing bodies.

“The UT Tyler Physician Assistant Studies Program is currently a developing program seeking provisional accreditation from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA). The Program is not yet accredited.

If the Program does not receive provisional accreditation from the ARC-PA according to the Program's published timeline, the Program will not matriculate students. Admission offers will be contingent upon the Program receiving provisional accreditation. If provisional accreditation is not granted before the planned matriculation date, the Program may delay the start date, defer admission, rescind admission offers, or cancel the entering cohort.

Graduation from an ARC-PA-accredited PA program is required for eligibility to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), administered by the NCCPA, and is also important for state licensure. NCCPA states that PANCE eligibility requires graduation from an entry-level PA program accredited by the ARC-PA, and graduates are considered to have graduated from an accredited program if the program was accredited at the time of matriculation. ARC-PA also states that graduation from an accredited program is an eligibility requirement for PANCE and state licensure.

Accreditation is not guaranteed. Applicants and prospective students should understand that failure of a program to achieve provisional accreditation may delay or prevent enrollment in the Program and may affect eligibility for certification, licensure, federal financial aid, clinical training progression, graduation timelines, and employment as a PA.”

Implications of Non-Accreditation

The UT Tyler Physician Assistant Studies Program is a developing program seeking provisional accreditation from the ARC-PA. At this time, the Program is not yet accredited. Accreditation is not guaranteed. The ARC-PA may grant or deny provisional accreditation. The Program cannot guarantee that accreditation will be granted or that it will be granted within the Program's published timeline.

If the Program does not receive provisional accreditation within the published timeline, the following implications apply:

1. Students Will Not Begin the Program

The Program will not start classes or matriculate its first cohort unless provisional accreditation is granted by the ARC-PA.

2. All Admission Offers Are Conditional

All offers of admission are conditional upon the Program receiving provisional accreditation. Acceptance into the Program does not guarantee that the cohort will matriculate or that classes will begin as planned.

3. The Program Start Date May Be Delayed or Canceled

If the Program does not receive provisional accreditation within the expected timeline, the Program may delay the start date, defer accepted students to a later cohort, rescind admission offers, or cancel the entering cohort.

4. Seat Deposits Will Follow Institutional Refund Policies

Seat deposits will be refundable if the Program does not receive provisional accreditation and is unable to matriculate the entering cohort.

Tuition will not be collected before matriculation; therefore, tuition refunds related to non-accreditation would not apply.

5. CASPA Application Fees

CASPA application fees are non-refundable.

6. Opportunities for Enrollment in Other Programs

The UT Tyler Physician Assistant Studies Program cannot guarantee enrollment or placement in another PA program. Individuals would be responsible for applying independently to other programs, and admission would be based on each program's individual requirements, timelines, selection processes, and available seats.

Is the UT Tyler PA Program currently accredited?

No. The program has applied for Accreditation-Provisional and is not currently accredited by ARC-PA.

When is the ARC-PA accreditation decision expected?

The program anticipates an accreditation decision at the April 2027 ARC-PA meeting.

When does the program anticipate enrolling its first class?

The program anticipates matriculating its inaugural cohort in September 2027, pending Accreditation-Provisional and all required institutional approvals.

Can applicants apply before Accreditation-Provisional is granted?

Applicants may apply during the program's development and accreditation process in accordance with the published admissions cycle and program instructions.

What happens if Accreditation-Provisional is not granted?

The program will not enroll the inaugural cohort as planned and will communicate directly with applicants regarding the program's status and next steps.

Where will future accreditation updates be posted?

Official updates will be posted on this Accreditation subpage and communicated through authorized University and program channels.

• Apply medical science knowledge across the lifespan.
• Select appropriate diagnostic studies and treatment approaches.
• Support prevention, health maintenance, and patient education.

• Obtain histories and perform focused or comprehensive examinations.
• Perform essential clinical and technical skills safely.
• Use telehealth and electronic resources to support patient care.

• Integrate clinical information to develop diagnoses.
• Interpret diagnostic studies and justify treatment decisions.
• Create individualized, evidence-based management plans.

• Communicate compassionately with patients, families, and caregivers.
• Promote shared decision-making and clear patient education.
• Collaborate effectively within interprofessional healthcare teams.

• Demonstrate integrity, respect, accountability, and professionalism.
• Apply ethical and legal principles in healthcare.
• Recognize personal limitations and commit to continued growth.

Students must demonstrate satisfactory achievement of all five competency domains before graduation.

Student achievement is evaluated throughout the curriculum using multiple methods, including written examinations, clinical evaluations, simulations, Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (SCEs), clinical skills assessments, and summative evaluations. Successful demonstration of the Program competencies is required for graduation.