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PA student examing a patient

All 35 recent graduates from the Marietta College Master of Physician Assistant Studies Class of 2022 passed the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE), resulting in a 100-percent first-time pass rate for the program.

After graduating from an ARC-accredited program and passing the PANCE, graduates can then use the PA-C designation and obtain a license to practice in any state. “These students started in June of 2020 amid the COVID pandemic, and it is a true testament to the passion, hard work, and dedication this program has for their students and the recent graduates' grit and determination to persevere,” said Christi Gierhart, Director of the Physician Assistant program.

Preparation for the PANCE exam is a 26-month process that is divided into 12 months of didactic training, which is in the classroom, and 14 months of clinical rotations. Physician Assistant graduates from Marietta frequently have a high first-time taker pass rate on the PANCE, earning a 95-percent in 2021 and having a 97-percent five-year average. The most recent five-year first-time takers national average pass rate is 95 percent.

“The faculty and staff provide an outstanding educational experience throughout the 26-month program. This allows our graduates to serve the community and patients as competent, compassionate, and caring members of the health care team while continuing the long tradition of excellence MC PA program is known for,” Gierhart said.

Marietta’s prestigious Physician Assistant Program is highly competitive, with over 500 applicants competing each year for 36 seats.