Accreditation Status of the Program

 At its March 2024 meeting, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) placed the Seton Hill University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Seton Hill University on Accreditation-Probation status until its next review in March 2026. 

Probation is a temporary status of accreditation conferred when a program does not meet the Standards and when the capability of the program to provide an acceptable educational experience for its students is threatened.

Once placed on probation, programs that still fail to comply with accreditation requirements in a timely manner, as specified by the ARC-PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and/or risk having their accreditation withdrawn.

The Seton Hill University Physician Assistant Program is scheduled for a focused site visit in advance of the March 2025 commission meeting. This visit will evaluate the PA Program and institutional progress in addressing specific citations identified during the most recent commission review of the PA Program. Failure of the PA Program and institution to demonstrate significant progress in addressing these citations is likely to result in the withdrawal of accreditation. 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 here.

The School of Natural & Health Sciences and Seton Hill’s Physician Assistant Program are actively addressing the concerns raised by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). In every academic program, all of us at Seton Hill are dedicated to making students fit for the world in which they'll live by preparing them with the highest quality education.

FAQs About Accreditation

If I’m a current student in the Seton Hill University PA Program (Class of 2024 or Class of 2025), will I graduate from an accredited program and be able to take the PANCE?

Yes. ARC-PA defines a student as graduating from an accredited program if the program was accredited at the time of matriculation. 

If I joined the Seton Hill University PA program in January of 2024 (Class of 2026), will I graduate from an accredited program and be able to take the PANCE?

Yes. ARC-PA  defines a student as graduating from an accredited program if the program was accredited at the time of matriculation. 

What happens if in March 2026 Seton Hill University PA does not come off probation? Will I still graduate and be able to take the PANCE?

Yes. Seton Hill University PA has the full support of the University and School of Natural Health and Sciences and intends to remain accredited, without probation, in March 2026. In the event this is not the case, the program will continue to teach the current students through graduation and students will still be able to take the PANCE.

Why is Seton Hill University PA on probation?

The ARC-PA provides an overview to ensure students are best prepared for clinical practice.  This temporary status allows us time to make program improvements, and to make sure that we are doing things in alignment with expectations of the ARC-PA.  Specific to Seton Hill University, citations received largely concerned the structure of Learning outcomes and instructional objectives in measurable terms for each didactic and clinical course that would guide student acquisition of the required competencies. 

Additionally, the accreditation commission requires a more robust assessment of student outcomes and the effectiveness of administrative processes. This effort is also already underway, as the program has begun working with an external consultant to improve its assessment processes and its evaluation of how students meet the learning outcomes of the program and thus become ready for clinical practice.  

Will the accreditation action affect my ability to obtain employment?

Employers look for board-certified PAs and rely heavily on recommendations and references from the program’s faculty and preceptors. Seton Hill University PA maintains strong relationships with its clinical partners and preceptors who provide excellent training. Seton Hill University PA has maintained excellent job placement at 6 months of graduation based on the graduate survey data for 10+ years. The program is committed to supporting its students by providing high-quality clinical rotations and facilitating job placement.

Will I be able to obtain a state license to practice?

Yes. PA licensure requirements vary by state requirements, but most states are congruent on graduating from an accredited program. For example, Pennsylvania licensure states one must “have graduated from an accredited program,” then pass the licensure exam, and be certified by NCCPA. The definition of “graduate from an accredited program” will apply to students who matriculate to the program when it is accredited.

Is Seton Hill University accredited overall?

Yes. Seton Hill University is accredited by the Middle States Commission, a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.