1. Enroll highly qualified students who reflect the dynamic population of South Carolina and the nation.
2. Encourage professional involvement and interprofessional collaboration.
3. Maintain a level of first-time PANCE pass rates that meets or exceeds the national average.
4. Train graduates to practice evidence-based medicine and patient-centered care.

View and download the full version of the Physician Assistant Program Goals and Outcomes.

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Columbia Physician Assistant Program sponsored by University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Columbia.  Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards. 

Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be June 2031. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy. 

The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at http://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-university-of-south-carolina/.

USC PANCE Pass Rate Summary Report

1. Apply basic scientific concepts relevant to patient care.
2. Apply knowledge of pharmacology and therapeutics to patient care.
3. Recognize signs and symptoms of acute conditions.
4. Recognize signs and symptoms of chronic diseases. 
5. Recognize emergent or life-threatening presentations.
6. Recognize and treat illnesses across the lifespan.
7. Engage in self-reflection by recognizing strengths and limitations.

1. Adapt communication to the patient’s level of health literacy.
2. Provide patient counseling on disease prevention.
3. Educate the patient on healthy habits and behaviors.
4. Collaborate effectively with interprofessional healthcare team members.
5. Provide concise and accurate oral presentations of patient cases.
6. Incorporate shared decision-making in patient care discussions.

1. Elicit a pertinent history for the patient’s presenting complaint or preventative health needs.
2. Perform a physical exam appropriate to the patient’s presenting complaint or preventative health needs.
3. Correctly perform the following clinical procedures: obtain and document informed consent, simple laceration repair, administration of local anesthetic, and injections for medication delivery.
4. Document clinical findings accurately and concisely. 
5. Interpret laboratory results accurately. 
6. Interpret imaging results accurately.

1. Communicate respectfully with members of the care team. 
2. Apply ethical principles in alignment with the AAPA Code of Ethics. 
3. Maintain appropriate professional appearance and demeanor.
4. Recognize personal limitations and seek collaboration when appropriate.
5. Produce a well-sourced evidence-based case study.

1. Generate a prioritized differential diagnosis based on relevant clinical data.
2. Select appropriate diagnostic tests based on clinical presentation.
3. Synthesize clinical data to arrive at a working diagnosis.
4. Develop initial management plans for acute conditions.
5. Develop long-term management plans for chronic conditions.
6. Identify the appropriate site of care based on the patient's disposition.