Our Mission
The Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program’s mission is to develop highly competent and compassionate physician assistants who are committed to patient-centered care.
Our Core Values
- Teamwork: A collaborative, multidisciplinary approach is key to providing quality healthcare and is the cornerstone on which the PA profession was built.
- Integrity: Honesty, respect, and high ethical standards are important traits of a healthcare provider.
- Professionalism: Standards of professional conduct create role models for others, avoid conflicts of interest, promote cultural competence, and exhibit dedication to quality medical care.
- Empathy: Compassionate and understanding healthcare providers address the concerns of the whole person
Student Attrition
| Graduated Classes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Maximum Entering Class Size (as approved by ARC-PA) |
50 | 50 | 50 |
| Entering Class Size | 52 | 54 | 51 |
| Graduates | 47 | 50 | 48 |
| Attrition Rate* | 9.6% | 7.4.% | 5.9% |
| Graduation Rate** | 90.4% | 92.6% | 94.1% |
Data as of 8/1/2024
*Attrition Rate: Number of students who attritted from the cohort divided by the entering class size.
**Graduation Rate: Number of cohort graduates divided by the entering class size.
Employment Rates
| By Six Months Post-Graduation | |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 100% |
| 2023 | 98% |
| 2022 | 97% |
Source: Graduate and 6-month alumni surveys (average reporting rate 80%)
Physician Assistant Program Competencies
Prior to graduation from DMU’s PA program, students will have shown the ability to:
- Demonstrate and apply knowledge of basic scientific principles as they relate to evidence-based clinical medicine. (Medical Knowledge)
- Take a comprehensive patient history and perform an appropriate physical exam to obtain information needed to formulate an appropriate differential diagnosis for patients across the lifespan, in varying encounter types and settings. (History and Physical Examination)
- Recognize the epidemiology, etiology, signs and symptoms, and appropriate diagnostic studies necessary to provide an accurate diagnosis for patients across the lifespan, in varying encounter types and settings. (Diagnosis)
- Utilize preventive health measures and manage disease in patients across the lifespan, in varying encounter types and settings, using pharmaceutical therapeutics, clinical interventions, and patient education. (Patient Management)
- Demonstrate effective communication skills when interacting with patients, families, and other members of the healthcare team. (Communication)
- Demonstrate sensitivity to the patient’s race, culture, age, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, gender, and physical and intellectual abilities. (Community and Culture)
- Self-evaluate behaviors and medical knowledge to recognize personal limitations. (Professionalism)
- Document adequate patient information regarding care provided, for medical, legal, quality assurance and financial purposes. (Healthcare Systems)
- Analyze and utilize medical literature. (Evidence-based Practice)
- Exhibit professionalism, respect, compassion, and integrity, with accountability to patients, society, and the profession. (Interprofessional Collaborative Practice)
PANCE Exam Performance
Program Goals
Evidence of Success
The program maintains a robust process of continuous self-assessment to evaluate performance related to each of its goals and to ensure compliance with ARC-PA’s accreditation standards.
