West Liberty University President Robin C. Capehart announced that the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc., has granted provisional accreditation to the physician assistant program sponsored by the university.
Provisional accreditation is an accreditation status. The granting of provisional accreditation indicates that the plans and resource allocation for the proposed program appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards, if fully implemented as planned. Provisional Accreditation does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. Provisional status is limited to no more than three years for any program.
“Provisional accreditation is an important step in the establishment of the physician assistant program as a ‘signature program’ at West Liberty,” Capehart said.
“West Liberty has a long history of excellence in science education and in preparing our graduates for advanced degree programs such as medical and dental schools. Last year, 100 percent of WLU science graduates who applied to post-graduate programs were accepted. Further, WLU has the only ‘program of distinction’ in biology in the state of West Virginia,” he noted.
Robert Kreisberg, dean of the WLU College of Sciences, said, “We’re very excited that ARC-PA has granted provisional accreditation to the program. It’s taken a lot of work to get to this point. The final step in the process will be a site visit and approval by representatives of the Higher Learning Commission.”
Capehart added, “If approved by the HLC, the PA program will join our other health science programs, including nursing and dental hygiene, in offering even greater opportunities for students to pursue careers in healthcare fields.”
Allan M. Bedashi is the director of WLU’s PA program.
ARC-PA is an independent accrediting body authorized to accredit qualified PA educational programs leading to the professional credential, Physician Assistant (PA). The ARC-PA establishes and maintains standards of quality for educational programs.