ARC-PA 2025 Spring Newsletter
Greetings!
Please read ARC-PA’s Spring 2025 Newsletter issue here.
Please look for this and future Newsletters to be archived on the ARC-PA website.
Seeking Your Input: Draft PPDP Standards Now Available for Review
Hello Stakeholders,
The ARC-PA plans to offer accreditation for Post-Professional PA Doctoral Programs (PPDP). This is being done in response to interest voiced by numerous programs. In our efforts to craft standards that reflect the evolving landscape of post-professional PA education and uphold the highest quality and reputation of the PA profession, we collected survey feedback from existing PPDP programs and worked for over six months with a taskforce of PPDP leaders to develop this draft of the ARC-PA PPDP standards. We now kindly request your expertise and input in this process. Your contribution is integral to shaping accreditation criteria that are not only relevant but also meaningful to the specific needs of the programs.
To facilitate this process, the ARC-PA has created a survey accessible through the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/1uzCzUEiVY.Each standard is accompanied by a comment box, allowing you to provide direct feedback, questions, or insight pertaining to the corresponding standard. You are welcome to respond to as many or as few standards as you wish. Additionally, the final comment box offers an opportunity to introduce new topics or ideas that may not have been explored. The feedback survey is scheduled to conclude on March 30, 2025.
Your involvement and feedback are instrumental in ensuring the success of this accreditation process. Thank you in advance for your collaboration in this effort.
Sincerely,
Sharon Luke,
President and CEO, ARC-PA
Registration Open: ARC-PA Conference!
Registration is open for our first ARC-PA Conference, held July 8-12, 2025, at the Omni Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh, PA. This four-day event (with a fifth day of optional add on activities) is designed to go beyond understanding accreditation standards and focus on applying the standards to strengthen PA education and enhance program outcomes.
Why Attend?
- Gain firsthand knowledge of the ARC-PA accreditation policies, updates, and best practices to ensure compliance and continuous program improvement.
- Hear from ARC-PA Commissioners, staff, and fellow PA educators who will share their expertise on emerging trends, challenges, and solutions.
- Connect with peers, program directors, faculty, and accreditation professionals from across the country. Share experiences, exchange ideas, and build valuable relationships that can enhance your PA program and career.
- Have direct access to ARC-PA representatives and experts who can address your specific concerns, clarify accreditation requirements, and offer practical advice tailored to your institution’s needs.
- Opportunity to earn up to approximately 28 Category I CME credits. The ARC-PA intends to apply for Category I credits through the AAPA.
Agenda
Conference Agenda – The conference offers four full days of dynamic expert-led sessions, and networking opportunities, equipping PA educators and administrators with the latest accreditation insights, best practices, and innovative strategies to enhance program excellence.
Additional sessions – Optional half-day opportunities are available to further deepen understanding and explore additional learning opportunities.
Putting Standards to Practice: Join this 3-hour interactive session designed to help you practically apply ARC-PA standards to your program through hands-on exercises and collaborative problem-solving. Led by experienced facilitators, this session provides a unique opportunity to engage in guided activities, receive direct feedback, and refine your approach to accreditation compliance and program improvement.
(Saturday, July 12th 9am-12pm. Maximum: 50 attendees)
Post Professional Doctorate Accreditation: This 3-hour session provides an in-depth introduction to the new post-professional doctorate accreditation process established by ARC-PA. Attendees will gain a comprehensive overview of the steps required to achieve accreditation, along with an introduction to the standards and expectations for compliance. (Saturday, July 12th 9am-12pm. Maximum: 50 attendees)
NCCPA Educators Workshop: We are thrilled to be joined by representatives from NCCPA who will offer an opportunity for attendees to participate in their Educator’s Workshop. This workshop will explore how the NCCPA supports PA programs. Attendees will receive an overview of NCCPA’s exam programs and the exam development cycle. The session will also cover the various services and support provided by NCCPA staff, including a detailed walkthrough of the program-level reports available in the PA program portal, highlighting new features. Examples of how programs can utilize these reports and a discussion on additional reports needed to meet program needs will be provided. We will address the top ten frequently asked questions by PA programs and conclude with an open forum for attendees to ask questions.
(Saturday, July 12th 1pm-5pm. Maximum: 50 attendees)
Call for Presentations & Posters
While ARC-PA Commissioners and staff will lead most of the conference sessions, the ARC-PA seeks dynamic and innovative faculty members to submit applications for presentations and posters.
Complete information on format, guidelines, and submission can be found here: Call for Presentations & Posters.
Registration & Fees
Click the Registration Link to submit your registration information.
| Early Bird Registration | $1,800 | Ends April 18th |
| Standard Registration | $2,000 | Ends May 23rd |
| Add on Sessions: | ||
| Putting Standards to Practice Workshop |
$250 | |
| Post Professional Doctorate Accreditation | No fee. Additional registration required. | |
| NCCPA Educators Workshop | No fee. Additional registration required. | |
| Payment Deadline: June 6th |
Travel:
Attendees are responsible for making their own travel and hotel arrangements. Air, hotel and other travel arrangements should not be made until confirmation of registration is received from the ARC-PA.
Accommodations:
Omni William Penn Hotel
530 William Penn Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
The conference guestroom rate at the Omni William Penn Hotel is $179 per night plus taxes and fees. The conference rate will be available July 4-15, 2025 (based on guestroom availability).
Once your registration is confirmed, please use this link to reserve your hotel room:
https://bookings.omnihotels.com/event/pittsburgh-william-penn/arc-pa-conference
(Reservations must be guaranteed by credit card.) The ARC-PA has reserved a limited block of rooms, so make your reservation early. The conference guestroom rate will be available until June 16, 2025.
The hotel is 18 miles / 30 minutes from Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT).
The hotel is 11 miles / 25 minutes from Allegheny County Airport (AGC).
Check-in: 3:00 pm. Check-out: 12:00 pm
Valet parking: $45.00. Self-parking is offered in the Mellon Square Parking Garage across from the hotel at $20 per day.
Questions: Email workshopinfo@arc-pa.org
PUBLIC STATEMENT OF CHEA RECOGNITION
COUNCIL FOR HIGHER EDUCATION ACCREDITATION
PUBLIC STATEMENT OF CHEA RECOGNITION
January 31, 2025
Statement to be used by Accrediting Organizations for Recognition
At its meeting on January 27, 2025, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) Board of Directors reviewed the recommendation of the CHEA Committee on Recognition regarding the Recognition application submitted by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA). The Board of Directors accepted the Committee recommendation and recognized ARC-PA for the following recognized scope of accreditation:
Programs preparing individuals for entry into physician assistant practice located in institutions in the United States that are accredited by recognized regional accrediting bodies. ARC-PA accredited programs are located in institutions offering, associate, baccalaureate or master’s degrees in conjunction with the PA credential award. (2015)
PostGraduate Accreditation Office Hours Q&A Session
Join us for interactive Q&A sessions to support your understanding of accreditation matters related to your role in PA education. These sessions offer a chance to connect directly with ARC-PA experts and clarify any questions about the accreditation process and standards. Whether you’re seeking deeper explanations on specific topics, practical tips for applying the content, or simply a collaborative space to engage with fellow participants, these sessions are here to help.
Advance registration is required for all participants.
Available Sessions & Times: February 20th (1pm-3pmET), May 14th (11am-1pm), August 20th (11am-1pm) and November 12th (11am-1pm)
To ensure a productive session, attendees are encouraged to submit their questions online before the event. Participant questions submitted prior to the session will be discussed as time permits.
Registered attendees can find the Zoom Connection details on the registration confirmation screen.
ARC-PA PostGrad Office Hours Registration: https://forms.office.com/r/V0naFDzzii
PostGrad Office Hours Question Submission: https://padlet.com/arc_pa/postgradofficehours
ARC-PA Office Hours Q&A session
Join us for a monthly interactive Q&A session designed to support your understanding of accreditation matters related to your role in PA education. These sessions offers a chance to connect directly with ARC-PA experts, clarify any questions, and discuss insights gained from the video presentation. Whether you’re seeking deeper explanations on specific topics, practical tips for applying the content, or simply a collaborative space to engage with fellow participants, these sessions are here to help.
Please refer to the registration form for the dates and times of the scheduled office hours. Advance registration is required for all participants.
To ensure a productive session, attendees are encouraged to submit their questions online prior to the event. Participant questions submitted prior to the session will be discussed as time permits.
Connection details will be sent via email to registered participants approximately three business days before the session.
ARC-PA Office Hours Registration: https://forms.office.com/r/PJX8yyM22k
Office Hours Question Submission: https://padlet.com/arc_pa/officehours
General Information Videos: https://www.arc-pa.org/entry-level-accreditation/entry-level-tutorials/