ENDORSES THE MASTERS DEGREE FOR PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS. And be it further resolved that HP-3200.2.

1 be amended by deletion, AAPA endorses the baccalaureate degree as the current minimum degree for physician assistants and encourages all physician assistants to possess a minimum 35 of the baccalaureate degree. In addition, AAPA encourages programs to assist 36 individuals in achieving this goal. 37 38 39 Rationale/Justification Since the first class of 3 PAs graduated from Duke University in 1967, the profession has grown to over 60,000 strong. As our relatively young profession has grown and matured, we have naturally encountered certain growing pains along the way. There is no better example than the issue of degrees from the minimum degree for entry into the profession to the terminal degree. This body has been challenged with writing policy that recognizes the competence of our colleagues who graduated from non-baccalaureate 1 2007-B-01-EDC Entry Level Degree awarded programs and does not jeopardize their ability to practice but also reflects the reality of the trend towards masters level PA education. Competency-based education emphasizes outcomes rather the process of education with focus on the application of knowledge. This form of education allows for a variety of methods for learning with the end result of competency in mind. This model combined with lifelong learning through continuing education and clinical practice, ensures that PAs are competent, regardless of the degree they received upon entering the profession. According to the 2006 AAPA census, 44% of PAs hold a bachelors level PA degree and 35% hold a masters level PA degree. Currently the majority of PAs (79%) hold at least a bachelors degree. The majority of PA education is now conducted at the masters level, with 112 programs granting a masters degree and 22 granting a bachelors degree. According to the 22nd Annual Report on Physician Assistant Educational Programs in the United States, the number of programs awarding a masters degree increased from 67 percent in 2004 to 74 percent in 2005. Of the 10 programs that award an associates degree or certificate, most offer an option to obtain a bachelors or masters degree. AAPA policy has no influence on the degree awarded by any given institution. Clearly, the trend toward the masters degree is continuing and has now become the norm for PA education. Because the current policies pertaining to degrees are separate, they appear to be contradictory. In previous House discussion about degrees, concern has been expressed that the policy endorsing the baccalaureate as the minimum degree would result in regulatory agencies and third party payors requiring PAs to hold a baccalaureate degree. The Education Council believes that the proposed policy, which combines the various degree related policies into one, resolves the issues and successfully meets the needs of all PAs, regardless of degree held. This policy accurately reflects our history and the reality that PA education has evolved but that the end product has always been and will remain a competent PA. By endorsing the masters degree in policy, we hope to help PAs gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace when competing with other health professionals who have masters degrees. AAPA Related Policies None Potential Negative Impact In spite of our efforts to write policy that endorses the competence of PAs graduating from accredited programs, members may feel disenfranchised by a policy that endorses a masters degree, resulting in lost members. Concern has also been expressed in previous HOD discussions that the trend towards masters degrees will decrease minority enrollment because of the increased

cost of education. That fear has not been realized. According to the 2005-2006 PAEA annual report, the percentage of students who are minorities was at 23%, up slightly from 2004-2005. The trend toward masters degrees may make the cost of PA education prohibitive to all students. Again, data do not support that supposition. In the previous academic year, 83% of students had at least a bachelors degree upon entering the PA program. The percentage of program capacity that is unfilled is at a low of 6.2 percent.