Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 14, 2026

Programmed Electrical Stimulation in Mice
Published on: May 26, 2010
PA program characteristics and diversity in the profession
Bettie Coplan1, Tara G Bautista, Richard W Dehn
1Bettie Coplan is a clinical associate professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at Northern Arizona University in Phoenix. Tara G. Bautista is at the Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention at Arizona State University. Richard W. Dehn is a professor in the College of Health and Human Services at Northern Arizona University's Phoenix Biomedical Campus and a professor in the Department of Biomedical Informatics at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Phoenix. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
Objectives:
The primary objective of this study was to identify PA program characteristics that may be associated with higher or lower percentages of underrepresented minority students in PA programs.
Methods:
Data from the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) 2002-2003 and 2012-2013 annual surveys were analyzed. Bivariate correlation coefficients and multiple regression modeling were used to identify relationships between program characteristics and percentages of black and Hispanic students.
Results:
The percentage of white matriculants in PA programs increased from 76.5% in 2002-2003 to 81.8% in 2012-2013; the percentage of black students decreased from 6.2% to 4.4%. Multiple linear regression revealed a modest negative relationship between master's degree and percentage of underrepresented minority students and a modest positive relationship between percentages of underrepresented minority employees and underrepresented minority students.
Conclusions:
Further research is needed to identify strategies to increase underrepresented minority participation in healthcare professions programs.
Related Concept Videos
Characteristics of Life
Cell Diversity
Multicellular...
Diversity of Archaea II
Diversity of Protists I
Diversity of Protists II
Diversity of Archaea I

