Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 16, 2025
The Transition to an Anterior-Based Muscle Sparing Approach Improves Early Postoperative Function but is Associated with a Learning Curve
Published on: September 7, 2022
The Impact of Postbaccalaureate Programs on Matriculation to Physician Assistant School
J Barton Gillum1,2,3,4,5, Jennifer Beauchamp1,2,3,4,5, Shiyao Liu1,2,3,4,5
1J. Barton Gillum, DSc, PA-C, is an assistant professor and program director of Department of Physician Assistant Studies, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, at The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia.
Introduction:
Postbaccalaureate (postbac) programs have been widely studied in medical education but remain understudied in physician assistant (PA) education. Given the accelerated nature of PA education, postbac programs may provide valuable academic preparation. This study examines the association between postbac attendance and PA program matriculation.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was conducted using deidentified data from 12,075 applicants to 8 geographically diverse PA programs during the 2021 to 2022 Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants cycle. Formal postbac participation was defined as the completion of 30 to 60 credits through a structured postbac program. Descriptive statistics, t -tests, chi-square tests, and logistic regression were used to assess factors associated with matriculation.
Results:
Only 1.48% of applicants completed a formal postbac program. These applicants had significantly lower cumulative undergraduate grade point averages (GPAs) (3.275 vs. 3.425, P < .001) but comparable science GPAs (3.187 vs. 3.247, P = .0745) compared with nonpostbac applicants. Matriculation rates were similar between groups (48.6% vs. 46.5%). Among matriculants, postbac students had lower cumulative GPAs but similar biology, chemistry, and physics (BCP) GPAs. Logistic regression showed that cumulative GPA, BCP GPA, underrepresented minority status, and number of applications were positively associated with matriculation. Postbac credit hours and patient care experience had minimal predictive value.
Discussion:
Although postbac attendance did not significantly increase matriculation rates, comparable BCP GPAs despite lower cumulative GPAs suggest academic benefit. These findings support further exploration of postbac pathways as tools for strengthening science readiness among diverse applicants.
More Related Videos
13:44Project-Based Learning Guidelines for Health Sciences Students: An Analysis with Data Mining and Qualitative Techniques
Published on: December 9, 2022
06:28E-Patient Counseling Trial E-PACO: Computer Based Education versus Nurse Counseling for Patients to Prepare for Colonoscopy
Published on: August 1, 2019
Related Concept Videos
01:26Methods of Documentation II: POMR
01:23Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
01:27Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care
01:21Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-I
Physicians
The physician's primary responsibility is to diagnose illness and direct the medical or surgical treatment of the condition. The authority to admit patients to a healthcare agency or institution and practice care within that setting is granted to physicians by the healthcare agency or institution...
01:21Methods of Documentation III: PIE
01:12First Pass Effect
Depending on the route of administration, drugs can be metabolized in the liver, intestine, lungs, and vasculature. Orally administered drugs are first absorbed through the...