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Commonwealth University Physician Assistant Students Earn High Marks

Lock Haven, PA (06/06/2025) — Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania's Physician Assistant Program has earned high marks in the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE).

Commonwealth University's class of 2024 had a 100% pass rate at the Harrisburg and Clearfield locations, and a 97% pass rate at the Lock Haven campus for the first attempt at taking the test. These pass rates exceed the national first-time pass rate of 92% for the class of 2024. Fifty-one CU students from the three locations took the PANCE exam.

"Our overall pass rate is 100%, as all of our students who did not pass on their first attempt have since passed the exam," said Jennifer Bell, associate professor and chair of the Department of Physician Associate Studies. "You cannot obtain a license to practice as a Physician Assistant without passing this certification exam."

CU's physician assistant program takes 24 months, with the first year based in classroom and lab settings and the second year primarily focused on clinical experiences. The program also includes local and international service opportunities. Recent international travel has included Jamaica and Costa Rica.

Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania

Eric Foster, Content and Production Specialist, efoster@commonwealthu.edu

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