At its September 2024 meeting, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) placed the University of Washington Physician Assistant Program sponsored by the University of Washington on Accreditation-Probation status until its next review in September 2026.
Probation accreditation is a temporary accreditation status initially of not less than two years. However, that period may be extended by the ARC-PA for up to an additional two years if the ARC-PA finds that the program is making substantial progress toward meeting all applicable standards but requires additional time to come into full compliance. Probation accreditation status is granted, at the sole discretion of the ARC-PA, when a program holding an accreditation status of Accreditation – Provisional or Accreditation – Continued does not, in the judgment of the ARC-PA, meet the Standards or when the capability of the program to provide an acceptable educational experience for its students is threatened.
Once placed on probation, a program that fails to comply with accreditation requirements in a timely manner, as specified by the ARC-PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and is subject to having its accreditation withdrawn.
Specific questions regarding the Program and its plans should be directed to the Program Director and/or the appropriate institutional official(s).
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Accreditation-History-Univ-of-Washington-157.pdf
Message to MEDEX Program Applicants
MEDEX Accreditation-Probation Status FAQ
Certification and Licensure
Graduates of the MEDEX Northwest PA Program are eligible to sit for the PA National Certification Examination (PANCE) shortly after graduation. This examination is required for initial licensing or registration in all states. The first time pass rate for the five most recent MEDEX Northwest graduating classes is available through the link below.
MEDEX Northwest PANCE Pass Rate
Click here to view NCCPA report
MEDEX Attrition
| Main Campus | Graduated Classes | ||
| Location: Seattle | Class of 2023 | Class of 2024 | Class of 2025 |
| Maximum entering class size (as approved by ARC-PA) | 52 | 52 | 52 |
| Entering class size | 51 | 54 | 51 |
| Graduates | 49 | 47 | 47 |
| * Attrition rate | 4% | 13% | 4% |
| **Graduation rate | 96% | 87% | 92% |
| Distant Campus | Graduated Classes | ||
| Location: Spokane | Class of 2023 | Class of 2024 | Class of 2025 |
| Maximum entering class size (as approved by ARC-PA) | 34 | 34 | 34 |
| Entering class size | 31 | 31 | 32 |
| Graduates | 31 | 30 | 32 |
| * Attrition rate | 0% | 3% | 0% |
| **Graduation rate | 100% | 97% | 100% |
| Distant Campus | Graduated Classes | ||
| Location: Anchorage | Class of 2023 | Class of 2024 | Class of 2025 |
| Maximum entering class size (as approved by ARC-PA) | 24 | 24 | 24 |
| Entering class size | 25 | 23 | 26 |
| Graduates | 25 | 23 | 25 |
| * Attrition rate | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| **Graduation rate | 100% | 100% | 96% |
| Distant Campus | Graduated Classes | ||
| Location: Tacoma | Class of 2023 | Class of 2024 | Class of 2025 |
| Maximum entering class size (as approved by ARC-PA) | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| Entering class size | 33 | 32 | 33 |
| Graduates | 27 | 28 | 30 |
| * Attrition rate | 18% | 12% | 6% |
| **Graduation rate | 82% | 88% | 91% |
| Distant Campus | Graduated Classes | ||
| Location: Kona | Class of 2022 | Class of 2023 | Class of 2024 |
| Maximum entering class size (as approved by ARC-PA) | 40 | 40 | 40 |
| Entering class size | 24 | 26 | 24 |
| Graduates | 23 | 26 | 23 |
| * Attrition rate | 4% | 0% | 0% |
| **Graduation rate | 96% | 100% | 96% |
*Attrition rate calculation: Number of students who attritted from cohort (decelerated + withdrawals + dismissals) divided by the (entering class size + number joining class cohort).
**Graduation rate calculation: Number of cohort graduates divided by the (entering class size + number joining class cohort).
Note:The attrition rate includes all students who have left the MEDEX program, even those who have been granted temporary leave for personal reasons and will return back to the program.