One of the most pivotal responsibilities of a founding PA program director is to design a robust and sustainable assessment system. While ARC-PA’s provisional application does not initially require data collection, a truly well-developed program must still demonstrate that all assessment structures are in place from the beginning.

Assessment should not be viewed solely as a means of meeting ARC-PA standards. Instead, it should be embraced as a powerful tool for action research and continuous quality improvement. Properly implemented, assessment processes empower faculty to make informed decisions, support curriculum refinement, and uncover opportunities for scholarly work hidden within your spreadsheets.

To ensure a smooth rollout, programs must adopt a data-informed culture even before the first cohort arrives. A strategic timeline for data collection, outlined in Appendix 13K, is essential. It’s also critical to assign clear responsibilities to committees or staff who will analyze data and implement improvements.

Projecting Faculty and Staff Sufficiency

Appendix 13I requires programs to plan forward—often three years ahead—to ensure that adequate faculty and staff are available to support overlapping student cohorts. This involves not only tracking full-time equivalents (FTEs) for key roles but also analyzing evolving student-to-faculty and student-to-staff ratios over time. Using benchmarking data from organizations like PAEA can help calibrate realistic projections.

A longitudinal staffing schematic, like the example included in your planning documents, illustrates future sufficiency and ensures a program can sustain growth without compromising quality.

Developing a Comprehensive SSR

The Self-Study Report (SSR), tied to Appendix 13 of ARC-PA’s standards, is a high-priority undertaking. It requires programs to show that they:

1. Regularly collect both qualitative and quantitative data

2. Analyze that data for patterns, trends, and actionable insights

3. Apply findings to develop meaningful conclusions

4. Create and implement action plans based on those conclusions

Many inaugural programs underestimate the labor and planning needed to execute this level of assessment. That’s why it’s critical to create a committee structure that facilitates timely data review and action planning.

Educating students about their role in shaping the curriculum can also foster a shared sense of ownership. When assessment is normalized as a collaborative and transparent process, faculty experience less pressure, and student satisfaction tends to rise.

Final Thoughts

Assessment isn’t just about ARC-PA compliance—it’s a cornerstone of your program’s identity. Establishing an efficient and integrated assessment system from day one sets the tone for excellence, innovation, and long-term success in PA education.