The Impact of Postbaccalaureate Programs on Matriculation to Physician Assistant School

Authors

J Barton Gillum, J. 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.
Jennifer Beauchamp, J. 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.
Shiyao Liu, J. 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.
Dominique Frias-Sarmiento, J. 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.
Mary Warner, J. 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.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

7-9-2025

Journal

The journal of physician assistant education : the official journal of the Physician Assistant Education Association

DOI

10.1097/JPA.0000000000000689

Abstract

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.

APA Citation

Gillum, J Barton; Beauchamp, Jennifer; Liu, Shiyao; Frias-Sarmiento, Dominique; and Warner, Mary, "The Impact of Postbaccalaureate Programs on Matriculation to Physician Assistant School" (2025). GW Authored Works. Paper 7626.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/7626

Department

Physician Assistant Studies