Alert

Attendees Discuss Details of CASPA Data at Webinar

On September 24, PAEA Research and the Admissions Team presented Getting to Know CASPA Data webinar to 14 people in attendance. The organizers and hosts’ objectives were for attendees to: 

  • Know the important CASPA terms 
  • Understand CASPA’s benefits for student applicants and PA programs 
  • Gain a basic understanding of how the data is set-up, what data is available, and what the limitations are. 
  • Learn how to request data 

Erika Brooks, PAEA application services manager, began by delving into the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) and discussed the history of CASPA along with its benefits to PA school applicants and PA programs.  Brooks handed it off to Nikki Frias, PAEA mixed methods analyst, who highlighted the utility of the data and its limitations in terms for PA programs and researchers. In addition, Frias walked the audience through the data request process. 

After the presentation, there was a robust discussion about the CASPA data. One of the main points discussed was the need for longitudinal student data. PAEA recognizes that while, student applicants, matriculants, and graduates are all tracked through CASPA and PAEA’s student surveys i.e. Matriculating Student Survey and End of Program Survey, they are not connected.  PAEA recognizes the importance of tracking students from application through graduation. These connections will provide programs and researchers with important data about student recruitment, retention, and attrition.  

CASPA and PAEA datasets are open to PAEA members to help to make informed decisions and conduct research. If you would like to submit a data request, please review our Data On-Demand web page and complete this survey  

Attendees are also eligible to earn AAPA Category 1 CME Credit. In order to earn the credit, they must complete the evaluation survey.  

If you were unable to attend the webinar you may view it here and are still eligible to earn 1 AAPA Category 1 CME Credit. If you have any questions, contact PAEA Research at 703-651-8540 or Research@PAEAonline.org.