PAEA Board Q4 Update: Building Momentum Across Membership, Advocacy, and Accreditation
As 2026 approaches, the PAEA Board of Directors remains focused on three priorities shaping the future of PA education: membership, advocacy, and accreditation. Each reflects our commitment to uniting programs, amplifying member voices, and strengthening the foundation of our profession.
Strengthening Membership and Unity
During PAEA’s Annual Membership Meeting, we announced a major strategic opportunity: creating a new membership category for PA-only post-professional doctoral programs.
This change isn’t just about expanding our roster. It’s about ensuring that PAEA represents all levels of PA education, fostering collaboration and shared purpose across master’s and doctoral programs. Here’s what this means for you:
- A clearer pathway for collaboration across master’s and doctoral programs
- A stronger, more representative Association voice on standards, practice, and policy
- Richer member insights to shape services and resources
Members will vote on this bylaw change in December. Visit the Doctoral Program Membership webpage for FAQs about this new membership category and implications for both program types. We will share specific bylaws language and election procedures soon. Your program’s vote will help determine how PAEA continues to grow as the unifying voice for PA education.
In parallel, the Board refined PAEA’s strategic plan outcomes to focus our efforts where they have the most impact. In a time of rapid change across both higher education and healthcare, staying focused what’s meaningful and measurable is essential. These updates are designed to align energy where it counts most – helping PAEA prioritize work that delivers tangible results for our members and the profession.
Advancing Advocacy for Student Access
PAEA continues to champion policies that expand opportunity and strengthen the future workforce. This quarter and into next year, a key focus is the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which will bring significant changes to federal loans for students in “professional degree programs” after July 1, 2026.
PAEA is engaging directly with the Department of Education and federal policymakers to advocate for the inclusion of PA students within the definition of “professional students” in alignment with the OBBBA. We are building coalitions across health professions and preparing to defend eligibility through every advocacy channel available as rulemaking moves forward.
Financial barriers remain one of the biggest challenges for students entering and completing PA programs. Ensuring PA students have access to federal student aid that is reflective of the rigor of PA education is critical to promote access, equity, and sustainability for programs nationwide.
Questions? Contact Tyler Smith, Chief Policy Officer, at tsmith@PAEAonline.org.
If you haven’t already, join PAEA’s Grassroots Action Network – your direct link to advocacy opportunities. When key issues arise, the network mobilizes members with ready-to-use messaging and action alerts so policymakers hear from the educators shaping the next generation of PAs.
Elevating Accreditation Support
The Board also continued discussions on how PAEA can best support programs through the accreditation process. In October, we launched an accreditation resource survey to identify the tools and services programs need most.
Member feedback is driving this work, from peer networking circles to new resource templates and dedicated Forum programming. Once results are analyzed, PAEA will design resources based directly on your input.
Looking Ahead
Across all these priorities, one theme stands out: focus. Whether uniting programs under a shared membership structure, advocating for equitable student access, or strengthening accreditation support, every effort is grounded in the same goal: helping members succeed in a changing environment.
Together, we’re building an Association that’s more inclusive, more strategic, and more attuned to the realities of PA education today.
