How Fairleigh Dickinson University Uses CORE to Power PA Education

Tracking preceptor credentials, monitoring student progress, and staying compliant with ARC-PA standards is no small task, but Fairleigh Dickinson University has found a way to make it easier with CORE. 

In a recent webinar, I spoke with Tish Cooper Fox, Coordinator of Clinical Affairs at FDU’s Physician Assistant Program, about how her team uses CORE ELMS (Experiential Learning Management System) to simplify compliance and strengthen outcomes. 

Together we explored how PA programs can meet ARC-PA Standards B3 and B4 by leveraging technology to manage placements, evaluations, competency tracking, and curriculum mapping. 

I have worked with PA programs since 2014, and in that time, CORE has partnered with more than sixty accredited programs across the country. What struck me in this session was how FDU has fully embraced CORE ELMS to reduce administrative burden and strengthen compliance while keeping student success at the center. 

Streamlining Compliance and Tracking Credentials 

Tish joined FDU a little over a year and a half ago and immediately began working with her dedicated CORE Client Success Manager to expand the program’s use of the system. 

“As soon as I hopped on board, I immediately got in touch with our rep, Collin, who was kind enough to train me, and then I kind of took off from there,” she said.  

Tish explained that one of her first priorities was making sure preceptor credentials were tracked properly. “I actively track credentials, like board certification, state licensure, PA licensure with expiration dates. It is all there, and it is very easy to access. You can run requirements report to see when things are expiring, which also includes affiliation agreements.” 

Using Evaluations for Early Intervention 

Another priority for FDU has been the mid-rotation evaluation process. 

“We are looking heavily at mid rotation check-ins and also making sure that everything traces back to learning outcomes,” Tish said.  

During the webinar, Tish explained how her team uses CORE to identify recurring issues across student evaluations. For example, if a particular weakness shows up multiple times in mid-rotation check-ins, the program acts immediately. On callback days, the team creates targeted learning activities to address the gap. In one case, students were struggling with pediatric physical histories. To support them, the faculty organized role-playing exercises that allowed students to practice the skill in a safe environment. By the end of the session, students reported feeling more confident in their ability to perform this assessment. 

By documenting feedback, outcomes, and interventions directly in CORE, FDU can demonstrate continuous improvement to ARC-PA while addressing student challenges in real time. 

Connecting Data Across the Curriculum 

One of the strongest benefits of CORE Tish described is the ability to connect data points across the entire student journey.  

Administrators look not only at clinical evaluations but also at didactic performance and then tie those results to standardized measures such as PACRAT scores, which assess readiness for the national certifying exam. The program continues to track outcomes after graduation, including performance on the PANCE. 

Discover how CORE CompMS enables programs to map assessments to program outcomes and competencies and produce reports that demonstrate both student progress and program effectiveness. 

Meeting Preceptors Where They Are 

Fairleigh Dickinson University also depends on CORE’s flexibility to accommodate preceptors with different levels of comfort using technology. For those who prefer a paper-based option, the program uploads syllabi and evaluation forms into CORE, making it simple for preceptors to print, complete, and return them. Program administrators then enter the results into the system, so they are housed alongside all other student records. 

At the same time, FDU takes full advantage of CORE’s electronic options for evaluation collection. Many preceptors’ complete evaluations through email links that connect directly to the system, and the program is preparing to introduce QR codes as another quick-access option. This combination of paper and digital tools ensures that every preceptor can participate in the evaluation process in a way that works best for them, while still allowing the program to maintain complete, centralized records inside CORE. 

Final Thoughts 

As Tish summarized, “It has just been so hugely helpful, and we are able to do everything at the drop of a hat. It is very user friendly. And once you learn it, it is just a wonderful, wonderful tool.” 

Hearing how FDU has embraced CORE to strengthen compliance and streamline operations reinforces why we continue to innovate in this space. Every PA program has its own challenges, but as Tish demonstrated, having the right tools makes it possible to reduce administrative burden and focus on what matters most: preparing students for success. 

About the Author:  

Alexis Carbone is Senior Vice President at PeopleGrove + CORE Higher Education Group, where she has spent more than 17 years helping higher education programs streamline experiential learning, competency tracking, and accreditation readiness. She partners closely with institutions across the country to align technology with program goals and student success outcomes.