Licensure and Certification Examinations
Mercer's professional schools and programs monitor test scores and pass rates on licensure and certification examinations as measures of student achievement. Some programs are required to publish pass rates and certification information as a part of their specialized accreditation, and you can find links to that programmatic information below.
College of Health Professions – Athletic Training Program (MAT)
Board of Certification for Athletic Trainer (BOC) (2024)
Threshold: Meet CAATE Standard 4 overall pass rate (3 year aggregate 70%)
Goal: 80% Pass Rate
Actual First-Time: 93% (3 year aggregate)
College of Health Professions – Clinical Psychology Program (PsyD)
Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) (2023)
Threshold: Meet national average for PsyD programs (66.7%)
Goal: Exceed national average
Actual: 71.05%
2024 data are not yet available because not all graduates have taken the examination.The EPPP cannot be taken until the graduate has accrued at least 2,000 clinical hours.
College of Health Professions – Physical Therapy Program (DPT)
National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) (2024)
Threshold: Meet national NPTE first time pass rate (86.8%)
Goal: 100% Pass Rate
Actual First-Time: 89%
College of Health Professions – Physician Assistant Program (MMSc)
Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE) (2024)
Threshold: Meet national first-time pass rate (92%)
Goal: 100% Pass Rate
Actual: 97%
College of Pharmacy – Doctor of Pharmacy Program (PharmD)
North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) (2024)
Threshold: Meet National Pass Rate (77.5%)
Goal: Exceed National Pass Rate (+77.5%)
Actual: 71.0%
Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE) (2024)
Threshold: Meet National Pass Rate (78.4%)
Goal: Exceed National Pass Rate (+78.4%)
Actual: 79.1%
College of Professional Advancement – Counseling Programs (MS)
National Counselor Examination (NCE) (2023-2024)
Threshold: Meet the NCE National Mean Score (111.1 Fall 2023; 112.5 Spring 2024)
Goal: Exceed National Mean Score
Actual Fall: 113.07
Actual Spring: 115.9
Overall MU Pass Rate: 96.3% (National pass rate: 92%)
Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) (2023-2024)
Threshold: Meet the CPCE National Mean Score (76.45 Fall 2023; 87.09 Spring 2024)
Goal: Exceed National Mean Score by 5 points (81.45 Fall 2023; 92.09 Spring 2024)
Actual Fall: 87.6
Actual Spring: 88.9
Overall MU Pass Rate: 93%
Georgia Baptist College of Nursing – Bachelor and Master of Science in Nursing Programs (BSN, MSN)
National Council Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX – RN) (2024)
Threshold: 80% Pass Rate
Goal: Meet or exceed annual national percentage of first-time US educated baccalaureate degree programs (91.93)
Actual NCLEX – RN (Baccalaureate): 95.65%
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) National Exam (2024)
Threshold: 80% Pass Rate
Goal: Meet or exceed national certification pass rate (87%)
Actual AANPCB: Not reported because less than three testers
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Exam (2024)
Threshold: 80% Pass Rate
Goal: Meet or exceed national certification pass rate (83%)
Actual ANCC-AGACNP (Master's): 85.71%
School of Engineering – Bachelor of Science in Engineering Program (BSE)
National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Examination (2024)
Threshold: Meet National Pass Rate
FE Civil (54%)
FE Electrical and Computer (74%)
FE Environmental (53%)
FE Industrial and Systems (78%)
FE Mechanical (64%)
FE General (60%)
Goal: Exceed National Pass Rate
Actual FE Civil: 73%
Actual FE Electrical and Computer: 100%
Actual FE Environmental: 20%
Actual FE Industrial and Systems: no exam takers
Actual FE Mechanical: 71%
Actual FE General: 50%
School of Law - Juris Doctor Program (JD)
Georgia Bar Examination (July 2024)
Threshold: Exceed ABA-required 75% Two-year Pass Rate on All Bar Exams
Goal: Exceed State Pass Rate for ABA Approved Law Schools for First-Time Test Takers (+86.7%)
Actual: 87.5% (first-time takers in Georgia); 93.9% Two-year Pass Rate on All Bar Exams
School of Medicine – Doctor of Medicine Program (MD)
U.S. Medical Licensing Examinations (USMLE) Step Exams (2023-2024)
Threshold: 90%
Goal: Meet or Exceed National Pass Rate (Step 1: 91%; Step 2 CK: 98%)
Actual Step 1 Basic Knowledge: 88%
Actual Step 2 Clinical Knowledge: 97%
Tift College of Education – Bachelor of Science in Education and Master of Arts in Teaching Programs (BSEd, MAT)
Georgia Assessment for Certification of Educators – Content Exams (GACE) (2022-2023)
Threshold: 80%
Goal: Meet or Exceed State Pass Rate (98%)
Actual: 95%
