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Fast Facts
TopDegree
Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies (M.M.S.)
General Requirements
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- Minimum cumulative and science GPA of 2.75
- GRE General Test scores
- Successful completion of prerequisite courses
Length of Program
27 months, full-time
Class Size
90
Class of 2012 Profile
- Female: 76%
- Male: 24%
- Average Age: 26
- Average Science GPA: 3.51
- Average Overall GPA: 3.56
- Average GRE
- Quantitative 63
- Verbal 63
- Analytical 56
- Analytical Writing 4.4
- Class Size: 90
- Top Home States: Arizona (36%), California, Illinois, Minnesota, Utah
Clinical Rotations
Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine/Primary Care, Internal Medicine, Behavioral Medicine/Psychiatry, Surgery, Pediatrics, Women's Health. Elective, Master's Practicum
National Certifying Exam (PANCE) Pass Rate 5-Year Average (2005-2009)
- MWU Graduates: 97%
Time to Employment
98% of graduates responding to our annual survey report being employed within 20 weeks of graduation
Career Opportunities
Primary care, surgery, medical and surgical specialties, emergency medicine, behavioral medicine, others
US Employment Projections through 2016
18,000+ PAs needed in all medical settings
2009 Median Annual Salary for Physician Assistants
varies by specialty, practice setting, location, experience
Class of 2009 Median Salary
$77,800
Admission Requirements
TopStudents seeking admission to the PA Program must submit the following documented evidence:
- All applicants must apply through the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) and meet the published admission criteria (see MWU catalog).
- Minimum cumulative science and overall GPA of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale.
- Scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test to the Office of Admissions by December 1st using the Midwestern University institution code for the GRE is 4160. The test must have been taken no earlier than January 1, 2006. Applicants are expected to achieve a score at or above the 50th percentile in each section. For additional information about the GRE, call 866/473-4373, or visit www.gre.org.
- Completion of prerequisite courses (listed below) from a regionally accredited college or university. All prerequisite courses must be completed with a C, or better. Grades of C– are NOT acceptable for any prerequisite course. Life experience credits do not count toward fulfillment of any prerequisite courses. Courses in which "credit" or a grade of "pass" is earned will be counted only when applicants can provide verification that the earned grades were equivalent to grades of C or better (grades of C- are not acceptable).
- Completion of prerequisite courses prior to matriculation.
- Applicants must determine which prerequisites are missing and which courses must be taken to fulfill any outstanding prerequisites.
- Completion of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university before matriculation.
- Motivation for and commitment to health care as demonstrated by previous work, volunteer, or other life experiences.
- Demonstration of service and leadership through community service or extracurricular activities.
- Oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues.
- Satisfactory Midwestern University criminal background check.
- Committment to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
- Successful completion of all required immunizations prior to matriculation.
Prerequisite Courses Required for Admission to the Physician Assistant Program
| Course | Sem Hrs | Qtr Hrs |
| Biology with lab* (must include at least 4 hours of Anatomy) | 8 | 12 |
| General Chemistry with lab* | 8 | 12 |
| Organic Chemistry with lab* | 4 | 6 |
| Math (college algebra or above) | 3 | 4 |
| English Composition | 6 | 9 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (sociology, psychology, anthropology) | 6 | 9 |
| *Biochemistry (not required but strongly recommended) | 4-8 | 6-12 |
| *All science prerequisites must be courses designed for science majors. No survey courses will count to fulfill science prerequisites. |
Application Deadline
The Physician Assistant program uses a rolling admissions process. Students
must apply for admission via the Central Application Service for Physician
Assistants (CASPA). The application deadline is October 1st each year.
Additional Application Information
Return to TOP
Program Description
TopThe Midwestern University Physician Assistant Program offers professional education at the master's level for students who aspire to become physician assistants. Four educational tracks have been developed for the Master of Medical Science (M.M.S.) degree: a research track, a clinical specialty track, a bioethics track, and a health professions education track. The master's track provides students with the academic and clinical training necessary to gain certification and to practice as competent, reliable physician assistants.
The professional curriculum leading to the master's degree is a full-time professional program that offers students the opportunity to earn a graduate degree and satisfy the eligibility requirements for the PA national certifying examination. The roles and specific clinical duties and responsibilities that graduates can expect to experience will vary depending on their chosen career path. MWU PA graduates are expected to have the ability to competently perform patient histories and physicals, gather pertinent patient data, order and interpret diagnostic studies, recognize common diseases and disorders, choose appropriate therapeutic modalities, perform minor surgical procedures, manage emergency life-threatening conditions, promote health through counseling, education, and disease prevention, and demonstrate interpersonal skills consistent with the physician assistant role.
The didactic phase of the curriculum is offered at the Glendale (Arizona) Campus . The clinical phase of the curriculum is delivered at affiliated clinical sites and facilities. These sites are geographically and demographically diverse, reflecting the broad scope of practice opportunities that exist for PAs in the health care delivery system of this country. Sites include ambulatory practice settings, small and large office-based group practices, community and migrant health centers, in-patient settings involving large and small hospitals as well as federal and state facilities. These sites are in urban, suburban, and rural communities located throughout Arizona. In addition, the program has established formal affiliations with clinical facilities and practitioners in a number of other states. As part of the clinical education phase of the program, students enrolled in the MWU/CHS Physician Assistant Program will likely be assigned to clinical rotations that reflect this geographic and demographic diversity.
The Physician Assistant program recommends that students do not work while attending Midwestern University.
For more information on the specific curriculum browse our online catalog or you can download a quick overview.
Master's Degree Tracks
Within the M.M.S. track, students may choose a Clinical Specialty Emphasis, a Research Emphasis, a Bioethics Emphasis, or a Health Professions Education Emphasis.
M.M.S. Clinical Specialty Track integrates academic work within a professional degree program. Students design and complete a portfolio of activities in a chosen specialty field over the course of the clinical year, including medical presentations, continuing education, case reports, and workshops. Following successful completion of the portfolio, students enter a three-month clinical master's practicum in the chosen specialty field, where they apply their expertise in an advanced clinical setting.
M.M.S. Research Track broadens students' scientific knowledge and academic skills while creating a foundation for life-long scholarly inquiry and professional contributions to the medical literature. The Master's Research Practicum and the Research Project are central components of the MMS Research Track that require students to complete an original research project in clinical medicine, health policy, health education, and/or basic science.
M.M.S. Bioethics Trackprovides a deeper understanding of the ethical issues related to patient care and healthcare practice, as well as methods for addressing these issues. The Bioethics Track also helps students practice medicine in a more humanistic way. Graduates receive interdisciplinary training that exposes them to a wide range of issues and perspectives.
M.M.S. Health Professions Education Track prepares students with the background necessary to become effective educators in the classroom, clinic, and community. The track uses online components to reduce the number of face-to-face sessions. Several online elective courses offered during years 2 and 3 allow greater flexibility in completing requirements.
Planned Program Improvements
No significant changes in the PA Program admission requirements, academic standards, or curriculum are anticipated for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Mission
The Midwestern University Physician Assistant Program of Glendale is committed to train and mentor Physician Assistant students in an educational environment that cultivates excellence in professionalism, compassion, competence, service, and teamwork in the practice of medicine.The philosophy of the PA Program is based on a dedication to the student-centered approach to teaching and learning. Program goalsinclude a commitment to the following tenets: 1) foster a commitment to scholarship within the PA community, 2) facilitate self-directed learning and critical-thinking skills, 3) mentor students and model professionalism, 4) promote interprofessional education and service within the healthcare community, 5) enhance the program through a process of continuous self-assessment, and 6) align the curriculum, learning objectives and student outcomes with the Competencies for the PA Profession.
Definition of a Physician Assistant (approved by the American Academy of Physician Assistants' House of Delegates, 1995)
"Physician Assistants (PAs) are health professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. Physician Assistants are qualified upon graduation from an accredited physician assistant educational program and/or certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Within the physician/PA relationship, Physician Assistants exercise autonomy in medical decision-making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. The clinical role of Physician Assistants includes primary and specialty care in medical and surgical practice settings in rural and urban areas. Physician Assistant practice is centered on patient care and may include educational, research, and administrative activities."
Estimated Cost of Attendance
TopTotal for 27-month program
| Physician Assistant | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
| Tuition | $34,125 | $34,125 | $8,531 |
| Student Services Fee | $450 | $450 | $113 |
| Health Ins | $2,500 | $2,500 | $850 |
| Disability Ins. Fee | $65 | $65 | $20 |
| Books & Supplies | $2588 | $2123 | $100 |
| AAPA Membership | $75 | $0 | $0 |
Accreditation
TopThe Midwestern University Physician Assistant Program was previously accredited by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation, by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, and currently by its successor agency, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant. This accreditation status enables graduating students to take the national certifying examination administered by the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). The Midwestern University PA Program is a member of the Physician Assistant Education Association, the national organization representing PA educational programs.
Midwestern University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission/A Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC/NCA), 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1413.
Related Links
TopMWU Physician Assistant Studies Program in Downers Grove
American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)
Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)/Educational Testing Service
National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA)
