Physician Assistant Studies in Downers Grove

Fast Facts

Degree

Master of Medical Science (M.M.S.) in Physician Assistant Studies

General Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university
• Minimum cumulative overall and science GPA of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale
• GRE General Test scores at or above the 50th percentile in each section
• Successful completion of prerequisite coursework from regionally accredited colleges or universities
• Health care experience strongly preferred

Length of Program

27 months, full-time

Class Size

86

Class of 2011 Profile

• Female: 86%
• Male: 14%
• Average Age: 24.4
• Mean Overall GPA: 3.64
• Mean Science GPA: 3.59
• Mean GRE Percentiles: Verbal 62, Quantitative 60, Analytical 51
• Class Size: 86
• Top Home States: Illinois (56%), Wisconsin, Michigan

Clinical Rotations

Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, Internal Medicine, Behavioral Medicine, Pediatric Medicine, Women's Health, and elective rotations

Graduation Rate

95%

Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) Pass Rate for first-time test takers (2005-2009)

Time to Employment

8 to 12 weeks after graduation

Career Opportunities

Primary care, surgery, medical and surgical specialties, emergency medicine, behavioral medicine, others

PA Employment Projections (Source: US Bureau of Labor and Statistics)

Number of PA jobs projected to increase by 27% by the year 2016

2009 Median Annual PA Salary (Source: AAPA)

$93,105 (varies by specialty, practice setting, location, experience)

2009 Median Annual Salary, First-Year Graduates (Source: AAPA):

$78,405 (varies by specialty, practice setting, location, experience)

Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission to the PA Program must submit the following documented evidence:

1. Minimum cumulative science and overall GPA of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale. Competitive applicants typically have science and overall GPA's of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
2. GRE scores from the general test using the Midwestern University institution code 1769
   • The test must have been taken no earlier than January 1, 2006 and no later than October 1, 2010
   • Test scores must be received by the MWU Office of Admissions no later than December 1, 2010.
   • Applicants are expected to achieve a score at or above the 50th percentile in each section.
   • For additional information about the GRE, contact Educational Testing Services (ETS) at 866/473-4373 or visit www.gre.org.
3. Completion of prerequisite courses as listed below from regionally accredited colleges or universities
   • All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grades of a C or better
   • Grades of C- are NOT acceptable for any prerequisite courses
   • 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)
4. Completion of prerequisite courses by December 31st of the year which precedes the year of anticipated matriculation.
   • NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE.
   • Applicants must determine which prerequisites are missing and which courses must be taken to fulfill any outstanding prerequisites
   • Students invited to interview must show documentation on the day of their visit that they are enrolled in or registered for any outstanding prerequisites
5. Completion of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university before matriculation
6. Motivation for and commitment to health care as demonstrated by previous work, volunteer work, or other life experiences
7. Demonstration of service and leadership through community service or extracurricular activities
8. Oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues
9. Satisfactory Midwestern University criminal background check
10. Commitment to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy
11. Successful completion of all required immunizations prior to matriculation

Prerequisite Courses

Additional Application Information

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Program Description

Midwestern University's Master of Medical Science (M.M.S.) in Physician Assistant Studies is a continuous, full-time program extending 27 months from matriculation to graduation. The professional curriculum offers students the opportunity to earn a graduate degree and satisfy the eligibility requirements for the Physician Assistant (PA) national certifying examination. The maximum allotted time for completion of this program is 40.5 months.

The roles and specific clinical duties and responsibilities that graduates can expect to experience will likely vary depending on their chosen career path. PA Program 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 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 coursework includes 12 months of basic science coursework in anatomy, biochemistry, neuroscience, physiology, pharmacology, immunology, genetics, and microbiology. It also includes clinical coursework in clinical medicine, behavioral medicine, professional issues, and interpretation of the medical literature. During the remaining 15 months, students are required to rotate through eight core clinical rotations and two elective clinical rotations, in addition to completing advanced clinical medicine courses and a capstone project.

The second-year clinical program is primarily delivered at affiliated clinical sites and facilities within the Chicago metropolitan area. 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 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. 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 PA Program will likely be assigned to clinical rotations that reflect this patient and demographic diversity.

No advanced placement within the physician assistant program is allowed for prior academic, clinical or life experience. The Program discourages students from outside employment while attending Midwestern University and will not make any exceptions in didactic or clinical workload for any student who chooses to engage in outside employment. The PA Program does not offer an extended course of study beyond the usual length of the program. See the Midwestern University Catalog for additional University, College, and Program policies which pertain to Physician Assistant students.

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 mission of the Midwestern University Physician Assistant Program is to provide an educational environment that enables individuals to become competent and compassionate physician assistants who possess the clinical skills to make meaningful contributions to the evolving health care needs of the patients they will serve. The Program also seeks to stimulate involvement in the physician assistant profession by encouraging participation and leadership in local, state, and national organizations.

Definition and Role of a Physician Assistant (approved by the American Academy of Physician Assistants' House of Delegates, 2005)

"Physician Assistants are health professionals licensed or, in the case of those employed by the federal government, credentialed, to practice medicine with physician supervision. Physician assistants are qualified by 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."

Program Highlight

Student teams from the Physician Assistant Program won the Student Academy of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (SAAAPA) National Medical Challenge Bowl Competition in both 2003 and 2006.

Estimated Cost of Attendance

Total for 27-month prograM

Accreditation

The 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 is currently accredited by its successor agency, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc (ARC-PA), 12000 Findley Road, Suite #150, Johns Creek, GA 30097; 770/476-1224. 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

MWU Physician Assistant Studies Program in Glendale

American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)

Student Academy of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (SAAPA)

Illinois Academy of Physician Assistants (IAPA)

National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)

Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA)

Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA)

Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA)

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)/Educational Testing Service