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Fast Facts
TopDegree
Master of Medical Science (M.M.S.) in Physician Assistant Studies
General Requirements
- Bachelor's degree
- Minimum cumulative and science GPA of 2.75
- GRE General Test scores
- 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
2008 Class Profiles
- Female: 83%
- Male: 17%
- Average Age: 24
- Average Overall GPA: 3.52
- Class Size: 84
- Top Home States: Illinois (50%), 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%
National Certifying Exam (PANCE) Pass Rate for first time test takers (2004-2008)
| Graduation Year | MWU Graduates | National Average |
| 2004 | 90% | 90% |
| 2005 | 93% | 91% |
| 2006 | 99% | 92% |
| 2007 | 99% | 93% |
| 2008 | 100% | 94% |
Time to Employment
8 to 12 weeks after graduation
Career Opportunities
Primary care, surgery, medical and surgical specialties, emergency medicine, behavioral medicine, others
US Employment Projections through 2014
30,000+ PAs needed in all medical settings
2008 Median Annual PA Salary (Source: AAPA)
$87,710 (varies by specialty, practice setting, location, experience)
2008 Median Annual Salary, First-Year Graduates (Source: AAPA):
$74,470 (varies by specialty, practice setting, location, experience)
Admission Requirements
TopStudents seeking admission to the PA Program must submit the following documented evidence:
- Minimum cumulative science and overall GPA of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale
- GRE scores from the general test by the October 1st deadline using the Midwestern University institution code 1769
- The test must have been taken no earlier than January 1, 2005
- 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
- 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)
- 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
- Completion of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university before matriculationReflect a people/service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities.
- Motivation for and commitment to health care as demonstrated by previous work, volunteer work, or other life experiencesPass a criminal background check.
- Demonstration of service and leadership through community service or extracurricular activitiesSuccessfully complete all required immunizations.
- Oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues
- Satisfactory Midwestern University criminal background check
- Commitment to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy
- Successful completion of all required immunizations prior to matriculation
Prerequisite Courses
| Course | Sem Hrs | Qtr Hrs |
| Biology with lab* | 8 | 12 |
| General Chemistry with lab* | 8 | 12 |
| Organic Chemistry with lab* | 4 | 6 |
| Math (college algebra or above) | 3 | 4 |
| Statistics | 3 | 4 |
| English Composition | 6 | 9 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (sociology, psychology, anthropology) | 6 | 9 |
| *All science prerequisites must be courses designed for science majors. No survey courses will count to fulfill science requirements. |
Program Description
TopMidwestern 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 PA Program offers professional education at the master's level for students who aspire to become physician assistants. The curriculum provides students with the academic and clinical training necessary to gain certification and to practice as competent, reliable extenders of the licensed physician. The goal of the PA educational program is to provide an academic and clinical training environment that will prepare the physician assistant to be certified and have the required knowledge and experience to perform his/her professional role in a competent and reliable manner.
The professional curriculum is a full-time program that offers students the opportunity to earn the master's 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 likely vary depending on their chosen career path. The 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 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 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. 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. 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.
The PA Program does not offer an extended course of study beyond the usual length of the program.
Degree
Master of Medical Science (M.M.S.) in Physician Assistant Studies
The goal of the PA educational program is to provide an academic and clinical training environment that will prepare the physician assistant to be certified and have the required knowledge and experience to perform his/her professional role in a competent and reliable manner. The degree Master of Medical Science (M.M.S) in Physician Assistant Studies is conferred upon all graduates who complete the requirements of the professional training program.
Definition and Role of a Physician Assistant (approved by the American Academy of Physician Assistants' House of Delegates, 2005)
(Affirmed 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 MWU's Downers Grove Physician Assistant program won the SAAAPA National Medical Challenge Bowl Competition in 2003 and 2006.
Estimated Cost of Attendance
TopTotal for 27-month prograM
| Physcian Assistant | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
| Tuition | $31,907 | $31,907 | $7,976 |
| Student Services Fee | $400 | $400 | $100 |
| Health Ins | $2,400 | $2,400 | $600 |
| Disability Ins. Fee | $65 | $65 | $20 |
| Books & Supplies | $2,850 | $950 | $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 is currently accredited by its successor agency, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc (ARC-PA), 12000 Findley Road, Suite 240, Duluth, 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), 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602.
Related Links
TopMWU Physician Assistant Studies Program in Glendale
Physician Assistant as a Career
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)
