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 GPA 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
• Healthcare experience strongly preferred

Length of Program

27 months, full-time

Class Size

86

Class of 2013 Profile (Matriculated June 2011)

• Female: 88%
• Male: 12%
• Mean Age: 24 years (Range 20-48)
• Mean Overall GPA: 3.71
• Mean Science GPA: 3.65
• Mean GRE Percentiles: Verbal 60, Quantitative 61, Analytical 59
• Class Size: 86
• Top Home States: Illinois (40%), Michigan, Indiana, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin

Clinical Rotations

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

Graduation Rate

Approximately 95% of matriculants complete the Program; attrition rate approximately 3-4 students per year

Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) Pass Rate: 2008-2012

NCCPA Pass Rate Summary Report

Time to Employment

Approximately 96% of the graduates from the Class of 2011 were employed within 6 months after graduation

Career Opportunities

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

PA Employment Projections

Number of PA jobs projected to increase by 30% by the year 2020¹

2010 Median Annual PA Salary

$90,000 (varies by specialty, practice setting, location, experience)²

2010 Median Annual Salary, First-Year Graduates

$80,000 (varies by specialty, practice setting, location, experience)²

1. Bureau of labor Statistics, U.S., Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-2013 Edition, Physician Assistants, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physician-assistants.htm (accessed 02/05/2013)

2. American Academy of Physician Assistants www.aapa.org (accessed 02/05/2013)

Admission Requirements

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

1. Minimum cumulative science and overall GPA's 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, 2009 and no later than October 1, 2013.
   • Test scores must be received by the MWU Office of Admissions no later than December 1, 2013 for the applicant to be considered for admission in the 2013-2014 cycle. Scores must be sent directly from ETS to the MWU Office of Admissions.
   • Applicants are expected to achieve a score at or above the 50th percentile in each section. If an applicant has attempted the GRE examination on more than one occasion, the most recent GRE scores will be utilized in the review of the applicant's file.
   • For additional information about the GRE, contact ETS at 866/473-4373 or visit www.ets.org/gre.
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.
   • If Advanced Placement (AP) credit has been granted by an outside institution, this credit will automatically be considered for the following prerequisite courses: Math, Statistics, English Composition, and Social and Behavioral Science courses.
   • For AP credit earned in Biology and Chemistry, MWU may request the submission of appropriate documentation (as determined by MWU) to verify the AP credit earned meets the program's admission standards.
   • Life experience credits do not count toward fulfillment of any prerequisite courses.
   • Courses in which a grade of "pass" are earned will be counted only when applicants can provide verification that the earned grades are 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 healthcare 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. Passage of Midwestern University criminal background check.
10. Commitment to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
11. Successful completion of tuberculosis screening and 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 Physician Assistant (PA) professional curriculum offers students the opportunity to earn a graduate degree and satisfy the eligibility requirements for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). 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 healthcare 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 the geographic and demographic diversity described above, including out-of state rotations. Housing is provided for out-of-state core clinical rotations only. Students are expected to secure their own housing for local and elective rotations, and must provide their own transportation to all core and elective clinical rotations regardless of location.

No advanced placement within the PA Program is allowed for prior academic, clinical or life experience. Midwestern University has an articulation agreement that exists between programs. The Program strongly discourages students from seeking 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. For more information on the specific curriculum, download our quick overview and see the Midwestern University Catalog for more detailed course descriptions and 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 2012-2013 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 healthcare 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.

The goals of the Midwestern University Physician Assistant Program are to: 1) provide a rigorous academic and clinical curriculum and achieve first-time PANCE percentage pass rates and mean Program scores above the national average, 2) cultivate an environment of professionalism to encourage the development of competent and compassionate providers, 3) prepare students to serve diverse populations in both primary care and specialty settings, and 4) demonstrate the application of evidence-based medicine and foster a continuous commitment to life-long learning and community involvement as a health care provider.

The Midwestern University PA Program demonstrates achievement of these goals by analyzing the results of student performance in the didactic and clinical year, PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE) pass rates, and regular surveys of graduates, preceptors and employers:*

1. The rigorous didactic and clinical curriculum has prepared the students for success in the PANCE as evidenced by 100% of the 2011 PA Program graduates passing the PANCE as first time test takers (national average 91%). The mean PANCE raw score for Midwestern University PA Program first time test takers was 704 (national average raw score for first time test takers was 574). The 5 year average pass rate for first time test takers from Midwestern University, Downers Grove, is 99%.
2. 100% of the 2011 PA Program graduates successfully passed the professionalism component of the didactic and clinical year courses, and preceptors continually rank the professionalism of second year PA students as one of their greatest strengths.
3. PA Program graduates report working in diverse practice settings including private offices, institutions, and community clinics. In addition, Midwestern University PA Program graduates are employed in both primary and specialty care, and work with patients of all ages and backgrounds. Nearly one quarter of graduates specifically designated their primary work settings as underserved.
4. Graduates felt strongly that they were prepared for the practice of evidence-based medicine through the Research Seminar and Capstone Project components of the curriculum, and demonstrated a commitment to life-long learning via local and national conference attendance, regular journal reading, and teaching other healthcare providers. Graduates from the Midwestern University PA Program are involved in promoting health and wellness in their communities and in international medical mission work.

*Most recent graduating class survey completed in February 2012. The survey included graduates from the class of 2006 to the class of 2011.

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

See the Midwestern University Catalog for policies and procedures related to refund of tuition and fees.

Accreditation

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued to the Midwestern University-Downers Grove Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Midwestern University.   Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.

Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards.  The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be March 2020.  The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Standards and ARC-PA policy.

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