The professional curriculum leads to a Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies. This full-time 27-month professional program offers students the opportunity to earn a graduate degree and satisfy the eligibility requirements for the 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 comprehensive curriculum encompasses 12 months of in-depth basic science coursework, covering critical subjects such as anatomy, biochemistry, neuroscience, physiology, pharmacology, immunology, genetics, and microbiology (it also includes coursework in clinical medicine, clinical reasoning and medical decision making, professional issues, and the interpretation of medical literature). In the subsequent 15 months, students participate in rotations in eight core areas and one elective clinical setting. This period also includes advanced clinical medicine courses and culminates with a capstone project, providing a well-rounded education in physician assistant studies.
The second-year clinical experience takes place in Chicago and surrounding areas, offering diverse practice opportunities. Clinical settings range from ambulatory practices to hospitals, community health centers, and more, reflecting various geographic and demographic contexts. The program does utilize core site rotations in Illinois outside of the greater Chicagoland area. Housing at these sites is provided by the university for a nominal fee. Students must arrange their own housing and their own transportation for local and elective rotations. Midwestern University Physician Assistant students are never required to provide or solicit clinical sites or preceptors.
The PA Program does not offer an extended course of study beyond the usual length of the program.
The PA Program does not grant advanced placement credit for any previously completed coursework.
The Program does not accept students who transfer from another Physician Assistant Program.