Current-cycle decision support
Turn confirmed information into a first practice
Allocate a limited same-day appointment
Practise making a fair, patient-safe recommendation when capacity is limited. Review whether you identify missing clinical information, avoid blaming either patient, explain your prioritization, and offer a workable alternative; then record again.
Quick facts
- Degree: Master of Science in Physician Assistant Practice.
- Duration: 24 months and 147 quarter hours.
- Location: North Chicago, Illinois.
- Cohort: 67 students; late May start.
- Interview: MMI-style; current delivery mode conflicts across official pages.
- Accreditation: ARC-PA Accreditation-Continued; next review January 2033.
Admission requirements
Applicants need a bachelor's degree before matriculation, minimum 2.75 overall and science GPAs, five prerequisites with C or better, at least two recommendations, a personal statement and the processing fee. GRE is neither required nor reviewed. Direct patient care and PA shadowing are strongly recommended rather than mandatory. Official requirements
Important dates
- Late April 2026: CASPA opens.
- December 1, 2026: verified CASPA and materials due.
- December 7, 2026: processing fee due.
- July 2026 through January 2027: published interview window; another official page says a February date may occur.
- Late May 2027: classes begin.
How selection works
Holistic review considers academics, leadership, volunteering, patient care, recommendations, the personal statement, PA and community commitment and mission fit, with additional consideration for disadvantage, first-generation status and military service. Exact component weights are not public. Official requirements
Interview details
Confirmed
Selected candidates complete an MMI-style interview day. Applicants have five minutes at each station; one minute is used to move and review the next prompt, and a different interviewer scores each station.
Not published
Current official pages conflict on delivery mode and whether interviews end in January or may include a February date. Station count, prompts, interviewer file access and scoring weights are not public. Official interview details
Who this program may suit
This program may suit applicants who can show sustained PA and community commitment, leadership and service, even when direct patient care is recommended rather than required. Official program page
Practice and next step
Record a first response to an MMI access-allocation scenario. Review your reasoning, community commitment and communication. Record a second response and compare.
Frequently asked questions
When is CASPA due?
December 1, 2026; the processing fee is due December 7.
Is the GRE required?
No; it is not reviewed.
Is patient care required?
No fixed minimum is published, though 1,000 hours and PA shadowing are strongly recommended.
What is the interview format?
MMI-style. Current official pages conflict on delivery mode, so confirm directly.
Sources
Recommended preparation
Physician Assistant Interview Essentials
Build a credible PA interview foundation through four focused spoken responses: profession-specific motivation, interprofessional teamwork, fair clinical decision-making, and reflective use of feedback.
Page history
- Published