Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program Details

Career Options

Job prospects for the PA profession are very strong. In 2023, the U.S. News & World Report ranked the PA profession as the #2 best job in health care. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects PA jobs to increase by 28 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations — making it one of the top 10 professions for future job growth in the next 10 years.
 

Curriculum

2023-2024 PA Curriculum

PA Program Graduate Terminal Competencies

Attendance in the program is on a full-time basis only. Students entering the PA program are expected to complete all components of the curriculum in 30 months. Advanced standing or transfer credit is not awarded in the program, regardless of previous professional or academic experience.

Employment during the program is prohibited; this includes participation in RUSH University work-study programs.

While on clinical rotations, students may not provide services within the preceptor’s practice apart from those rendered for their educational value and as part of the clinical instruction experience. Students may not receive compensation of any type for duties performed within the preceptor’s practice.

Program Mission

The RUSH University PA program mission is to educate advanced health care providers to practice evidence-based medicine with competence, professionalism and compassion driven by academic excellence and service to diverse communities.

Program Vision

The RUSH University PA program strives to be a national leader in educating exceptionally qualified PAs to transform clinical and professional practice.

Program Goals

The goals of the RUSH University PA program are:

  • Prepare PAs to practice interprofessional, patient-centered care 
  • Promote leadership, service and advocacy to the profession
  • Provide enhanced training opportunities to students in various areas of clinical practice
  • Prepare PAs who use evidence-based methods to plan, develop and deliver high quality, cost-effective health care 
  • Promote an environment of diversity, equity, inclusion and cultural humility.

Program Performance on Goals

Performance on Goals

Program Tuition

$13,307 per term

RUSH Tuition Information

There are no additional institution fees associated with attendance.

Tuition is subject to change with a potential 2-5% increase annually.

RUSH University Tuition Refund Policy

Accreditation Summary

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Physician Assistant Program sponsored by RUSH University. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards. The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website by clicking on the document at: RUSH University Accreditation History.

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 2024.  The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy. 

ARC-PA Student Attrition Report

Incoming Class Profile 2020-2025

This is the admissions performance profile of the five most recently admitted classes to the program.

Class of 2021 Class of 2022 Class of 2023 Class of 2024 Class of 2025


Starting Class Size: 30 Students


Male: 5
Female: 25
Median Age: 26 Years

URM* in Medicine: 7%
 

Median GPA Total: 3.53
Median GPA Science: 3.50
Median GRE Score: 310
Median Health Care Hours: 3,520

 

Attrition: 0
Deceleration: 1/3%

Graduation: 100%

 

PANCE Pass Rate: 100%


Starting Class Size: 30 Students

Male: 11
Female: 19
Median Age: 25 Years
URM* in Medicine: 17%
 

Median GPA Total: 3.50
Median GPA Science: 3.29
Median GRE Score: 309
Median Health Care Hours: 4,286

 

Attrition: 5/17%
Deceleration: 2/7%

Graduation: Pending December 2025

 

PANCE Pass Rate: 92%


Starting Class Size: 29 Students

Male: 8
Female: 21
Median Age: 25 Years
URM* in Medicine: 21%
 

Median GPA Total: 3.50
Median GPA Science: 3.50
Median GRE Score:

No Longer Required
Median Health Care Hours: 4,972

 

Attrition: 0
Deceleration: 0

Graduation: Pending December 2023

 
PANCE Pass Rate: Pending
 

Starting Class Size: 32 Students


Male: 9
Female: 23
Median Age: 25 Years

URM* in Medicine: 19%
 
Median GPA Total: 3.50
Median GPA Science: 3.40
Median GRE Score:
No Longer Required
Median Health Care Hours: 4,343

 

Attrition: 0

Deceleration: 0

Graduation: Pending December 2024

 

PANCE Pass Rate: Pending


Starting Class Size: 32 Students


Male: 1
Female: 31
Median Age: 25

Years
URM* in Medicine: 22%

Median GPA Total: 3.60
Median GPA Science: 3.50
Median GRE Score: No Longer Required
Median Health Care Hours: 3,563

Attrition: 0
Deceleration: 0
Graduation: Pending December 2025

PANCE Pass Rate: Pending

 

 

*URM (underrepresented minority) is currently defined as, African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, American Indian/Alaska Native 

As of March 2022, the PA Program has a 95% graduation rate since inception.

Licensure Information

Institutions are required to make public whether a program is designed to meet educational requirements for a specific professional license or certification that is required for employment in an occupation or is advertised as meeting such requirements. Institutions are required to make public, for each state, whether the completion of that program would be sufficient to meet licensure requirements in a state for that occupation, did not meet requirements or has not made a determination.  These requirements apply to all programs offered via all modalities (distance education and not).

Students should review the specific academic requirements for the program in which they are enrolling, including those related to practicum/internship as well as pre-qualifications for licensure such as the need for a criminal background check. We highly recommend that students contact the applicable licensure board(s) in their state of residence or in the state where they intend to obtain a license before beginning an academic program that results in licensure and prior to beginning any internship/practicum. Many licensure boards have additional requirements beyond successful degree completion to obtain a license. Please be advised that state laws, regulations, and policies may change at any time. Changes in requirements can impact the program’s ability to meet educational requirements for licensure. Enrolled and prospective students are strongly encouraged to check with the licensing board(s) in their state of residence or in the state in which they intend to obtain a license for the most recent information and requirements. The College will periodically review the state requirements. The College of Health Sciences disclosure does not provide any guarantee that any particular state licensure or certification entity will approve or deny a student’s application.

Licensure Information by State:
  Link, by State Does this program meet the requirements?

Alabama

PA licensing

YES

Alaska

PA licensing

YES

Arizona

PA licensing

YES

Arkansas

PA licensing

YES

California

PA licensing

YES

Colorado

PA licensing

YES

Connecticut

PA licensing

YES

Delaware

PA licensing

YES

Florida

PA licensing

YES

Georgia

PA licensing

YES

Hawaii

PA licensing

YES

Idaho

PA licensing

YES

Illinois

PA licensing

YES

Indiana

PA licensing

YES

Iowa

PA licensing

YES

Kansas

PA licensing

YES

Kentucky

PA licensing

YES

Louisiana

PA licensing

YES

Maine

PA licensing

YES

Maryland

PA licensing

YES

Massachusetts

PA licensing

YES

Michigan

PA licensing

YES

Minnesota

PA licensing

YES

Mississippi

PA licensing

YES

Missouri

PA licensing

YES

Montana

PA licensing

YES

Nebraska

PA licensing

YES

Nevada

PA licensing

YES

New Hampshire

PA licensing

YES

New Jersey

PA licensing

YES

New Mexico

PA licensing

YES

New York

PA licensing

YES

North Carolina

PA licensing

YES

North Dakota

PA licensing

YES

Ohio

PA licensing

YES

Oklahoma

PA licensing

YES

Oregon

PA licensing

YES

Pennsylvania

PA licensing

YES

Rhode Island

PA licensing

YES

South Carolina

PA licensing

YES

South Dakota

PA licensing

YES

Tennessee

PA licensing

YES

Texas

PA licensing

YES

Utah

PA licensing

YES

Vermont

PA licensing

YES

Virginia

PA licensing

YES

Washington

PA licensing

YES

West Virginia

PA licensing

YES

Wisconsin

PA licensing

YES

Wyoming

PA licensing

YES

Admissions Contact 
Phone: (312) 563-3234

Email: pa_admissions@rush.edu

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#50
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Attend an information session

Learn more about the Master of Science in Physician Assistant (PA) Studies program at an on-campus or online information session.