So, you‘re interested in becoming a physician assistant (PA) and pursuing your education right here in Chicago? This guide provides an extensive overview of all PA programs in the area to help you achieve your goals.
As the PA profession expands rapidly nationwide with 33% growth projected by 2028, Chicago offers premier training to equip students with in-demand skills. There are currently five accredited programs in the metro area providing rigorous curriculum, unparalleled clinical opportunities, and strong career preparation.
PA Training in Chicago—Meeting Healthcare Demands
The physician assistant role was formally established in the 1960s to improve healthcare access and meet rising demands. Today, that need is greater than ever before. As the population ages and more Americans gain insurance coverage, our healthcare system is experiencing a major provider shortage. It‘s estimated that by 2025, there will be a deficit of up to 139,000 physicians in the U.S.
Physician assistants help fill this gap by providing broad-based medical care under physician supervision. Working in interprofessional teams, PAs expand access to care and increase practice productivity. They also promote preventive health, coordinated treatment, and continuity of care. This allows PAs to have an incredibly meaningful impact.
What does this mean for those hoping to embark on PA careers in Chicago? Job prospects are very bright, especially within primary care. Employment of PAs in Illinois is projected to surge 35% through 2028. Chicago offers particularly robust clinical training opportunities and access to underserved communities in need.
Accredited PA Programs in Chicago
There are five accredited graduate programs in the Chicago area offering Master‘s degrees in Physician Assistant Studies or similar. These intensive programs take a minimum of 24 months to complete:
| PA School/Program | Length |
|---|---|
| DePaul University | 28 months |
| Midwestern University | 27 months |
| Northwestern University | 24 months |
| Rosalind Franklin University | 27 months |
| University of Saint Francis | 26 months |
All accredited programs include rigorous coursework and at least 2,000 hours of supervised clinical rotations. Class sizes are relatively small, allowing for individualized instruction and advising.
Admissions are highly selective, with acceptance rates around 6-7% on average. Applicants generally need a Bachelor‘s degree, minimum 3.0 GPA, healthcare experience, completed prerequisites, test scores, letters of recommendation and more. Competition is steep, so students should be strategic and cast a wide net when applying.
Why Become a Physician Assistant?
Pursuing a career as a PA offers immense rewards:
Dynamic, Fulfilling Work
Every day brings new challenges as PAs diagnose illness, develop treatment plans, perform procedures, prescribe medications, order tests, provide education, and help coordinate care. They have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with patients and transform lives.
Excellent Compensation
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for PAs practicing in Chicago is $121,730 per year. Experienced PAs and those in specialty areas tend to earn even more. Outstanding benefits are commonly provided as well.
Abundant Job Prospects
Employment for PAs is projected to expand 37% nationally through 2028. Graduates enjoy low unemployment rates and recruiting shortages across most Chicago medical facilities. Urban areas also allow easy access to underserved populations in need.
Career Flexibility
PAs can switch focus areas without completing another formal degree. They may work in primary care, various specialties, hospital settings, private practices, the armed forces, correctional facilities, rural clinics and more. PAs can also take on roles in education, research, administration and global health over their career span.
Professional Autonomy
While regulated on a state-by-state basis, PAs in Illinois have a great deal of autonomy in providing medical care under defined physician relationships. This facilitates high levels of job satisfaction.
Ongoing Learning
Lifelong learning is essential for PAs to expand their knowledge, maintain excellent patient care, and meet licensing requirements. Chicago offers boundless opportunities for career development and specialization.
Top Physician Assistant Programs in Chicago
For those committed to launching PA careers in Chicago, the city offers several exceptional graduate programs to choose from:
DePaul University
The DePaul University Physician Assistant program takes a very interprofessional, collaborative approach to prepare students for contemporary team-based care models.
Some key features include:
- 28-month full-time curriculum
- Taught by practicing PAs and MDs
- 16 months of clinical rotations
- Rotations offered in family medicine, internal medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, OB/GYN, emergency medicine, psychiatry, and more
The program also incorporates:
- A focus on evidence-based medicine and research
- Training in professional communications
- Use of high-fidelity simulation centers
- Interprofessional service learning
- Abundant preceptorship opportunities
With a 97% first-time PANCE pass rate and 100% job placement, DePaul demonstrates its dedication to success.
"My clinical year at DePaul gave me experiences across very diverse patient populations," says recent graduate Janelle K. "Between the excellent education and preceptor guidance, I felt fully prepared to begin my career."
Northwestern University
The Northwestern University Physician Assistant Program is an integral part of the nationally-ranked Feinberg School of Medicine. It focuses on training PAs to help address primary care shortages and meet rural/urban healthcare needs.
Distinctive elements include:
- 24-month full-time program
- 40 required courses
- Over 2,000 clinical rotation hours across various specialties
Northwestern PA students train across the Chicago area with carefully selected preceptors. This allows exposure to diverse communities and practice models. Students also complete a master‘s thesis based on original research.
With a 100% PANCE first-time pass rate to date, Northwestern University demonstrates its exceptional standards. The program has also achieved a 100% job placement rate for the past four years.
Says alum Michelle R., "The faculty expertise, breadth of rotations, and research opportunities set the program apart. I felt ready to excel from day one in my career thanks to the outstanding preparation."
Midwestern University
The Midwestern University Physician Assistant Program adopts a holistic, humanistic approach to prepare graduates for compassionate care.
It offers:
- A 27-month full-time curriculum
- Problem-based learning model
- Interprofessional education with students across healthcare fields
- More than 2,000 supervised clinical hours
Midwestern also features new, cutting-edge facilities including a simulation lab that opened in 2019. This provides students with valuable hands-on skills practice.
The program notes that graduates demonstrate a 97% first-time PANCE pass rate since the program began—higher than the national average. Job placement is also extremely strong.
"I was drawn to Midwestern‘s focus on whole person healthcare," explains alum Gary T. "Between the advanced simulation center and diverse clinical sites, I gained broad-based experience that serves me well as a practicing PA."
Applying to Chicago PA Programs
While every PA program has its own application requirements, here are some general guidelines:
Prerequisites – Completing science prerequisites is essential, including courses like anatomy, physiology, microbiology, biochemistry and more. Programs also recommend or require intro psychology, statistics, medical terminology and other classes.
GPA – Aim for >3.5 cumulative undergraduate GPA and ≥3.0 in prerequisite courses. Programs consider both factors. The higher your grades, the better!
GRE Scores – Most schools require you to take the GRE graduate school entry exam. Prepare extensively and strive for very competitive scores.
Healthcare Exposure – Gaining direct clinical experience (CNA, EMT, medical assistant etc.) boosts applications. High-quality shadowing shows you understand the PA role.
Essays – Expect to draft thoughtful responses to short answer and personal statement prompts. Show your passion for patient care and the PA profession.
Recommendations – Secure letters of recommendation from practicing PAs or physicians who supervised you. This carries more weight than academic references.
It‘s wise to apply to multiple programs and prepare for possible re-application. Perseverance is key—you‘ve got this!
What‘s the Career Outlook for Chicago PA Graduates?
The job outlook for PAs in Chicago is truly exceptional. As previously noted, employment growth is projected at 35% locally through 2028.
New PA graduates in the Chicago metro typically earn starting salaries between $90,000-$105,000. Those with prior clinical experience may start closer to $115,000-120,000.
Salaries also tend to increase with years of practice. Experienced PAs can expect total compensation up to $140,000-160,000 including bonuses, incentives, and other perks.
Most PAs work in physicians‘ private practices (43% in IL) or hospital settings (29%). Employment rates are highest for outpatient care centers and surgical/medical hospitals according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
PAs in Illinois are authorized to practice medicine with defined physician supervision. Their legal scope covers examining patients, diagnosing conditions, developing treatment plans, prescribing medications, and more. PAs in Chicago have a great degree of professional autonomy to transform care.
Importance of PA Professional Associations
PAs can benefit tremendously from joining professional networks like:
American Academy of PAs (AAPA) – National advocacy and education organization hosting an annual conference with thousands of attendees. Offers leadership workshops, policy initiatives, research grants and publications.
Illinois Society of PAs (ISPA) – Statewide society offering an annual CME conference, networking events, licensure/policy updates, job boards, and awards.
Specialty organizations – Associations for emergency medicine, orthopedics, dermatology and other practice areas. Provide guidance on working in specific clinical settings. May offer certificates or discussion forums.
These groups help PAs stay updated on industry trends, expand their knowledge, uncover job leads, and elevate the profession through advocacy. They also facilitate important peer support and mentoring.
New grads are highly encouraged to get involved in one or more networks upon entering the PA workforce.
Conclusion – Chicago Offers Exceptional PA Training
From academic excellence to unparalleled practical experiences, Chicago serves as an outstanding launchpad for aspiring PAs. The city provides access to underserved populations, teaching hospitals pushing medical frontiers, PA specialty trailblazers and more.
By offering vigorous curricula at prestigious universities, Chicago PA programs equip students with in-demand skills to transform lives. Graduates enter the field fully prepared for rewarding careers in one of healthcare‘s fastest growing disciplines.
Through compassion, competence and commitment to care, PAs have remarkable power to create positive change. There‘s never been a better time to join this vital profession.