Smiling doctor sitting across the desk from a patient
Smiling doctor sitting across the desk from a patient

PA Program in Chicago, Illinois

Master of Physician Assistant Studies

Program Length: 
Complete in just 2 years

Start Date: 
Sept 2026

Provisionally Accredited by ARC-PA

 

Program Length:Complete in just 2 years
Start Date:Sept 2026
Provisionally Accredited by ARC-PA 

Our PA Program Chicago Campus Provides the Support You Need To Succeed

State-of-the-Art Facilities

The Chicago campus features advanced simulation labs, modern classrooms, and dedicated PA learning spaces, providing an ideal environment for hands-on training.

Diverse Clinical Exposure

Clinical rotations range from urban hospitals to suburban healthcare centers—ensuring varied patient care experiences.

Innovative Organ-Based Curriculum

The program’s modular curriculum fosters practical learning and critical thinking, addressing today’s unique healthcare challenges.

Strategic Industry Partnerships

Our collaborations with Chicago healthcare institutions offer students mentorship, volunteer opportunities and paths to employment.

Faculty committed to your learning journey

Our engaged faculty delivers instruction in a variety of ways—including in-class instruction, case-based learning, simulations, skills training and more.

Skills mastery in a safe environment

Hone physical exam skills, observe structured clinical exams and procedural skills such as suturing, ultrasound imaging and chest tube and central line insertions in our SIM lab.

Experience diverse clinical experiences

Benefit from Chamberlain’s extensive relationships with healthcare providers to learn from quality preceptors across a variety of settings.

Preparation for national certification exam

Our physician assistant program is structured to successfully prepare you for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination® (PANCE).

Prepare for Practice With a Hands-On Curriculum

Ready to start your PA journey with confidence?

Physician assistants (PAs) are licensed medical professionals with an advanced degree. They work with patients of all ages in specialty and primary care areas, diagnosing and treating common illnesses and working with minor procedures. PAs are a critical part of today’s team-based approach to healthcare and improve community access to quality care.

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Questions? Let us help you.

Request information to connect with an Enrollment Representative today.

  • 130+ years of empowering healthcare professionals
  • 11,000+ partner locations
  • Community of more than 177,000 students, faculty and alumni
     
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Academic Details

Didactic PA Coursework and the Clinical Phase 

6

Complete in 6 consecutive semesters

109

Total Credits

2

Elective clinical clerkships

Didactic Curriculum 

The didactic curriculum is delivered in an integrated organ-based modular approach to encourage critical thinking and problem solving. PA faculty team-teach these comprehensive, integrated modules so the medical content (history and physical exam skills, clinical medicine, pathophysiology, clinical pharmacology, clinical diagnostics, labs, procedures, etc.) is presented in a coordinated way, helping students gain greater perspective and work through medical case scenarios they may see in clinical practice. 

View MPAS Curriculum
Didactic Coursework | 22 Courses
Semester 1
Semester 1 Session 1Session 2
PA-501PA Professional Practice Seminar I1 
PA-502Evidence-Based Medicine1 
PA-503Essential Foundations in Clinical Medicine5 
PA-504Medical Interviewing & Documentation2 
PA-505Behavioral Medicine I2 
PA-510CCM Dermatology 1
PA-512CCM Hematology/Oncology 2
PA-514CCM Infectious Disease 2
PA-516CCM HEENT 3
Semester 2
Semester 2 Session 1Session 2
PA-518CCM Cardiovascular8 
PA-520CCM Pulmonology5 
PA-522CCM Endocrinology 3
PA-524CCM Nephrology/ Genitourinary 4
PA-526CCM Gastroenterology 5
Semester 3
Semester 3 Session 1Session 2
PA-528CCM Neurology4 
PA-530CCM Musculoskeletal4 
PA-531Emergency Medicine3 
PA-532Surgical and Clinical Skills3 
PA-533Obstetrics and Gynecology 5
PA-534Pediatrics 3
PA-536Behavioral Medicine II 1
PA-541PA Professional Practice Seminar II 1

Clinical Phase

The clinical phase of the program consists of 10 four-week clinical clerkships. These include supervised clinical practice experiences in: 

  • Family medicine
  • Internal medicine
  • Emergency medicine
  • Surgery
  • Pediatrics
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Behavioral health
  • Two electives
  • Underserved Population Clerkship
View MPAS Curriculum
Clinical Coursework | 17 Courses
Semester 1
Semester 1 Session 1Session 2
PA-601PA Professional Practice Seminar III1 
PA-608Transition to Clinical Practice I3 
PA-610-628Clinical Clerkship3 
PA-602PA Professional Practice Seminar IV 1
PA-610-628Clinical Clerkship 3
PA-610-628Clinical Clerkship 3
Semester 2
Semester 2 Session 1Session 2
PA-603PA Professional Practice Seminar V1 
PA-610-628Clinical Clerkship3 
PA-610-628Clinical Clerkship3 
PA-604PA Professional Practice Seminar VI 1
PA-610-628Clinical Clerkship 3
PA-610-628Clinical Clerkship 3
Semester 3
Semester 3 Session 1Session 2
PA-650Capstone Project1 
PA-610-628Clinical Clerkship3 
PA-610-628Clinical Clerkship3 
PA-648Transition to Clinical Practice II 3
PA-610-628Clinical Clerkship 3

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Chicago Campus
Contact Information

Address
2718 W Roscoe St
Chicago, IL 60618
773.961.3000

Toll Free:
888.556.8CCN (8226)

Hours of Operation
Mon - Fri: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

What is the length of the Chamberlain University-Chicago PA program?

The Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program is a 24-month program.

What is the cost of the Chamberlain University PA program?

Chamberlain University is committed helping students find ways to manage the costs of education. Did you know about 90% Chamberlain students receive some form of tuition assistance? You can learn more about our tuition and fees here.

Does the MPAS program provide housing at clinical sites?

No. Chamberlain makes every effort to place students as close as possible to the campus location and/or as geographically accessible as possible, however, the MPAS is a specialized program, and some clinical clerkship sites may be located a significant distance from the campus. Students should note that significant travel may be required, and that they may be required to secure temporary housing near their clinical site to complete clinical learning experiences. Students are expected to attend clinical clerkships at the site assigned to them. Clinical site locations vary; contact the MPAS clinical coordinator for additional information. Students are responsible for obtaining their own housing for the clinical year unless housing is provided by the clinical site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago MPAS FAQs

PA Program Requirement FAQs

What prerequisites are required?

The following courses are required to have been completed within the last 10 years with a grade of C or better for our PA program in Illinois:

Area of StudyCoursesSemester Credit Hours
Biology (choose one)General Biology – with lab
Genetics – with lab
Cell Biology – with lab
Molecular Biology – with lab
Immunology – with lab		3

Anatomy & Physiology

(choose one)

Human Anatomy and Physiology
Human Anatomy - with lab and
Human Physiology – lab optional		8
MicrobiologyMicrobiology – with lab3
Chemistry (choose one)Biochemistry – lab preferred
Organic Chemistry I – with lab		3
Statistics (choose one)Statistics
Biostatistics		3

Psychology

(choose one)

General Psychology
Developmental Psychology		3
Are there any groups that will be given preference in admission?

With limited seats available, applicants who meet the following criteria may have an advantage for our PA school in Chicago:

  • 300+ hours of clinical healthcare experience
  • 16+ hours shadowing a physician assistant
  • Military or veterans
  • Chamberlain students and alumni
  • Resident of a designated medically underserved area
  • First generation college students

We encourage you to apply early to secure a spot. Request information to get started.

Does the Chicago PA program offer Advanced Placement?

The Chamberlain University — Chicago Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program does not offer Advanced Placement. 

MPAS Admission Requirements

How do I get started?

To enroll, you should meet the following requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in any major, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Prerequisite science courses completed in the last 10 years, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

The most qualified candidates will be invited for an on-campus interview to be considered for admission. A program representative will contact candidates with details. You’ll also be asked to submit: 

  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores from the past 10 years
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Cleared background and fingerprint checks within 120 days prior to the first session of your enrollment start date

Questions about the admissions process?

Our enrollment representatives are available at any time to talk through any questions you may have. Call 888.707.7063 or request information to learn more.

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chicago campus

MPAS Program Performance, Goals and Outcomes

Program Performance

Goals and Program Competencies
View Chamberlain’s Master of Physician Assistant Studies program goals and outcomes.

Exam Performance (PANCE)
Review Chamberlain’s Master of Physician Assistant Studies PANCE exam performance rates.

Attrition
See Chamberlain’s Master of Physician Assistant Studies attrition rates.

Policies

There are three documents that include the policies, procedures, rules, and regulations that apply to physician assistant students regarding academic, professional, and behavioral performance. These include the Chamberlain University Academic Catalog, the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Student Handbook and the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Clinical Handbook.

Taken as a whole, these documents should provide the student with the guidance necessary to thrive in Chamberlain’s physician assistant program. The program policies apply to all students, principal faculty, instructional faculty, Program Director, and Medical Director regardless of location. During the clinical year, it is possible that certain program policies will be superseded by those at the clinical site.

See a list of our Master of Physician Assistant Studies program policies.

Chamberlain's Chicago MPAS Tuition and Expenses

Your Chicago MPAS investment

View more information about tuition and expenses for our PA program.

  • More than 90% of Chamberlain students receive some form of financial assistance.
  • Contact admissions, who can help you identify all of your financing options and refer you to an expert financial aid advisor to pursue your funding options.
  • View our Tuition & Expenses Grid and Total Cost Calculations for our Chicago physician assistant program.
Questions about cost?

Call 888.707.7063 or request information to learn about available scholarships, transfer credit and get help with your application process.

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Meet the Faculty

Learn from experienced healthcare educators

Abbey Baus
Abbey Baus DMSc, PA-C, AAHIVS

Program Director, Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) Degree Program

Ritesh Shah
Ritesh Shah, MD

Medical Director, Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) Degree Program

Ashley Ramos
Ashley Ramos, PA-C

Assistant Professor, Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) Degree Program

Sachi Patel
Sachi Patel, MSPAS, PA-C

Assistant Professor MPAS Degree Program

Darcey Elliot
Darcey Elliott, PA-C

Assistant Professor, MPAS Degree Program

Matthew Wilkin
Matthew Wilkin, PA-C

Assistant Professor, MPAS Degree Program

Ashley Mazalewski
Ashley Mazalewski, MPAS, PA-C

Assistant Professor, MPAS Degree Program

Emily Ellis
Emily Ellis, MSPAS, PA-C

Assistant Professor, MPAS Degree Program

Fiona Peterman
Fiona Peterman, MSPAS, PA-C

Assistant Professor, MPAS Degree Program

Jessica Gavzer
Jessica Gavzer, MMS, PA-C

Assistant Professor, MPAS Degree Program

Accreditation

Learn more about accreditation and approvals for Illinois PA school

Chamberlain University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

See accreditation and state authorization information or view a full list of program approvals by state.

The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the Chamberlain University - Chicago Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program sponsored by Chamberlain University.  

Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation-Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.  

Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class.  

The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at http://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-chamberlain-university/