Program Overview

Physician Assistant Program

The Physician Assistant program at Central Michigan University is a graduate program designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and expertise necessary to become certified and licensed physician assistants. The program emphasizes mentorship, teamwork, and hands-on clinical training, preparing students for successful careers in healthcare.

Program Overview

• The program is a Master of Science (M.S.) degree with a duration of 27 months.
• It consists of 15 months of instructive education, followed by a clinical mentorship program during the summer semester, and finally 12 months of clinical clerkship rotations in various specialties.
• The program is offered on campus, with a total of 130 credit hours.

Curriculum

• The curriculum includes a combination of classroom instruction, laboratory training, and clinical rotations.
• Students participate in clinical clerkships across various specialties, including emergency medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, women's health, behavioral health, general surgery, and internal medicine.
• An elective option is also available.

Admissions

• Students must apply to the program through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA).
• The application deadline for the fall semester is September 1.
• Start dates for the program are January 12 for the spring semester and August 21 for the fall semester.

Career Opportunities

• Physician assistants can work in various healthcare settings, including emergency rooms, general practitioner practices, and specialized healthcare organizations.
• The median salary for physician assistants is $133,260.

Why Choose CMU's Physician Assistant Program?

• The program offers an immersive learning environment and hands-on clinical training.
• Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities and diverse clinical rotations.
• The program emphasizes mentorship and interdisciplinary collaboration, cultivating a supportive community focused on excellence and compassion.

Program Highlights

• CMU students regularly score in the top 5-15 percent of the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE).
• The five-year first-time PANCE pass rate is 96 percent.
• The program was designed to address the healthcare needs of residents in the northern lower peninsula and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Pre-Physician Assistant Majors

• Common pre-physician assistant majors include:
  • Exercise science
  • Athletic training
  • Health administration
  • Public health
  • Dietetics
  • Child development
  • Biology
  • Biomedical science
  • Psychology

Program Details

• The program is accredited and licensed, with a strong emphasis on preparing students for successful careers in healthcare.
• Upon successful program completion, students are eligible to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE) and apply for licensure in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories.