Program Overview
Introduction to the Physician Assistant Program
The Northwestern University PA Program curriculum is 24 months in duration and consists of 108 credit hours of coursework culminating in a Master of Medical Science degree. There are 23 required courses in the first year of the program. During the second year, students must complete 7 core clinical rotations and 4 elective clinical rotations, as well as the Master's Project course.
Curriculum Highlights
- 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio during the first year
- Small group, student-driven Problem-Based Learning (PBL) representing approximately 25% of classroom time
- A full year of cadaver-based, dissection Anatomy Lab
- Early clinical exposure via the Education-Centered Medical Home (ECMH) Program
- A Medical Spanish course during the Spring Trimester of the first year
- Interprofessional Education (IPE) programming with Northwestern students from the MD, Physical Therapy, Prosthetics & Orthotics, and Genetic Counseling programs
- Clinical rotations opportunities within the Northwestern Medicine system, including at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, one of the top academic medical centers in the nation
- Grant-supported elective international clinical rotations
Curriculum Structure
The curriculum for the PA Program is broken into a didactic year and a clinical year.
Competencies
The program requires students to demonstrate specific knowledge, skills, and attitude competencies to succeed.
Courses
The program offers a range of courses, including:
- A course-by-course list of offerings
- Problem-Based Learning approaches in both lectures and small groups
Clinical Rotations
Students will complete rotations at Chicago-area sites throughout their clinical year.
Facilities and Resources
The program provides resources that complement students' classroom instruction and case-based learning.