Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies, Glendale Campus

Admissions Procedures

The Physician Assistant (PA) program adheres to a specific admission process, and prospective students are encouraged to become acquainted with our interview and selection procedures.

Prior Education and Work Experience (A3.12b,d)

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university
• Minimum cumulative and science GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale
• Successful completion of prerequisite coursework from regionally accredited colleges or universities
• Healthcare experience strongly preferred

Full list of requirements in catalog*

   Class of 2027 Profile (A3.12a)

• Female: 77%
• Male: 23%
• Mean Age: 25
• Mean Science GPA: 3.88
• Mean Overall GPA: 3.85
• 98% had a total GPA above 3.5
• Top Home States: Arizona (34%), California, Utah, Oregon
• Average paid healthcare hours ranged between 500-2000 hours with the majority of the matriculating class having > 2000 hours

Advanced Placement (A3.12c)

Midwestern University's Physician Assistant (PA) Program does not permit advanced placement for prior academic, clinical, or life experience. Requests may be made for advanced placement for coursework and will only be considered if a letter grade of "C" or better has been earned and must be deemed equivalent to the Midwestern University course.

Extended Program 

The PA Program does not offer an extended course of study beyond the usual length of the program.

Technical Standards (A3.12e)

The Technical Standards set forth the nonacademic abilities considered essential for students to achieve the level of competence required by the faculty to obtain the academic degree awarded by the college.

Visit the Technical Standards page in the catalog for further information.

Review the Technical Standards*

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Articulation Agreements (A3.12a)

Agreement with Aurora University

Beginning with the class matriculating in Fall 2023, Midwestern University’s participating colleges and programs agree to guarantee interviews for qualified Aurora University applicants as long as specific requirements are met.

Review the Articulation Agreement with Aurora University

Agreement between Midwestern University Programs

In addition, currently-enrolled Midwestern University students are eligible to use the Articulation Agreement Between Midwestern University Programs. This agreement allows for students enrolled in a Midwestern University program to receive an admissions interview with another University program as long as specific requirements are met. 

Review the Articulation Agreement Between Midwestern University Programs 

Agreement with Grand Canyon University

Beginning with the class matriculating in summer quarter 2027, the Midwestern University Physician Assistant Program in Glendale, AZ agrees to guarantee an interview for one qualified Grand Canyon University applicant per admission year.

Review the Articulation Agreement with Grand Canyon University

Core Competencies for the Midwestern University Physician Assistant Program Arizona (A3.11g)

Medical Knowledge 

Demonstrate the medical knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary to provide evidence-based patient care.

Clinical and Technical Skills 

Demonstrate the clinical and technical skills to include obtaining a medical history, performing a physical examination, interpreting diagnostics, formulating an assessment, delivering patient education, documenting medical information, developing a plan of care, and performing procedural skills in the delivery of patient care.

Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving Abilities

Demonstrate the ability to synthesize patient information, scientific evidence, and clinical judgment to inform medical decision-making.

Interpersonal Skills 

Demonstrate communication skills that result in effective information exchange with patients and with members of the healthcare team.

Professional Behaviors 

Demonstrate professionalism through the delivery of ethical and compassionate care.

Accreditation(A3.11a) 

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Midwestern University Glendale Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Midwestern University. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.

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 June 2028. The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website. 

Midwestern University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1413.

Mission

The Midwestern University Physician Assistant Program-Glendale is committed to educating and mentoring students in a setting that cultivates excellence. We prepare students to become compassionate and competent physician assistants to serve in an evolving healthcare environment, supported by an inclusive community that respects students, staff, faculty, and patients.

The philosophy of the PA Program is based on a dedication to the student-centered approach to teaching and learning. 

Goals (A3.11b)

Program Goals are met through a variety of curricular objectives and assessments.

The Goals of the Midwestern University PA Program, Glendale Campus, include: 

1. Develop competent Physician Assistants.
   1. The curriculum has contributed to an average first-time PANCE pass rate of 95% over the last five years (98%, 98%, 94%, 93% and, 93%, respectively). This is compared to the national average first-time PANCE pass rate of 91% over the last five years.
2. Deliver a thorough and comprehensive curriculum that promotes inter-professional education, team-based practice, and service within the healthcare community.
   1. A rigorous basic science curriculum (anatomy, biochemistry, pharmacology, physiology, and microbiology) is delivered by content area experts and PA Program courses are taught by experienced PA faculty. 
   2. The program promotes inter-professional, team-based education not only through a University-wide, interdisciplinary course involving all PA first-year students that develop teamwork and collaboration between the professions but also through PA Program didactic lectures, small group discussions, inter-professional panels, simulation and other activities.
3. Facilitate critical-thinking skills and evidence-based practices.
   1. Students are required to complete didactic courses dedicated to the development of critical thinking skills and the application of evidence-based practices. The students then utilize these skills in interactive clinical case group discussions, simulation activities, clinical rotations, and assessments by faculty and preceptors throughout their training.  
4. Develop Physician Assistants who exhibit professional behavior.
   1. Professional behaviors that students learn can become habits that will naturally be transitioned into their behavior as PAs. Students are expected to adhere to program dress code, treat others with respect, be receptive to feedback, and abide by university and program policies. Students are regularly evaluated for professional conduct throughout the duration of the program; for example, a PA faculty mentor will monitor each student’s professional and academic performance. 
5. Demonstrate a genuine commitment to program excellence through a process of continuous self-assessment and curricular improvements.
   1. The program has a timely and continuous process of self-assessment that allows for data collection and subsequent analysis throughout the curriculum. A variety of perspectives are formally sought in this process, including those of students, faculty, clinical preceptors, and graduates in the form of regularly scheduled surveys and evaluations. This serves to further improve the experience for students and is foundational to maintaining accreditation.  

National Certifying Exam (PANCE) Pass Rate 5-Year Average (2021-2025) (A3.11c)

• Our students are at, or above, the national pass rate each year
• The Program five-year average pass rate for first-time takers is 95% (national average for first-time takers is 91%)

NCCPA PANCE Exam Performance Summary Report - Last 5 Years 
 

For information pertaining to the Program's attrition and graduation rates, please review the ARC-PA Student Attrition Template. (A3.11i)

ARC-PA Student Attrition Template (PDF)
 

*Attrition rate calculation: Number of students who attritted from cohort divided by the entering class size.

**Graduation rate: Number of cohort graduates divided by the entering class size.

Comments:

Students who took a short leave of absence for personal or medical reasons and completed their training were counted in the class in which they matriculated.

The attrition rate due to academic dismissal is 1% for the Classes of 2023, 0% for the Class of 2024 and 0% for Class of 2025.

Cost of Enrollment (A3.11f)

For detailed information about the total cost of attendance, visit the Cost of Attendance section on the Student Financial Services website. The total cost of attendance figures includes tuition/fees, estimates for books, supplies, and living expenses, etc.

The PA program does not provide housing assistance for student-arranged, or university established rotations. Students are responsible for their housing and expenses associated with travel/boarding during the clinical year.

Review the Cost of Attendance

Midwestern University’s Physician Assistant Studies, Glendale Campus is part of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP). PSEP allows students outside of Arizona who live in WICHE’s participating states and are pursuing careers in 10 health fields – ranging from optometry to dentistry to veterinary medicine – to apply for participating healthcare programs across state lines and receive substantial tuition support from their home state or territory. Visit the WICHE website for complete details about PSEP and how to apply for reduced tuition.

Visit our Scholarships page to explore other opportunities. 

Student Work Policy (A3.02, A3.14)
Due to the rigorous time demands during the didactic and clinical years, the PA Program strongly discourages students who are enrolled in the Program from working outside of school during the 24-month Program.

Some students may be able to successfully coordinate campus work-study jobs, but the educational requirements of the Program remain the priority. Students who do choose to work at off-campus jobs despite this recommendation are expected to maintain all university and Program attendance expectations, professionalism, and academic standards.
Students should consult with a counselor in the Office of Student Financial Services if they are in need of more financial resources. Students who are in the work-study Program for Midwestern University may not conduct their work in the PA Program offices due to confidentiality concerns with student records. PA students may utilize the work-study Program, as outlined by federal guidelines, for community service projects. PA students are NOT required to work for the program.

Student Rotations (A3.08)
The PA Program does not require prospective or enrolled students to provide or solicit clinical sites or preceptors. Students may, with approval, arrange rotations both within and outside of Arizona.

Remediation (A3.14c, B4.01b)

Students who are struggling to master the knowledge and skill in a given course are expected to contact Course Coordinator(s) for assistance in addressing these deficiencies. Remedial instruction is available and is achieved via the open-door policy. In PA courses, a reexamination is not offered for course failure and in the event of course failure, the course must be repeated in its entirety the next academic year. 

Deceleration (A3.14d)

If a student is placed on academic leave of absence, or takes a personal, medical or military leave of absence, it may result in Program deceleration.

Withdrawal from the College/University(A3.14e) 

The decision to withdraw from the University is a serious matter. Any student who withdraws from a college or a program is dropped from the rolls of the University. As such, if the individual decides at some later date to reenter the program, the student must reapply for admission and, if accepted, assume the status of a new student.

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Student Complaints Procedures (A3.14g)

Any student or group of students may initiate a complaint procedure on any student concern, including complaints against faculty, staff, or other students.

Student Complaints Procedures

Appeal Process Academic Review Committee (A3.14h)

Following notification of a recommendation from the Student Academic Review Committee, a student may appeal the recommendation.

Appeal Process Academic Review Committee

Grade Appeal Policy (A3.14h)

A student may appeal a failing or non-failing course grade.

Grade Appeal Policy

Academic Standards (A3.14a)

A student enrolled in the Physician Assistant Program must pass all courses and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.000 or higher to have achieved satisfactory academic progress. In addition, to progress to the next quarter, a student must satisfactorily complete all academic and professionalism requirements for the preceding quarter. A student is not able to progress to clinical rotations until or unless their cumulative GPA is greater than or equal to 3.000.

Completion Deadlines (A3.14b)

The maximum allotted time for completion of this program is 36 months and consists of a combination of 12 months of didactic and 12 months of clinical education.

Student Dismissal (A3.14f)

Academic Progress

Students who fail to make satisfactory progress in completing the prescribed course of study are placed on academic warning, academic probation, academic leave of absence, or may be dismissed. 

Professional Conduct

A student who is found to have engaged in improper conduct is subject to disciplinary action which includes, but is not limited to, disciplinary warning/probation, temporary suspension, or dismissal. 

Academic and Professional Dismissal