Physician Assistant Practice (MS) (2024)

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“PAs (physician assistants/physician associates) are licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting. Trusted, rigorously educated and trained healthcare professionals, PAs are dedicated to expanding access to care and transforming health and wellness through patient-centered, team-based medical practice.

- American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)”

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Since its inception in 1991, more than 1,500 students have graduated from the Physician Assistant (PA) Program at Rosalind Franklin University. The faculty takes pride in educating students through innovative and interactive classroom activities, team-based learning, quality clinical rotation experiences, and state of the art simulation. The interprofessional focus of the PA Program, and throughout Rosalind Franklin University, prepares our students to practice as members of effective healthcare teams in a wide range of medical specialties and settings. The Physician Assistant Program is proud to be ranked 8th by the U.S. News and World Report.

Program Mission

The mission of the Physician Assistant Program is to educate and prepare competent, compassionate, and ethical physician assistant leaders who, as integral members of the interprofessional healthcare team, will provide quality patient-centered care to a diverse population.

Program Vision

The vision of the Physician Assistant Program is to be recognized nationally as a leader in the Physician Assistant profession through our outstanding graduates, curricular innovations, scholarly activities, and service to the community.

Core Values

  • Diversity
  • Innovation
  • Leadership
  • Professionalism
  • Service
  • Teamwork

Program Goals

Physician Assistant Program Goals:

  1. Provide all students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes required for entry-level PA practice.
  2. Support the enrichment of the PA profession by fostering a culture of service and leadership.
  3. Prepare PA students to be integral members of an interprofessional healthcare team.
  4. Increase the diversity of the PA workforce and effectively instruct students to provide medical care to patients with consideration for the needs of diverse populations.

Achievement of the PA Program’s goals is determined through continuous self-assessment. This includes establishing benchmarks for each goal, and summarizing outcomes to demonstrate progress towards achieving each goal. These goals are reviewed annually, and are guided by our mission and vision. The current Program goals were adopted during the 2021-2022 Academic Year.

Goal 1

Provide all students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes required for entry-level PA practice.

Benchmark

At the end of the program all students will agree that the program offered a comprehensive didactic year curriculum.

Outcomes

Didactic curriculum was comprehensive:

  • 2019: 100%
  • 2020: 100%
  • 2021: 100%

Response rates:

  • 2019: 65/65 (100%)
  • 2020: 63/66 (95%)
  • 2021: 65/66 (98%)

Benchmark

As a result of didactic year preparation, when students enter each clinical year rotation, clinical preceptors will deem the students well-prepared by the program.

Outcomes

Student was well-prepared:

  • 2019: N/A (New Question in 2020)
  • 2020: 99%
  • 2021: 99%

Benchmark

Faculty will consistently revisit and revise educational curriculum to incorporate evidence-based innovations, supported by faculty attendance at professional conferences.

Outcomes

Curricular innovations (past 3 years):

  • Point of care ultrasound (POCUS)
  • Team-based learning (TBL)
  • High-fidelity simulation
  • Remote teaching best practices
  • Remote assessment rooted in best practices
  • Online medical simulation and case platforms
  • Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT) Training

Educational conferences (past 3 years):

  • Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) Forum*
  • National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education (NEXUS) Summit*
  • Collaborating Across Borders (CAB) VII*
  • American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference & Exhibition*
  • American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM)*
  • Academy of Physician Assistants in Obstetrics and Gynecology (APAOG)
  • Institute of Breastfeeding and Lactation Education (IABLE)
  • Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM)

* Denotes faculty presentation

Benchmark

All graduates will pass the PA national board examination (PANCE) on their first try.

Outcomes

NCCPA Pass Rate Report

Benchmark

All graduates will be employed as PAs within a year.

Outcomes

Graduates employed as PAs:

  • 2019: 100%
  • 2020: 100%
  • 2021: 100%

Response rates:

  • 2019: 59/65 (91%)
  • 2020: 51/66 (77%)
  • 2021: 60/66 (91%)

Goal 2

Prepare PA students to be integral members of an interprofessional healthcare team.

Benchmark

All graduating students will perceive the program prepared them well for interprofessional collaboration.

Outcomes

Students feeling prepared for interprofessional collaborative practice:

  • 2019: 100%
  • 2020: 98.4%
  • 2021: 100%

Response rates:

  • 2019: 65/65 (100%)
  • 2020: 63/66 (95%)
  • 2021: 65/66 (98%)

Benchmark

On the university graduate satisfaction survey, all students will consider interprofessional experiences at RFUMS as effective in their development as a graduate.

Outcomes

Students reporting positive interprofessional experiences at RFUMS:

  • 2019: 95%
  • 2020: 100%
  • 2021: 96%

Response rates:

  • 2019: 39/65 (60%)
  • 2020: 50/66 (76%)
  • 2021: 38/66 (58%)

Benchmark

Clinical preceptors will assess all students as performing as expected in understanding the role of the PA and demonstrating effective communication.

Outcomes

Expected performance in the communication and roles and responsibilities domains:

  • 2019: N/A (New Question in 2020)
  • 2020: 100%
  • 2021: 100%

Goal 3

Support the enrichment of the PA profession by fostering a culture of service and leadership.

Benchmark

Matriculants to the PA program will demonstrate commitment to service as reported through Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA).

Outcomes

Average volunteer hours reported by applicants:

  • Matriculated in 2019: 482
  • Matriculated in 2020: 678
  • Matriculated in 2021: 560

Benchmark

Program will foster student participation within community, state, and national organizations.

Outcomes

Organizations with student representation (past 3 years):

  • Physician Assistant Education Organization (Future Educator Fellowship; Student Health Policy Fellowship)
  • Illinois Academy of Physician Assistants (Board of Directors)
  • American Academy of PAs (Student Academy BOD - Director of Diversity and Outreach)
  • Interprofessional Community Initiative (Executive Board Officers - Multicultural Affairs and Community Outreach & Advocacy)

Benchmark

Program will foster faculty participation within community, state, and national organizations.

Outcomes

Organizations with faculty representation (past 3 years):

  • Lake County Opioid Initiative {Affiliate}
  • Illinois Academy of Physician Assistants (IAPA) {Board of Directors/Faculty Liaison}
  • Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) {Diversity in Healthcare Task Force}
  • Accreditation Review Commission for Physician Assistants (ARC-PA) {Site visitor}
  • Association of Physician Assistants in Obstetrics & Gynecology (APAOG) {Education Committee}
  • National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) {Item Writing Committee}
  • Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) {Finance Steering Committee}
  • International Research Society of Spinal Disorders (IRSSD) {Scientific Committee for International Meeting}
  • International Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT) {Scientific Chair for International Meeting}

Goal 4

Increase the diversity of the PA workforce and effectively instruct students to provide medical care to patients with consideration for the needs of diverse populations.

Benchmark

The Program will admit greater than 50% of the incoming class from the Program’s Strategic Diversity Groups.

Outcomes

Matriculating students from strategic diversity groups:

  • Matriculated in 2019: 60%
  • Matriculated in 2020: 58%
  • Matriculated in 2021: 75%

Benchmark

All students that matriculate into the program will be retained until graduation.

Outcomes

Student Attrition Rate Table

Benchmark

Students will report that instruction emphasizes the unique needs of diverse populations.

Outcomes

Rate the effectiveness of instruction on providing care for the patient populations based on the following DEI topics on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = poor, 2=fair, 3=good, 4=very good, 5=excellent); program benchmark: 3.5/5

Physician Assistant Practice (MS) (1)

Class of 2021 surveyed at end of Clinical Year:

  • 2021: 63/66 (96%)

Class of 2022 surveyed at end of Didactic Year:

  • 2022: 57/66 (86%)
Physician Assistant Practice (MS) (2024)

FAQs

What is an MS PA? ›

The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program is a two-year professional program divided into a 12-month didactic phase followed by a 12-month clinical education phase in the form of on-site supervised clinical practice experiences.

Can you be a PA without a Masters? ›

To become a PA, you'll need to have a master's degree in PA studies from a university program that has been accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Most PA programs require going to school full time for two to three years.

Is PA a Masters program? ›

Physician assistant programs are primarily master's degree programs although a small number of bachelor's degree programs exist.

Is PA more competitive than Med? ›

The overall acceptance rate for all who apply to PA school each year is around 32% per the PAEA, compared to 41% for medical schools, according to the American Association of Medical Colleges.

How much does a PA make in MS? ›

The average Physician Assistant (PA) salary in Mississippi is $106,710 as of April 24, 2024, but the range typically falls between $98,230 and $117,650.

Is a PA higher than a NP? ›

It's important to note that both PAs and NPs are mid-level medical professionals. They're basically at the same level. However, NPs can work independently in many states that PAs can't. So, it places nurse practitioners above physical assistants in terms of practice independence.

What is PA with a Masters called? ›

Additional Links. Division of Physician Assistant Studies. Doctor of Medical Science. Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MS-PAS)

Is a PA a master's degree or doctorate? ›

A physician assistant degree is a master's-level degree; students must have a bachelor's degree and have completed prerequisite science courses.

Can a PA ever have their own practice? ›

Did you know physician assistants in California can own a medical practice? California law provides for: “a physician assistant professional corporation where a PA can perform professional services.” PAs must own from 51-100% shares of their corporation and hire a physician to serve as their supervising physician.

What is the easiest PA school to get into? ›

Below is a list of the easiest PA schools to get into.
  • University of Utah. Ranking: #8 in Best Physician Assistant Program. ...
  • Brenau University. ...
  • University of Kentucky. ...
  • West Coast University - California. ...
  • Keiser University. ...
  • Samuel Merritt University. ...
  • Rocky Vista University. ...
  • Des Moines University.
Apr 25, 2024

What is the best degree for a physician assistant? ›

Although you can choose any major, most physician assistant programs require a number of science courses to be completed prior to enrollment. To meet those requirements, many future PAs major in science — biology, biomedical science, chemistry, biochemistry and microbiology are typical undergraduate degrees.

How long is a Master's degree in PA? ›

Aspiring to make a difference in healthcare and emphasize quality patient care? Consider becoming a physician assistant. Wondering, "How long is PA school?" Our 27-month program not only equips you with an in-depth curriculum and extensive clinical training but also places a strong emphasis on mentorship and teamwork.

Who is more educated a PA or RN? ›

PA: As physician assistants perform many of the same duties as doctors, they are required to obtain more education and training than compared to most RNs. Additionally, most PA programs require many hours of healthcare experience to be admitted.

Is a 3.8 GPA good for PA school? ›

If you have a GPA of 3.5 or higher you have a good chance of being accepted into most PA programs.

Are PAs happier than MDs? ›

According to the NCCPA's 2022 Statistical Profile of Board Certified PAs, 86.7% of PAs are satisfied with their career choice; that figure compares favorably with physicians' 68% job satisfaction rate.

What does MS PA C mean after a name? ›

When going to a doctor's office, you may have seen medical providers that do not have the designation M.D. (Medical Doctor) after their name. Do you ever wonder what "PA-C" means? It stands for Physician Assistant, the "C" means that they have been certified by the National Commission of Certification of PAs.

What does MS PA C stand for? ›

What is a PA-C? A physician assistant-certified (PA-C) is a graduate of an accredited physician assistant educational program who has undergone testing by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. PA-Cs are state-licensed to practice medicine with a supervising physician.

Is a PA higher than a ma? ›

Short and sweet, a medical assistant is more of an entry- to-mid level career while as a physician assistant you will assist and perform advanced duties with a practicing physician.

Is a PA/C as good as a doctor? ›

A PA has the training to perform approximately 80 percent of the duties that an MD can perform. The leadership team of our Emergency Department evaluates each patient's needs carefully when assigning a medical professional to assist him or her.

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