Accredited Physician Assistant (PA) Schools in Illinois

Thinking of the best PA school to attend in the united states? Try the PA Schools in Illinois. Most of the training courses for PA in Illinois are offered at a master’s level in various public and private universities.

A two-year college offers an associate degree program for people with 1,000 hours of practical experience.

Applicants for a master’s degree may also need to have
completed a certain number of hours in healthcare. In addition, students
applying for a graduate program require a bachelor’s degree and must meet the
minimum requirements for a GRE (Graduate Record Examination) score.

Completion of the required courses is usually required for all Physician Assistant programs. As part of the programs, students complete extensive clinical training, teaching work, and laboratories.

Who is a Physician Assistant (PA)?

A Physician Assistant, also known as a PA, is a trained
mid-sized healthcare provider who works under the supervision of an approved
doctor.

In other words, the term Physician Assistants can be
explicitly defined as a medical practitioner who is able to practice medicine
under the supervision of a licensed medical practitioner.

Usually, the PA does not only have to perform its duties
when the supervising doctor is available, they are well trained and know how to
perform their duties appropriately.

The first PA program was developed by Dr. Eugene Stead,
chairman of the medical department at Duke University, developed to train PAs
for rural areas with a declining number of doctors and nurses.

PA training programs are also accredited by the National
Commission for the Certification of Physician Assistants.

Physician Assistants in Illinois

Physician Assistants looked at many of the nearly 60,000
victims of the four leading causes of death in Illinois at the time of the last
census: heart disease, cancer, respiratory disease, and stroke.

In addition to supporting the sick, Physician Assistants in
Illinois also perform regular physical and physical exams as part of their
numerous duties.

As the state’s population ages in the coming decades, demand for PAs is expected to increase. Citizens who plan ahead and are interested in making a positive difference in their communities can consider the following steps to become a Physician Assistant in Illinois.

Currently, there are 3,300 licensed PAs in Illinois.

Read: Accredited Physician Assistant Schools In North Carolina 2025

How do I become a Physician Assistant in Illinois?

• Choose between accredited Illinois Physician
  Assistant programs for licensing
• Get certified by the National Commission for
  Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
• Apply for a license from the Illinois Division
  of Professional Regulation
• Maintain the PA license

Step 1. Select Accredited Illinois Physician Assistant Programs for Licensure

When looking for good PA programs, students should consider
two things: admission requirements and accreditation. Since PA courses are at
university level, in most cases applicants must already have a bachelor’s
degree in a subject.

A major or minor in science or psychology can also be
beneficial as these are general requirements for most PA programs.

Admission standards for PA degrees vary from program to
program, but some general requirements include a good graduate record exam
(GREs) assessment and some clinical experience.

Step 2. National Commission for the Certification of Physician
Assistant (NCCPA) Certification

From 90 days before completing the PA degree, students can
register for the Physician Assistant’s National Certifying Exam (PANCE).

Passing this exam is required for licensing in Illinois and
gives the successful candidate NCCPA certification in the form of a PA-C
credential (Physician Assistant-Certified).

The PANCE itself lasts five hours and consists of 300 multiple-choice questions. It covers the most important organ systems in the human body and the associated disorders/diseases.

Step 3. Licensing from the Illinois Division of
Professional Regulation

After passing PANCE, students can apply for a license from the Illinois Division of Professional Regulation. The license application package contains the following:

• License application
• Certificate of completion of an accredited
  academic PA program
• $ 50 registration fee
• NCCPA PA-C certificate

Before the PA can start practicing, a partnership must be
established with a doctor, who must then notify the Department of Professional
Regulation by registering an employment notice along with a notice of all
prescriptions that the PA is authorized to produce.

Step 4. Maintain the Illinois PA license

The first PA license issued is valid for three years, and
subsequent licenses expire on March 1 of an even year. Extensions are available
on the Division of Professional Regulation website.

The relevant forms are published two to three months before
a license expires. The PA license renewal fee is currently $40 per year.

As their practice grows, PAs may consider joining the
profession

What are the Career Requirements for becoming Physician Assistants
in Illinois?

Practicing Physician Assistants in Illinois must have a
license. To qualify, candidates must first receive certification from the
National Physician Assistant Certification Commission, which includes passing
the National Physician Assistant Certification Exam (PANCE).

Eligibility for PANCE requires that individuals complete a
program for Physician Assistants or surgical assistants that is accredited by
the Accreditation Examination Commission for the Training of Physician
Assistant (ARC-PA).

How long does it take to become a PA in Illinois?

Getting to the nurse is not quite as confusing as a nurse,
but if you want to become a PA, you need to plan ahead. Where you are on your
educational path determines how long it takes you to become a Physician
Assistant.

PA programs usually last between 24 and 27 months. So, it
will take you about two years to become a Physician Assistant. If you want to
work during your PA program, some schools offer a three-year part-time option.

What is the professional prospect of a Physician
Assistant in Illinois?

According to bls.gov, the employment of Physician Assistants
should increase by 31 percent from 2025 to 2028, much faster than the average
of all professions.

The demand for health services will increase due to the growing and aging population. Population growth generally means a higher need for health services, and members of the large baby-boom generation will need more medical care as they age.

How Much Do Physician Assistants Earn in Illinois?

A Physician Assistant (PA) is a licensed physician and
caregiver who typically works in a clinic, doctor’s office, or hospital.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Physician Assistants working in Illinois received an average annual salary of $83,770 and an average hourly wage of $40.28. The earnings potential of Physician Assistants largely depends on the ability of an individual worker to use the experience as a catalyst for higher salary offers.

In other words, salary ranges can vary widely depending on
the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications,
additional skills, and the number of years you’ve spent in your profession.

PA programs in Illinois with low GPAs

If you want to enrol in a PA school in Illinois, but are
looking for a school with low GPA requirements, it is sad that an above-average
GPA is required for all PA programs in Illinois.

Basically, admission to the PA school with a low GPA is
often a matter of persistence and determination to exceed the odds and to be
honest that the odds are not stacked against you.

The minimum GPA required to enter Illinois PA schools is
3.0. That is quite above average. So, there is actually no PA program in
Illinois that accepts a low GPA.

In other words, if you can show the approval team that despite your low GPA levels, you have what it takes, they are ready to consider you.

Also, see: Top 10 Physician Assistant Private Schools In the World 2025

How much does it cost to become a Physician Assistant in Illinois?

According to the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the average cost of a Physician Assistant program was $50,567 for a resident and $61,088 for a non-resident student.

Fortunately, some species are much cheaper than other programs and can provide students with substantial savings.

You can also do your PA Studies in a state closer to Illinois. Click the link below and explore the Best Accredited Physician Assistant (PA) Schools in Iowa 2025 

List of Accredited Physician Assistant Schools in
Illinois

Here is the list of PA schools in Illinois available for you. This includes a brief description of the schools along with information on their Tuition, Student-teacher ratio, and a number of related programs offered in the schools.

• Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University
• College of Health Professions, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
• College of Health Sciences, Rush University
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale
• City Colleges of Chicago – Malcolm X College
• College of Health Sciences, Midwestern University – Downers Grove
• University of Mount Union
• University of St Francis

Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University

Northwestern University in Evanston adds 30 students to its
medical assistant program each year. To be considered for admission, applicants
must have completed a bachelor’s degree along with the required academic
achievements and submitted acceptable GRE results.

Although not required, the school suggests that applicants
have at least six months or 1,000 hours of relevant healthcare experience to
give them an advantage in the admission process.

This 2-year ARC-PA accredited program includes coursework, clinical experience and a master project. Through a combination of lectures and group discussions, freshmen learn topics such as pediatric healthcare, pathology, genetics and geriatric healthcare.

The second-year focuses on clinical rotations. Seven of these 5-week rotations focus on the required medical specialties, such as internal medicine, pediatrics and women’s health. Three four-week election rotations allow students to choose the medical specialties they are most interested in.

Tuition Fee: $54,620

Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1

Number of Related Programs: 10

College of Health Professions, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

In order to be admitted to the master’s course for medical
assistants at the RFUMS in North Chicago, candidates must complete the required
coursework and submit GRE results along with letters of recommendation and
certificates for bachelor’s programs from their bachelor’s degree.

Experience inpatient care is also recommended. The school receives almost 1,900 applicants each year and accepts less than 70.

This program usually takes two years to complete. In the first year, students can take part in lectures, simulations, and laboratory classes. Last year, students have to attend seminars and complete eight clinical rotations.

The past six weeks have focused on specialties such as women’s health, pediatrics, surgery, internal medicine, emergency medicine, and family medicine. Two of these rotations are electives so students can choose the clinical settings that suit them.

Graduates of this ARC-PA approved program are qualified to
take the PANCE, and 95% of the 2012 class passed the first attempt.

Tuition Fee: $35,479

Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1

Number of Related Programs: 10

College of Health Sciences, Rush University

The ARC-PA accredited master’s course for medical assistants
at this school in Chicago lasts 33 months. The curriculum includes 12 months of
tuition and 21 months of clinical experience.

During this time, students can complete an advanced degree in subjects such as orthopedic and cardiothoracic surgery.

The admission requirements for this program are similar to
those in the region. Applicants need acceptable GRE results and a bachelor’s
degree that meets the minimum GPA requirements and requirements.

However, Rush University also requires experience in inpatient care for admission. At least 1,000 hours of experience is required to meet the minimum requirements. However, potential students should have at least 1,500 hours of experience to be competitive.

Tuition Fee: $36,788

Student-Teacher Ratio: 3:1

Number of related Programs: 10

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Aspiring medical assistants can complete ARC-PA accredited
medical assistant programs at this Carbondale University. The school offers two
paths to a master’s degree in medical assistant studies.

The Masters’ Completion Program (MCP) is a one-year
curriculum for practicing medical assistants who already have a bachelor’s
degree in this field. Most courses are completed online; however, you may need
to be present on campus.

MCP students learn about healthcare ethics, best practices,
and research methods.

People with a bachelor’s degree in healthcare or science can sign up for the traditional 26-month program. Applicants must have completed GRE, MCAT, or MAT and have completed all required courses.

After admission, the students complete their student
research projects on campus in the first year. The second part of the program
consists of clinical rotations that may require students to move to another
city in Illinois.

The final phase consists of an 8-week preparation period in
a clinical facility of your choice. Graduates receive an additional certificate
in their medical training.

Tuition Fee: $15,626, in-state $32,528, out-of-state

Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1

City Colleges of Chicago – Malcolm X College

Students at this two-year college in Chicago can enroll in an associate program for medical assistants. From April 2013, however, the ARC-PA accreditation of this program received probation until its next review. At this point, the full accreditation could be restored or revoked.

Applicants who have completed 50 credits of the required
courses and have gained at least 1,000 hours of recognized professional
experience will be admitted to the program.

After admission, students will complete 78 credits in two years. The first year includes courses in gross anatomy, pharmacology, and pathophysiology.

In their second year, the students receive supervised clinical training in various medical specialties such as internal medicine, emergency medicine, surgery, and pediatrics.

Of the 23 students who graduated in June 2012, 57% passed
PANCE on the first attempt.

Tuition Fee: $1,752, in-district, $4,608, in-state, $5,772,
out-of-state

Student-Teacher Ratio: 41:1

College of Health Sciences, Midwestern University – Downers Grove

This University in Downers Grove only offers graduate programs, including the ARC-PA, accredited Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies. The admission requirements for this program include a bachelor’s degree and the completion of all required classes.

Students must meet the minimum GPA requirements and also
submit GRE results. It is also strongly recommended that applicants already
have healthcare experience.

Students can complete this master’s degree in 27 months full-time. The first year is devoted to courses in anatomy, physiology, immunology, genetics, biochemistry, and neurosciences.

The students then spend 15 months in clinical settings where
they complete ten rotations ranging from surgery and geriatrics to internal
medicine and women’s health.

Of the 2011 graduates, 96% received employment six months
after graduation; 100% of this cohort passed the PANCE the first time.

Tuition Fee: $43,883

Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1

Number of related Programs: 7

University of Mount Union

The standard at the University of Mount Union is exceptional. Mount Union offers a range of high-quality degrees for those who want to take their education to the next level.

Regardless of your skills and previous experience, Mount
Union graduate training prepares you for the success of your career using
curricula that improve and develop your leadership and career-related skills.

On the campus, the university offers a Master of Science in
medical assistant studies and a doctor of physiotherapy. The institution also
offers an online Master of Education degree with a focus on sports training,
curriculum and teaching, educational leadership, and primary license in Ohio.

Tuition Fee: NA

Student-Teacher Ratio: NA

Number of related Programs: 3

Also, check out: Accredited Physician Assistant PA Schools in Arkansas 2025

University of St Francis

The University of St. Francis is a private congregation of
the Third Order of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate University with its main
campus in Joliet, Illinois. It enrolls more than 3,900 students in locations
across the country, with approximately 1,300 students on the main campus.

The University of St. Francis offers 2 Physician Assistant
Degree programs. It is a small private university in a large suburb. In 2015,
31 students completed the medical assistant’s field of study with 31 master’s
degrees.

Tuition Fee: 32,320

Acceptance Rate: 51.7%

Student-Teacher Ratio: 21: 1

Number of related Programs: 2

PA Schools in Illinois – FAQs

Conclusion

Planning your PA training ahead is essential. Finding an accredited
Physician Assistant Schools in Illinois is as much important as the training itself.

Hence, in addition to completing basic educational
requirements such as acquiring your bachelor’s degree, you should familiarize
yourself with the course and experience requirements of your interesting
programs as directed by the schools.

PA programs are very competitive, so having these essential
elements in order is a must.

References

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