Master of Science
Physician Assistant Studies
Master of Science
Master of Science
Stand Out in your career.
PREREQUISITES APPLY INQUIRE
TO APPLY Application open April 24 - Sept 1 Priority deadline of August 1and final deadline of September 1
ENRICHING Earn 116 graduate credits Grow as a practitioner through intentional classroom and lab coursework and clinical rotation experiences
IN-PERSON 27 month program Earn your Master of Science in Physician Studies in 27 months through our in-person, full time program
NEXT START May 27 The 2025 cohort will begin classes on May 27, 2025

Professional Preparation

Professional Preparation

Professional Preparation

Earn your Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) from Northwestern College

Prepare for a career providing exceptional, compassionate medical care. Learn evidence-based medicine and develop the skills needed to work on health care teams in diverse settings, including primary care and family medicine, emergency medicine, surgery, behavioral health and sub-specialty areas. Northwestern College is Iowa's faith-based physician assistant program, accredited by the ARC-PA. 

You'll Stand Out here.

You'll Stand Out here.

You'll Stand Out here.

You'll Stand Out here.

Our faith-integrated 27-month graduate program  provides training for students seeking certification and licensure as a physician assistant (PA). Students will complete 116 graduate credits over 7 consecutive academic terms, including 4 terms of face-to-face training followed by 3 terms of clinical rotations with concurrent online courses designed to facilitate the integration of classroom material with clinical experiences.

Northwestern's graduate school accepts 32 students per year, allowing for meaningful collaboration among students and faculty. Through hands-on experiential learning, faith integration, and supportive faculty teaching, you'll be equipped to serve all patients with exceptional, individualized medical care. 

Who we are.

Who we are.

Who we are.

Who we are.

PA Program Mission
The mission of the Northwestern College Physician Assistant Program is to equip faith-filled providers with exceptional medical education to serve in all communities with an emphasis on rural and underserved populations with excellence, integrity, and compassion.

PA Program Vision 
The PA program of Northwestern College will be known for excellence in the preparation of primary care physician assistants who live and work in faithfulness to their Christian core values, making significant contributions to the health and holistic wellness of their communities.

NCCPA Certification 
Following successful completion of all curricular requirements, graduates will be eligible to take the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). Information regarding the PANCE and eligibility can be found at nccpa.net. View Northwestern College's NCCPA Exam Pass Rates for more information on the graduate's PANCE performance.

NCCPA Certification 
Following successful completion of all curricular requirements, graduates will be eligible to take the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). Information regarding the PANCE and eligibility can be found at nccpa.net. View Northwestern College's NCCPA Exam Pass Rates for more information on the graduate's PANCE performance.

NCCPA Certification 
Following successful completion of all curricular requirements, graduates will be eligible to take the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). Information regarding the PANCE and eligibility can be found at nccpa.net. View Northwestern College's NCCPA Exam Pass Rates for more information on the graduate's PANCE performance.

Why Northwestern?

Why Northwestern?

"As the Program Director, I am deeply proud of the unique opportunities our PA program offers. We focus on nurturing compassionate, competent, and faith-informed healthcare providers who are ready to make a meaningful impact. Our students benefit from a rigorous curriculum, hands-on lab, simulated patient, and clinical experiences in a supportive learning environment that fosters growth and collaboration." 

-Jill Van Otterloo, PA-C, MSPAS

CONTACT
Jill Van Otterloo
Jill Van Otterloo
Program Director

Prepare to Lead

Our graduates play a vital role in serving populations by providing compassionate, high-quality healthcare to individuals from various backgrounds.

Our standout alum are serving populations throughout the country.

Epiphany Dermatology
Dallas, TX
Doctors of Children
Lincoln, NE
Gallup Community Health
New Mexico
Orange City Area Health System
Orange City, IA
Monument Health
Rapid City, SD
Questions? Contact your enrollment expert, Anna Mae
Email Anna MaeEmail Anna Mae
Questions? Contact your enrollment expert, Anna Mae
Email Anna MaeEmail Anna Mae
Questions? Contact your enrollment expert, Anna Mae
Email Anna MaeEmail Anna Mae
Accreditation
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted  Accreditation-Continued status to the Northwestern College Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Northwestern College.
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 September 2034. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and
ARC-PA policy.The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-northwestern-college/. 
Accreditation
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted  Accreditation-Continued status to the Northwestern College Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Northwestern College.
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 September 2034. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and
ARC-PA policy.The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-northwestern-college/. 
Accreditation
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted  Accreditation-Continued status to the Northwestern College Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Northwestern College.
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 September 2034. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and
ARC-PA policy.The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-northwestern-college/.