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 1 and 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 for a Rewarding Career in Medicine

Professional Preparation for a Rewarding Career in Medicine

Professional Preparation for a Rewarding Career in Medicine

Earn Your Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) at Northwestern College

Earn Your Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) at Northwestern College

Earn Your Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) at Northwestern College

Launch your career as a compassionate and skilled healthcare provider with the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) from Northwestern College in Iowa. Our ARC-PA accredited, faith-based PA program prepares students through rigorous, evidence-based training to serve diverse communities in primary care and family medicine, emergency medicine, surgery, behavioral health and sub-specialty areas.

Join a supportive academic environment that emphasizes clinical excellence, teamwork, and service in healthcare. Whether you're pursuing a future in rural medicine or a fast-paced hospital setting, our curriculum equips you with the knowledge and experience to thrive. 

Launch your career as a compassionate and skilled healthcare provider with the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) from Northwestern College in Iowa. Our ARC-PA accredited, faith-based PA program prepares students through rigorous, evidence-based training to serve diverse communities in primary care and family medicine, emergency medicine, surgery, behavioral health and sub-specialty areas.

Join a supportive academic environment that emphasizes clinical excellence, teamwork, and service in healthcare. Whether you're pursuing a future in rural medicine or a fast-paced hospital setting, our curriculum equips you with the knowledge and experience to thrive. 

Launch your career as a compassionate and skilled healthcare provider with the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) from Northwestern College in Iowa. Our ARC-PA accredited, faith-based PA program prepares students through rigorous, evidence-based training to serve diverse communities in primary care and family medicine, emergency medicine, surgery, behavioral health and sub-specialty areas.

Join a supportive academic environment that emphasizes clinical excellence, teamwork, and service in healthcare. Whether you're pursuing a future in rural medicine or a fast-paced hospital setting, our curriculum equips you with the knowledge and experience to thrive. 

Why Northwestern?

Why Northwestern?

Why Northwestern?

Why Northwestern?

Northwestern College's faith-integrated, 27-month Physician Assistant (PA) graduate program prepares students for for national certification and state licensure as physician assistants. The program includes 116 graduate-level credits delivered over 7 consecutive academic terms. Students will begin with 4 terms of in-person, hands-on classroom and lab instruction, followed by 3 terms of clinical rotations combined with online coursework to reinforce clinical and academic integration. 

Each year, Northwestern's PA program admits 32 students, allowing for meaningful collaboration between peers and faculty. Through hands-on experiential learning, faith integration, and personalized faculty membership, students are be equipped to provide exceptional, compassionate, patient-centered care  across healthcare settings and patient populations. 

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
Anna MaeAnna Mae
Questions? Contact your enrollment expert, Anna Mae
Anna MaeAnna Mae
Questions? Contact your enrollment expert, Anna Mae
Anna MaeAnna 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/.