Skip Navigation
Request Info Apply Now Give to NU
Northwest University Logo
    • Campus Admission (Undergrad)
    • Online Admission
    • Graduate Admission
    • Northwest Partnership Program
    • International Students
    • Concurrent Credit
    • Re-admit or Change Campus
    • Request Information
    • Apply Now
    • Campus Visits and Info Sessions
    • College of Arts, Sciences, and Technology
    • College of Ministry
    • College of Health Sciences
    • School of Nursing
    • School of PA Medicine
    • College of Professional Studies
    • School of Business
    • School of Education
    • Center for Leadership Studies
    • College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
    • Creatio Center for Technology, Media, and Design
    • Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s
    • Career Readiness
    • Honors Program
    • Registrar and Transcripts
    • Academic Catalog
    • Faculty
    • Financial Aid Home
    • Scholarships
    • Undergraduate
    • Graduate
    • Online Undergraduate
    • Online Graduate
    • Northwest Partnership Program
    • Veterans/Tuition Assistance
    • Glossary of Terms
    • Cost Information
    • Life at NU
    • Campus Tour
    • Campus Ministries
    • Student Housing
    • NU Library
    • Eagle Store
    • NU Blog
    • NU Calendar
    • Men's
    • Basketball
    • Cross Country
    • Soccer
    • Track & Field
    • Women's
    • Basketball
    • Cross Country
    • Soccer
    • Track & Field
    • Volleyball
    • Give Now
    • Learn About Giving
    • President’s Banquet
    • Endowed Scholarships
    • Alumni
    • Prospective Student
    • Transfer Student
    • Homeschooled Student
    • International Student
    • Current Student
    • Alumni
    • Donor
    • Parent
    • Veteran / Active Duty
    • About Northwest University
    • Campus Locations
    • Office of the President
    • Upcoming Events
    • Student Consumer Information
    • Student Success
    • Conference and Event Services
    • Pay My Bill
    • Job Opportunities
    • Contact Us
Search
Request Info Apply Now
  • School of PA Medicine
  • Program Overview
    • Mission, Vision, & Goals
    • Program Outcomes
    • NCCPA PANCE
      Accreditation
    • Faculty
    • Information Sessions
    • How to Apply
    • Admission Requirements
    • Admission Procedure
    • Applicant Selection Factors
    • Technical Standards
  • Curriculum
  • Costs and Fees
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • PA Library Resources
  • Become a Preceptor

Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies

Program Overview


At a Glance

Program Start: Fall

Cohort Size: 40

Program Cost

Tuition and Fees

Program Sequence

28 months
16 months Didactic
12 months Clinical
Curriculum

Accreditation

ARC-PA Accreditation Statement

Application Deadline

CASPA: January 15, 2026, 8:59 p.m. PST

You are the legacy of Northwest University School of PA Medicine.

Northwest University School of PA Medicine is a newly accredited, full-time graduate program.

Completion of the 28-month program of didactic coursework and supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs) culminates in a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MS-PAS) degree.

You will emerge as a leader in patient-centered care. You will bridge the gap in underserved areas while extending compassion that will influence many generations to come - not only those you care for as a physician assistant, but also entire families and communities.

“A mind that is stretched by new experiences can never go back to its old dimensions.”
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

The Importance of Community in Health

“The School of PA Medicine recognizes the significance of real-world experiences in shaping competent, skilled, and compassionate PAs. Beyond academics, we also emphasize the importance of community engagement and service to produce sought-after medical providers that will make a lasting impact on the lives of individuals and communities. Whether a prospective student or a healthcare professional seeking collaboration, I invite you to connect with us.”

—Heather Deibler, PA-C
Dean, School of PA Medicine

State of the Art 3D Technology

We have fully renovated facilities that feature dedicated student group study rooms, patient exam rooms, 3D Anatomage tables, and a large clinical laboratory area for teaching patient care skills.

Physician Assistant Recognition

Since its inception just over 55 years ago, the demand for PA services has rapidly increased, making PAs one of the fastest growing and highly regarded health care careers in the country.

#2 Best Health Care Jobs for 2024”

– U.S. News & World Report

Top 20 fastest growing occupations”

– U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

28% Growth Expected between 2021-2031”

– U.S. BLS Occupational Handbook

82% of PAs Would Choose the Same Career”

– IJAHSP

Most Versatile Healthcare Providers”

– Hooker, Cawley, Leinweber

This Can Be Your Backyard

Go Where You are Celebrated

 All individuals possess inherent worth and dignity and we celebrate diversity as an expression and reflection of the image of God by honoring our interconnectedness regardless of our differences. We promote values of respect and compassion and strive to emulate these qualities by welcoming each other in love and valuing the God-given uniqueness of each individual that contributes to the richness and complexity of our human experience.

Apply Online with CASPA™

The CASPA deadline for Northwest University School of PA Medicine is January 15, 2026, at 8:59 p.m. PST.

Start Your Application

Northwest University Physician Assistant External Advisory Board

  • Christopher Bredeson, MBA
    FACHE EvergreenHealth COO
  • Sue Rutherford, MD
    3W Medical for Women
  • Charlotte Easterling, PhD
    Northwest University
  • Jamila Salvador, MS, PA-C
    Harborview Medical Center
  • Matthew Vraa, PhD, DSc, DPT, MBA
    Northwest University
  • Frank Marinkovich, MD
    Eastside Family Health Center
  • Eileen Ravella, MS, PA-C
    Kaiser Permanente
  • Dee Bender, DNAP, CRNA, MNNA, APRN
    Northwest University
  • Mary Coday, MD
    Overlake Eye Care, Northwest University
  • Heather Deibler, MS, PA-C
    Northwest University
  • Danielle Vitalo, MS, PA-C
    Northwest University
  • Troy Decker, MS, PA-C
    Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute

Upcoming Information Session

Join us virtually or in-person for a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies information session:

  • Monday, April 6, 2026 at 12:00pm Pacific Time
  • Monday, June 15, 2026 at 12:00pm Pacific Time

View all upcoming info sessions.

Earn Your Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MS-PAS)

Admission Requirements
Applicant Selection Factors

View Course Descriptions

You can explore program details such as course descriptions and graduation requirements for this program in our academic catalog.

Go to the Catalog
Deanna Matzen

Questions about the PA program?

We would love to answer any questions about the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program that you may have.

Deanna Matzen

Admissions Coordinator
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

How Can We Best Serve You?


Find Your Major
Schedule a Visit
Apply Today
NU Sheild Logo

© 2026 Northwest University

.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) · Privacy Policy

Northwest University admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally afforded or made available to students at the university. Northwest does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national and ethnic origin, age, disability, or status as a veteran in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, or scholarship and loan programs and athletic and other school-administered programs.