How to Become a Physician Assistant in Illinois
Becoming a Physician Assistant (PA) in Illinois (IL) is a rewarding path that requires dedication and a commitment to healthcare excellence. As a first step in the process, you must obtain a Masters degree from an accredited PA school.
PA programs in Illinois typically span between 24 and 30 months to completion and include both classroom instruction and clinical rotations to equip students with the necessary knowledge and hands-on experience.
Luckily, Illinois boasts several accredited schools that offer comprehensive PA programs – listed below.
Accredited PA Schools in Illinois for 2024
PA schools in Illinois are accredited by ARC-PA. Attending an accredited school is incredibly important in your path to becoming a physician assistant. ARC-PA accreditation ensures program quality, compliance with industry standards, and eligibility for students to take the PANCE certification exam (see Certification and Licensing).
There are currently 9 accredited schools in Illinois. Just 6 of these schools are fully accredited whilst the remaining 3 are either on probationary and/or provisional accreditation.
The table below provides a summary of all schools with further information on those schools which are fully accredited provided further down the page. Be sure to carefully review the specifics of each program to determine which one aligns best with your goals and preferences.
| School | City | ARC-PA | PAEA | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dominican University | River Forest | Yes | Yes | Program Page |
| Midwestern University | Downers Grove | Yes | Yes | Program Page |
| Northwestern University | Chicago | Yes | Yes | Program Page |
| Rosalind Franklin Univ of Medicine | North Chicago | Yes | Yes | Program Page |
| Rush University | Chicago | Yes | Yes | Program Page |
| Southern Illinois University | Carbondale | Yes | Yes | Program Page |
| Chamberlain University | Downers Grove | Yes* | Yes | Program Page |
| North Central College | Naperville | Yes* | Yes | Program Page |
| Touro College | Wheeling | Yes* | Yes | Program Page |
Dominican University, River Forest
- 7900 Division St, River Forest, IL 60305, United States
- +1 708-366-2490
Dominican University, in River Forest, is a private institution with a legacy dating back to 1901.
Their PA program is intimate, enrolling just 30 students annually. The program will take two years to complete and costs approximately $104,940. The program holds ARC-PA accreditation, assuring a high-quality education.
Entry is highly competitive, demanding a bachelor’s degree, a solid 3.0 GPA, robust GRE scores, a substantial 750 hours of healthcare experience, PA shadowing, and strong recommendation letters.
Additionally, the university offers on-campus student accommodation.
Midwestern University, Downers Grove
- 555 31st St, Downers Grove, IL 60515, United States
- +1 800-458-6253
Midwestern University in Downers Grove is a private institution with around 2,700 students enrolled.
The school’s PA program will take 27 months and cost approximately $130,000. The admissions process operates on a rolling basis, with an October 1 deadline, so early application is encouraged. The program is ARC-PA accredited, meeting stringent quality standards.
On-campus housing is also available.
Northwestern University, Chicago
- 633 Clark St, Evanston, IL 60208, United States
- +1 847-491-3741
Situated in the heart of Chicago, Northwestern University offers a medium-sized private education to over 23,000 students.
Starting in 2024, their PA program will admit 42 students annually. The program spans 24 months, featuring 11 clinical rotations in the final year and culminating in a Master of Medical Science degree. The program holds ARC-PA accreditation, ensuring a top-tier education. The estimated total cost for this PA program exceeds $185,000.
The university can provide apartment-style housing for those seeking on-campus accommodation.
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine, North Chicago
- 3333 N Green Bay Rd, North Chicago, IL 60064, United States
- +1 847-578-3000
Rosalind Franklin University is a private graduate school located in North Chicago, Illinois. The school has approximately 2,000 enrolled students in total with over 700 students at its Chicago campus.
Each year, they admit 67 new students to their 24-month PA program, leading to a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Practice. The program maintains ARC-PA accreditation, promising a quality education to aspiring PAs. The total tuition and fees for this program amount to approximately $110,000.
Rush University, Chicago
- 1653 W Congress Pkwy #12, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
- +1 312-942-7100
Rush University is a private institution located in Chicago, Illinois, with over 2,800 students.
Rush welcomes 67 new students annually to its PA program. The program spans 30 months and is ARC-PA accredited. The total cost of tuition and fees is approximately $13,000 per term.
Rush University does not provide on-campus housing.
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL 62901
- (618) 453-2121
Southern Illinois University (SIU) is a medium-sized public university with around 11,000 students.
The SIU PA program is ARC-PA accredited and will take 26 months to complete, providing a comprehensive education to its students. The program admits just 40 students each year. For program costs please check the following resource on their website: program costs, SIU provides detailed information at https://tuition.siuc.edu/tuition_est/tuition4_MSPA.html.
As a bonus, SIU provides a range of on-campus housing options.
Illinois Physician Assistant Salary and Job Outlook
In 2024, there were approximately 2,580 persons employed as Physician Assistants in Illinois, with an average salary of $124,810. This represents an hourly wage of $60.01 and is only 0.37% below the national average of $125,270. The top 10% of Physician Assistants in Illinois earned as much as $158,160, while the bottom 10% earned an average of $98,950.
The salary for physician assistants in Illinois has grown by 15% or $16,550 over the 5 years since 2018.
Going forward, the job outlook for Physician Assistants nationwide continues to be promising, with a projected growth rate of 27% from 2022 to 2032, indicating a much faster-than-average rate of growth when compared to other professions.
Illinois Physician Assistant Certification and License Requirements
Upon completing your education, aspiring PAs in Illinois must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). PAs can take the PANCE at various testing centers, and exam dates are available throughout the year. Successful completion of this exam grants them the Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C) credential.
Licensure and Scope of Practice
Licensing requirements and PA scope of practice vary from state to state. In Illinois, a written supervision agreement between PAs and physicians is mandatory, detailing authorized treatments and procedures that may be carried out by PAs. Once on-site supervision structures are established, physicians don’t need to be present whilst PAs provide medical care. PAs can prescribe, dispense, and administer Schedule III-V medications, if allowed for in their written agreement, but are limited to prescribing a maximum 30-day supply of Schedule II controlled substances. PAs in Illinois will need to obtain an additional Controlled Substance License.
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation governs the licensing of Physician Assistants in Illinois. You can contact the Board directly using the contact details below:
Address: 320 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor, Springfield, IL 62786
Phone: (217) 785-0820
Website: https://idfpr.illinois.gov