To become a Physician Assistant (PA) in Michigan (MI), aspiring healthcare professionals must complete a master’s degree program from an accredited PA school before sitting national certification exams and obtaining state licensure.
Below we provide more detail on these requirements including a detailed overview of the top accredited PA schools in Michigan.
Accredited Physician Assistant Schools in Michigan
The best PA schools in Michigan are accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant. Admission to these programs is highly competitive, and prerequisites typically include a bachelor’s degree, healthcare experience, and completion of specific science courses.
Selecting an ARC-PA-accredited school in Michigan is crucial for the assurance of a high-quality education and eligibility for certification. Accreditation ensures that the program meets rigorous standards, enhancing the competence and credibility of graduates.
Michigan offers 10 accredited PA schools, – 4 holding full accreditation and 6 currently on provisional or probationary status (*).
| School | City | ARC-PA | PAEA | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Michigan University | Mount Pleasant | Yes | Yes | Program Page |
| Eastern Michigan University | Ypsilanti | Yes | Yes | Program Page |
| Grand Valley State University | Allendale | Yes | Yes | Program Page |
| University of Detroit Mercy | Detroit | Yes | Yes | Program Page |
| Concordia University | Ann Arbor | Yes* | Yes | Program Page |
| Lawrence Technological University | Southfield | Yes* | Yes | Program Page |
| Michigan State University | East Lansing | Yes* | Yes | Program Page |
| University of Michigan | Flint | Yes* | Yes | Program Page |
| Wayne State University | Detroit | Yes* | Yes | Program Page |
| Western Michigan University | Kalamazoo | Yes* | Yes | Program Page |
The majority of educational institutions utilize the CASPA online application system. Therefore, it is imperative to verify the application deadlines on the CASPA website.
Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant
- 1280 E. Campus Drive, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
- (989) 774-3499
Central Michigan University, situated in Mount Pleasant, is a public college with an enrollment of 14,557 students. The university provides on-campus accommodation.
Central Michigan University’s Physician Assistant Program is fully accredited by ARC-PA and spans 27 months. Graduates receive an M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies upon successful completion.
Tuition and fees for in-state students exceed $50,000, while for out-of-state students, they surpass $79,000. Prospective students can apply through CASPA, with an application deadline set for September 1st.
Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti
- 311 Everett L. Marshall Building, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
- (734) 487-7347
Located in Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a public institution with an enrollment of 15,340 students. The university provides on-campus accommodation.
ARC-PA fully accredits Eastern Michigan University’s Physician Assistant Program and has a duration of 24 months, with a class size of 30 students. Graduates receive a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. Prospective students can apply through CASPA, with an application deadline set for January 15th.
Tuition and fees for in-state students exceed $105,000, while out-of-state students incur costs exceeding $194,000.
Grand Valley State University, Allendale
- 500 Lafayette Avenue NE, Allendale, MI 49401
- (616) 331-5923
In Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a public college with an enrollment of 22,406 students.
Grand Valley State University’s Physician Assistant Program is fully accredited by ARC-PA. The program lasts for 28 months and has a class size of 48 students. Graduates receive a Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies upon successful completion.
The university provides on-campus accommodation. Tuition and fees for the program exceed $77,000.
Admission to the program is facilitated through CASPA, and the application deadline typically falls around September 1st.
University of Detroit Mercy, Detroit
- 4001 W. McNichols Road, Detroit, MI 48221
- (313) 993-1822
The University of Detroit Mercy, located in Detroit, is a private college with an enrollment of 5,360 students. The university has Catholic religious affiliations and offers on-campus accommodation.
The Physician Assistant Program at the University of Detroit Mercy is fully accredited by ARC-PA. The program spans 28 months and admits a class of 60 students. Graduates are awarded a Master of Science degree upon completion, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a healthcare career.
Tuition and fees for the program exceed $106,000. Prospective students can apply through CASPA, with an application deadline set for January 15th.
PA Certification and Licensing Requirements in Michigan
After completing a PA program, graduates must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) and apply for state licensure through the Michigan Board of Medicine. Candidates can take these exams at designated Pearson Vue testing centers.
Licensure Requirements
In Michigan, the Task Force on Physician Assistants oversees practice agreements between PAs and physicians. PAs can offer medical services only under physician supervision, within the physician’s scope of practice, and as delegated by them. If agreed upon within their practice agreement PAs are authorized to prescribe medications and Schedule II-V controlled substances. Additionally, PAs in Michigan are required to obtain a Controlled Substance License to prescribe and handle these substances.
You can contact the Task Force on Physician Assistants directly using the contact details below:
Address: Ottawa Building, 611 W. Ottawa, P.O. Box 30004, Lansing, MI 48909
Phone: 517-241-0199
Website: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bpl/health/hp-lic-health-prof/pa
Physician Assistant Salary and Job Outlook Michigan
In 2024, Michigan employed 5,370 Physician Assistants with an average salary of $116,870. This represents an hourly wage of $56.19, which is 7.19% below the national average of $125,270. The top 10% of physician assistants in the state earned an average of $139,260, while the bottom 10% earned an average of $89,980. These figures indicate the evolving landscape of the profession in Michigan, with salaries that continue to show variation among practitioners.
Between 2018 and 2022, the average salary for Physician Assistants in Michigan increased by $6,630, reflecting a 6% salary growth over the five years. In terms of employment, while specific figures for this time frame are not provided,
The Bureau for Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a 27% increase in employment for physician assistants from 2022 to 2032. This suggests a positive outlook for job opportunities in the field over the next decade, aligning with the profession’s steady growth in recent years.