Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program Earns Continued Accreditation

North Central’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) program was granted accreditation-continued status from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA), the national accrediting body for physician assistant education. The designation means the College’s MSPAS program continues to meet the high standards set forth by ARC-PA and reflects North Central’s commitment to excellence in the field.

“This achievement is the result of a true team effort from our talented and dedicated faculty and staff,” said Dr. Kristin Geraty, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “The news also marks a significant milestone on our decade-long journey toward becoming a destination for healthcare education, as all of our graduate health science programs now hold full accreditation from their respective accrediting agencies.”

Since the MSPAS program launched in 2022, demand for PAs has continued to soar, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting employment growth of nearly 30% over the next 10 years, driven by an aging population and increased demand for healthcare services.

North Central’s 24-month MSPAS program begins with students spending a year primarily devoted to content area instruction, followed by a year of clinical rotations. The program emphasizes hands-on experience, communication, and patient- and relationship-centered care. Core clinical placements include six-week rotations — completed in both inpatient and outpatient settings — in high-demand areas including emergency and internal medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, family practice, and primary care.

“This is a big moment for the College and something that we achieved collectively over many years,” said Dr. Tiffany Delane, PA-C, North Central’s MSPAS program director. “Receiving accreditation-continued status opens up a world of education and employment opportunities for our students and places North Central College on a very high plateau in the field of PA education.”

Accreditation will remain in effect so long as the College’s MSPAS program remains in compliance with ARC-PA accreditation standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program is April 2036.

Whether students are looking to get started in the healthcare field or advance their current career, North Central College offers a suite of fully accredited graduate health profession degrees in the following fields: athletic training; nursing; occupational therapy; physical therapy; and physician assistant studies. Learn more by going to: northcentralcollege.edu/graduate-health-programs.