Chamberlain University Launches Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program to Address Critical Healthcare Workforce Needs

Chamberlain University has launched a new Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree program to address an increased demand from healthcare systems to incorporate physician assistants (PAs) as part of team-based approaches to quality patient care. The new program reflects the commitment by Chamberlain, which has the largest nursing school in the country, to continuously align with evolving workforce needs.

“With the nationwide shortage of healthcare professionals that was exacerbated by the pandemic, physician assistants are key to meeting critical needs in the healthcare workforce, including in rural, underserved areas”

According to the American Academy of Physician Assistants, PAs are trained to diagnose illness, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications and manage other patient issues while being committed to team practice with physicians and other healthcare providers. The MPAS program aims to address a need for physician assistants, who increasingly play a vital and collaborative role in healthcare settings.

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“With the nationwide shortage of healthcare professionals that was exacerbated by the pandemic, physician assistants are key to meeting critical needs in the healthcare workforce, including in rural, underserved areas,” said Karen Cox, PhD, RN, FACHE, FAAN, president of Chamberlain University. “Our new MPAS program offers access to a quality educational pathway for healthcare professionals to further their scope of practice and address community health needs.”

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has predicted a 31 percent¹* increase in job growth for physician assistants from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations, yet access to physician assistant programs is limited. Additionally, during the 2019-2020 school year, only 32% of all physician assistant program applicants were accepted into a program² according to the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA).

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The MPAS program will take two years to complete and will prepare students for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). The MPAS program is offered as a campus-based program at Chamberlain’s Chicago campus. Students will participate in clinical experiences in the second year of the program to obtain the hands-on learning necessary to succeed in the workforce.

Chamberlain University, which is part of Adtalem Global Education, is committed to finding solutions to the workforce challenges that our employer partners are facing. Through expanding access to education, Chamberlain’s network of over 100,000 alumni are making a difference every day in the communities that they serve.

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