Physician Assistant Program

Accreditation Status:

The National Louis University Physician Assistant (P.A.) Program is applying for Accreditation-Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA). Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding accreditation-provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students. The program will not commence in the event that this provisional accreditation is not received.

Currently, there are no international countries that offer reciprocity for U.S. trained Physician Assistants and that is subject to change. It is the responsibility of the applicant to monitor the accreditation status and professional changes for Physician Assistants. International students who are not U.S. permanent residents at the time of matriculation risk completing the National Louis University Physician Assistant (P.A.) Program and being unable to stay in the U.S. after graduation and unable to practice as a PA in their home country. It is the sole responsibility of the international applicant to weigh the risks when deciding to accept an offer to attend this institution.

The National Louis University Physician Assistant Program prepares diverse, practice-ready Physician Assistants who are lifelong learners committed to deliver compassionate, evidence-based, patient-centered care that advances the health and well-being of individuals and communities.  We are dedicated to improving health literacy, reducing health disparities, and expanding pathways into the Physician Assistant profession for historically underrepresented and underserved populations. Through rigorous didactic and clinical education, community engagement, and scholarly inquiry, the program develops ethical, culturally responsive healthcare leaders prepared to serve in evolving healthcare environments.

The National Louis University Physician Assistant Program aspires to be a nationally recognized leader in Physician Assistant education distinguished by its commitment to equity, community impact, and workforce readiness.

In alignment with the vision of National Louis University, the program aspires to:

• Develop highly competent, adaptable Physician Assistants through an integrated didactic and clinical curriculum that prepares graduates for collaborative and independent practice in dynamic healthcare settings.
• Promote culturally responsive, ethical, and inclusive care that respects all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, socioeconomic status, or religion.
• Foster leadership, scholarship, and community engagement among students, graduates, and faculty to advance evidence-based practice and improve patient and population health outcomes.
• Expand access to the PA profession by creating supportive pathways and academic opportunities for individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds.

P.A. Program Competencies: The Physician Assistant Program Competencies are defined by the National Louis University (NLU) Physician Assistant (P.A.) program and its accreditor ARC-PA as “the medical knowledge, interpersonal skills, clinical and technical skills, professional behaviors, and clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities required for PA practice,” and are based on the “Competencies for the PA Profession, (2021).”  NLU PA graduates can formulate a differential diagnosis based upon historical information, physical exam, laboratory and diagnostic study findings, that elucidate a patient assessment and collaborative treatment plan.  The Physician Assistant Competencies for the National Louis P.A. Program are summative and are required of the student upon completion of the program to enter clinical practice as a Physician Assistant. (1)

Learn more about program goals and outcomes here.

Program Learning Outcomes: The National Louis University Physician Assistant (P.A.) Program adopted the following outcomes to serve as a roadmap for physician assistant graduates to enter clinical medicine with the skills, attributes, and behaviors to practice as a competent physician assistant, which aligns with the institutional learning outcomes and are as follows:

PLO 1 – Medical Knowledge

Outcome Statement

Graduates will demonstrate comprehensive medical knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, clinical medicine, behavioral health, and diagnostic principles necessary for safe, entry-level physician assistant practice across the lifespan.

Curricular Alignment:

• PAS  511 Medical Anatomy and Lab
• PAS  512 & 521 Pathophysiology I & II
• PAS  525 & 536 Pharmacology I & II
• PAS  533 & 541 Adult Medicine I & II
• PAS  535 & 543 Pediatric Medicine I & II
• PAS  534 Reproductive Health
• PAS  545 Geriatrics and Interprofessional Practice
• All SCPEs (PAS  551–582)

Assessment Strategies:

• Didactic course examinations (benchmark: ≥80% cohort pass rate with course grades ≥80%)
• End-of-Didactic cumulative examination (benchmark: ≥80% cohort pass rate)
• PACKRAT (benchmark: cohort performance at or above national mean)
• SCPE End-of-Rotation (EOR) exams (benchmark: ≥80% cohort pass rate with exam grades ≥80%)
• Summative written examination, given 4 mos. prior to graduation. (Benchmark: ≥80% cohort pass rate)
• First-time PANCE pass rate (benchmark: at or above national average for each cohort)

PLO 2 – Interpersonal Skills

Outcome Statement:
Graduates will demonstrate effective, compassionate, culturally responsive, and professional communication with patients, families, caregivers, and interprofessional members of the healthcare team.

Curricular Alignment:

• PAS  513 & 523 Physical Examination and Documentation I & II
• PAS  545 Geriatrics and Interprofessional Practice
• PAS  547 Behavioral Medicine
• Didactic SOAR I-IV (PAS  516, 527, 537, 547)
• Clinical SOAR V–VIII (PAS  553, 563, 573, 583)
• All SCPEs

Assessment Strategies:

• Summative Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) (benchmark: ≥80% cohort pass rate)
• Clinical preceptor evaluations (interpersonal communication domain benchmark:  ≥80% of cohort attains “Meets Expectations.”)
• Community Health Volunteer and Clinical Experiences in the Didactic and Clinical SOAR I-VIII Student Self-Assessment of programmatic PLO’s. (Benchmark: Likert Rating >3 by ≥80% of cohort)

PLO 3 – Clinical Skills and Technical Skills

Outcome Statement:
Graduates will provide safe, evidence-based, patient-centered care including history-taking, physical examination, diagnostic interpretation, clinical reasoning and problem-solving, procedural skills, and patient management planning.

Curricular Alignment:

• PAS  513 & 523 Physical Examination and Documentation
• PAS  532 & 544 Clinical Procedure Skills I & II
• PAS  533, 541 Adult Medicine I & II
• PAS  535, 543 Pediatric Medicine I & II
• PAS  542 Introduction to Surgery
• All SCPEs (PAS  551–582)

Assessment Strategies:

• Summative written examination (4 mos. prior to graduation) (benchmark: ≥80% cohort pass rate)
• Summative Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) (4 mos. prior to graduation) (benchmark: ≥80% cohort pass rate)
• Clinical preceptor evaluations (clinical and technical skills domain benchmark:  ≥80% of cohort attains “Meets Expectations”)

PLO 4 – Professional Behaviors

Outcome Statement:
Graduates will demonstrate ethical behavior, accountability, integrity, respect for diversity, adherence to legal and regulatory standards, interprofessional collaboration, and commitment to the values of the PA profession.

Curricular Alignment:

• PAS  514 & 526 The Physician Assistant Profession I & II
• PAS  531 Medical Ethics & Legal Medicine
• PAS  524 Public Health
• All SOAR courses
• All SCPEs

Assessment Strategies:

• Timely Attendance in the Didactic and Clinical Curriculum (benchmark: Student Self-Assessment Evaluation Likert Rating >3 by ≥80% of cohort)
• Professionalism will be evaluated in each SOAR course through both a student self-assessment and a faculty assessment, using the NLU PA Professionalism Rubric as the standardized evaluation tool (benchmark: Student Self-Assessment/Faculty-Assessment Evaluation Likert Rating >3 for ≥80% of student cohort/faculty in two of the 3 sections)
• Clinical preceptor professionalism ratings on Preceptor Evaluation (benchmark: >80 of the cohort scores “Meets”)

PLO 5 –Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving Abilities

Outcome Statement:
Graduates will engage in self-assessment, incorporate feedback, apply evidence-based medicine principles, and participate in quality improvement to enhance patient outcomes in clinical practice.

Curricular Alignment:

• PAS  513 & 523 Physical Examination and Documentation
• PAS  532 & 544 Clinical Procedure Skills I & II
• PAS  533, 541 Adult Medicine I & II
• PAS  535, 543 Pediatric Medicine I & II
• PAS  515 Medical Research and Information Literacy
• SOAR I–VIII (PAS  516–583)
• All clinical rotations (SCPEs)

Assessment Strategies:

• Peer Review Evaluation of Capstone Project and Presentation during the clinical year that thoughtfully discusses quality improvement clinical practices (benchmark:  >80 of the cohort scores >“Acceptable”)
• Summative Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) (4 mos. prior to graduation) and aggregated preceptor evaluation scores (benchmark: ≥80% cohort pass rate)
• Student Self-Assessment aggregated throughout SOAR 1-8 courses (benchmark: Student Self-Assessment Evaluations Likert Rating >3 for ≥80% of student cohort/faculty in two of the 3 sections) (2)

Admissions Requirements

The following criteria are established for students interested in applying to the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) program. Completion of the established criteria does not guarantee an interview or admission. The MSPAS program participates with the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). Please refer to the CAPSA application process page for instructions on submitting an application to the MSPAS program. Individuals whose applications are reviewed positively will be invited for an interview. Applicants not selected may reapply in the next CASPA application cycle.

• Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a school accredited by one of the following agencies: Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), Higher Learning Commission (HLC), New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
• A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale must be achieved**

**Applicants with less than a 3.0 cumulative GPA may petition for admission into the PA program by having both a cumulative and science G.P.A. above a 2.75. Applicants who petition are required to submit a written statement in CASPA that explains their academic performance and provides evidence of their readiness for graduate-level study.

• A Competitive Personal Statement and Response to writing prompt(s).
• Three letters of recommendation: one from a healthcare provider (preferably a Physician Assistant) and two professional or academic references. Recommenders should address the applicant’s character, work ethic, integrity, and readiness for graduate-level academic study.
• Demonstrate eligibility to complete all required clinical rotations and meet clinical site requirements, which may include background checks, health clearances, and other documentation required by affiliated clinical partners. Professional PA licensure requirements vary by state. Students are responsible for reviewing certification and state licensure requirements.
• Students must complete all prerequisite courses listed below at a regionally accredited college or university before matriculation and within 10 years. Prerequisite courses must be completed with a letter grade of "C" or better and with the minimum number of semester hour credits (or equivalent quarter hours) as listed below:
• Medical Terminology (1 credit)
• Human Anatomy with lab (3 credits)
• Human Physiology (3 credits)
• General Biology (3 credits)
• Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry or Inorganic Chemistry (3 credits)
• General Psychology (3 credits)
• Statistics (3 credits)
• Genetics (3 credits)

• Prerequisite coursework completed at a four-year college or university that is designed for science majors is considered more competitive. In addition:
• Human Anatomy and Physiology may be taken as stand-alone courses or as part of a sequence. If the courses are taken as part of a sequence, only a completed sequence of Anatomy and Physiology I and II will be accepted.
• Pre-requisite courses may not be met through Credit for Prior Learning.
• Graduate applicants with a bachelor’s degree or college coursework from an institution outside the U.S. are required to have their undergraduate transcripts evaluated by World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) prior to submitting the CASPA application. All foreign transcripts must be evaluated (course-by-course with GPA evaluation is required) by one of the organizations listed above; no other evaluation services will be accepted. Please be advised that this process may take several months and must be submitted with the completed CASPA application by the application deadline.

Technical Standards

All applicants must meet and maintain all requirements in the Technical Standards of the National Louis University PA Program. As required by the Federal Disabilities Act, the PA program will make every attempt to provide students with necessary reasonable accommodations.

• Critical Thinking: Students must possess the intellectual capabilities required to complete both the didactic and clinical curriculum and achieve competency. Critical thinking requires the intellectual ability to measure, calculate, synthesize, and analyze a large and complex volume of medical and surgical information. Students in the program must also be able to perform applicable demonstrations and experiments in the medical sciences.
• Computer Technology Skills: Students must be able to utilize computerized information technology to access and manage on-line medical information, participate in computerized testing as required by the curriculum, conduct research, prepare multimedia presentations, and participate in the management of computerized patient records and assessments.
• Communication Skills: Students must be able to speak clearly and effectively in order to elicit and relay medical information. They must also be able to communicate effectively and legibly in writing.
• Visual Ability: Students must have the visual acuity needed to evaluate a patient during a physical exam and perform a wide range of technical procedures involved in the practice of medicine and surgery.
• Hearing and Tactile Ability: Students must have the motor and sensory functions needed to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation and percussion, as well as perform a wide range of technical procedures involved in the practice of medicine and surgery.
• Motor and Fine Skills: Students must be able to execute the physical movements required to maneuver in small places, calibrate and use equipment, position and move patients, and perform the technical procedures involved in the practice of medicine and surgery.
• Interpersonal Ability: Students must possess a wide range of interpersonal skills, including but not limited to: the emotional health required for management of high stress situations while maintaining their full intellectual abilities; the ability to exercise good judgment; the ability to complete all assigned patient care responsibilities; the ability to manage time (show up on time, begin and complete tasks on time); the ability to develop a mature, sensitive and effective relationship with medical colleagues, clinical and administrative staff, patients and families; the ability to identify, use, understand, and manage emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges and diffuse conflict; and the ability to recognize your own emotional state and the emotional states of others, and engage with people in a way that draws them to you.

Applicant Preferences:

The Program awards interview preference related to the PA Program’s Mission to applicants with the following attributes and coursework. Candidates for admission are considered holistically and are reviewed on the following selection factors and awarded interview preference points. Please note that admission to the PA Studies Program is competitive. Meeting the selection factors noted below does not guarantee an interview or admission.

• Military veterans with an honorable discharge (must produce a DD214/DD256).
• Applicants who complete higher recommended prerequisite coursework (i.e. attained a Master’s or Doctoral degree by an accredited institution) are given preference for each course completed.
• Prior healthcare experience and community service/volunteer experience, specifically with underserved populations.
• First generation college student.
• Raised in a single parent household.
• Recipient of the Federal Pell Grant Program.
• Resided in a federally designated Medically Underserved Areas/Populations (review here)
• Prior or current National Louis University graduate or student
• Advanced language proficiency in an additional language other than English as reported in CASPA including American Sign Language (ASL).

• Didactic Student Handbook
• NLU Student Guidebook
• NLU Faculty Guidebook
• Clinical Year Handbook
• Clinical Instructional Faculty Orientation Handbook
• Program Goals and Outcomes
• Academic Grievance, Student Appeals, Harassment, Discrimination, and Non-Retaliation Policy
• Incomplete Grade Policy
• Leave of Absence Policy
• Occupational Exposure, Injury, Illness, Incident Reporting, Immunization, and Health Screening Policy
• Professional Appearance and Identification Policy
• Student Immunization and Health Insurance Policy
• Student Remediation and Records Review
• Healthcare Provider Policy
• Student Employment Policy
• Student Role, Non-Substitution, and Non-Staff Employment Policy
• Academic Progress and Remediation

NLU's Physician Assistant Program has not yet graduated a cohort, so graduation data is unavailable.

PAEA national graduation rate

NLU's Physician Assistant Program has not yet matriculated a cohort, so matriculation for Underrepresented in Medicine data is unavailable.

AMA National Underrepresented in Medicine Rate/Average

NLU's Physician Assistant Program has not yet admitted a cohort, so attrition data is unavailable.

PAEA national attrition rate

NLU's Physician Assistant Program has not yet admitted a cohort, so first time pass rate data is unavailable.

NCCPA First Time National Pass Rate.

Faculty:

• Medical Director – Shami Goyal, M.D.
• Program Director – Robert Hill, DMSc, MPA, PA-C
• Director of Clinical Education – Ryan Atkins, M.S., PA-C
• Director of Didactic Education – JangMi Johnson, DMSc, PA-C
• Principal Faculty – Amer Khairallah, M.S., PA-C
• Associate Medical Director: Thomas Hansen, M.S., PA-C Emeritus

Staff:

• Program Manager – Sabah Vikaruddin

Adjunct Faculty, Physician Assistant Program in Chicago, Illinois | Careers at  Chicago Campus (18)

National Louis University has developed an amazing website to update our Adjunct Faculty on all questions they may have about becoming Adjunct Faculty.  The site can be found at https://nl.edu/ctle/launch-pads/adjunct-quick-start-page/  

Contact us to become a guest lecturer.