Every day, physician assistants help patients navigate illness, recovery, and the uncertainty that comes with medical care. If you're drawn to patient care and want to practice medicine as part of a collaborative healthcare team, you can make a powerful impact with a career as a physician assistant.
At Touro University Illinois in Skokie, the Master of Sciences in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) program prepares you through hands-on classroom learning, close faculty mentorship, and extensive clinical training across the Chicago area. As a PA, you’ll work alongside physicians and healthcare teams to diagnose conditions, guide treatment decisions, and support patients when they need it most.
Program Snapshot
Quick facts about the MSPAS program:
Degree:
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS)
Length:
28 months
Format:
Full-time traditional program
Location:
Skokie, Illinois
About the MSPAS Program
The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) program is a traditional, full-time program completed over seven semesters (28 months). You’ll learn from experienced physician assistants and medical professionals who bring real-world clinical insight and innovative approaches to the classroom.
The curriculum combines classroom instruction with clinical experience, preparing students not only to pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination® (PANCE), but also to care for patients with skill, confidence, and compassion.
Didactic Phase
The program begins with approximately 12 months of classroom-based study. During this phase, students build a foundation in medical science, clinical medicine, behavioral sciences, and research methodology.
Clinical Phase
Students then transition to supervised clinical rotations across healthcare settings throughout the Chicago region. These experiences allow students to apply their knowledge in real-world patient care environments while working alongside physicians and healthcare teams.
The program concludes with additional coursework, a capstone project, and community service experience.
“We believe PA education is about more than exams and grades — it’s about preparing you to provide patient care and make a difference in every patient’s life.”
- Dr. Janet Furman, PA Program Director, Touro University Illinois
Why Choose Touro University Illinois
Clinical Training Across Chicagoland
Students complete clinical rotations across hospitals and healthcare organizations in one of the nation’s largest and most diverse healthcare networks.
Close Faculty Mentorship
Faculty work closely with students throughout their academic and clinical training, providing guidance, mentorship, and practical insight.
A Legacy of PA Education
The Touro University system has been educating physician assistants since 1972 and has more than 5,000 graduates practicing medicine across the country.
Accreditation Status
The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the Touro University Illinois Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Touro University.
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.
Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class.
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website.
Learn more about program outcomes, including PANCE scores and annual student attrition rates.
Launch Your Career as a Physician Assistant
If you’re ready to pursue a career as a physician assistant, Touro University Illinois provides the training, mentorship, and clinical experience needed to succeed.
