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.

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.

“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).

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.

About Chamberlain University

Chamberlain University is a part of Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE). Chamberlain University’s mission is to educate, empower and embolden diverse healthcare professionals who advance the health of people, families, communities and nations. Chamberlain is comprised of the College of Nursing, which offers a three-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program and flexible post-licensure programs such as the RN to BSN option, Master of Science in Nursing degree program, Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program and graduate certificates, and the College of Health Professions, which offers Master of Public Health and Master of Social Work degree programs. Chamberlain University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission www.hlcommission.org, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For the most updated accreditation information, visit chamberlain.edu/accreditation. To learn more, visit chamberlain.edu.

Chamberlain University’s Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree program has applied for Accreditation-Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). The MPAS program anticipates matriculating its first class in the September 2022 session, pending achieving Accreditation-Provisional status at the March 2022 ARC-PA meeting. 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.

In the event that ARC-PA withholds accreditation at its March 2022 commission meeting, Chamberlain University will cease recruitment of students and will not enroll students in the MPAS Program in the September 2022 session. Chamberlain will inform prospective students who have been offered admission that they will not be enrolled and will refund their deposits. CASPA application fees will not be refunded to applicants by Chamberlain University or by CASPA.

About Adtalem Global Education

Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE), a leading workforce solutions provider, partners with organizations in the healthcare and financial services industries to solve critical workforce talent needs by expanding access to education, certifications and upskilling programs at scale. With a dedicated focus on driving strong outcomes that increase workforce preparedness, Adtalem empowers a diverse learner population to achieve their goals and make inspiring contributions to the global community. Adtalem is the parent organization of ACAMS, American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Becker Professional Education, Chamberlain University, EduPristine, OnCourse Learning, Ross University School of Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and Walden University. Adtalem has more than 10,000 employees, a network of more than 275,000 alumni and serves over 82,000 members across 200 countries and territories. Adtalem was named one of America’s Most Responsible Companies 2021 by Newsweek and one of America’s Best Employers for Diversity 2021 by Forbes. Follow Adtalem on Twitter (@adtalemglobal), LinkedIn or visit adtalem.com for more information.

¹ * https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physician-assistants.htm#tab-1 (visited January 2022). Data reflects a projected percentage change in employment from 2020-2030 and may not reflect local economic conditions.

² https://www.thepalife.com/who-gets-in/

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