Midwestern University’s Downers Grove PA program is a full-time, 27-month MMS program. Applicants use CASPA and must submit Casper results before they can be invited to interview. Admission requires at least 3.00 overall and science GPAs and 500 hours of direct patient care at application; preferred qualifications include GPAs of 3.5 or higher, higher-quartile Casper scores and 1,000 or more patient-care hours. Interviews are virtual.
- Program
- Master of Medical Science (MMS) in Physician Assistant Studies
- Credential
- MMS
- Location
- Downers Grove, Illinois, United States
- Casper
- Required
- Interview
- Interview
- Seats
- 86
- Length
- 27 months full-time
Casper Requirement for Midwestern University Physician Assistant
Midwestern University Physician Assistant requires Casper for the 2027-2028 cycle.
- Languages
- English
- Applicant ID to enter
- CASPA ID
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Casper results must be received and reviewed before an interview invitation. Applicants must retake Casper for a new application cycle; the program prefers higher-quartile scores.
Casper format
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test run by Acuity Insights. The current format has 11 scenarios (4 video-response and 7 typed-response) with 2 questions each and takes about 65 to 85 minutes, including optional breaks. Typed-response scenarios allow 3.5 minutes to answer both questions.
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Midwestern University Physician Assistant Application Deadlines 2027-2028
- Apply through
- CASPA
CASPA applications are reviewed on a rolling basis when the program’s window is open. Submit a complete application early; the next program-specific dates have not been published.
Midwestern University Physician Assistant Admissions Statistics
Period: Admissions: annual estimate; GPA: Class of 2025
- Seats / class size: 86
- Applicants: Approximately 2,000 per year
- Average GPA: Class of 2025: mean overall 3.84; mean science 3.83
Eligibility Requirements for Midwestern University Physician Assistant
- Degree / credits
Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university before matriculation.
- Language proficiency
International applicants need 30 semester hours at a qualifying U.S. or English-instruction Canadian institution, including 15 science, 6 English composition and 3 speech/public-speaking hours. Certain coursework completed elsewhere needs an approved course-by-course evaluation.
All candidates need to meet published minimum criteria, including academic benchmarks and experiential prerequisites.
Other requirements
- Background check: Pass Midwestern University’s criminal background check.
- Drug-free policy: Agree to the university’s Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
- Health documentation: Document tuberculosis screening and required immunizations; complete them before clinical training.
- Technical standards and insurance: Accepted students must meet technical standards and maintain medical and disability insurance.
Selection Factors Midwestern University Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Biology with lab | 4 semester/6 quarter hours Science-major course |
| Anatomy | 4 semester/6 quarter hours Two terms of combined human anatomy and physiology may qualify; physiology alone does not |
| General Chemistry with lab | 8 semester/12 quarter hours Science-major course |
| Organic Chemistry with lab | 4 semester/6 quarter hours Science-major course |
| Math, college algebra or above | 3 semester/4 quarter hours |
| Statistics | 3 semester/4 quarter hours |
| English Composition | 6 semester/9 quarter hours Qualifying writing-intensive courses may count |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | 6 semester/9 quarter hours Examples include sociology, psychology and anthropology |
GPA
- Minimum
- 3.0 overall GPA and 3.0 science GPA
- Competitive
- 3.5 or higher overall GPA and science GPA
Prerequisites require a C or better; C− does not qualify. Up to one science and one non-science prerequisite may remain outstanding at the end of the year before matriculation; both must be completed by matriculation. The program specifies conditions for AP, pass/fail and online-lab credit.
Admissions tests
- GRE (not required): The program does not require the GRE general test.
- MCAT (not required): The program’s published admissions requirements do not require the MCAT.
Experience and volunteer hours
Required.
At least 500 hours of direct patient-care experience are required when the application is submitted. Applicants with 1,000 or more hours have a preferred qualification.
Supplementary application
Submit two professional recommendation letters through CASPA; the program accepts letters only directly from CASPA. It prefers a science professor or pre-health committee for one letter; a pre-health advisor, professor, committee or healthcare professional (preferably a PA) may write the second.
How applicants are ranked
The program reviews overall and science GPAs, Casper scores, course rigor, recommendations, healthcare experience, knowledge of the profession and motivation when selecting interviewees. After required virtual interviews, the PA Admissions Committee makes offers through holistic review of interviewed applicants’ complete files and interview performance.
Interview Format at Midwestern University
Format: Interview
Required virtual interview assessing communication, understanding of the PA profession and commitment to patient care. The program does not specify a group format or interview length.
- Who is invited
- Invited applicants
- When
- Competitive applicants are typically interviewed from August through January.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at Midwestern University Physician Assistant
- Program length
- 27 months full-time
- Structure
Longitudinal curriculum blending didactic and clinical phases
- Campuses
- Downers Grove
The MMS in Physician Assistant Studies immerses students in classes taught by field experts, with opportunities for interprofessional learning in Midwestern's health sciences ecosystem. Clinical rotations occur at diverse sites, building competency in patient-centered care. The structure supports maturation from foundational sciences to advanced practice, with assessments ensuring readiness for certification. The program reserves the right to update its curriculum as needed to maintain relevance.
Campus and facilities
Situated in Downers Grove, Illinois, the campus serves as a hub for healthcare education, promoting collaboration among PA, speech-language pathology, and other programs. Students access modern simulation labs and clinical partnerships that host rotations. Local clinics value MWU PAs, providing hands-on exposure during training.
Tuition and Funding at Midwestern University
- 2026-2027 published tuition, year 1: $60,004
- 2026-2027 published tuition, year 2: $60,004
- 2026-2027 published tuition, year 3: $15,001
These are published rates from a prior academic year, not tuition confirmed for the upcoming entrant; university fees and living expenses are additional.
Midwestern University's Mission and Values
The Midwestern University - Downers Grove Physician Assistant Program focuses on delivering accredited, immersive training tailored to healthcare professionals. As a university dedicated exclusively to health sciences disciplines, it fosters collaboration across fields like physician assistant studies, speech-language pathology, and others. This approach ensures you gain practical skills from professors who are experts in their fields, preparing you to contribute positively to clinical teams upon graduation.
Midwestern University's Master of Medical Science (MMS) in Physician Assistant Studies Program provides accredited, student-centered education.
What Applicants Are Saying
Students report positive experiences with faculty expertise and interprofessional collaboration. Those with substantial patient care hours report favorable interview outcomes. Matriculated students describe a supportive environment where faculty prioritize student success.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your Midwestern University Physician Assistant Application
- Confirm the 3.00 overall and science GPA minimums; 3.5 or higher is preferred.
- Check every prerequisite and complete at least 500 direct patient-care hours before applying.
- Take Casper early enough for results to reach the program before interview consideration.
- Arrange two professional recommendations for submission through CASPA.
- Prepare for a virtual interview about communication, patient care and the PA profession.
- Review the program’s published curriculum and clinical-rotation expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Midwestern University Physician Assistant
Is Casper required?
Yes. Results must be received and reviewed before an interview invitation.
What GPA is required?
At least 3.00 overall and science GPAs; 3.5 or higher in each is preferred. Prerequisites require C or better.
What is the interview format?
A required virtual interview; the school does not specify a group format or duration.
How much patient-care experience is required?
At least 500 direct patient-care hours at application; 1,000 or more is preferred.
When is the next CASPA deadline?
The program has not published the next intake’s deadline.
Does Casper offer fee assistance?
Check Acuity Insights’ fee-assistance information when booking; CASPA fee assistance is separate.
How long is the program?
27 months full-time.
Is the MCAT required?
The published PA admissions requirements do not require an MCAT score.
Sources
- Downers Grove PA program
- PA Admissions, 2026-2027 catalog
- General Admissions, 2026-2027 catalog
- Downers Grove PA costs
- PAEA Midwestern University (Downers Grove)
- Acuity Insights test dates and fees
Last updated: September 26, 2026