Master of Science (MS) in Physician Assistant (PA) Studies Accreditation and Licensure

Accreditation

At its March 2024 meeting, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) placed the Rush University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Rush University on Accreditation-Probation status until its next review in March 2026. 

Probation accreditation is a temporary accreditation status initially of not less than two years. However, that period may be extended by the ARC-PA for up to an additional two years if the ARC-PA finds that the program is making substantial progress toward meeting all applicable standards but requires additional time to come into full compliance. Probation accreditation status is granted, at the sole discretion of the ARC-PA, when a program holding an accreditation status of Accreditation - Provisional or Accreditation - Continued does not, in the judgment of the ARC-PA, meet the Standards or when the capability of the program to provide an acceptable educational experience for its students is threatened. 

Once placed on probation, a program that fails to comply with accreditation requirements in a timely manner, as specified by the ARC-PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and is subject to having its accreditation withdrawn. 

Specific questions regarding the Program and its plans should be directed to the Program Director and/or the appropriate institutional official(s). 

The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-rush-university/. 

View the ARC-PA student attrition report. 

Licensure

Institutions are required to make public whether a program is designed to meet educational requirements for a specific professional license or certification that is required for employment in an occupation or is advertised as meeting such requirements.  

Institutions are required to make public, for each state, whether the completion of that program would be sufficient to meet licensure requirements in a state for that occupation, did not meet requirements or has not made a determination. 

These requirements apply to all programs offered via all modalities (distance education and not). 

Students should review the specific academic requirements for the program in which they are enrolling, including those related to practicum/internship, as well as pre-qualifications for licensure, such as the need for a criminal background check.  

We highly recommend that students contact the applicable licensure board(s) in their state of residence or in the state where they intend to obtain a license before beginning an academic program that results in licensure and prior to beginning any internship/practicum.  

Many licensure boards have additional requirements beyond successful degree completion to obtain a license. Please be advised that state laws, regulations and policies may change at any time.  

Changes in requirements can impact the program’s ability to meet educational requirements for licensure.  

Enrolled and prospective students are strongly encouraged to check with the licensing board(s) in their state of residence or in the state in which they intend to obtain a license for the most recent information and requirements.  

The College of Health Sciences will periodically review the state requirements. The College of Health Sciences disclosure does not provide any guarantee that any particular state licensure or certification entity will approve or deny a student’s application. 

Licensure information by state