About the program
The Rush University PA program is described in PAEA's published program data; full curriculum details, faculty, and admissions cycle specifics are maintained on the program's own website.
From the program's mission statement: "The Rush University PA Program mission is to prepare qualified PAs to practice patient-centered, evidence-based medicine with competence and professionalism driven by academic excellence and service to diverse communities."
Extended clinical curriculum, longitudinal clinical simulation training, located in an academic medical center
Matriculant data
Actual stats for students who enrolled in the most recently reported cohort, sourced from PAEA's published program data.
Admission policies
Out-of-state applicants are accepted. International applicants: yes. DACA status applicants are not considered. Distance learning is not offered. Part-time enrollment is not available. Veteran support programs are available; consult the program directly for details.
Prerequisite coursework
Recency: 7 Years · up to 2 outstanding at application
Program overview
Rush University's PA program in Illinois awards a Master of Science degree upon completion of its 30-month curriculum, with the next cohort beginning in May 2027. Applicants should be aware that the program currently holds ARC-PA accreditation on probation status, which is a meaningful factor to weigh when evaluating fit and long-term credential recognition.
The program sits within an academic medical center, which shapes its clinical training opportunities in practical ways. Its curriculum blends traditional didactic instruction with case-based and organ-systems approaches, and it incorporates longitudinal clinical simulation training throughout - meaning students encounter simulated patient scenarios repeatedly over time rather than in isolated blocks. The extended clinical curriculum is another distinguishing structural feature. The mission centers on preparing PAs for patient-centered, evidence-based practice with an explicit emphasis on service to diverse communities, which signals that community health orientation factors into both instruction and candidate selection.
The academic floor is a 3.0 in both overall and science GPA, positioning the program as accessible to a broad range of competitive applicants without demanding exceptional GPAs. The patient-care bar is more selective: 1,000 hours of direct patient care are required, and that experience must be paid - volunteer or shadowing hours will not satisfy this requirement. Healthcare experience beyond direct patient care is also required. Applicants should plan their timelines accordingly, as meeting both criteria takes deliberate effort.
The incoming class is small at 32 seats, which generally means more individualized attention but also a more competitive admissions funnel per seat. Total tuition runs $109,912 with no differentiated in-state or out-of-state rates, and a $1,250 seat deposit is required upon acceptance. Out-of-state and international applicants are both welcome, and the program does not offer distance learning or part-time enrollment.
Prerequisites include human anatomy, human physiology, microbiology, and statistics, each at a minimum of three credits, and all must have been completed within the past seven years. Up to two prerequisites may still be outstanding at the time of application. The application deadline is October 1, 2026, and the program reviews on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis - submitting early carries real strategic value here.
The interview format is a Multiple Mini Interview conducted onsite, so candidates should prepare for a station-based format that evaluates communication, critical thinking, and situational judgment rather than a traditional single interview. Three letters of reference are required.
An applicant should seriously consider the probationary accreditation status alongside the program's strong academic medical center setting and evaluate whether the clinical training environment and mission alignment justify that risk for their individual career goals.