The Western Michigan University Physician Assistant Program has been granted Accreditation-Continued status by ARC-PA until our next full review in October 2027.
About our program
The WMU Department of Physician Assistant offers an entry-level, full-time, 24-month, professional education curriculum that leads to a Master of Science in Medicine (MSM). After graduation you'll be prepared to take the certifying exam to become a PA.
- The first year focuses primarily on classroom and laboratory instruction, and includes a component that addresses research issues pertinent to physician assistants.
- The second, or clinical year, includes a variety of experiences in community teaching hospitals, clinics and physician offices.
What is a PA?
Physician assistants are medical professionals who diagnose illness, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications and often serve as a patient’s principal health care provider. With thousands of hours of medical training, PAs are versatile and collaborative. We practice in every state and in every medical setting and specialty, improving health care access and quality.
Information Sessions
We are pleased to offer monthly virtual information sessions for the 2026-27 application cycle. The date, time and link to the session are below. If you have questions, please utilize our department email: pa-info@wmich.edu. This inbox is monitored regularly.
Holistic Admissions
The Department of Physician Assistant has utilized a holistic process for the last two years. The process requires more time and effort, but the result has been positive.
While it remains largely white, the profession has become more racially and ethnically diverse in recent years. Holistic admissions processes will only further aid that movement toward diversity.
Candidates are scored on more than 50 individual data points that assess academic ability, recommendations, grit and other non-academic attributes in a scoring system that more accurately reflects a whole person. Undergrad GPA is one factor, but there is no standardized test requirement.
"It's all about maturity. We want to know if you can handle setbacks. Are you willing to admit that reacting to a setback might require you to change in some way to be successful?"
- Andrew Zolp, Department Chair
Student involvement
Our students are actively engaged in our program and in our community. The WMU PA Student Society is a registered student organization at the University. Our students regularly compete (and win) quiz bowls at the MAPA annual event. And they're community advocates, leading donation drives each year around the holidays.
WMU Pre-PA Student Society
WMU PA Student Society
Our facilities
The College of Health and Human Services building is on WMU's East Campus. While it's not centrally located, the building's many amenities make it a comfortable home for our students.
- Close, ample parking
- Modern building with comfortable study spaces and updated teaching technology like Sim Man and Anatomage Table
- Bella VIta Cafe with grab-and-go food options and Water Street coffee
