Honoring a decade of growth, innovation, and lifelong learning.

This year, Northwestern College celebrates a major milestone, the 10-year anniversary of its Graduate and Professional Studies division. What began as a vision to expand access to high-quality, Christ-centered education for working professionals has become a thriving division serving learners across the country through flexible, relevant, and mission-driven programs.

Laying the Foundation for Online Learning
Northwestern’s commitment to lifelong learning took a significant step forward in 2011 with the hiring of the College’s first director of online learning. This marked the beginning of an intentional effort to bring Northwestern’s distinctive education to students beyond the traditional classroom.

In 2013, the College launched its first fully online program, an RN to BSN program, designed to empower registered nurses to advance their education and careers while continuing to serve their communities.

A New Era: Graduate Studies Begin
Momentum continued to build, and in 2015, Northwestern received approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to offer fully online master’s degrees. This opened the door for the launch of the Master of Education programs, officially establishing the Graduate School and

Adult Learning division. This moment marked the start of a new chapter in Northwestern’s history, one that expanded its reach, deepened its academic offerings, and reaffirmed its mission to equip students to serve God and others in their professions.

Expanding Programs and Impact
Over the past decade, the division has grown to include a variety of graduate and professional programs designed for students seeking advancement, career change, or deeper purpose in their work. Today, the division, now know as Graduate and Professional Studies, offers:

• Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education
• Graduate level endorsement programs
• Graduate level certificate programs
• Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• Master of Arts in School Counseling
• Master of Business Administration
• Master of Education programs in several specializations
• And Northwestern’s first on-campus master’s program, the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program

Each of these programs reflects the College’s commitment to combining academic excellence with faith integration and real-world relevance, preparing students to make a meaningful impact in their communities and professions.

Looking Ahead
As Northwestern celebrates 10 years of graduate and professional education, the College remains dedicated to the same mission that inspired its beginning: to make Christ-centered education accessible, practical, and transformative for lifelong learners.

The story of Graduate and Professional Studies at Northwestern is one of faithfully stewarding God’s provision, leading to innovation, growth, and confidence in the power of education to change lives. And as the next decade begins, that mission continues, entrusted with the opportunities to serve others.  

To learn more about the programs offered through Northwestern’s Graduate and Professional Studies division, click here.

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At Northwestern, your success matters to us, not just in the classroom, but throughout your entire academic journey. We’re excited to announce that we now have a student success specialist dedicated to providing additional academic support for our online undergraduate and graduate students. In addition to the guidance you’ll receive from your academic advisor, our student success specialist provides an added layer of support. Choosing an online degree program is about more than convenience, it’s about knowing you’ll have the support you need to succeed.

Our student success specialist is here to walk alongside you as you navigate the demands of online learning providing personalized academic coaching that focuses on:

• Building strong study habits
• Staying organized
• Managing your time effectively

Whether you’re balancing coursework with a job, family, or other commitments, our student success staff will help you find strategies that work for your unique situation. This means that as a Northwestern online student, you won’t be left on your own to “figure it out.” Instead, you’ll have a professional resource invested in your success, ensuring you have the tools and strategies to thrive. And when additional help is needed, such as tutoring, you’ll be connected with the right support.

Take the Next Step Toward Success
This is more than just an added feature, it’s a reflection of our mission. At Northwestern, your success matters to us. Our student success specialist is just one example of the intentional, personalized support that makes our online programs Stand Out.

Your goals. Our support. Explore our online programs here.  

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What to Expect on Your Interview Day
As the PA program enrollment counselor here at Northwestern College, one of my favorite parts of this role is walking alongside applicants during the interview process. If you’ve been invited to interview, congratulations, it truly is a privilege. Each year, our program receives many applications, and only the most competitive candidates are invited to campus. This means that by the time you step into your interview day, you’ve already distinguished yourself through your hard work, preparation, and experiences.

At the same time, we encourage you to approach this day with humility. Our program is unique in its mission: to equip physician assistants who will serve patients in rural and underserved communities. Your journey to becoming a PA is more than academics, it’s about growing in knowledge, faith, and service. We view this profession as a way to bring healing and hope to the communities you’ll serve. We are looking for students who not only demonstrate strong academic and interpersonal skills but who also understand the heart of our program, training providers who will make a difference where they are most needed. This training starts on day one at orientation, continues through the didactic terms, and is reinforced during clinical rotations. 

When Interviews Happen
Invitations to interview are sent between mid-August and mid-September. For the 2025 cycle, our interview dates are:

• September 5
• September 12
• September 26

Once you’ve received your invitation, you’ll also get a detailed schedule of what to expect on your interview day.

What the Day Looks Like
On your interview day, you’ll participate in both individual and group interviews. This is our opportunity to get to know you beyond your application and for you to learn more about us. We’ll be assessing qualities that go far beyond test scores, such as:

• Your understanding of the PA profession and of the Northwestern College PA Program
• Interpersonal skills and how you work with others
• Your commitment to learning and growing
• Self-awareness and emotional maturity
• Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Cultural competency and respect for diverse backgrounds

Our Encouragement to You
We know interviews can feel intimidating, but we want you to see this day as a conversation, not an exam. Come prepared, but also come ready to be yourself. We want to see your passion for the PA profession, your heart for serving others, and your openness to learning.

Remember, this is also your chance to interview us. Ask questions, get a feel for our culture, and imagine yourself in a program deeply committed to preparing rural providers who will meet real needs in communities across the country.

A Final Word
Being invited to interview is an accomplishment worth celebrating. But it’s also just one step in a meaningful process. Stay humble, stay curious, and know that we are genuinely excited to meet you. We are praying for you as you prepare, and we look forward to seeing how your gifts and faith can impact the world through medicine. 

We can’t wait to welcome you to campus this September!

About the Author

Since 2023, Anna Mae has served as the Enrollment Counselor for Northwestern’s PA program. With a background in Secondary Education, she is passionate about education and about guiding prospective students through the PA application process.

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