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PA Program Curriculum

The program is a 27-month program that will award a Master of Science of Physician Assistant Studies degree (MSPAS) upon program completion. There is a 15-month didactic phase consisting of traditional lectures, web-based interactive learning, student laboratories and seminars; and a 12-month clinical phase which consists of patient care experience(s) at clinical practices in various disciplines of medicine.

 

The supervised clinical rotation schedule begins prior to the start date of the academic fall semester and ends eight weeks into the summer semester. Each rotation lasts four weeks. Students meet once every four weeks, at the end of the clinical practicum rotation, for the post-rotation Professional Development Seminar. There are two elective rotation choices (see below).

 

Training and development in research methodology and evidence-based practice takes place throughout the curriculum.

PA Curriculum - Total Program Credit Hours: 100

  1. Semester One (Summer I) - 15 credits (12 weeks)
    Course Number Course Name Credits
    PA 501 The Physician Assistant Profession 1
    PA 502 Clinical Anatomy 4
    PA 503 Human Physiology 4
    PA 505 Genetic and Molecular Mechanisms of Health and Disease 3
    PA 510 History and Physical Exam I Techniques I and Lab 3
    Semester Totals    15
  2. Semester Two (Fall I) - 20 credits (16 weeks)
    Course Number Course Name Credits
    PA 504 Pathophysiology 4
    PA 507 Patient Diagnostics 2
    PA 511 History and Physical Exam Techniques II and Lab 4
    PA 512 Clinical Medicine I 6
    PA 515 Pharmacology I 4
    Semester Totals 20

  3. Semester Three (Spring I) - 20 credits (16 weeks)
    Course Number Course Name Credits
    PA 506 Electrocardiography 1
    PA 513 Clinical Medicine II 6
    PA 516 Pharmacology II 4
    PA 517 Medical Ethics 2
    PA 518 Clinical Skills and Lab 2
    PA 519 Research Methods and Evidence-Based Medicine 3
    PA 520 Behavioral Medicine and Preventive Measures 2
    Semester Totals 20

  4. Semester Four (Summer II) - 17 credits (12 weeks)
    Course Number Course Name Credits
    PA 514 Clinical Medicine III 6
    PA 521 Healthcare Policy and Delivery 2
    PA 522 Leadership and Preparation for Practice 2
    PA 523 Emergency Medicine 4
    PA 524 Integrative Patient Care Management 3
    Semester Totals 17

  5. Semester Five (Fall II) - 9 credits (16 weeks)
    Course Number Course Name Credits
    PA 6xx Clinical Practicum I 2
    PA 6xx Clinical Practicum II 2
    PA 6xx Clinical Practicum III 2
    PA 6xx Clinical Practicum IV 2
    PA 615 Professional Development Seminar I 1
    Semester Totals 9

  6. Semester Six (Spring II) - 10 credits (16 weeks)
    Course Number Course Name Credits
    PA 6xx Clinical Practicum V 2
    PA 6xx Clinical Practicum VI 2
    PA 6xx Clinical Practicum VII 2
    PA 6xx Clinical Practicum VIII 2
    PA 625 Professional Development Seminar II 1
    PA 660 Introduction to the Master’s Capstone Project 1
    Semester Totals 10

  7. Semester Seven (Summer III) - 9 credits (12 weeks)
    Course Number Course Name Credits
    PA 6xx Clinical Practicum IX 2
    PA 6xx Clinical Practicum X 2
    PA 635 Professional Development Seminar III 1
    PA 670 Master’s Capstone Project 3
    PA 671 Summative Evaluation 1
    Semester Totals 9

  8. Clinical Practicum Courses

    The actual sequencing in the clinical year varies from student to student.  The required course names and numbers are as follows: 

    Course Number Clinical Practicum Credits
    PA 610 Family medicine 2
    PA 611 Pediatrics 2
    PA 620 Internal Medicine 2
    PA 621 General Surgery 2
    PA 630 Women’s Health 2
    PA 631 Psychiatry/Behavioral Medicine 2
    PA 640 Selective 2
    PA 641 Emergency Medicine 2
    PA 650 Elective I 2
    PA 651 Elective II 2