Physician Assistant Program Curriculum

Professional Curriculum

The curriculum is 27 months in duration, is completed in seven semesters, and requires full-time student participation. The curriculum is divided into two phases: Didactic and Clinical. The PA Program academic calendar may not always match the University calendar.

Didactic Phase: Consists of 15 months of basic medical science and clinical medicine courses.

Clinical Phase: Consists of eight six-week rotations to be completed in a 12-month period. Required rotations are Family Medicine I and II, Pediatrics, Behavioral and Mental Health, Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and General Surgery. Each student will complete an eighth elective rotation in an area of their choosing. It is expected that students accepting admission to the PA Program will accept rotation assignments where and when they are available. Reliable transportation is required. All expenses related to travel, meals, and lodging during rotations are the responsibility of the student. Financial planning in this area is important.

Program of Study

Didactic Phase

Summer Semester I

PAS 5025Research Methods and Designs in Medicine

3

PAS 5070Applied Anatomy

4

PAS 5101Patient Health Assessment Skills 1

2

PAS 5301Physician Assistant Medical Practice I

1

PAS 5310Medical Physiology and Pathophysiology I

4

Total Credit Hours:14

Fall Semester

PAS 5080Clinical Medicine I

9

PAS 5090Introduction to Psychiatry

3

PAS 5102Patient Health Assessment Skills II

5

PAS 5201Medical Diagnostics and Procedures I

2

PAS 5302Physician Assistant Medical Practice II

1

PAS 5315Medical Physiology and Pathophysiology II

4

PAS 5340Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics I

2

Total Credit Hours:26

Spring Semester

PAS 5103Patient Health Assessment Skills III

1

PAS 5140Clinical Medicine II

9

PAS 5170Introduction to Surgery

3

PAS 5202Medical Diagnostics and Procedures II

3

PAS 5290Clinical Integration Skills I

2

PAS 5303Physician Assistant Medical Practice III

1

PAS 5320Medical Physiology and Pathophysiology III

4

PAS 5345Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics II

4

Total Credit Hours:27

Summer Semester II

PAS 5104Patient Health Assessment Skills IV

1

PAS 5200Introduction to Pediatrics

3

PAS 5203Medical Diagnostics and Procedures III

1

PAS 5230Introduction to Obstetrics and Gynecology

3

PAS 5240Clinical Medicine III

8

PAS 5250Introduction to Emergency Medicine

3

PAS 5291Clinical Integration Skills II

2

PAS 5304Physician Assistant Medical Practice IV

1

PAS 5350Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics III

4

Total Credit Hours:26

Clinical Phase

All clinical rotations are six weeks in duration with a forty-hour per week minimum.

PAS 5280Seminar: Research Methods and Design

1

PAS 6100Program Exit Summative Evaluation Experience

0

PAS 6010Family Medicine I

6

PAS 6020Family Medicine II

6

PAS 6030Emergency Medicine

6

PAS 6050Internal Medicine

6

PAS 6070Pediatrics

6

PAS 6090Surgery

6

PAS 6110Behavioral and Mental Health

6

PAS 6xxx Elective

6

Total Credit Hours:49

Elective Rotations

Elective rotations are six weeks in duration and are available in a variety of medical and surgical disciplines:

PAS 6120Pain Management

6

PAS 6200Family Medicine

6

PAS 6210Emergency Medicine

6

PAS 6220Internal Medicine

6

PAS 6230Cardiology

6

PAS 6240Dermatology

6

PAS 6250Cardiovascular Surgery

6

PAS 6260Surgery

6

PAS 6260Pediatrics

6

PAS 6280Orthopedics

6

PAS 6290Sports Medicine

6

PAS 6300Obstetrics & Gynecology

6

PAS 6320Radiology

6

PAS 6330Otorhinolaryngology

6

PAS 6340Geriatrics

6

PAS 6350Medical Education

6

PAS 6390Neurology

6

PAS 6460Behavioral and Mental Health

6

PAS 6470Neurosurgery

6

PAS 6480Urology

6

PAS 6500Oncology

6

PAS 6510Ophthalmology

6

PAS 6520Pulmonology

6

Total Credit Hours: 142