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 nine clinical experiences completed in a 12-month period. Required rotations are Family Medicine I and II, Pediatrics, Behavioral and Mental Health, Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Women's Health, and General Surgery. Each student will complete a ninth rotation in an elective clinical experience. 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 5025 | Research Methods and Designs in Medicine | 3 |
PAS 5070 | Applied Anatomy | 4 |
PAS 5101 | Patient Health Assessment Skills 1 | 2 |
PAS 5301 | Physician Assistant Medical Practice I | 1 |
PAS 5310 | Medical Physiology and Pathophysiology I | 4 |
Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Fall Semester
PAS 5080 | Clinical Medicine I | 9 |
PAS 5090 | Introduction to Psychiatry | 3 |
PAS 5102 | Patient Health Assessment Skills II | 5 |
PAS 5201 | Medical Diagnostics and Procedures I | 2 |
PAS 5302 | Physician Assistant Medical Practice II | 1 |
PAS 5315 | Medical Physiology and Pathophysiology II | 4 |
PAS 5340 | Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics I | 2 |
Total Credit Hours: | 26 |
Spring Semester
PAS 5103 | Patient Health Assessment Skills III | 1 |
PAS 5140 | Clinical Medicine II | 9 |
PAS 5170 | Introduction to Surgery | 3 |
PAS 5202 | Medical Diagnostics and Procedures II | 3 |
PAS 5290 | Clinical Integration Skills I | 2 |
PAS 5303 | Physician Assistant Medical Practice III | 1 |
PAS 5320 | Medical Physiology and Pathophysiology III | 4 |
PAS 5345 | Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics II | 4 |
Total Credit Hours: | 27 |
Summer Semester II
PAS 5104 | Patient Health Assessment Skills IV | 1 |
PAS 5200 | Introduction to Pediatrics | 3 |
PAS 5203 | Medical Diagnostics and Procedures III | 1 |
PAS 5230 | Introduction to Obstetrics and Gynecology | 3 |
PAS 5240 | Clinical Medicine III | 8 |
PAS 5250 | Introduction to Emergency Medicine | 3 |
PAS 5291 | Clinical Integration Skills II | 2 |
PAS 5304 | Physician Assistant Medical Practice IV | 1 |
PAS 5350 | Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics III | 4 |
Total Credit Hours: | 26 |
Clinical Phase
Elective Rotations
Elective rotations are six weeks in duration and are available in a variety of medical and surgical disciplines:
PAS 6120
| Pain Management | 6 |
PAS 6200
| Family Medicine | 6 |
PAS 6210
| Emergency Medicine | 6 |
PAS 6220
| Internal Medicine | 6 |
PAS 6230
| Cardiology | 6 |
PAS 6240
| Dermatology | 6 |
PAS 6250
| Cardiovascular Surgery | 6 |
PAS 6260
| Surgery | 6 |
PAS 6260
| Pediatrics | 6 |
PAS 6280
| Orthopedics | 6 |
PAS 6290
| Sports Medicine | 6 |
PAS 6300
| Obstetrics & Gynecology | 6 |
PAS 6320
| Radiology | 6 |
PAS 6330
| Otorhinolaryngology | 6 |
PAS 6340
| Geriatrics | 6 |
PAS 6350
| Medical Education | 6 |
PAS 6390
| Neurology | 6 |
PAS 6460
| Behavioral and Mental Health | 6 |
PAS 6470
| Neurosurgery | 6 |
PAS 6480
| Urology | 6 |
PAS 6500
| Oncology | 6 |
PAS 6510
| Ophthalmology | 6 |
PAS 6520
| Pulmonology | 6 |
Total Credit Hours: 142