Physician Assistant (PAS)

This four-credit course is the first part of three sequenced courses, which introduce physician assistant students to the study of medicine and disease processes. Emphasis has been placed on the integration of the essential anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, microbiology, pharmacology, and medical terminology relevant to medical problems encountered in the primary care setting. In PAS 501, the major content areas include hematology/oncology, dermatology, otolaryngology, ophthalmology pulmonology, gastroenterology and introduction to cardiology.

This course will cover the normal functioning of human tissue and organs as well as their integration into specific biological systems.

This synchronous online course is the first in a three-semester sequenced course focusing on the medical interview and physical examination techniques to foster development of adequate diagnostic skills. Students will be involved in a virtual patient encounter during the semester. Emphasis is placed on history taking, physical exam skills and note writing skills.

This course will study the diverse cultural, ethical, and psychosocial issues that affect the patient encounter and the evolving clinician-patient relationship. We will examine the powerful influence of the patient's cultural and social context on the development and management of disease. We will also examine clinician factors, such as implicit and explicit bias, and how this might impact the care we provide. Effective communication skills, approaching and navigating challenging situations, and adaptability are exceptionally important aspects of the clinical encounter. We will utilize interactive class discussions, discussion boards, and small group interactions to explore these concepts. This course is delivered on-line in a synchronous format.

This is a one semester, two-credit course that critically examines the professional aspects of physician assistant practice and the role of the physician assistant as a member of the health care team. This course will also concentrate on ethical decision-making strategies and ethical principles as they pertain to the physician assistant. This course is synchronous and web-based.

This course will provide the students with a thorough understanding of the gross anatomy of the human body. Developmental and clinical considerations will be included. This course will include lecture and laboratory.

This course will provide the students with a thorough understanding of the gross anatomy of the human body. Developmental and clinical considerations will be included. This course will include lecture and laboratory.

This course is designed to teach physician assistant students how to obtain, process, refine and prioritize the growing body of information relevant to the practice of medicine. Evidence-based medicine is a philosophy and a technique which will enhance the understanding of the science of medicine, provide a tool for determining the best evidence to apply to questions of patient care, and foster the attitude of life-long learning. This course is web- based.

This online course is designed to teach the physician assistant student health promotion topics. This course will review the practice frameworks for health promotion including US Preventive Service Taskforce (USPSTF) recommendations and Health People 2030 leading health indicators. This course has two major themes. The first is that providing good preventive care is essential to the health of your patients and to the delivery of preventive healthcare. The second is that in your role as a clinician in your community and as a public health advocate. One of your most important responsibilities is to communicate effectively with your patients.

Pathophysiology is the study of disease processes as a scientific basis for understanding the relationship of health and disease to clinical medicine. This course will provide the basic pathophysiologic understanding of the underlying etiologies of diseases and their resulting clinical manifestations. This course provides the necessary linkage between the basic sciences and the clinical presentation of disease states.

Pathophysiology is the study of disease processes as a scientific basis for understanding the relationship of health and disease to clinical medicine. This course will provide the basic pathophysiologic understanding of the underlying etiologies of diseases and their resulting clinical manifestations. This course provides the necessary linkage between the basic sciences and the clinical presentation of disease states.

PAS 547 is the first course of a sequenced set of two-semester courses, which introduces physician assistant students to the study of pharmacology with clinical applications. Emphasis has been placed on the integration of clinical therapeutics of various medications as well as basic principles and biochemical properties.

The course will be taught in an interactive lecture format with an emphasis on critical thinking and decisionmaking. The use of visual aids will be utilized to clarify medical diagnosis, treatment, and follow up. This course integrates information from all other courses taught during this semester and expects all previously required information be called upon to build a stable, comprehensive depth and breadth of knowledge. The Clinical Medicine sequence of courses forms a large basis of knowledge essential to future success in the clinical phase of PA education. This is part one of three that comprises the Clinical Medicine course.

The course will be taught in an interactive lecture format with an emphasis on critical thinking and decision-making. The use of visual aids will be utilized to clarify medical diagnosis, treatment, and follow up. This course integrates information from all other courses taught during this semester and expects the all previously required information be called upon to build a stable, comprehensive depth and breadth of knowledge. The Clinical Medicine sequence of courses forms a large basis of knowledge essential to future success in the clinical phase of PA education. This is part two of three that comprises the Clinical Medicine course series.

This course is the third part of three sequenced courses, which introduces physician assistant students to the study of medicine and disease processes. Emphasis has been placed on the integration of the essential anatomy, pathophysiology, microbiology, pharmacology and medical terminology relevant to medical problems encountered in the primary care setting. In PAS 603, the major content areas include: behavioral/mental health (psychiatry), geriatrics, pediatrics/adolescent medicine, emergency medicine, and interprofessional education. The course will use lecture format with an emphasis on critical thinking and decision-making. Students can accomplish the learning objectives by lecture-based presentations and critical thinking/case studies, supplemental readings and journal articles providing current information. Students should behave professionally, which includes timeliness, respect for lecturers, and introspective thinking. The course requires class preparation which includes including pre-reading scheduled topics and reviewing foundational material to expand comprehension of material.

This course is the first part of a sequenced two-semester course designed to provide the student with an understanding of the use of diagnostic studies as an aid to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of disease. The course focuses on basic diagnostic imaging and laboratory tests and procedures used to investigate clinical problems encountered within in-patient and outpatient settings. These tests/modalities are integral to the critical thinking process in developing appropriate diagnoses and treatment options. Diagnostic testing selections are based upon subjective clinical judgment and must be used in conjunction with a quality history and physical examination. Diagnostic modalities are rapidly evolving requiring attention to professional Guidelines and Recommendations for best practices in patient care.

This course is the second part of a sequenced two-semester course designed to provide the student with an understanding of the use of diagnostic studies as an aid to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of disease. The course focuses on basic diagnostic imaging and laboratory tests and procedures used to investigate clinical problems encountered in the in-patient and outpatient settings. These tests/modalities are integral to the critical thinking process in developing appropriate diagnoses and treatment options. Diagnostic testing selections are based upon subjective clinical judgment and must be used in conjunction with a quality history and physical examination. Students will be exposed to emergency department immersive bedside point-of-care-ultrasound (POCUS) experience for exposure to its indications, techniques, strengths and weaknesses. Diagnostic modalities are rapidly evolving requiring attention to professional Guidelines and Recommendations for best practices in patient care.

This is the second in a three-semester sequenced course focusing on the medical interview and physical examination techniques to foster development of adequate diagnostic skills. Students will be involved in direct patient encounters throughout the semester. Emphasis is placed on history taking, physical exam skills, note writing and oral presentation skills.

This is the third in a three-semester sequenced course focusing on the medical interview and physical examination techniques to foster development of adequate diagnostic skills. Students will be involved in direct patient encounters throughout the semester. Emphasis is placed on history taking, physical exam skills, note writing and oral presentation skills.

This is the first in a two-semester sequenced course providing instruction in management of patients during the perioperative course as well as the indications, contraindications, equipment, technique, and potential complications of surgical and technical procedures encountered in the practice of medicine and surgery. Emphasis is placed on common issues encountered in managing the care of surgical patients and on common procedures performed in the course of practicing medicine, as well as the theory and practice of these procedures.

This is the second in a two-semester sequenced course providing instruction in management of patients during the perioperative course as well as the indications, contraindications, equipment, technique, and potential complications of surgical and technical procedures encountered in the practice of medicine and surgery. Emphasis is placed on common issues encountered in managing the care of surgical patients and on common procedures performed in the course of practicing medicine, as well as the theory and practice of these procedures.

This online course is designed to provide the future healthcare provider with knowledge and skills in medical writing. All students are required to develop a quality paper in American Medical Association (AMA) format style that meets the standards required for publication in a peer-reviewed professional journal. This is a non-thesis Master’s degree. Although the Master project is not a thesis, it is expected that the final paper will be thoroughly researched and well written. The final project will include a clinical review article or a CME article. A clinical review article is an analysis and synthesis of existing knowledge on a given disease, health condition or professional topic.

This course provides an introduction to leadership in organizations and helps PAs apply these principles to his or her practice. A historical review of leadership theory and research will be accompanied by current developments in understanding leadership. Students will assess their own leadership styles, using various questionnaires, structured feedback and self-analysis assignments. The course develops leadership skills and planning for each student’s on-going development as a leader in healthcare.

This is the second part of a sequenced two‐semester course, which introduces physician assistant students to the study of pharmacology. Emphasis is placed on the integration of clinical applications of various medications as well as basic principles and biochemical properties.

This supervised clinical course provides students an opportunity to participate in the care of patients with acute and chronic medical conditions in a hospital setting. This clerkship offers exposure to patients with various medical conditions and is designed to provide students supervised internal medicine clinical practice experiences enabling them to meet program learning outcomes and acquire the competencies needed for entry-level clinical PA practice.

This supervised clinical course provides students an opportunity to participate in the care of a variety of pediatric patients with acute, chronic and preventative conditions. This clerkship offers exposure to patients with medical, child development and growth circumstances within the family unit and is designed to provide students supervised medical and clinical practice experiences enabling them to meet program expectations (outcomes) and acquire the competencies needed for entry-level clinical PA practice.

: This supervised clinical course in Women’s Health provides the student with an opportunity to participate in the care of a variety of patients seeking gynecologic care for both acute and chronic complaints. The student will be exposed to the assessment of the obstetric patient including prenatal and postpartum care. The student will also be exposed to the practice of preventive obstetrics and gynecology as well as common gynecologic disorders. The rotation is designed to provide students with supervised medical and clinical practice experiences enabling them to meet program expectations (outcomes) and acquire the competencies needed for entry-level clinical PA practice.

This supervised clinical course provides students an opportunity to participate in the care of a variety of patients with acute and chronic psychological disorders. This clerkship offers exposure to patients with mental health and behavioral medicine conditions and is designed to provide students supervised behavioral medicine clinical practice experiences enabling them to meet program expectations (outcomes) and acquire the competencies needed for entry-level clinical PA practice.

This supervised clinical course provides the student with an opportunity to participate in the care of a variety of patients with acute and chronic medical problems, as well as patients seeking preventive medical care, in the outpatient setting. This clerkship provides exposure to patients seeking medical care across the life span. The rotation is designed to provide students with supervised medical and clinical practice experiences enabling them to meet program expectations (outcomes) and acquire the competencies needed for entry-level clinical PA practice.

This supervised clinical course provides the student with an opportunity to participate in the care of a variety of patients with emergent and acute medical problems in the emergency department setting. This clerkship provides exposure to patients with medical and surgical emergencies as well as trauma. The clerkship is designed to provide students with supervised medical and clinical practice experiences enabling them to meet program learning outcomes and acquire the competencies needed for entry-level clinical PA practice.

This supervised clinical course provides the student with an opportunity to participate in the care of a variety of patients with emergent, acute and chronic medical problems in the inpatient and operating room setting. The student will work as a member of the surgical team treating patients seeking care for conditions requiring surgical management, including preoperative, intra-operative, and post-operative care. The rotation is designed to provide students with supervised medical and clinical practice experiences enabling them to meet program expectations (outcomes) and acquire the competencies needed for entry-level clinical PA practice.

This supervised clinical course, selected by the student, is available in a variety of clinical areas of medicine and surgical settings. Experiences can range from private practice to inpatient and from general areas to subspecialties, in both local and/or global settings. The clerkship is designed to provide students with supervised medical and clinical practice experiences enabling them to meet program learning outcomes and acquire the competencies needed for entry-level clinical PA practice.

This supervised clinical course, selected by the program, is available in a variety of clinical areas of medicine and surgical settings. Experiences can range from private practice to inpatient and from general areas to subspecialties, in both local and/or global settings. The clerkship is designed to provide students with supervised medical and clinical practice experiences enabling them to meet program learning outcomes and acquire the competencies needed for entry-level clinical PA practice.

The elective clerkship will provide the student with opportunities to see a variety of patients with medical/surgical complaints or concerns specific to the elective area, under the direction of the site preceptor. The elective clerkship will utilize, reline, and build on the goals and objectives achieved in the junior didactic and clinical training. The student is expected to develop basic diagnostic and therapeutic skills related to preventive, chronic, acute and emergent problems.

The Clinical Year Capstone Course is divided into three separate and distinct modules, each with their own specific intent. Module one consists of the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and the Written Comprehensive Exam. These exams comply with the program’s summative assessment requirement of the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Module two encompasses the clinical preparatory call back day lectures and small group exercises covering issues related to clinical practice including quality assurance, legal issues in PA employment, risk management, managing legal risk, medical error, medical coding and billing and career day. Module three is a preventive and chronic disease module designed to increase the Physician Assistant student’s knowledge and appreciation for the medical and behavioral health management of virtual patients as they move through the chronic disease process. This includes developing the necessary cultural awareness and humility to provide medical care to patients from diverse populations. Students will work on Aquifer Virtual Patient Cases which are applicable to the successful management of chronic conditions.