Curriculum

Prerequisite(s): None | Credit Hours: 8

This is the first of a three-semester sequenced course focusing on the medical interview, physical examination techniques, and diagnostic studies/modalities. Instruction and practice sessions will focus on techniques that foster strong patient-provider relationships and facilitate accurate, comprehensive data collection. The PA student will learn how to conduct thorough patient encounters that are empathetic and culturally sensitive. Emphasizing
a patient-centered approach, the course covers strategies for active listening, creating an open and supportive environment, and addressing both medical and psychosocial aspects of patient care. Through practical exercises, interprofessional experiences, role-playing, and faculty feedback, the PA student will gain confidence in managing diverse patient populations, handling complex or sensitive issues, and communicating clearly in both routine and
challenging clinical encounters. Course delivery will primarily take place in person through on-campus lectures and skills demonstrations, with occasional sessions conducted online as needed. (A3.11d)

It is expected that students will be able to demonstrate an in-depth, advanced knowledge base that reflects current theories and best practices within their discipline. Students should be prepared to practice physical exam techniques during practice sessions, bring the proper
equipment (including laboratory coat) to perform medical interviews and physical examination. 

Prerequisite(s): None | Credit Hours: 2

Physiology I is the first course in a two-semester physiology sequence designed to provide. Physician Assistant (PA) students with a foundational understanding of human physiology. The course emphasizes core physiologic principles, including cellular physiology, membrane transport, cellular signaling, and mechanisms of homeostasis that underlie normal function across organ systems. Instruction focuses on how cells, tissues, and organ systems integrate to maintain physiologic balance and respond to internal and external demands.

Foundational concepts in body systems physiology are introduced using an integrated approach designed to support concurrent learning in clinical medicine and diagnostic skills. Physiologic principles are presented within the context of normal function and adaptive responses, with
clinical examples used to reinforce relevance without emphasizing disease management or treatment protocols. Instruction is delivered primarily through in-person, on-campus lectures, with select sessions conducted online as appropriate. (A3.11d) 

Prerequisite(s): None | Credit Hours: 2

Fundamentals I is the first course in a three‑part sequence designed to establish a durable foundation in the principles and practice of medicine. The course introduces essential biomedical and clinical concepts, emphasizing the mechanisms that underlie human health and disease. Students explore clinical presentation, pathophysiology, and the genetic, molecular, and biochemical factors that inform evidence‑based approaches to diagnosis, management, and pharmacotherapeutics. Instruction is delivered primarily through in‑person, campus‑based learning, supplemented by technology‑enhanced sessions when appropriate to support course objectives. (A3.11d)

A contextual, integrated framework highlights the connections across medical disciplines and supports a holistic approach to patient care. Fundamentals I reinforces and extends learning from concurrent and prior coursework in the basic sciences, anatomy, physiology, medical interviewing, and diagnostic reasoning to promote a cohesive and comprehensive educational experience. Prerequisite(s): None | Credit Hours: 3

This is the first in a three-course pharmacology sequence designed to introduce Physician Assistant (PA) students to the foundational principles governing drug action. The course emphasizes pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, receptor interactions, and autonomic pharmacology as the basis for understanding medication effects across organ systems. Introductory content in antimicrobial therapy, non-narcotic analgesics, and corticosteroids is included to illustrate core pharmacologic mechanisms and physiologic responses. Instruction focuses on understanding how medications produce therapeutic and adverse effects rather than on disease-specific treatment protocols. Instruction is delivered primarily through in-person, on-campus lectures, with select sessions conducted online as appropriate. (A3.11d) 

Prerequisite(s): None | Credit Hours: 1.5

This is the first of a three-semester sequenced course that will introduce PA students to the fundamental concepts and procedures commonly encountered in both surgical and primary care settings. The course will provide an overview of the operating room environment, the roles of clinicians, and the collaborative culture essential to surgical practice. 

Key topics include principles of surgical bleeding and infection management, wound types and care methods, as well as the identification and management of surgical dressings and drains. Students will also explore the recognition and treatment expectations for burns, concepts of pre-operative medical clearance, and patient safety principles. Instruction will cover adult and pediatric surgical pain management, preparation and draping considerations, and the use of common surgical instruments. Finally, students will be introduced to surgical scrubbing, gowning, and gloving techniques, reinforced through pre-laboratory instructional videos. Course delivery will primarily take place in person through on-campus lectures and surgical skills demonstrations, with occasional sessions conducted online as needed. (A3.11d). 

Prerequisite(s): None | Credit Hours: 1

Prerequisite(s): None| Credit Hours: 2

This course is the second in the pharmacology sequence and builds upon foundational principles introduced in Pharmacology I. It emphasizes system-based pharmacology using a mechanism-driven approach to examine medication effects across organ systems. Instruction focuses on physiologic effects, monitoring considerations, and common adverse effects, with integration of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles. Emphasis is placed on applying pharmacologic principles within organ system contexts while maintaining a focus on safe medication use and clinical reasoning rather than guideline-driven treatment algorithms. Instruction is delivered primarily through in-person, on-campus lectures, with select sessions conducted online as appropriate. (A3.11d). 

Prerequisite(s): PASP 5020 Pharmacology I | Credit Hours: 3

This is the second of a three-semester sequenced course that will address the basic concepts, conditions, and medical and surgical approaches to investigating commonly encountered diagnoses in general surgery. This course builds on the student’s knowledge of primary care surgical principles introduced in PASP6110 (Surgical Aspects in Primary Care) to enhance students’ appreciation of the integrated role of medicine and surgery in comprehensive patient care. Course delivery will primarily take place in person through on-campus lectures and surgical skills demonstrations, with occasional sessions conducted online as needed. (A3.11d) 

Prerequisite(s): PASP 5040 Surgical Aspects of Primary Care | Credit Hours: 2

This course introduces students to the principles of epidemiology and evidence-based medicine. Relevant core research and statistical analysis knowledge is introduced as it pertains to studies of therapy, harm, diagnosis, and prognosis. The course also introduces how to utilize relevant research/medical databases to acquire and appraise research/guidelines in order to apply knowledge obtained to clinical practice. Course delivery will primarily take place in person through on-campus lectures, with occasional sessions conducted online as needed. As part of the course requirements and in preparation for research activities students must complete both guided and self-administered activities (please refer to the Instructional Objectives and Student Assessment sections). (A3.11d) 

Prerequisite(s): None | Credit Hours: 2

Prerequisite(s): PASP 5020 Pharmacology I, Pharmacology II | Credit Hours: 1.5

This is the third of a three-semester sequenced course that will enable students to synthesize information from the entire surgery course sequence and will introduce students to specialized surgical practice including, but not limited to, bariatrics, oncologic breast, plastic and reconstructive surgery, orthopedics, vascular, transplant, cardiothoracic and urology. Course delivery will primarily take place in person through on-campus lectures and surgical skills demonstrations, with occasional sessions conducted online as needed. (A3.11d)  

Prerequisite(s): PASP 5040 Surgical Aspects in Primary Care, PASP 5042 Surgical Specialties | Credit Hours: 2

This course will provide the PA student with an introduction to statistical methods. Topics will include types of data and distributions, measures of central tendency and dispersion, interval estimation (confidence intervals), graphical presentation of data, population sampling, sample size and its relationship to statistical power, common parametric and non-parametric tests, correlation, regression, and survival analysis. As part of this course, students will be introduced to a statistical program and will be required to complete hands-on assignments in preparation to research activities that will take place during the Clinical Phase. Course delivery will primarily take place in person through on-campus lectures, with occasional sessions conducted online as needed. (A3.11d)  

Prerequisite(s): None| Credit Hours: 2

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to research guiding students from the early stages of inquiry to the development of a rigorous final research project. Students will learn to identify and articulate meaningful problems, refine research questions, and select appropriate methodological and study designs. Emphasis is placed on developing practical skills in data collection, analysis, and interpretation, as well as understanding the ethical principles that underpin responsible research.  

Prerequisite(s):  Preclinical Courses | Credit Hours: 4

This clinical course provides the physician assistant student with practical experience in the triage, evaluation and care of patients in an emergency room setting. It is designed to augment, strengthen, and refine the student’s knowledge and skills learned in the didactic phase.   

Prerequisite(s): Preclinical Courses | Credit Hours: 3

This is the 1st of two clinical courses intended to provide the physician assistant student with an opportunity to gain practical experience and learn, understand, and practice the care of the adult and elderly population in the setting of internal medicine. 

Prerequisite(s): Preclinical Courses | Credit Hours: 3

This is the 2nd of two clinical courses intended to provide the physician assistant student with an opportunity to gain practical experience and learn, understand, and practice the care of the adult and elderly population in the setting of internal medicine.  

Prerequisite(s): MEDC 6001 Internal Medicine I| Credit Hours: 3

The purpose of this clinical course is to provide the physician assistant student with practical experience in the inpatient, outpatient, and surgical settings to provide non-urgent, urgent, emergency, or surgical management of gynecologic and/or obstetric issues occurring throughout the lifespan. Students must complete 1 surgical rotation and 1 internal medicine rotation before enrolling in this course.  

Prerequisite(s): Preclinical Courses | Credit Hours: 3

The purpose of this clinical clerkship is to provide the PA The purpose of this clinical course is to provide the physician assistant student with practical experience in caring for pediatric patients in outpatient and/or inpatient settings. The student will actively function as an integral member of the healthcare team while under the direct supervision of the clinical preceptor.    

Prerequisite(s): Preclinical Courses | Credit Hours: 3

The purpose of this clinical course is to provide the physician assistant student with practical experience in an outpatient setting providing continuity of care including preventive medicine and treating acute and chronic illness to all members of the family across the age spectrum including child, adolescent, and adult.   

Prerequisite(s): Preclinical Courses | Credit Hours: 3

The clinical course is to provide the physician assistant student with practical experience in care for patients with mental and/or behavioral health disorders in ambulatory or hospital settings. 

Prerequisite(s): Preclinical Courses | Credit Hours: 3

This is the 1st of two clinical courses intended to provide the physician assistant student with an opportunity to gain practical experience and learn, understand, and practice the care of patients with surgical disorders unresolved by conservative care. Students will gain experience as a member of the interprofessional team in the operating room as well as pre-and post-operative assessment and management. 

Prerequisite(s): Preclinical Courses | Credit Hours: 3

This is the 2nd of two clinical courses intended to provide the physician assistant student with an opportunity to gain practical experience and learn, understand, and practice the care of patients with surgical disorders unresolved by conservative care. Students will gain experience as a member of the interprofessional team in the operating room as well as pre-and post-operative assessment and management. 

Prerequisites: Preclinical Courses, SURG 6001 Surgery I | Credit Hours: 3

This course prepares physician assistant students for transition into clinical practice, emphasizing clinical readiness, leadership, advanced ultrasound, Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE) preparation, employment readiness, licensure and certification, and culminates in the summative evaluation.  

Prerequisites: Preclinical Courses | Credit Hours: 3