Curriculum

A course designed to provide knowledge of the structure, form and function of the human body through a body system approach. Clinically relevant medical terminology, areas of radiographic imaging, surface anatomy and clinical case correlations are integrated into the course. The student, through utilization of state-of-the-art virtual dissection, will achieve visual-spatial realization of human structure and function. Students will acquire anatomic and physiologic knowledge with clinical application through lecture and small group work.

4 credit hours

A course designed to allow students to obtain competency in the visual-spatial (3D) realization of the human body’s structure and function. Through dissection, the student will develop the kinesthetic skills necessary to competently perform medical procedures. The course will include knowledge regarding compassion, respect and medical professionalism through the interactions with the medical team and human cadaver. Clinically relevant medical terminology, areas of radiographic imaging, surface anatomy and clinical case correlations are integrated into the course. Students will acquire anatomic knowledge with clinical application through cadaveric laboratory experience to include human, synthetic and/or virtual dissection.

2 credit hours

A course designed to provide a foundation in science as applied to clinical medicine. This course will cover the following topics: embryology, the genetic and molecular mechanisms of health and disease, the inflammatory process, and microbiology as applied to disease states. Team-based learning modules highlight clinical correlations and the importance of understanding illness and disease at the molecular level. Instruction will include lecture as well as small group exercises and/or problem/case based learning.

3 credit hours

A course designed to provide the knowledge necessary to obtain and complete the medical history and physical examination through the utilization of therapeutic communication, medical equipment, accurate medical terminology and proper examination techniques. The course will provide instruction on the application of appropriate history and physical examination techniques for adults during an annual well exam. Students will be introduced to other visit types such as emergent, acute and chronic visits. Organizational skills for oral and written presentation of findings will be included. The course will be delivered in lecture and small group format.

3 credit hours

A course designed to provide training on the skills and competencies necessary to obtain and complete the medical history and physical examination. The course will provide students the opportunity to practice H&P skills, obtain and demonstrate competency in a simulated environment. Students are assessed on the application of history and physical examination techniques for adults during an annual well exam. Students will be introduced to other visit types such as emergent, acute and chronic visits. Organizational skills for oral and written presentation of findings will be practiced and assessed. The course will be delivered in a laboratory format.

4 credit hours

The first in a series of courses designed to aid the student’s transition into the medical profession and serves as an introduction to multiple professional practice issues. Topics covered in this course include history of profession, academic honesty, medical professionalism, medical ethics and medical documentation. Instruction will include lecture as well as small group exercises and/or problem case-based learning. 

1 credit hour

A course designed to guide the development of problem-solving skills of medical decision-making process. It will include an examination of diseases/disorders using a body system approach. Medical knowledge includes the epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, management and patient education of diseases/disorders. Emphasis will be on disease processes common to primary care practices. Instruction includes the provision of care in preventive, emergent, acute, chronic, adolescent, adult and elderly populations as it applies to disease processes. Instruction will include lecture, problem/case-based learning and small group work (systems include dermatology, hematology/oncology, infectious diseases, nephrology, genitourinary, psychiatric, neurology and endocrinology).

6 credit hours

A course designed to guide the student in developing problem-solving skills to apply in the medical decision-making process in making therapeutic treatment decisions to include both prescription and over-the-counter medications. Both the pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics of drug classes are covered as well as safe, ethical, therapeutic and legal prescribing practices. This course will follow the same body system approach as the clinical medicine course modules. Instruction will include lecture, problem/case-based learning and/or small group work.

3 credit hours

A course designed to develop a functional understanding of the appropriate utilization of diagnostic tests common to primary care based medicine. The student will learn to select, order, interpret and apply the results of diagnostic studies in the medical decision making process. Topics include clinical laboratory medicine, radiology, nuclear medicine, EKG, cardiac stress test, ECHO, and pulmonary function test. The utilization of ultrasound to guide procedures as well as a diagnostic tool will be included. The course will include lecture, lab and problem/case-based learning and/or small group work.

3 credit hours

The second in a series of courses designed to aid the student’s transition into the medical profession and serve as an introduction to multiple professional practice issues. Topics covered in this course include effective interpersonal communication, medical Spanish, basic counseling and patient education. Instruction will include lecture as well as small group exercises and problem or case-based learning.

1 credit hour

A course designed to allow students to become competent in performing a variety of patient care skills. Skills are sequenced to the body systems being covered in the corresponding clinical medicine course to include physical examination, diagnostic, procedural, communication, professionalism and team-based skills. The course will allow students to safely apply the medical decision-making process and learn procedural skills in a simulated environment. This course utilizes the PA simulation center to include high fidelity simulators, task trainers and standardized patient experiences.

4 credit hours

A course designed to explore concepts of public health as they relate to the role of the practicing PA. Students will utilize the US Preventive Health Service task force clinical guidelines to identify preventive services for patient across the life span. Included social/behavioral topics are: death, dying and loss, normal and abnormal development across the life span, patient response to illness, injury and stress, substance abuse/addiction, violence identification and prevention and childhood behavioral health concerns. Instruction will include lecture as well as small group exercises and problem/case based learning.

2 credit hours

A course designed to guide the development of problem-solving skills to apply in the medical decision-making process. It will include an examination of diseases/disorders using a body system approach. Medical knowledge includes the epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, management, and patient education of diseases. Emphasis will be on disease processes/disorders common to primary care practices. Instruction includes the provision of care in preventive, emergent, acute, chronic, adolescent, adult and elderly populations as it applies to disease processes. Instruction will include lecture, problem/case-based learning and/or small group work (systems include cardiovascular and pulmonology).

4 credit hours

A course designed to guide the student in developing problem-solving skills to apply in the medical decision-making process in making therapeutic treatment decisions to include both prescription and over-the-counter medications. Both the pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics of drug classes are covered as well as safe, ethical, therapeutic and legal prescribing practices. This course will follow the same body system approach as the clinical medicine course modules. Instruction will include lecture, problem/case-based learning and/or small group work.

2 credit hours

The third in a series of courses designed to aid the student’s transition into the medical profession and serves as an introduction to multiple professional practice issues. This course will guide the student in developing problem-solving skills to apply to the medical decision-making process. The course will include instruction to prepare students to search, interpret and evaluate medical literature to include its application to individualized patient care. Instruction will include lecture as well as small group exercises and/or problem or case-based learning.

1 credit hour

A course designed to introduce the concept of the social determinants of health including the sociocultural, economic and environmental factors that influence a patient’s health. The role of the PA in incorporating these issues into an appropriate plan of care will be explored. Students will gain experience, in the clinical setting, in history and physical exam skills. Providing medical care to patients with consideration for disability, ethnicity/ race, gender identity, religion/spirituality, and sexual orientation will be discussed. Students will participate in a medical service learning project in the community.

2 credit hours

A course designed to allow students to become competent in performing a variety of patient care skills. Skills are sequenced to the body systems being covered in the corresponding clinical medicine course to include physical examination, diagnostic, procedural, communication, professionalism and team-based skills. The course will allow students to safely apply the medical decision-making process and learn procedural skills in a simulated environment. This course utilizes the PA simulation center to include high fidelity simulators, task trainers and standardized patient experiences.

4 credit hours

A course designed to guide students in obtaining medical knowledge and developing problem solving skills to apply in the medical decision-making process and patient care as it applies to trauma, hospital floor medicine, emergency medicine, and intensive care. The course will include lecture, problem/case based learning and/or small group work.

2 credit hours

A course designed to guide the development of problem-solving skills to apply in the medical decision-making process. It will include an examination of diseases/disorders using a body system approach. Medical knowledge includes the epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, management and patient education of diseases/disorders. Emphasis will be on disease processes common to primary care practices. Instruction includes the provision of care in preventive, emergent, acute, chronic, adolescent, adult and elderly populations. Instruction will include lecture, problem/case-based learning and/or small group work (systems include gastrointestinal, orthopedics, rheumatology, autoimmune, EENT/oral health, gynecologic, obstetrics and men’s health).

6 credit hours

A course designed to guide the student in developing problem-solving skills to apply in the medical decision-making process in making therapeutic treatment decisions to include both prescription and over-the-counter medications. Both the pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics of drug classes are covered as well as safe, ethical, therapeutic and legal prescribing practices. This course will follow the same body system approach as the clinical medicine course modules. Instruction will include lecture, problem/case-based learning and/or small group work.

3 credit hours

A course designed to guide students in obtaining medical knowledge and developing problem solving skills to apply in the medical decision-making process and patient care as it applies to military/disaster medicine, telemedicine, pediatric medicine, parenting, geriatric medicine, occupational/environmental medicine, surgical medicine, addiction medicine, diving medicine and behavioral medicine. The course will include lecture, problem/case based learning and/or small group work.

3 credit hours

A course designed to allow students to become competent in performing a variety of patient care skills. Skills are sequenced to the corresponding clinical medicine course to include physical examination, diagnostic, procedural, communication, professionalism and team-based skills. The course will allow students to safely apply the medical decision-making process and learn procedural skills in a simulated environment. This course includes instruction in ACLS and PALS which must be successfully completed to pass the course. Students are assessed on the application of history and physical examination techniques for the following populations: infant, children, adolescents and elderly in the following visit types: annual well exam, focused, emergent, acute and chronic. This course utilizes the PA simulation center to include high fidelity simulators, task trainers and standardized patient experiences. This course includes the didactic summative and clinical orientation instruction.

4 credit hours

The fourth in a series of courses designed to aid the student’s transition into the medical profession and serves as an introduction to multiple professional practice issues. Topics covered in this course include the statutes that govern PA practice, current health care laws, safety and quality improvement in health care, the effects of health policy on PA practice and regulations applied to medical practice. Instruction will include lecture as well as small group exercises and problem/case-based learning.

1 credit hour

The fifth in a series of courses designed to aid the student’s transition into the medical profession and serves as an introduction to multiple professional practice issues. Topics covered include health insurance, transitions of care, health care systems, pay for performance, patient centered medical home and chronic care. Instruction will include lecture as well as self-directed studies and/or small group exercises.

1 credit hour

A course designed to monitor the second-year PA students progression in obtaining the program defined PA competencies. Students will complete practical examinations in a simulated patient encounter that will include the utilization of high fidelity simulators, task trainers, and/or standardized patients. Under the guidance of their faculty mentor, students will complete sections of their final capstone project during this course.

2 credit hours

A supervised clinical practice experience designed to give students the opportunity to participate in the medical decision-making process while developing the appropriate knowledge, skills and abilities to provide care in the ambulatory outpatient family medicine clinic. The course will deliver education on providing comprehensive evidence-based, gender/age specific individualized care, addressing acute and chronic diseases, health promotion and disease prevention in the context of each patient’s social, economic, cultural and religious background. Students will engage with the interprofessional team and behave as a medical professional with patients, families and other members of the medical team.

4 credit hours

A supervised clinical practice experience designed to give students the opportunity to participate in the medical decision-making process while developing the appropriate knowledge, skills and abilities to provide care needed by hospitalized patients. During this rotation students will learn the indications for admission, the care of an admitted patient and the process for transfer of the patient from admitted to discharged. Students will have the opportunity to work as part of the primary team while coordinating with subspecialists and interdisciplinary allied health professionals.

4 credit hours

A supervised clinical practice experience designed to give students the opportunity to participate in the medical decision-making process while developing the appropriate knowledge, skills and abilities to provide care in a pediatric medicine practice. The course provides education in comprehensive, evidence-based, gender/age specific individualized care, addressing acute and chronic diseases (sick child), health promotion (well child) and disease prevention in the context of each patient’s social, economic, cultural and religious background. Students will engage with the interprofessional team and behave as a medical professional with patients, families and other members of the medical team.

4 credit hours

The sixth in a series of courses designed to aid the student’s transition into the medical profession and serve as an introduction to multiple professional practice issues. Topics covered in this course include personal and professional growth, participation in professional organizations, lifelong learning strategies, participation in the legislative process and interprofessional team principles. Instruction will include lecture as well as self-directed studies and/or small group exercises.

1 credit hour

A course designed to monitor the second-year PA students progression in obtaining the program defined PA competencies. Students will complete practical examinations in a simulated patient encounter that will include the utilization of high fidelity simulators, task trainers, and/or standardized patients. Under the guidance of their faculty mentor, students will complete sections of their final capstone project during this course.

2 credit hours

A supervised clinical practice experience designed to give students the opportunity to participate in the medical decision-making process while developing the appropriate knowledge, skills and abilities to provide care in the surgical medicine practice. The experiences in this rotation will include pre-operative, intra-operative (assisting) and post-operative surgical care. Students will engage with the interprofessional team and behave as a medical professional with patients, families and other members of the medical team.

4 credit hours

A supervised clinical practice experience designed to give students the opportunity to participate in the medical decision-making process while developing the appropriate knowledge, skills and abilities to provide care in the emergency medicine practice. The rotation will take place in emergency departments. This rotation allows students to establish triage skills, learn to recognize and manage conditions that need immediate attention and prioritize care for conditions that are less urgent. Students will engage with the interprofessional team and behave as a medical professional with patients, families and other members of the medical team.

4 credit hours

A supervised clinical practice experience designed to give students the opportunity to develop knowledge, skills and abilities in patient care, knowledge for practice, practice-based learning, and improvement in communication, professionalism, interprofessional collaboration, system-based practice and professional development in a primary care or specialty medical practice area of interest to the student. If the selected site does not have an existing affiliation, approval from the clinical education coordinator is required.

3 credit hours

A supervised clinical practice experience designed to give students the opportunity to participate in the medical decision-making process while developing the appropriate knowledge, skills and abilities to recognize and provide care for various behavioral/mental health problems. In settings such as in/outpatient behavioral/mental health facilities and multiservice centers students will participate in behavioral/mental health evaluations, observe behavioral/mental therapy/interventions and discuss management plans. Emphasis is on applying skills learned to treatment of behavioral/mental health issues in primary care. Students will engage with the interprofessional team and behave as a medical professional with patients, families and other members of the medical team.

4 credit hours

A supervised clinical practice experience designed to give students the opportunity to participate in the medical decision-making process while developing the appropriate knowledge, skills and abilities to provide care in a women’s health medicine practice. Experiences include prenatal care, obstetric/gynecologic health histories, ob/gyn exams, evaluation and management planning. Emphasis is on applying skills learned to the treatment of ob/gyn health issues in primary care in the context of each patient’s social, economic, cultural and religious background. Students will engage with the interprofessional team and behave as a medical professional with patients, families and other members of the medical team.

4 credit hours

A supervised clinical practice experience designed to give students the opportunity to develop knowledge, skills and abilities in patient care, knowledge for practice, practice-based learning, and improvement in communication, professionalism, interprofessional collaboration, system-based practice and professional development in a primary care or specialty medical practice area of interest to the student. If the selected site does not have an existing affiliation, approval from the clinical education coordinator is required.

3 credit hours

A course designed to monitor the second-year PA students progression in obtaining the program defined PA competencies. Students will complete practical examinations in a simulated patient encounter that will include the utilization of high fidelity simulators, task trainers, and/or standardized patients. Under the guidance of their faculty mentor, students will complete sections of their final capstone project during this course.

2 credit hours

A course designed to prepare students for the final transition from student to medical provider. A summative assessment of physician assistant competencies will be included. The final capstone research project will be presented in this course. Topics covered include certifying examination review, certification process, professional licensure, malpractice, professional career planning, contract negotiations, credentialing process and financial planning. Content will be delivered in lecture, lab and small groups.

2 credit hours