PA6000 - Biopsychosocial & Preventive Medicine I
Course Restrictions: Restricted to students in the Master of Medical Science - Physician Assistant Program (MMS-PA)
Explores patient care from a biopsychosocial perspective and develops a foundational understanding of health in the context of social and behavioral science. Application of knowledge in this course prepares students to create empathic and empowering relationships with patients by considering individuals within their individual life context and identity. This is the first course in two-part series.
Credit: 2
PA6030 - Biopsychosocial & Preventive Medicine II
Prerequisites: PA 6000, PA 6120, PA 6220, PA 6320, PA 6420, PA 6520, and PA 6620
Course Restrictions: Restricted to students in the Master of Medical Science - Physician Assistant Program (MMS-PA)
Expands on the biopsychosocial model of health and social/behavioral sciences to further explore behaviors and behavior change related to disease management, health promotion and prevention of disease, injury, and violence. Additionally, introduces concepts of public health and the public health system as it relates to disease prevention, health promotion, and the role of the public health system in healthcare. This is the second course in a two-part series.
Credit: 2
PA6100 - Anatomy I
Course Restrictions: Restricted to students in the Master of Medical Science - Physician Assistant Program (MMS-PA)
Introduces students to an in-depth study of human anatomy that includes anatomical and medical terminology and foundational information on human development and structure. Using a regional approach, this course focuses on the functional knowledge of normal human gross anatomy as a foundation for understanding clinical manifestations, diagnosis, complications, and management related to trauma and disease for specific body regions. Where possible, this course aligns with topics in basic science, patient assessment, and clinical medicine. This is the first course in a three-part series.
Credit: 2
PA6120 - Anatomy II
Prerequisites: PA 6000, PA 6100, PA 6200, PA 6300, PA 6400, PA 6500, and PA 6600
Course Restrictions: Restricted to students in the Master of Medical Science - Physician Assistant Program (MMS-PA)
Provides an in-depth study of human anatomy that includes anatomical and medical terminology and foundational information on human development and structure. Using a regional approach, this course focuses on the functional knowledge of normal human gross anatomy as a foundation for understanding clinical manifestations, diagnosis, complications, and management related to trauma and disease for specific body regions addressed throughout the course sequence. Where possible, this course aligns with topics in basic science, patient assessment, and clinical medicine. This is the second course in a three-part series.
Credit: 4
PA6130 - Anatomy III
Prerequisites: PA 6120, PA 6220, PA 6320, PA 6420, PA 6520, and PA 6620
Course Restrictions: Restricted to students in the Master of Medical Science - Physician Assistant Program (MMS-PA)
Provides an in-depth study of human anatomy that includes anatomical and medical terminology and foundational information on human development and structure. Using a regional approach, this course focuses on the functional knowledge of normal human gross anatomy as a foundation for understanding clinical manifestations, diagnosis, complications, and management related to trauma and disease for specific body regions addressed throughout the course sequence. Where possible, this course will align with topics in basic science, patient assessment, and clinical medicine. This is the third course in a three-part series.
Credit: 2
PA6200 - Basic Science I
Course Restrictions: Restricted to students in the Master of Medical Science - Physician Assistant Program (MMS-PA)
Develops foundational knowledge of medical science in physiology, pathophysiology, and genetic and molecular mechanism of health and disease. This course is designed to provide the knowledge needed to apply scientific knowledge, principles and concepts to clinical reasoning for the practice of medicine. Where possible, this course aligns with topics in anatomy, pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics, and clinical medicine. This is the first course in a three-part series.
Credit: 2
PA 6220 - Basic Science II
Prerequisites: PA 6000, PA 6100, PA 6200, PA 6300, PA 6400, PA 6500, and PA 6600
Course Restrictions: Restricted to students in the Master of Medical Science - Physician Assistant Program (MMS-PA)
Develops foundational knowledge of medical science in physiology, pathophysiology, and genetic and molecular mechanism of health and disease. This course is designed to provide the knowledge needed to apply scientific knowledge, principles and concepts to clinical reasoning for the practice of medicine. Where possible, this course aligns with topics in anatomy, pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics, and clinical medicine. This is the second course in a three-part series.
Credit: 2
PA6230 - Basic Science III
Prerequisites: PA 6120, PA 6220, PA 6320, PA 6420, PA 6520, and PA 6620
Course Restrictions: Restricted to students in the Master of Medical Science - Physician Assistant Program (MMS-PA)
Develops foundational knowledge of medical science in physiology, pathophysiology, and genetic and molecular mechanism of health and disease. This course is designed to provide the knowledge needed to apply scientific knowledge, principles and concepts to clinical reasoning for the practice of medicine. Where possible, this course aligns with topics in anatomy, pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics, and clinical medicine. This is the third course in a three-part series.
Credit: 2
PA6300 - Pharmacology & Pharmacotherapeutics I
Course Restrictions: Restricted to students in the Master of Medical Science - Physician Assistant Program (MMS-PA)
Provides knowledge of the general principles of pharmacology including classification, site and mechanisms of action, toxicity, and integration of knowledge of basic medical science to understand how drugs interact with the human body. Includes a focus on selection and the rational for use of medications for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of disease, dosing and monitoring of medication, and drug interactions. This is the first course in a three-part series. Where possible, this course aligns with topics in basic science and clinical medicine. This is the first course in a three-part series.
Credit: 3
PA6320 - Pharmacology & Pharmacotherapeutics II
Prerequisites: PA 6000, PA 6100, PA 6200, PA 6300, PA 6400, PA 6500, and PA 6600
Course Restrictions: Restricted to students in the Master of Medical Science - Physician Assistant Program (MMS-PA)
Provides knowledge of the general principles of pharmacology including classification, site and mechanisms of action, toxicity, and integration of knowledge of basic medical science to understand how drugs interact with the human body. Includes a focus on selection and the rational for use of medications for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of disease, dosing and monitoring of medication, and drug interactions. Where possible, this course will align with topics in basic science and clinical medicine and is a progression of topics covered throughout the course sequence. This is the second course in a three-part series.
Credit: 3
PA6330 - Pharmacology & Pharmacotherapeutics III
Prerequisites: PA 6120, PA 6220, PA 6320, PA 6420, PA 6520, and PA 6620
Course Restrictions: Restricted to students in the Master of Medical Science - Physician Assistant Program (MMS-PA)
Provides knowledge of the general principles of pharmacology including classification, site and mechanisms of action, toxicity, and integration of knowledge of basic medical science to understand how drugs interact with the human body. Includes a focus on selection and the rational for use of medications for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of disease, dosing and monitoring of medication, and drug interactions. Where possible, this course will align with topics in basic science and clinical medicine and is a progression of topics covered throughout the course sequence. This is the third course in a three-part series.
Credit: 3
PA 6400 - Clinical Medicine I
Course Restrictions: Restricted to students in the Master of Medical Science - Physician Assistant Program (MMS-PA)
Provides foundational knowledge of normal and abnormal human development, and periodic well care for persons of all ages. A systems-based approach is used to intensively study diseases and disorders across the lifespan, including the etiology, pathophysiology, relevant historical information, physical examination findings, appropriate diagnostic studies, management, and prognosis for each condition. Concepts are reinforced and assessed in small group sessions with case-based clinical reasoning and critical thinking exercises, development of differential diagnoses, applied medical documentation, and opportunities to practice oral presentation, interpersonal communication, counseling, and patient education skills. Where possible, this course aligns with topics in anatomy, basic science, pharmacology & pharmacotherapeutics, and patient assessment. This is the first course in a three-part series.
Credit: 6
PA 6420 - Clinical Medicine II
Prerequisites: PA 6000, PA 6100, PA 6200, PA 6300, PA 6400, PA 6500, and PA 6600
Course Restrictions: Restricted to students in the Master of Medical Science - Physician Assistant Program (MMS-PA)
Provides knowledge using a systems-based approach to intensively study diseases and disorders across the lifespan, including the etiology, pathophysiology, relevant historical information, physical examination findings, appropriate diagnostic studies, management, and prognosis for each condition. Concepts are reinforced and assessed in small group sessions with case-based clinical reasoning and critical thinking exercises, development of differential diagnoses, applied medical documentation, and opportunities to practice oral presentation, interpersonal communication, counseling, and patient education skills. Where possible, this course aligns with topics in anatomy, basic science, pharmacology & pharmacotherapeutics, and patient assessment. This is the second course in a three-part series.
Credit: 6
PA 6430 - Clinical Medicine III
Prerequisites: PA 6120, PA 6220, PA 6320, PA 6420, PA 6520, and PA 6620
Course Restrictions: Restricted to students in the Master of Medical Science - Physician Assistant Program (MMS-PA)
Provides knowledge using a systems-based approach to intensively study diseases and disorders across the lifespan, including the etiology, pathophysiology, relevant historical information, physical examination findings, appropriate diagnostic studies, management, and prognosis for each condition. Concepts are reinforced and assessed in small group sessions with case-based clinical reasoning and critical thinking exercises, development of differential diagnoses, applied medical documentation, and opportunities to practice oral presentation, interpersonal communication, counseling, and patient education skills. Where possible, this course aligns with topics in anatomy, basic science, pharmacology & pharmacotherapeutics, and patient assessment. This is the third course in a three-part series.
Credit: 6
PA 6500 - Patient Assessment I
Course Restrictions: Restricted to students in the Master of Medical Science - Physician Assistant Program (MMS-PA)
Provides the knowledge and skills needed to obtain and record a complete medical history and physical examination, and to utilize diagnostic tests or procedures to evaluate a patient’s health status or complaint. Through a combination of didactic and hands-on learning students develop the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct a thorough patient assessment. Where possible, this course aligns with topics in anatomy, basic science, and clinical medicine. This is the first course in a three-part series.
Credit: 3
PA 6520 - Patient Assessment II
Prerequisites: PA 6000, PA 6100, PA 6200, PA 6300, PA 6400, PA 6500, and PA 6600
Course Restrictions: Restricted to students in the Master of Medical Science - Physician Assistant Program (MMS-PA)
Provides the knowledge and skills needed to obtain and record a complete medical history and physical examination, and to utilize diagnostic tests or procedures to evaluate a patient’s health status or complaint. Through a combination of didactic and hands-on learning students develop the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct a thorough patient assessment. Where possible, this course aligns with topics in anatomy, basic science, and clinical medicine. This is the second course in a three-part series.
Credit: 3
PA 6530 - Patient Assessment III
Prerequisites: PA 6120, PA 6220, PA 6320, PA 6420, PA 6520, and PA 6620
Course Restrictions: Restricted to students in the Master of Medical Science - Physician Assistant Program (MMS-PA)
Provides the knowledge and skills needed to obtain and record a complete medical history and physical examination, and to utilize diagnostic tests or procedures to evaluate a patient’s health status or complaint. Through a combination of didactic and hands-on learning students develop the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct a thorough patient assessment. Where possible, this course aligns with topics in anatomy, basic science, and clinical medicine. This is the third course in a three-part series.
Credit: 3
PA6600 - Professional Development I
Course Restrictions: Restricted to students in the Master of Medical Science - Physician Assistant Program (MMS-PA)
Introduces the history of the physician assistant (PA) profession, the evolving role of the PA in healthcare, current topics in PA practice, and the role of national PA professional organizations; includes introduction to professional and ethical topics related to PA student roles and PA practice. This is the first course in a two-part series.
Credit: 2
PA6620 - Professional Development II
Prerequisites: PA 6000, PA 6100, PA 6200, PA 6300, PA 6400, PA 6500, and PA 6600
Course Restrictions: Restricted to students in the Master of Medical Science - Physician Assistant Program (MMS-PA)
Provides instruction in the practice of evidence-based medicine and research, to include basic statistics, research methods, and ethical standards in research. Advanced and emerging topics in professionalism and medical ethics are discussed. This is the second course in a two-part series.
Credit: 2
PA6700 - Patient & Society
Prerequisites: PA 6120, PA 6220, PA 6320, PA 6420, PA 6520, and PA 6620
Course Restrictions: Restricted to students in the Master of Medical Science - Physician Assistant Program (MMS-PA)
Exploration of societal issues that impact health, health care delivery, and emerging issues in public health. The role of the physician assistant in promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice for patients and communities through advocacy and service is emphasized as students gain skills to positively impact issues at the local, state, and national level.
Credit: 2
PA7000 - Preparation for Clinical Phase
Prerequisites: Program Director Approval
Course Restrictions: Restricted to students in the Master of Medical Science - Physician Assistant Program (MMS-PA)
Expands upon clinical medicine knowledge and skills from the didactic phase and prepares the student to begin clinical year rotations. Includes advanced information and instruction covering a range of medical topics and assessment of hands-on clinical and technical skills.
Credit: 5
PA 7100 - Emergency Medicine Rotation
Prerequisites: Program Director Approval
Course Restrictions: Restricted to students in the Master of Medical Science - Physician Assistant Program (MMS-PA)
This supervised clinical practice experience (SCPE) provides students with an opportunity to actively engage in applying the knowledge and skills gained during the didactic phase of their education to evaluate and treat patients who may present with acute, urgent, or emergent complaints in an emergency medicine setting.
Credit: 5
PA 7200 - Surgical Medicine Rotation
Prerequisites: Program Director Approval.
Course Restrictions: Restricted to students in the Master of Medical Science - Physician Assistant Program (MMS-PA)
This supervised clinical practice experience (SCPE) provides students with an opportunity to actively engage in applying the knowledge and skills gained during the didactic phase of their education to evaluate and treat pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative patients in a surgical setting. This experience will foster the student’s ability to differentiate between surgical (including acute versus elective) versus nonsurgical presentations.
Credit: 5
PA 7300 - Internal Medicine Rotation
Prerequisites: Program Director Approval.
Course Restrictions: Restricted to students in the Master of Medical Science - Physician Assistant Program (MMS-PA)
This supervised clinical practice experience (SCPE) provides students with an opportunity to actively engage in applying the knowledge and skills gained during the didactic phase of their education to evaluate and treat patients in a hospital-based, inpatient setting. Students will hone critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills through evidence-based approaches to the evaluation and management of internal medicine patients who may present with acute, chronic, emergent, and/or life-threatening conditions.
Credit: 5
PA7350 - Clinical Phase Seminar
Prerequisites: Program Director Approval
Course Restrictions: Restricted to students in the Master of Medical Science - Physician Assistant Program (MMS-PA)
Provides instruction in medical practice topics related to health policy, health care delivery, and the structure of the U.S. health care system.
Credit: 2
PA7400 - Behavioral Medicine Rotation
Prerequisites: Program Director Approval.
Course Restrictions: Restricted to students in the Master of Medical Science - Physician Assistant Program (MMS-PA)
This supervised clinical practice experience (SCPE) provides students with an opportunity to actively engage in applying the knowledge and skills gained during the didactic phase of their education to evaluate and treat patients in behavioral and mental health settings. In honing knowledge of behavioral and mental health, students will develop clinical reasoning and critical thinking to differentiate behavioral health needs and appropriate levels of care.
Credit: 5
PA7500 - Family Medicine Rotation
Prerequisites: Program Director Approval.
Course Restrictions: Restricted to students in the Master of Medical Science - Physician Assistant Program (MMS-PA)
This supervised clinical practice experience (SCPE) provides students with an opportunity to actively engage in applying the knowledge and skills gained during the didactic phase of their education to evaluate and treat patients while emphasizing patient-centered care. This rotation may include exposure to the team practice concept of healthcare via the integration of community services, preventative medicine, patient education, and medical diagnosis and treatment of both acute and chronic conditions for patients.
Credit: 5
PA7600 - Women’s Health Rotation
Prerequisites: Program Director Approval.
Course Restrictions: Restricted to students in the Master of Medical Science - Physician Assistant Program (MMS-PA)
This supervised clinical practice experience (SCPE) provides students with an opportunity to actively engage in applying the knowledge and skills gained during the didactic phase of their education to evaluate and treat patients in women’s health including common gynecologic conditions, family planning and prenatal care. This may include managing normal pregnancy versus acute, urgent, or emergent pregnancy-related problems as well as post-partum care.
Credit: 5
PA7700 - Pediatric Medicine Rotation
Prerequisites: Program Director Approval.
Course Restrictions: Restricted to students in the Master of Medical Science - Physician Assistant Program (MMS-PA)
This supervised clinical practice experience (SCPE) provides students with an opportunity to actively engage in applying the knowledge and skills gained during the didactic phase of their education to evaluate and treat patients in pediatric medicine. Pediatric medicine experiences include well visits that allow students to hone interpersonal skills with birth through adolescent-aged patients and their families or caregivers. Pediatric medicine experiences emphasize preventive pediatric health care as well as common childhood illnesses and psychosocial concerns.
Credit: 5
PA7800 - Elective Rotation
Prerequisites: Program Director Approval
Course Restrictions: Restricted to students in the Master of Medical Science - Physician Assistant Program (MMS-PA)
Provides PA students in the clinical phase of the PA program experiential learning in one of the core discipline rotations or an elective specialty. This rotation will be coordinated with the program to ensure it meets program goals and continues to cultivate the knowledge and skills to achieve program learning outcomes. Students will work under the supervision of a Program determined licensed healthcare professional and/or their designee(s). Each PA student must successfully complete one elective clinical rotation prior to graduation.
Credit: 5
PA 7900 - Transition to Practice
Prerequisites: Program Director Approval
Course Restrictions: Restricted to students in the Master of Medical Science - Physician Assistant Program (MMS-PA)
Prepares PA students to enter the medical workforce and navigate the transition to professional practice. Includes an on-site comprehensive summative evaluation with knowledge-, skill-, and behavioral-based assessments to ensure the student has demonstrated competence and readiness to enter clinical practice.
Credit: 2