College of Business, Science & Technology

Physician Assistant Studies (PA)

PA 500 Elements of Professional Practice I 2 credits

The course will focus on the knowledge of the history of the Physician Assistant (PA) profession and current and emerging trends. It will provide the student with an understanding of the current trends in healthcare and the impact of these topics as they relate to the role of the physician assistant in a team-based setting. It will define professional conduct integrating intellectual honesty and academic integrity. Prerequisite: Admission to the PA Program.

PA 505 Elements of Professional Practice II 2 credits

The course will focus on the principles and practice of medical ethics. The course will address the role of ethical considerations in the patient-provider relationship, informed consent, confidentiality, and the rights of vulnerable populations. It will provide the student with an understanding of the principles necessary to provide medical care to patients with consideration for ethnicity, race, religion, spirituality, death, dying, loss, palliative and end-of-life care. It will define provider personal wellness including prevention of impairment and burnout. (Prerequisite: PA 500)

PA 510 Elements of Professional Practice III 2 credits

The course will focus on the business of the healthcare industry to include the complex healthcare delivery system and health policy decision making process. It will provide the student with an understanding of the role of the physician assistant in public health focusing on disease prevention, surveillance, and intervention. It will outline the role of the physician assistant in patient safety and prevention of medical errors. (Prerequisite: PA 505)

PA 520 Foundations of Medical Science & Pathophysiology 7 credits

The Foundations of Medical Science & Pathophysiology course provides an in-depth exploration of the foundational medical knowledge essential for understanding the human body's normal physiological processes and the pathological changes that lead to disease. Designed to prepare students for advanced clinical studies, the course integrates concepts from cellular biology, genetics, physiology, and pharmacology to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding mechanisms of health and disease. Students will study the function of cells, tissues, and organs across multiple systems, including the hematology, nervous, endocrine, pulmonary, cardiovascular, renal, urinary, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, and reproductive systems. Emphasis will be placed on integrating normal physiological processes with pathological alterations at the molecular, cellular, and systemic levels to explain mechanisms of disease. This course equips students with the tools to analyze and explain complex biological processes, preparing them for clinical application and individualized patient care.

PA 525 Gross Human Anatomy 7 credits

The Gross Human Anatomy course is an intensive exploration of the macroscopic structure of the human body, providing students with a detailed understanding of anatomical structures and functional significance. This course serves as a cornerstone in the education of healthcare professionals, offering a comprehensive study of human anatomy through lectures and laboratory activities. Students will systematically study the structure and function of the major organ systems, including the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, and nervous systems. Students will gain insights into anatomical structure variability. Laboratory sessions allow students to apply knowledge to anatomical specimens, enhancing their three-dimensional understanding of the human body. The anatomy lab is a dynamic learning environment, fostering collaboration, and honing observation skills. The course also integrates modern imaging techniques to complement traditional anatomical studies.

PA 530 Clinical Diagnostics & Procedures I 3 credits

This course prepares students for diagnostic challenges encountered in clinical practice. It covers laboratory tests, imaging studies, and procedural interventions related to the dermatologic, hematologic, EENT, and pulmonary systems, emphasizing interpretation and integration into patient assessments. Students are also exposed to point-of-care ultrasound and how it can assist with patient evaluation. (Prerequisites: PA 520 and PA 525)

PA 533 Clinical Diagnostics & Procedures II 3 credits

This course prepares students for diagnostic challenges encountered in clinical practice. It covers laboratory tests, imaging studies, and procedural interventions related to the cardiac, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and endocrine systems, emphasizing interpretation and integration into patient assessments. Students are also exposed to point-of-care ultrasound and how it can assist with patient evaluation. (Prerequisite: PA 530)

PA 535 Clinical Diagnostics & Procedures III 3 credits

This course prepares students for diagnostic challenges encountered in clinical practice. It covers laboratory tests, imaging studies, and procedural interventions related to the psychiatric, neurologic, obstetric/gynecologic, and musculoskeletal systems, emphasizing interpretation and integration into patient assessments. Students are also exposed to point-of-care ultrasound and how it can assist with patient evaluation. (Prerequisite: PA 533)

PA 540 Clinical Practice I 5 credits

This course focuses on teaching students fundamental clinical decision-making skills through history-taking and physical examination techniques. The first course in the series provides students with a foundational framework to approach history-taking, physical examinations, and documentation. There is an emphasis on evaluating the dermatologic, hematologic, EENT, and pulmonary systems, fostering a focused systematic and patient-centered approach to care. Students will learn to gather detailed focused medical histories, perform thorough, system-based physical exams, interpret findings, and develop differential diagnoses. Additionally, students will refine their documentation and communication abilities, preparing them for effective collaboration within healthcare teams and future clinical practice. (Prerequisite: PA 520 and PA 525)

PA 543 Clinical Practice II 5 credits

This course focuses on teaching students fundamental clinical decision-making skills through history-taking and physical examination techniques. It emphasizes evaluating the cardiac, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and endocrine systems, fostering a systematic and patient-centered approach to care. Students will learn to gather detailed medical histories, perform thorough, focused system-based physical exams, interpret findings, and develop differential diagnoses. Additionally, students will refine their documentation and communication abilities, preparing them for effective collaboration within healthcare teams and future clinical practice. (Prerequisite: PA 540)

PA 545 Clinical Practice III 5 credits

This course focuses on teaching students fundamental clinical decision-making skills through history-taking and physical examination techniques. It emphasizes evaluating the psychiatric, neurologic, obstetric/gynecologic, and musculoskeletal systems, fostering a systematic and patient-centered approach to care. Students will learn to gather detailed focused and comprehensive medical histories, perform focused and comprehensive system-based physical exams, interpret findings, and develop differential diagnoses. Additionally, students will refine their documentation and communication abilities, preparing them for effective collaboration within healthcare teams and future clinical practice. (Prerequisite: PA 543)

PA 550 Clinical Medicine I 7 credits

Clinical Medicine I covers dermatology, hematology, ophthalmology-otorhinolaryngology (EENT), pulmonology, and emergency medicine, with instruction delivered through in-person lectures. The course emphasizes the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of common health conditions and diseases encountered by primary care practitioners. Through this curriculum, students build foundational medical knowledge to support preventive, emergent, acute, and chronic care across the lifespan. (Prerequisties: PA 520 and PA 525).

PA 553 Clinical Medicine II 7 credits

Clinical Medicine II focuses on the following systems: cardiology, gastroenterology, genitourinary, and endocrinology. This course will be delivered through in-person lecture. It focuses on the clinical presentation, diagnoses, and management of commonly encountered health conditions and diseases seen by primary care practitioners. This course supports the development of medical knowledge to inform preventative, emergent, acute, and chronic care across the lifespan. (Prerequistie: PA 550)

PA 555 Clinical Medicine III 7 credits

Clinical Medicine III focuses on the following systems: psychiatry, surgery, neurology, obstetrics/gynecology, and musculoskeletal. Additionally, key concepts related to surgery will be presented. This course will be delivered through in-person lecture. It focuses on the clinical presentation, diagnoses, and management of commonly encountered health conditions and diseases seen by primary care practitioners. This course supports the development of medical knowledge to inform preventative, emergent, acute, and chronic care across the lifespan. (Prerequisite: PA 553)

PA 560 Capstone I 2 credits

This course will prepare the PA student to review and interpret the medical literature to understand how to formulate a useful review of the literature and generate a scholarly product. This course will prepare the student to ask critical questions so that they can more clearly understand medical literature. The material will be presented in lecture and discussion format with class participation. This class will build on the following principles: study design, methodology, statistical analysis, and bias. Ethical considerations, measurement theory, and scale construction as it relates to research design and methodology will be presented. The student will have the opportunity to discuss these issues as it relates to their specific research question. The course will emphasize the importance of interprofessional patient centered teams with an opportunity to work with members of the healthcare team. (Prerequisite: PA 510)

PA 610 Family Medicine Clinical Rotation 4 credits

The Family Medicine Clinical Rotation is a course designed to provide students with experience in the field of family medicine. This practicum emphasizes direct patient contact to develop the principles of primary care, preventive medicine, and the management of patients across the lifespan. Under the guidance of experienced family medicine preceptors, students will actively participate in patient care, further developing their clinical and technical skills, clinical reasoning and problem-solving, and understanding of the importance of continuity of care. Students will hone skills in performing comprehensive physical examinations, eliciting detailed medical histories, and formulating differential diagnoses in the context of common acute and chronic diseases. Students will gain expertise in preventive medicine, emphasizing health promotion, disease prevention, and lifestyle interventions. (Prerequisite: Successful completion of all didactic curriculum)

PA 620 Pediatric Clinical Rotation 4 credits

The Pediatrics Clinical Rotation is a course designed to provide students with experience in the field of pediatric medicine. This practicum emphasizes direct patient contact to develop an exploration of the unique healthcare needs of infants, children, and adolescents. Under the guidance of experienced pediatric preceptors, students will actively engage in patient care, further developing their clinical skills, communication abilities, and understanding of the diverse spectrum of pediatric conditions. Students will develop skills in diagnosing, managing, and treating common acute pediatric illnesses. Experience in preventive care will be gained through growth and development assessments, monitoring milestones, nutritional assessments, and addressing developmental concerns through conducting well-child visits and providing preventive care services. (Prerequisite: Successful completion of all didactic curriculum)

PA 630 Psychiatry Clinical Rotation 4 credits

The Psychiatry Clinical Rotation is a course designed to provide students with an experience in the field of psychiatry, emphasizing direct patient contact to develop an understanding of mental health issues across diverse patient populations. Under the guidance of experienced mental health preceptors, students will actively engage in patient care, further developing their clinical skills, communication abilities, and understanding of the diverse spectrum of behavioral and mental health conditions.Students will develop skills in conducting comprehensive psychiatric assessments, including mental status examinations, psychiatric histories, and diagnostic formulations based on recognized classification systems, gain understanding in the use of psychotropic medications for the treatment of various psychiatric disorders and recognize the need for various psychotherapeutic modalities. Students will develop the ability to recognize psychiatric emergencies, including risk assessments, crisis interventions, and collaboration with emergency services. (Prerequisite: Successful completion of all didactic curriculum)

PA 640 Internal Medicine Clinical Rotation 4 credits

The Internal Medicine Clinical Rotation is a course designed to provide students with an experience within the field of internal medicine. This practicum emphasizes direct patient contact to develop an exploration of adult and geriatric medicine, emphasizing diagnosing, managing, and preventing various medical conditions. Under the guidance of experienced internal medicine preceptors, students will actively participate in patient care, further developing their clinical skills, diagnostic acumen, and understanding of complex medical cases. Students will have the opportunity to gain experience in inpatient and outpatient settings, managing acute and chronic medical conditions, recognizing the continuum of care, and the importance of care transitions. Students will develop skills in conducting comprehensive medical histories, performing physical examinations, formulating differential diagnoses for complex medical cases, and applying principles of evidence-based medicine in diagnosing and managing medical conditions. (Prerequisite: Successful completion of all didactic curriculum)

PA 650 Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinical Rotation 4 credits

The Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN) Clinical Rotation is a course designed to provide students with an experience in the field of women's health. This practicum emphasizes direct patient contact to develop an exploration of obstetric and gynecologic care, allowing students to actively participate in various clinical settings under the guidance of experienced women’s health preceptors. Students will develop skills in assessing and managing pregnant women during the antepartum period, conduct prenatal visits, interpret diagnostic tests, addressing common pregnancy-related concerns, and gain experience in intrapartum care, including labor management, delivery assistance, and postpartum care. Students will develop skills in diagnosing and managing common gynecologic conditions, emphasizing patient comfort, communication, and recognizing normal and abnormal findings.(Prerequisite: Successful completion of all didactic curriculum)

PA 660 Emergency Medicine Clinical Rotation 4 credits

The Emergency Medicine Clinical Rotation is a course designed to provide students with experience in the field of emergency medicine. This practicum emphasizes direct patient contact to develop an exploration of the acute and emergent care environment, emphasizing evaluating, stabilizing, and managing patients with a wide range of emergencies. Under the guidance of experienced emergency medicine preceptors, students will actively engage in patient care, develop critical decision-making skills, and become familiar with the unique challenges of emergency medicine practice. Students will develop skills in rapid and systematic patient assessments, prioritize critical interventions, and identify life-threatening conditions, including care across the lifespan. Students will hone procedural skills commonly performed in the emergency department. (Prerequisite: Successful completion of all didactic curriculum)

PA 670 Surgery Clinical Rotation 4 credits

The Surgery Clinical Rotation is a course designed to provide students with an experience in the field of surgery. This practicum emphasizes direct patient contact to develop an exploration of a diverse range of surgical procedures, preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative care, and the management of surgical conditions. Under the guidance of experienced surgery preceptors, students will actively engage in patient care, develop surgical skills, and gain insight into the complexities of surgical decision-making. Students will develop skills in conducting thorough preoperative assessments, understanding surgical indications, formulating surgical plans, participating in surgical procedures, making informed intraoperative decisions, handling unexpected findings, monitoring patients in the immediate postoperative period, recognizing and managing complications, and participating in multidisciplinary care teams. (Prerequisite: Successful completion of all didactic curriculum)

PA 680 Medical Specialty Elective Clinical Rotation 4 credits

The Medical Specialty Elective Clinical Rotation is a course designed to provide students with experience in a specialized field of a medical specialty. This elective practicum allows students to tailor their clinical experience based on their career goals, interests, and areas of curiosity within the vast landscape of medical practice. Under the mentorship of experienced faculty members in the chosen specialty, students will actively engage in patient care, further develop specialized clinical skills, and gain valuable insights into the nuances of the selected medical discipline. (Prerequisite: Successful completion of all didactic curriculum)

PA 681 Medical Specialty Elective Clinical Rotation 4 credits

PA 685 Surgical Specialty Elective Clinical Rotation 4 credits

The Surgical Specialty Elective Clinical Rotation is a course designed to provide students with experience in a specialized field of a surgical specialty. This elective practicum allows students to tailor their clinical experience based on their career goals, interests, and areas of curiosity within the vast landscape of surgical practice. Under the mentorship of experienced faculty members in the chosen specialty, students will actively engage in patient care, further develop specialized clinical skills, and gain valuable insights into the nuances of the selected surgical discipline. (Prerequisite: Successful completion of all didactic curriculum)

PA 686 Surgical Specialty Elective Clinical Rotation 4 credits

PA 695 Capstone II 2 credits

The final Capstone course is designed to integrate and apply the knowledge, skills, and clinical experiences gained throughout the program. The course provides an intentional focus on preparing students for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). Building on skills developed in Capstone I and leveraging insights gained during Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences, students will create and deliver a scholarly presentation that demonstrates research and synthesis, evidence-based practice, and effective communication. Through targeted exam preparation, and reflective scholarly activity, this course prepares students to transition into clinical practice embodying the core values and mission of the program. (Prerequisite: PA 560)