Physician Assistant Studies (PA)

This course presents fundamental concepts in the physician assistant/patient relationship, skills needed to conduct complete medical histories and physical examinations of patients of all ages, systematic approaches to clinical problem solving, and methodologies commonly used to communicate medical information. Students will analyze the diagnostic process, examine various modes of communication, learn and practice interviewing techniques, and begin learning history and physical examination skills.

This is the first in a three-course series that presents fundamental concepts in the physician assistant/patient relationship, skills needed to conduct complete medical histories and physical examinations of patients of all ages, and methodologies commonly used to communicate medical information.

This is the second course in a three-course series. The course presents fundamental concepts in the physician assistant/patient relationship with emphasis being placed on interviewing, history taking, physical assessment and diagnosis based on clinical findings. Both normal and abnormal health assessment findings are highlighted. Students learn about cultural competencies, health disparities and diversity components. Classroom activities focus primarily on assessments that require history taking skills and utilize organizing theory and frameworks. Labs focus on the knowledge and skills for history taking and physical examination.

This is the third course in a three-course series. The course presents fundamental concepts in the physician assistant/patient relationship with emphasis being placed on interviewing, history taking, physical assessment and diagnosis based on clinical findings. Both normal and abnormal health assessment findings are highlighted. Students will learn about cultural competencies, health disparities and diversity components. Classroom activities focus primarily on assessments that require history taking skills and utilize organizing theory and frameworks. Labs focus on the knowledge and skills for history taking and physical examination.

This is the first of a three-course series that examines the etiology, presentation, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders common to adults seen in primary care physician assistant practice. This series serves as preparation for the clinical rotations in internal medicine, family medicine, emergency medicine and surgery.

This is the first of three courses that provides the base of information necessary for clinical prescribing of medications. It includes pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacotherapeutics. Within each class of therapeutic drugs, the course examines drug actions, interactions, reactions and contraindications. The course includes principles of prescribing and patient compliance.

This is the second of three courses that provides the base of information necessary for clinical prescribing of medications. It includes pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacotherapeutics. Within each class of therapeutic drugs, the course examines drug actions, interactions, reactions and contraindications. The course includes principles of prescribing and patient compliance.

This is the third of three courses that provides the base of information necessary for clinical prescribing of medications. It includes pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacotherapeutics. Within each class of therapeutic drugs, the course examines drug actions, interactions, reactions and contraindications. The course includes principles of prescribing and patient compliance.

This course explores the principles of the PA profession, its history and place in the spectrum of health care professions. Economic, legal and societal factors influencing the profession are also discussed.

This course is designed to provide the physician assistant student with skills to understand research design, analyze research information and apply it to clinical practice. Emphasis in this course will be placed on basic biostatistical concepts, literature searches and analysis.

This course introduces core principles essential to the practice of medicine, providing PA students with a foundation in pharmacology, as well as introductory concepts in laboratory medicine, diagnostic imaging, physical diagnosis and clinical reasoning. Through integrated lectures, case studies and hands-on skills workshops, students will begin to develop the critical thinking skills necessary to apply medical concepts in subsequent courses in clinical medicine, pharmacology, physical diagnosis and diagnostic methods.

This is the second of a three-course series that examines the etiology, presentation, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders common to adults seen in primary care physician assistant practice. This series serves as preparation for the clinical rotations in internal medicine, family medicine, emergency medicine and surgery and includes workshops to support the diagnosis and treatment of selected disorders.

This course provides an introductory knowledge base in obstetrics and gynecology and prepares students for obstetric and gynecologic conditions encountered during clinical rotations.

This course provides an introductory knowledge base in pediatric medicine. Through a series of presentations, it prepares students for pediatric medical conditions encountered during clinical rotations.

This course provides an introductory knowledge base in behavioral medicine. Through a series of presentations, it prepares students for behavioral medicine conditions encountered during clinical rotations.

This course presents strategies that physician assistants employ in promoting health and well-being among the people they serve. It also examines public health strategies focused on early discovery of disease, prevention of disease and stopping the spread of disease.

This is the third of a three-course series that examines the etiology, presentation, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders common to adults seen in primary care physician assistant practice. This series serves as preparation for the clinical rotations in internal medicine, family medicine, emergency medicine and surgery and includes workshops to support the diagnosis and treatment of selected disorders.

This is the first of a three-course series that presents the clinical laboratory tests used to detect and monitor common diseases and disorders. It focuses on selecting and interpreting the appropriate tests for each body system as well as performing selected tests.

This is the second course in a three-course series that presents the clinical laboratory tests used to detect and monitor common diseases and disorders. It focuses on selecting and interpreting the appropriate tests for each body system as well as performing selected tests.

This is the third course in a three-course series that presents the clinical laboratory tests used to detect and monitor common diseases and disorders. It focuses on selecting and interpreting the appropriate tests for each body system as well as performing selected tests.

This course examines issues related to the shift from the role of a PA student to that of a practicing PA. Topics include medical liability and risk management, business aspects of clinical practice, credentialing processes and career development.

This course provides an overview of values, conduct and professional ethics as they apply to medical practice. Legal implications are also covered. The focus is on major principles and methodologies that guide clinicians in ethical decision-making as they encounter situations common to primary care practice.

This course is designed to provide the physician assistant studies student with skills to understand research design, analyze research studies and apply these concepts to clinical practice. The emphasis in this course is placed on the use of evidence-based medicine in clinical decision-making.

This course is designed to provide the physician assistant studies student with skills to understand research design, analyze research information and apply it to clinical practice.  In this course, students will design a capstone project that will be finalized and presented in the subsequent course PA 654.

This course is designed to provide the physician assistant studies student with skills to understand research design, analyze research information and apply it to clinical practice. In this course, students will complete and present the capstone project initiated in PA 653.

This is a survey course examining the U.S. health care system, federal and state health policy, and public and private providers. Comparisons are made of the U.S. system to other systems from around the world.

This four-week clinical rotation is devoted to an area of study of the student's choosing and the faculty's approval. It might be additional time in a specialty already introduced through another rotation, a different medical specialty of interest, or a non-clinical area associated with the PA profession such as education, professional practice issues, etc.

This is a four-week clinical rotation in family medicine with a board-certified family practice provider. The student gains knowledge, experience and skill in interviewing and examining patients of all ages, diagnosing and treating disorders, and educating and counseling patients and families through participation in these activities while under the supervision of an experienced clinician practicing family medicine. The course also includes assigned reading and exercises.

This is a four-week clinical rotation in primary care. The student gains knowledge, experience and skill in interviewing and examining patients of all ages, diagnosing and treating disorders, and educating and counseling patients and families through participation in these activities while under the supervision of an experienced clinician practicing primary care. The course also includes assigned reading and exercises.

This is the first of two four-week clinical rotations in internal medicine. The student gains knowledge, experience and skill in interviewing and examining adults, diagnosing and treating disorders, and educating and counseling patients through participation in these activities while under the supervision of an experienced clinician practicing internal medicine. The course also includes assigned readings and exercises.

This is the second of two four-week clinical rotations in internal medicine. The student gains knowledge, experience and skill in interviewing and examining adults, diagnosing and treating disorders, and education and counseling patients through participation in these activities while under the supervision of an experienced clinician practicing internal medicine. The course also includes assigned readings and exercises.

During this four-week clinical rotation the student gains knowledge, experience and skill in interviewing and examining children, diagnosing and treating disorders, and educating and counseling children and parents through participation in these activities while under the supervision of an experienced clinician practicing pediatric medicine. The course also includes assigned readings and exercises.

During this four-week clinical rotation the student gains knowledge, experience and skill in interviewing and examining women, diagnosing and treating disorders, and educating and counseling women through participation in these activities while under the supervision of an experienced clinician practicing obstetric and gynecologic medicine. The course also includes assigned readings and exercises.

During this four-week clinical rotation the student gains knowledge, experience and skill in interviewing and examining patients, diagnosing and treating disorders, and educating and counseling patients with surgical problems through participation in these activities while under the supervision of an experienced clinician practicing surgery. The course also includes assigned readings and exercises.

During this four-week clinical rotation the student gains knowledge, experience and skill in interviewing and examining patients, diagnosing and treating disorders, and educating and counseling patients with emergent problems through participation in these activities while under the supervision of an experienced clinician practicing emergency medicine. The course also includes assigned readings and exercises.

During this four-week clinical rotation the student gains knowledge, experience and skill in interviewing and examining patients, diagnosing and treating disorders, and educating and counseling patients and family members through participation in these activities while under the supervision of an experienced clinician practicing behavioral medicine. The course also includes assigned readings and exercises.

This four-week clinical rotation is devoted to an area of study of the student's choosing and the faculty's approval. It might be additional time in a specialty already introduced through another rotation, a different medical specialty of interest or a non-clinical area associated with the PA profession such as education, professional practice issues, etc.

Continued preparation in anticipation of the comprehensive examination. Course may be repeated as needed.