Semester One

500-01: Mechanisms of Disease: 5 Credits
A study of the cellular, organ and system changes associated with human disease processes and the physiologic responses associated with selected human pathologies.

506-01: Clinical Anatomy for Health Professions: 5 Credits
A study and exploration of the human cadaver through lecture, lab dissection and pro-section.

534-01: Legal Medicine and Medical Ethics: 2 Credits
Examination of the relationships and impact of health law and medical ethics in healthcare by analyzing case studies of contemporary health issues.

508-01: The Art and Business of Medicine and the PA Profession: 2 Credits
The history, role, practice scope, and professional policies of the physician assistant in health care are explored. This course also presents an interactive and strategic examination of the evolving American health care system, the issues and controversies relative to health care reforms, and the growing impact of managed care.

512-01: Clinical Assessment I: 3 Credits
Introduces the beginning practitioner to the skills of listening, communicating, data collecting and documenting patient encounters.

Semester Two

511-01: Clinical Pharmacology I: 3 Credits
Preparation for appropriate administration/prescription of medicines is accomplished through a study of drug classifications, pharmacodynamic actions, and rationale for therapeutic use of prescription and non-prescription medications.

515-01: Clinical Skills and Therapeutics I: 3 Credits
Introduces and assesses clinical competency of specified skills, diagnostic modalities, and therapeutic interventions related to professional responsibilities and practices in patient care.

514-01: Psychosocial Elements of Community Wellness: 2 Credits
The societal determinants of health, illness and disease are explored as a continuum of community care, a promotion of cultural sensitivity, and enrichment of the clinician-patient relationship.

516-01: Introduction to Clinical Medicine I: 5 Credits
Designed to lay the foundation for patient care through a comprehensive understanding of illness, this 3-course series in the medical sciences and related technologies addresses care of the adult, adolescent and pediatric patient beginning with common acute self-limited illnesses and progressing to more complex, well-defined chronic disorders.

519-01: Clinical Assessment II: 3 Credits
Introduces the use of examination techniques and equipment used during a physical examination and emphasizes the relationship of the exam to the history to aid in developing competency and clinical judgment in clinical assessment. A systematic approach is utilized in studying the comprehensive and problem-oriented clinical assessment of the adult, newborn, pediatric, obstetric and geriatric patient.

Semester Three

521-01: Clinical Pharmacology II: 3 Credits
Preparation for appropriate administration/prescription of medicines is accomplished through a study of drug classifications, pharmacodynamic actions, and rational for therapeutic use of prescription and non-prescription medications.

523A: Clinical Skill and Therapeutics II: 3 Credits
Introduces and assesses clinical competency of specified skills, diagnostic modalities, and therapeutic interventions related to professional responsibilities and practices in patient care.

525-01: Introduction to Clinical Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Medicine: 2 Credits
Introduces population epidemiology and decision-making theory, followed by an introduction to and application of the principles of evidence-based medicine to patient care.

526-01: Introduction to Clinical Medicine II: 5 Credits
Designed to lay the foundation for patient care through a comprehensive understanding of illness, this 3-course series in the medical sciences and related technologies addresses care of the adult, adolescent and pediatric patient beginning with common acute self-limited illnesses and progressing to more complex, well-defined chronic disorders.

529-01: Clinical Assessment III: 3 Credits
Integrates the history taking and physical examination skills presented in semesters 1 and 2. The course begins with the complete history and physical exam and then introduces the problem focused history and physical exam. Introductory formulation of differential examination skills as well as communicating findings with preceptors rounds out the experience.

Semester Four

530-01: Problem-based Clinical Reasoning: 4 Credits
This course promotes a working knowledge base for integrating information into decision-making, diagnosis hypothesis, clinical reasoning, and data resolution skills through cooperative learning strategies and selected clinical topics.

531: Patient Counseling and Patient Education: 2 Credits
This course builds on knowledge gained in clinical science courses by providing the student with the skills necessary to educate patients about their disease processes, help patients become a partner in their own health care, and guide the patient toward health promoting behavior

532: Fundamentals of Surgical Patient Care: 4 Credits
Introduces concepts and practices in preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative patient care and promotes skill development and competency in selected surgical skills.

527-01: Medical Writing for Physician Assistants: 2 Credits
Explores the process of researching and writing for the creation of a clinical review article. Each student will select a topic with guidance from the instructor and their faculty advisor and write a clinical review article suitable for publication.

536A: Introduction to Clinical Medicine III: 5 Credits
Designed to lay the foundation for patient care through a comprehensive understanding of illness, this 3-course series in the medical sciences and related technologies addresses care of the adult, adolescent and pediatric patient beginning with common acute self-limited illnesses and progressing to more complex, well-defined chronic disorders.

Semesters Five, Six and Seven

546-01: Introduction to Clinical Medicine - Seminar: 1 Credit
This seminar course provides an introduction to the clinical phase of the program. In lecture and lab sessions, students will examine documentation, billing and coding, use of the PDA in clinical practice, and have an opportunity to practice suturing and clinical skills.

585: Supervised Practice Family Medicine: 2 Credits (4 weeks)

586: Supervised Practice Pediatric Medicine: 2 Credits (4 weeks)

587A: Supervised Practice Internal Medicine I: 2 Credits (4 weeks)
This course will include one week in a long-term care setting.

587: Supervised Practice Internal Medicine II: 2 Credits (4 weeks)

588: Supervised Practice Emergency Medicine: 2 Credits (4 weeks)

589: Supervised Practice General Surgery: 2 Credits (4 weeks)

590: Supervised Practice Women's Health: 2 Credits (4 weeks)

591: Supervised Practice Specialty Medicine: 2 Credits (4 weeks)
The student may elect one of four specialty practice experiences.

592A: Supervised Practice Elective I: 2 Credits (4 weeks)

592B: Supervised Practice Elective II: 2 Credits (4 weeks)

570-01: Supervised Clinical Practice – Primary Care Preceptorship: 3 Credits (6 weeks)
This rotation will occur at the end of the clinical year and is meant to be the culminating experience for the student. Prior primary care and specialty experiences are brought to the final primary care experience in General Internal Medicine, Family Practice, or Pediatrics.

580-01: Leadership: Research and Service: 1 Credit
This course represents the capstone project for the PA Program. It provides the opportunity for the students to publish a manuscript with their faculty advisor or perform service learning. The projects are then presented to their peers and the faculty.

583-01: PANCE Review – Seminar: 1 Credit
This is a 4 day board review course presented by PA Program faculty, physician faculty, community physicians and community PA’s. It is modeled on the PANCE blueprint and provides a review in preparation for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination.