Skip to main content

Courses

Click on a course below to read a course description and any required prerequisite.

Course Number
Courses Name
Credits
PA 400
Patient Assessment I
3

Patient assessment I, II, and III are a series of courses designed to develop the knowledge and skills required to obtain and record the complete medical history and physical exam, including the use of appropriate equipment, proper techniques and accurate medical terminology to document findings; course will provide an overview of the medical record as well as development of writing and organizational skills for medical record keeping and oral presentation skills. Skills will be developed through structured laboratory exercises.

Prerequisites: Admission to the physician assistant program

PA 401
Patient Assessment II
3

Patient assessment I, II, and III are a series of courses designed to develop the knowledge and skills required to obtain and record the complete medical history, use of appropriate equipment, proper techniques and accurate medical terminology to document findings; course will provide an overview of the medical record as well as development of writing and organizational skills for medical record keeping and oral presentation skills. Skills will be developed through structured laboratory exercises.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior semester of PA coursework or program permission.

PA 402
Patient Assessment III
3

Patient assessment I, II, and III are a series of courses designed to develop the knowledge and skills required to obtain and record the complete medical history, use of appropriate equipment, proper techniques and accurate medical terminology to document findings; course will provide an overview of the medical record as well as development of writing and organizational skills for medical record keeping and oral presentation skills. Skills will be developed through structured laboratory exercises.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior semester of PA coursework or program permission.

PA 410
Behavioral/Preventive Medicine I
2

This is the first in a series of courses designed to develop skills in the areas of patient-centered communication, patient counseling and education, and health promotion, disease prevention and risk reduction. There is a focus on social determinants of health, development of cultural humility, and competence in providing care to at-risk populations.

Prerequisites: Admission to the physician assistant program

PA 411
Behavioral/Preventive Medicine II
2

This is the second in a series of courses designed to develop skills in the areas of patient-centered communication, patient counseling and education, and health promotion, disease prevention and risk reduction. There is a focus on social determinants of health, development of cultural humility, and competence in providing care to at-risk populations.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior semester of PA coursework or program permission.

PA 412
Behavioral/preventive Medicine III
2

This is the third in a series of courses designed to develop skills in the areas of patient-centered communication, patient counseling and education, and health promotion, disease prevention and risk reduction. There is a focus on social determinants of health, development of cultural humility, and competence in providing care to at-risk populations.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior semester of PA coursework or program permission.

PA 420
Basic Science I
3

This is the first of three units in a series designed to develop an understanding of normal physiology, pathologic and pathophysiologic concepts of diseases per organ system. The anatomy section will focus on important anatomical landmarks required in physical evaluation of patient, anatomical relationships of structures to each other, and anatomical components of body systems.

Prerequisites: Admission to the physician assistant program

PA 421
Basic Science II
3

This is the second of three units in a series designed to develop an understanding of normal physiology, pathologic and pathophysiologic concepts of diseases per organ system. The anatomy section will focus on important anatomical structures required in the physical evaluation of patients, relationships between anatomical structures, and anatomical components of body systems.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior semester of PA coursework or program permission.

PA 422
Basic Science III
3

This is the third and final unit in a series of courses designed to develop an understanding of normal physiology, genetics, pathologic and pathophysiologic concepts of diseases per organ system. The anatomy section will focus on important anatomical landmarks required in physical evaluation of patient, anatomical relationships of structures to each other, and anatomical components of body systems.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior semester of PA coursework or program permission.

PA 430
Clinical Laboratory Medicine I
2

This is the first in a series of courses designed to develop a functional understanding of the appropriate uses and interpretations of clinical diagnostic testing, including radiographic and EKG testing. Students will learn to select, interpret and evaluate clinical laboratory, imaging and other diagnostic tests used for diagnosing, treating and managing patient needs.

Prerequisites: Admission to the physician assistant program

PA 431
Clinical Laboratory Medicine II
2

This is the second in a series of courses designed to develop a functional understanding of the appropriate uses and interpretations of clinical diagnostic laboratory testing and imaging. Students will learn to select, interpret and evaluate clinical laboratory, imaging and other diagnostic tests used for diagnosing, treating, and managing patient needs.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior semester of PA coursework or program permission.

PA 432
Clinical Laboratory Medicine III
1

This is the third in a series of courses designed to develop a functional understanding of the appropriate uses and interpretations of clinical diagnostic and laboratory testing. Students will learn to select, interpret and evaluate clinical laboratory, imaging and other diagnostic procedures used for diagnosing, treating, and managing patient needs.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior semester of PA coursework or program permission.

PA 440
Clinical Medicine I
5

This is the first in a series of courses designed to provide an intensive study of human diseases and disorders, using a lifespan approach from pediatrics to geriatrics, in the areas of clinical medicine including epidemiology, etiology, historical data, clinical manifestations, progression, therapeutic management, prevention, laboratory medicine and prognosis. Emphasis will be on disease processes common to primary care practices and the development of differential diagnoses and plan based upon the patient's clinical presentation.

Prerequisites: Admission to the physician assistant program

PA 441
Clinical Medicine II
5

This is the second in a series of courses designed to provide an intensive study of human diseases and disorders, using a lifespan approach from pediatrics to geriatrics, in the areas of clinical medicine including epidemiology, etiology, historical data, clinical manifestations, progression, therapeutic management, prevention, laboratory medicine and prognosis. Emphasis will be on disease processes common to primary care practices and the development of differential diagnoses and plan based upon the patient's clinical presentation.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior semester of PA coursework or program permission.

PA 442
Clinical Medicine III
4

This is the final course in a series designed to provide an intensive study of human diseases and disorders, using a lifespan approach from pediatrics to geriatrics, in the areas of clinical medicine including epidemiology, etiology, historical data, clinical manifestations, progression, therapeutic management, prevention, laboratory medicine, and prognosis. Emphasis will be on disease processes common to primary care practices, and the development of differential diagnoses and plan based upon the patient's clinical presentation.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior semester of PA coursework or program permission.

PA 450
Pharmacotherapeutics I
3

This is the first in a series of courses designed to develop skills related to the principles of pharmacology as they pertain to therapeutic agents, prescription and non-prescription. Discussion will include the principal mechanisms of action of the major classes of therapeutic agents, understanding of pharmacodynamics, uses, side effects and toxicities.

Prerequisites: Admission to the physician assistant program

PA 451
Pharmacotherapeutics II
3

This is the second in a series of courses designed to develop skills related to the principles of pharmacology as they pertain to therapeutic agents, prescription and non-prescription. Discussion will include the principal mechanisms of action of the major classes of therapeutic agents, understanding of pharmacodynamics, uses, side effects and toxicities.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior semester of PA coursework or program permission.

PA 452
Pharmacotherapeutics III
3

This is the third in a series of courses designed to develop skills related to the principles of pharmacology as they pertain to therapeutic agents, prescription and non-prescription. Discussion will include the principal mechanisms of action of the major classes of therapeutic agents, understanding of pharmacodynamics, uses, side effects and toxicities.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior semester of PA coursework or program permission.

PA 460
Pre-Clinical Year Prep Course
3

This course is designed to build upon the first year PA student’s foundation of clinical medical knowledge that was laid down during the Clinical Medicine, Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Patient Assessment, Basic Science, and Pharmacology course series to prepare them for clinical rotations. Lectures and discussion sessions will provide advanced information and instruction covering a range of medical topics. Clinical skills practical sessions will facilitate the student’s attainment of the knowledge and development of the technical aptitude of fundamental skills utilized in clinical practice.

Prerequisites: Admission to the physician assistant program

PA 470
Mastering Medical Information
2

This course will cover the importance of evidence-based medicine and review basic statistical, research methods and ethical standards in research. It will also cover the interpretation and application of various types of clinical articles to answering a clinical question and prepare the student for the project to be completed during the clinical year.

Prerequisites: Admission to the physician assistant program

PA 480
Preparing Future PAs
1

This course is designed to aid the student in the transition into the medical profession and serves as an introduction to professional practice issues. Areas of discussion include history of the physician assistant profession, professional organizations, medical error, malpractice, professionalism, health care delivery and health care systems, burnout and provider wellbeing and appropriate documentation for coding and billing.

Prerequisites: Admission to the physician assistant program

PA 485
Bioethics
1

This course is designed to aid the student in the transition into the medical profession and serves as an introduction to bioethics. Areas of discussion include confidentiality, truth telling, competency, making informed decisions and other ethical issues.

Prerequisites: Admission in the physician assistant program

PA 490
Medical Spanish
1

This course is designed to prepare the student to communicate with Spanish speaking patients as they conduct a medical history and physical examination. Basic medical vocabulary and comfort with the spoken language is the focus of this course.

Prerequisites: Admission to the physician assistant program

 
Total
60

Clinical Year

PA 501 Internal Medicine ( Credits 4 )

This four-week course provides the physician assistant student with experience practicing the principles of internal medicine through collaboration with preceptors who have expertise in this field. The physician assistant student will be provided opportunities to acquire and develop skills to evaluate and appropriately manage acute, chronic, and preventive medical care to internal medicine patients.

Prerequisites: Completion of the preclinical year of the physician assistant program or program permission.

PA 502 Family Practice ( Credits 4 )

This four-week course provides the physician assistant student with experience practicing the principles of family medicine through collaboration with preceptors who have expertise in this field. The physician assistant student will be provided opportunities to acquire and develop skills to evaluate and appropriately manage acute, chronic, and preventive medical care to family medicine patients.

Prerequisites: Completion of the preclinical year of the physician assistant program or program permission.

PA 503 Psychiatry ( Credits 4 )

This four-week course provides the physician assistant student with experience practicing the principles of psychiatry through collaboration with preceptors who have expertise in this field. The student will acquire and develop skills to perform interviews and evaluate acute and chronic psychiatric patients, develop an understanding of common psychiatric treatment modalities and exhibit an awareness of the framework of the mental health system.

Prerequisites: Completion of the preclinical year of the physician assistant program or program permission.

PA 504 Pediatrics ( Credits 4 )

This four-week course provides the physician assistant student with experience practicing the principles of pediatric medicine through collaboration with preceptors who have expertise in this field. The physician assistant student will be provided opportunities to acquire and develop skills to evaluate and appropriately manage acute, chronic, and preventive medical care to infants, children and adolescent patients.

Prerequisites: Completion of the preclinical year of the physician assistant program or program permission.

PA 505 Surgery ( Credits 4 )

This four-week course provides the physician assistant student with experience learning the principles of Surgery through collaboration with preceptors who have expertise in this field. The physician assistant student will be provided opportunities to acquire and develop skills to evaluate and appropriately manage surgical patients.

Prerequisites: Completion of the preclinical year of the physician assistant program or program permission.

PA 506 Women's Health ( Credits 4 )

This four-week course provides the physician assistant student with experience learning about the principles of Women’s Health through collaboration with preceptors who have expertise in this field. The physician assistant student will have opportunities to acquire and develop skills in pre-natal and gynecologic care to evaluate and appropriately manage patients presenting in the Women’s Health setting.

Prerequisites: Completion of the preclinical year of the physician assistant program or program permission.

PA 507 Emergency Medicine ( Credits 4 )

This four-week course provides the physician assistant student with experience practicing the principles of emergency medicine through collaboration with preceptors who have expertise in this field. The physician assistant student will be provided opportunities to acquire and develop skills to evaluate, triage and manage acute and emergent patient encounters in the emergency department setting.

PA 508 Masters Project ( Credits 4 )

This course is a continuation of the first year course (Evidence-based Medicine) and is designed to allow the PA student to complete a master's degree project under the guidance of a faculty or community adviser. Students will identify an evidence-based medicine questions, conduct appropriate literature search, analysis selected articles and develop a paper of publishable quality. The student will prepare and present an oral presentation on their topic at the conclusion of the year.

Prerequisites: Completion of the preclinical year of the physician assistant program or program permission.

PA 511 Elective I ( Credits 4 )

This four-week clinical course is chosen from a variety of surgical, family medicine or internal medicine specialties or subspecialties. The student will be able to recognize conditions treatable by these specialties, so they can refer patients appropriately and/or work in a supportive role for such specialists.

Prerequisites: Completion of the preclinical year of the physician assistant program or program permission.

PA 512 Elective II ( Credits 4 )

This four-week clinical course is chosen from a variety of surgical, family medicine or internal medicine specialties or subspecialties. The student will be able to recognize conditions treatable by these specialties, so they can refer patients appropriately and/or work in a supportive role for such specialists.

Prerequisites: Completion of the preclinical year of the physician assistant program or program permission.

PA 513 Elective III ( Credits 4 )

This four-week clinical course is chosen from a variety of surgical, family medicine or internal medicine specialties or subspecialties. The student will be able to recognize conditions treatable by these specialties, so they can refer patients appropriately and/or work in a supportive role for such specialists.

Prerequisites: Completion of the preclinical year of the physician assistant program or program permission.

PA 514 Elective IV ( Credits 4 )

This four-week clinical course is chosen from a variety of surgical, family medicine or internal medicine specialties or subspecialties. The student will be able to recognize conditions treatable by these specialties, so they can refer patients appropriately and/or work in a supportive role for such specialists.

Prerequisites: Completion of the preclinical year of the physician assistant program or program permission.

Follow PA Program on Instagram