Physician Assistant

This is the first course in a two-part series introducing physical examination, a fundamental component of patient care. Students will build foundational skills to perform complete and focused examinations across the lifespan using evidence-based methods. Emphasis is placed on developing effective patient interaction and communication skills and distinguishing normal from abnormal clinical findings. 

This course will introduce medical communication skills that form the foundation of effective patient care. Students will learn to obtain both comprehensive and focused medical histories using professional interviewing techniques. The course also emphasizes accurate and appropriate documentation of patient encounters across various clinical settings.

This is the second course in a two-part series introducing physical examination, a fundamental component of patient care. Students will build foundational skills to perform complete and focused examinations across the lifespan using evidence-based methods. Emphasis is placed on developing effective patient interaction and communication skills and distinguishing normal from abnormal clinical findings. 
 

In this course, students will examine the evaluation and management of patients with behavioral and mental health conditions relevant to PA practice. The course will emphasize effective patient interviewing, focused physical examination considerations, and pharmacologic principles used in the treatment of psychiatric and behavioral conditions. Students will also explore key concepts in the social and behavioral sciences as they apply to clinical practice.

In the first course of a two-part series, students will develop a comprehensive understanding of human structure and function, with an emphasis on clinically relevant concepts. Students will be provided with foundational elements of clinical knowledge. The course will explore and correlate anatomic and physiologic variations across the lifespan and examine the direct influence on patient care. 

In the second course of a two-part series, students will develop a comprehensive understanding of human structure and function, with an emphasis on clinically relevant concepts. Students will be provided with foundational elements of clinical knowledge. The course will explore and correlate anatomic and physiologic variations across the lifespan and examine the direct influence on patient care.

This course will equip students to select, analyze, and interpret electrocardiographic and radiologic studies used in the diagnosis and management of patients across the lifespan. Emphasis will be placed on recognition of disease processes through a systematic approach to electrocardiogram (EKG) and imaging study analysis. Through case-based methodology, students will interpret EKGs and radiologic diagnostic studies.

This course examines the appropriate use of laboratory diagnostics to ensure patients receive high-value care. Through the application of clinical reasoning skills, students will learn to select diagnostic tests and interpret results that support or refute a diagnosis. 

In this first course of a two-course series, students will examine the management of medical conditions in diverse and vulnerable patient populations, including pediatric, geriatric, and individuals with special health care needs. Emphasis will be placed on understanding how individual patient characteristics, social determinants of health, and culture influence patient-centered care, counseling, and shared decision–making.

In this second course of a two-course series, students will examine the management of medical conditions in diverse and vulnerable patient populations, including pediatric, geriatric, and individuals with special health care needs. Emphasis will be placed on understanding how individual patient characteristics, social determinants of health, and culture influence patient-centered care, counseling and shared decision–making.

In this course, students will examine public health principles and disease surveillance as essential components of preventative medical care. Emphasis will be placed on formulating research questions related to population health concepts and analyzing medical literature to apply evidence-based medicine in addressing clinical questions.

This course introduces students to key topics in PA professional development, including professional conduct and personal wellness. Students will explore the history of the profession and examine the policies and laws that govern modern practice. The business aspects of medicine within the U.S. healthcare system will also be examined. This is a pass/fail course. 
 

This course focuses on professional development and preparation for clinical rotations. Students will examine topics including licensure, credentialing, liability, malpractice, patient safety, and professional portfolio development. Emphasis is placed on professional communication, regulatory compliance, and provider wellness to support effective clinical practice. This is a pass/fail course.

This is the first course in a four-course series that provides a foundation for understanding and managing acute and chronic diseases across the lifespan. Students will explore system-based epidemiology, etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of conditions commonly encountered in primary care. Emphasis is placed on disease management including acute, chronic, and preventative care, and patient education.

This is the second course in a four-course series that provides a foundation for understanding and managing acute and chronic diseases across the lifespan. Students will explore system-based epidemiology, etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of conditions commonly encountered in primary care. Emphasis is placed on disease management including acute, chronic, and preventative care, and patient education.

This is the third course in a four-course series that provides a foundation for understanding and managing acute and chronic diseases across the lifespan. Students will explore system-based epidemiology, etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of conditions commonly encountered in primary care. Emphasis is placed on disease management including acute, chronic, and preventative care, and patient education.

This is the final course in a four-course series that provides a foundation for understanding and managing acute and chronic diseases across the lifespan. Students will explore system-based epidemiology, etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of conditions commonly encountered in primary care. Emphasis is placed on disease management including acute, chronic, and preventative care, and patient education.

In this course, students receive instruction in the evaluation and management of patients with emergent and urgent health conditions across body systems. Students will apply patient interviewing, focused physical examination, clinical reasoning, and pharmacologic principles necessary for the assessment and management of emergency room patients across the lifespan. Through discussion and case-based analysis, students will utilize diagnostic and management principles appropriate to emergency care settings.

This is the first course in a two-part series designed to develop diagnostic skills essential for clinical decision-making in PA practice. Students will demonstrate techniques toward performing a comprehensive physical examination, with an emphasis on accurate, systematic assessment. Through hands-on group practice, students build competency in examining major body systems. 

This is the second course in a two-part series designed to develop diagnostic skills essential for clinical decision-making in PA practice. Students will demonstrate techniques towards performing a comprehensive physical examination, with an emphasis on accurate, systematic assessment. Through hands-on group practice, students build competency in examining major body systems. 

This is the first course in a two-course laboratory series that will provide a foundational understanding of human anatomy and physiology essential for medical practice. Students will learn to identify anatomical structures and explain physiological functions within various body systems, considering variations across the lifespan. 

This is the second course in a two-course laboratory series that will provide a foundational understanding of human anatomy and physiology essential for medical practice. Students will learn to identify anatomical structures and explain physiological functions within various body systems, considering variations across the lifespan. 

This course will provide experiential learning opportunities in community and healthcare-oriented settings to support student development toward achieving program competencies. Students will apply medical knowledge, strengthen interpersonal and communication skills, enhance clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities, demonstrate professional behaviors, and deepen their understanding of the appropriate use of healthcare resources. This is a pass/fail course.

This course will provide experiential learning opportunities in community and healthcare-oriented settings to support student development toward achieving program competencies. Students will apply medical knowledge, strengthen communication and clinical reasoning skills, and demonstrate professional behaviors in patient-centered care. Emphasis is placed on patient education to promote healthful behaviors, recognition of social determinants of health, and collaboration within interprofessional healthcare teams. Students will also explore how healthcare professionals contribute to population health. This is a pass/fail course.

This course will provide experiential learning opportunities in community and healthcare-oriented settings to support student development toward achieving program competencies. Students will apply medical knowledge, strengthen interpersonal and communication skills, enhance clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities, demonstrate professional behaviors, and deepen their understanding of the appropriate use of healthcare resources. This is a pass/fail course.

This course will provide experiential learning opportunities in community and healthcare-oriented settings to support student development toward achieving program competencies. Students will apply medical knowledge, strengthen interpersonal and communication skills, enhance clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities, demonstrate professional behaviors, and deepen their understanding of the appropriate use of healthcare resources. This is a pass/fail course.

This is the first course of a two-course series in which students will develop foundational surgical and clinical procedural knowledge essential to PA practice. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the indications, risks, and clinical considerations associated with procedures performed across a variety of practice settings. Through a combination of lectures and laboratory experiences, students build clinical reasoning and technical skill competencies related to common procedures.

This is the second course of a two-course series in which students will develop foundational surgical and clinical procedural knowledge essential to PA practice. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the indications, risks, and clinical considerations associated with procedures performed across a variety of practice settings. Through a combination of lectures and laboratory experiences, students build clinical reasoning, and technical skill competencies related to common procedures.

This course explores the integration of legal and ethical principles in medical practice and their influence on patient care and professional decision-making. Students analyze their responsibilities as healthcare providers, including duty to treat, patient advocacy, and accountability. Students will evaluate common dilemmas encountered in clinical practice and develop strategies for ethical problem-solving.

As a supplement to the lecture sequences, students will meet weekly for case-based laboratories. These will be small group labs, facilitated by faculty group facilitators. The facilitator will have students work through case studies that correspond to current lecture sequences. The students will be given introductory information and must elicit the necessary information from a facilitator to lead to the formulation of an appropriate differential diagnosis, diagnosis and management plan. This lab will require that students incorporate patient history, physical assessment, scientific concepts, and diagnostic studies to ultimately come to a logical differential diagnosis and final diagnosis. Students will then be required to utilize their knowledge of clinical therapeutics and diseases to develop a rational plan of management. Medical decision making and logic will be a key focus in lab sessions. Pass/Fail

This is the first course in a four-part series that emphasizes the integrated application of medical knowledge, clinical and technical skills, interpersonal communication, and professional behaviors essential for PA practice. Using a systems-based approach, students apply didactic knowledge to the evaluation and management of medical conditions. Through interactive, case-based learning activities culminating in an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), students synthesize and demonstrate competency in patient assessment, clinical reasoning and problem-solving, and patient counseling.

This is the second course in a four-part series that emphasizes the integrated application of medical knowledge, clinical and technical skills, interpersonal communication, and professional behaviors essential for PA practice. Using a systems-based approach, students apply didactic knowledge to the evaluation and management of medical conditions. Through interactive, case-based learning activities culminating in an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), students synthesize and demonstrate competency in patient assessment, clinical reasoning and problem-solving, and patient counseling.

This is the third course in a four-part series that emphasizes the integrated application of medical knowledge, clinical and technical skills, interpersonal communication, and professional behaviors essential for PA practice. Using a systems-based approach, students apply didactic knowledge to the evaluation and management of medical conditions. Through interactive, case-based learning activities culminating in an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), students synthesize and demonstrate competency in patient assessment, clinical reasoning and problem-solving, and patient counseling.

This is the final course in a four-part series that emphasizes the integrated application of medical knowledge, clinical and technical skills, interpersonal communication, and professional behaviors essential for PA practice. Using a systems-based approach, students apply didactic knowledge to the evaluation and management of medical conditions. Through interactive, case-based learning activities culminating in an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), students synthesize and demonstrate competency in patient assessment, clinical reasoning and problem-solving, and patient counseling.

This course provides individualized academic support to promote student progression in the program learning outcomes when deficiencies have been identified. Students engage in a customized curriculum designed to address identified deficits in medical knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, clinical skills, technical skills, clinical reasoning and problem-solving, professionalism, and appropriate use of healthcare resources.

This course provides individualized academic support to promote student progression in the program learning outcomes when deficiencies have been identified. Students engage in a customized curriculum designed to address identified deficits in medical knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, clinical skills, technical skills, clinical reasoning and problem-solving, professionalism, and appropriate use of healthcare resources.

This is the first course in a three-course sequence designed to enhance and support student learning during the clinical phase of the Physician Assistant Program. The course provides instruction in areas of clinical practice essential for developing entry-level PA competencies with opportunities for both formative and summative assessment of skills and knowledge.  Core professional topics are addressed concurrently with clinical topics that are adapted to the evolving needs of each cohort, as determined through various assessments. This is a pass/fail course.   

This is the second course in a three-course sequence designed to enhance and support student learning during the clinical phase of the Physician Assistant Program. The course provides instruction in areas of clinical practice essential for developing entry-level PA competencies with opportunities for both formative and summative assessment of skills and knowledge. Core professional topics are addressed concurrently with clinical topics that are adapted to the evolving needs of each cohort, as determined through various assessments. This is a pass/fail course. 

In this culminating course of a three-course sequence, students complete the comprehensive summative evaluation, a requirement for program graduation. The summative evaluation assesses mastery of the graduate competencies: medical knowledge, interpersonal skills, clinical skills, technical skills, clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities, and professional behaviors. Students will engage with essential professional practice and medical topics identified through comprehensive assessments, developing practical expertise crucial for their healthcare careers. This is a pass/fail course. 

This capstone course serves as the final course in the physician assistant curriculum. A comprehensive review of core medical topics through a systems-based approach, reinforcing essential concepts for clinical practice is provided. Students will participate in extensive didactic review and structured evaluations designed to ensure mastery of the graduate competencies: medical knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, clinical skills, technical skills, clinical reasoning and problem-solving, and professional behaviors. This is a pass/fail course.