For information regarding Conditional Acceptance, click here.
Procedure for Admission to the Master of Science Physician Assistant Program
Entrance to the Physician Assistant (PA) program is gained through a formal application review and interview. Application to the program is made through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). Applicants must specifically designate the South University campus(es) to which their application should be submitted within the CASPA system. Additional, campus-specific information regarding the application process can be obtained through the PA program web site or by calling the respective campus:
- (512) 516-8800 (Austin)
- (804) 727-6894 (Richmond)
- (912) 201-8025 (Savannah)
- (813) 393-3720 (Tampa)
- (561) 273-6520 (West Palm Beach)
Individuals whose applications are deemed competitive will be invited for a required interview. All programs utilize a rolling admissions process in which applicants are notified of their admission decision within 2 weeks after interviewing. Not all qualified applicants will receive an interview.
The application process includes submission of scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
Applicants must specifically designate the South University code for each applicable campus to which their GRE scores should be submitted electronically to CASPA directly from ETS (Educational Testing Service):
- 0174(Austin)
- 7147 (Richmond)
- 0467 (Savannah)
- 0454 (Tampa)
- 7108 (West Palm Beach)
Applications must be completed and verified in the CASPA application portal. Submission deadlines vary by campus. Please refer to the individual program’s website for further details.
Applicants who are offered a seat into the Physician Assistant program are only permitted to reserve a seat at one campus. Within 14 calendar days of the applicant signing and submitting the acceptance form, it is the responsibility of the applicant to notify any other South University Physician Assistant program(s) of the applicant's intent to withdraw. Seat acceptance fees are non-transferable to other South University programs.
Note: Applicants should refer to the Physician Assistant Program policy on Acceptance Fee for more details.
Admission Criteria
Selection for the Physician Assistant program is highly competitive. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview or admission. Successful applicants will generally exceed the minimum criteria. The following criteria represent the minimum conditions established for applicants interested in applying to the South University Physician Assistant Master of Science degree programs:
- Applicants must have an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution by August 1st of the admissions cycle.
- Applicants must have an overall GPA as calculated by the CASPA service of 3.0 or greater (on a 4.0 scale) (including undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate coursework)
- Applicants should have a Biology-Chemistry-Physics (BCP) science GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) as calculated by the CASPA service.
- Applicants submit scores from the GRE general exam directly to the CASPA service for the designated South University campus(es) to which they are applying.
- At least three (3) letters of reference as part of the CASPA application must be submitted. At least one letter must be from a physician (MD/DO), Physician Assistant, or Nurse Practitioner with whom the applicant has worked or shadowed and to whom the applicant is not related. Impressive, well- articulated, and unequivocal letters attesting to the applicant’s motivation, communication and interpersonal skills, professionalism, and future contribution towards health care are considered competitive. Applicants with letters of reference from licensed medical providers (e.g., MD, DO, NP, PA) are considered to be more competitive.
Pre-requisite Courses
Applicants must complete all prerequisite courses listed below with a grade of C or better at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university prior to submission of their application. The PA program accepts prerequisite coursework completed in an online, virtual, or campus-based format from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university.
| Required | Pre-Requisite | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Anatomy and Physiology | 2 courses (sequenced)
No course substitutions are accepted for this requirement | |
| General Biology | 2 courses
Alternative Substitution for Biology II only: | |
| General Chemistry and Labs | 2 courses
| |
| Microbiology with Lab | 1 course No course substitutions are accepted for this requirement | |
| Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry | 1 course Lab recommended, not required |
Coursework which is designed for science majors is generally considered more competitive. In general, prerequisite coursework with titles that include “Essentials of,” “Survey of,” or “Introduction to,” unless specifically designed for science majors, are considered less competitive.
Basic science courses should be those for science majors. The General Biology and Biochemistry courses are recommended to include a lab, but it is not required.
Only courses (excluding General Biology, Biochemistry, and Organic Chemistry) with an associated lab will be given credit for fulfilling prerequisite requirements. In the event that a laboratory is not offered with a prerequisite course, applicants may request the lab requirement for that course be waived by contacting the program. Lab waivers and/or course substitutions are granted at the discretion of the Admissions Committee. Applicants requesting such should be prepared to submit supporting documents, including, but not limited to, course descriptions and syllabi.
The South University Physician Assistant program accepts credit for Advanced Placement (AP) courses. AP courses taken and successfully completed will be counted as one course credit towards completion of the respective prerequisite subject. Grades earned in AP courses are not used in the calculation of the applicant’s overall or prerequisite GPA.
The South University Physician Assistant program does not accept College Level Examination Program (CLEP) credit for any prerequisite requirements.
Please refer to the Transfer of Credit Policy for additional information. All students must complete each course in the South University Physician Assistant curriculum.
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Program Technical Standards
To ensure that patients receive the best possible care, the faculty of the South University Physician Assistant (PA) program has identified essential skills and professional behaviors required for successful progression in the program and future practice as a physician assistant.
Students with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities who can perform these skills and behaviors, either independently, with dependable use of assistive devices, or by employing other reasonable accommodations, are eligible to apply for enrollment in the program. The program is committed to providing reasonable accommodation in accordance with applicable laws and professional standards while ensuring that all students are able to meet the required competencies for safe and effective patient care.
These technical standards require that each student possess the physical, mental, and emotional health necessary to fully engage in both the academic and clinical training environment. Minimum performance expectations include the ability to demonstrate accurate observation, effective communication, sufficient motor and physical function, intellectual and cognitive abilities, and appropriate behavioral and social attributes.
Students must meet the following technical standards:
1. Observation
- Accurately perceive information through vision, hearing, touch, and other somatic senses.
- Gather information from demonstrations, patient encounters, diagnostic tests, and clinical instruments.
- Detect nonverbal cues such as facial expressions, body language, and affect, both at a distance and close range.
2. Communication
- Communicate clearly and effectively in oral and written form with compassion and sensitivity.
- Engage in professional interactions with patients, families, faculty, peers, and healthcare teams.
- Document, interpret, and convey medical information accurately and efficiently.
- Recognize and appropriately respond to nonverbal communication and feedback
3. Motor and Physical Function
- Perform physical examination techniques such as palpation, auscultation, percussion, and diagnostic maneuvers.
- Execute essential motor tasks required for medical practice, including performing physical examinations, assisting with patient positioning for procedures, carrying out clinical and emergency interventions, and delivering routine patient care safely and effectively.
- Manipulate medical equipment, instruments, and technology with both fine and gross motor skills.
- Maintain physical stamina to meet the rigors of classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings (including long hours, varied shifts, and high patient care demands).
4. Intellectual and Cognitive Abilities
- Demonstrate skills in measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis.
- Integrate and apply information from lectures, simulations, patient encounters, and medical literature.
- Problem-solve efficiently in complex and dynamic clinical situations.
- Comprehend spatial and three-dimensional relationships essential for anatomy, imaging, and procedures.
5. Behavioral and Social Attributes
- Possess the emotional health and stability required for sound judgment, safe clinical decision-making, and effective patient care.
- Demonstrate integrity, compassion, professionalism, and ethical conduct in all academic, clinical, and community settings.
- Develop professional, respectful, and collaborative relationships maintaining appropriate boundaries with all patients, families, faculty, staff, and colleagues.
- Meet all professional and academic responsibilities in a timely and reliable manner, including attendance, preparation, participation, and follow-through on assignments and clinical duties.
- Exercise good judgment and self-control in both routine and stressful situations, avoiding behaviors that are disruptive, unsafe, or unprofessional.
- Adapt to stressful, changing, or uncertain environments while maintaining appropriate coping skills and a professional demeanor.
- Accept, integrate, and act upon constructive feedback to promote ongoing personal and professional growth.
Clinical Experience
Clinical experiences should provide the applicant with a knowledge of and orientation to the presentation, signs, and symptoms of a variety of ill or injured patients. Although clinical experience is not required, preference is given to applicants who have direct patient care experience (i.e., care that involves personal interaction with patients such as: physical therapist, respiratory therapist, emergency medical technician/paramedic, nurse, medical assistant, certified nursing assistant, or other similar professions). However, there is no requirement for a predetermined number of hours (or months) of health care experience to be earned by an applicant.
Admissions Committee Selection Factors
Applicants for admission are considered using multiple selection factors. Applicants are awarded preference based upon the following:
- Academic achievement (overall GPA, BCP, GRE)
- For overall GPA, BCP, and GRE preferences, please refer to the respective program’s website.
- Quality of letters of reference from medical providers (e.g., MD, DO, NP, PA)
- Clinical experience that requires direct patient care
- Personal statement/essay.
- Healthcare provider mentorship/shadowing experiences.
- Community service
- Interview performance
Evidence of an applicant’s interpersonal skills, problem-solving ability, professionalism, motivation, academic potential, communication, knowledge of the PA profession and the health care system with an alignment to the mission and vision of the program are assessed by the Admissions Committee in awarding preference.
Post-Acceptance Requirements
Accepted applicants will be required to complete the following items in order to obtain approval for matriculation in January:
- Satisfactory Criminal Background and Drug Screen Report
- Health/ Immunization Requirements
- Personal Health Insurance Documentation
- Baccalaureate Diploma Verification
- American Heart Association (AHA) Approved Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
- FAFSA application (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) submission for those applying for financial aid
- There is a $1000 acceptance fee, which is non-refundable, for those applicants accepted into the Physician Assistant program at South University, Austin, South University, Savannah, South University, Tampa and South University, West Palm Beach. There is a $1000 acceptance fee, $900 of which is refundable, for those applicants accepted into the Physician Assistant program at South University, Richmond. Acceptance fees are applied towards tuition.
Applicants seeking admissions to the Physician Assistant program must abide by the College of Health Professions Background Check Policy and Substance Abuse and Screening Policy. Acceptance into a South University program or its completion does not guarantee that a student will be able to obtain subsequent licensure or certification.
All Physician Assistant program students are responsible for meeting matriculation deadlines and requirements as published within the campus-specific Enrollment Guide.
Clinical Experiential Learning and Travel Policy:
All students may be required to travel/commute and/or relocate for any given clinical rotation. While many rotations are located within a commutable distance from the program, students may be assigned to clinical rotation sites outside the local campus geographical area and should anticipate the need to travel or temporarily relocate for those assigned rotations. Students are responsible for all costs associated with travel, transportation, housing, credentialing, and living expenses during the clinical year. These expenses will vary based on the location of each clinical rotation site. Please refer to the program website for further details on clinical travel.
For additional admissions information please see the admissions section here.
Offered at Austin, Richmond, Savannah, Tampa and West Palm Beach.
Note: All Physician Assistant program policies apply to all students, principal faculty, and the program director regardless of location. (i.e., didactic or clinical)
Physician assistants provide a broad range of medical services including evaluation, monitoring, diagnostics, therapeutics, counseling, and referral. The scope of the practice varies according to state laws, the medical setting, and the training of the physician assistant.
Vision Statement
The South University Master of Science in Physician Assistant (MSPA) degree program strives to provide an educational environment that empowers students to practice evidence-based, patient-centered medical care. With an emphasis on increasing access to care, addressing barriers in healthcare delivery, and engaging in community outreach, we aim to offer meaningful connection and experiences for students, faculty, and staff. As future clinical leaders, the program’s focus is to graduate physician assistants who will champion compassionate care and patient advocacy.
Mission Statement
The mission of the South University Physician Assistant (MSPA) program is to educate a diverse student population and prepare graduates to practice the art and science of medicine who provide high-quality, compassionate, patient-centered healthcare that is responsive to the needs of all individuals.
Program Goals
The following are program goals for the South University Physician Assistant program:
- The program will promote advocacy, and leadership within the PA profession.
- The program will prepare graduates to achieve a first-time pass rate on the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE) that equals or exceeds the national average.
- The program will offer community service and outreach opportunities that promote a commitment to improving access to quality healthcare.
Comprehensive Exams
Completion of the didactic phase of the curriculum requires completion of a formative evaluation. The formative evaluation consists of written, skills performance and professionalism components, is administered at the end of the didactic training period. This evaluation is used to identify individual and collective weaknesses within the cohort that should be remediated and strengthened during the clinical phase of the program.
Successful completion of the program requires satisfactory completion of a comprehensive summative evaluation. The comprehensive summative evaluation consists of three (3) distinct components: written examination, clinical skills performance, and professionalism evaluation. is the summative evaluation is administered up to four (4) months before the completion of the clinical training period.
The summative is designed to evaluate student's mastery of multiple student program learning outcomes (graduate competencies) in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains. This evaluation is used to identify competence for entry into the Physician Assistant profession and thus eligibility for graduation. Students who do not successfully pass any component of the summative evaluation are required to participate in a remediation plan devised by the Student Progress and Promotions Committee. Failure to successfully remediate any component of the summative evaluation will require the student to decelerate to further demonstrate mastery of the required graduate competencies. Deceleration results in a student having a delay of graduation and assuming responsibility for additional tuition and fees. Students who are successful in their remediation and complete all program requirements for graduation will graduate at the end of the term in which all requirements are completed.
PA Certification
Graduation from an accredited physician assistant program permits students to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, Inc. (NCCPA). The PANCE is designed to assess essential medical and surgical knowledge of graduate Physician Assistants in conducting a variety of healthcare functions normally encountered in practice.
South University does not guarantee third-party certification/ licensure. Outside agencies control the requirements for taking and passing certification/licensing exams and are subject to change without notice to South University.
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
Demonstrate comprehensive medical knowledge to promote health, evaluate a broad range of patient presentations, and manage clinical conditions across the lifespan.
Demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills to exchange information clearly and provide counseling and education to improve patient outcomes.
Perform essential clinical skills in eliciting patient histories and conducting physical examinations.
Perform essential procedures and technical skills common to clinical practice.
Apply clinical reasoning and problem-solving in formulating differential diagnoses and developing patient-centered management plans.
Exhibit essential professional behaviors in all interactions.
Demonstrate appropriate use of healthcare resources in order to advocate for quality patient-centered care.
Master of Science in Physician Assistant (MSPA) Degree: 174 Credits
The South University Physician Assistant Program, located in Austin, Richmond, Savannah, Tampa, and West Palm Beach, delivers the didactic curriculum as a full-time, primarily on-campus experience with some blended instruction that may include virtual, synchronous modalities. As a complement to the on-campus didactic curriculum, clinical subject matter experts are included to ensure students are provided with current standards of medical practice. The clinical curriculum and clinical rotations are primarily direct patient care experiences with blended telehealth/telemedicine opportunities.
Didactic Phase (Physician Assistant Course Sequence)
1st Quarter: 17 Credits
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.
Quarter Credits : 3
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.
Quarter Credits : 3
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.
Quarter Credits : 4
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.
Quarter Credits : 3
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.
Quarter Credits : 2
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.
Quarter Credits : 1
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.
Quarter Credits : 1
2nd Quarter: 21 Credits
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.
Quarter Credits : 3
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.
Quarter Credits : 4
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.
Quarter Credits : 2
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.
Quarter Credits : 8
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.
Quarter Credits : 1
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.
Quarter Credits : 1
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.
Quarter Credits : 1
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.
Quarter Credits : 1
3rd Quarter: 18 Credits
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.
Quarter Credits : 3
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.
Quarter Credits : 4
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.
Quarter Credits : 8
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.
Quarter Credits : 2
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.
Quarter Credits : 1
4th Quarter: 21 Credits
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.
Quarter Credits : 3
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.
Quarter Credits : 4
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.
Quarter Credits : 4
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.
Quarter Credits : 8
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.
Quarter Credits : 1
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.
Quarter Credits : 1
5th Quarter: 23 Credits
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.
Quarter Credits : 4
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.
Quarter Credits : 2
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.
Quarter Credits : 3
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.
Quarter Credits : 8
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.
Quarter Credits : 4
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.
Quarter Credits : 1
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.
Quarter Credits : 1
Didactic Phase Total: 100 Credits
Clinical Phase
Quarter Credits : 8
Quarter Credits : 8
Quarter Credits : 8
Quarter Credits : 8
Quarter Credits : 8
Quarter Credits : 8
Quarter Credits : 8
Quarter Credits : 8
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.
Quarter Credits : 2
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.
Quarter Credits : 2
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.
Quarter Credits : 2
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.
Quarter Credits : 4
Clinical Phase Total: 74
The courses below are offered on an as needed basis:
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.
Quarter Credits : 8
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.
Quarter Credits : 8