M.S. Physician Assistant Studies
M.S. Physician Assistant Studies
M.S. Physician Assistant Studies
Program Curriculum
Program Curriculum
Program Curriculum
Evidence-based medicine + top technology
The NWC PA Program curriculum equips students with essential clinical skills through a system and case-based approach, integrating medical disciplines into patient care scenarios and simulations. Learn through educational experiences in conjunction with traditional cadaver lab dissection and advanced educational tools, including state-of-the-art Sectra virtual cadaver tables (by ToLTech), enhancing student understanding and assessment.
Course rotation
Course rotation
Course rotation
116 credit program over 7 consecutive terms
116 credit program over 7 consecutive terms
116 credit program over 7 consecutive terms
HCP510 - Research Methods
This course focuses on the essentials of the research process to facilitate
student's ability to knowledgeably and effectively identify, appraise, and
apply scientific findings to health care practices. The course introduces
the language of research, ethical principles and challenges, and the
elements of the research process within quantitative, qualitative, and mixed
methods approaches. Students will use theoretical underpinnings to begin to
access and critically review credible sources using a systematic approach,
evaluate the quality of research, discuss methods of translating, and
integrating findings into health care practice and evaluate patient
outcomes. Students will also determine how research findings are useful in
forming their understanding of their work, social, local and global
environment. Prerequisite: Acceptance into a graduate healthcare profession
program or permission of instructor. (3 credits)
HCP511 - Human Physiology
This course covers basic human physiology, providing a foundation for the
Medical Pathophysiology course series offered in terms two through four.
Students will learn about the physiologic functions of each body system as
well as mechanisms of disease that can impact the human body. Case studies
will be used to apply student knowledge of normal physiology to patient care
scenarios. Prerequisite: Admission to the PA program. (4 credits)
PAS601 - Patient Care Skills I
This is the first course in a four course series designed to develop
students? ability to interact with patients and perform necessary patient
care examinations and procedures. This course focuses on history taking and
physical examination of the healthy adult patient. The course is intended to
coordinate with HCP500 Gross Anatomy for Health Care Providers, helping
students to synthesize their understanding of human anatomy with the
examination of the systems of the human body. This course includes a weekly
four-hour lab experience. Prerequisite: Admission to the PA program. (3
credits)
PAS611 - Biomedical Science
This course is designed to lay a foundation for understanding of clinical
medicine topics through discussion of basic principles in genetics,
immunology and infectious disease, oncology, pharmacology, epidemiology, and
laboratory and radiologic examinations utilized in medicine. Prerequisite:
Admission to the PA program. (3 credits)
PAS632 - PA Profession I: History and Healthcare Delivery Systems
This course is the first in a three-course series designed to introduce
students to professional issues related to practicing medicine as a
physician assistant. This course will cover PA profession history,
certification requirements, professional organizations, health delivery
systems, and other issues impacting their future roles as physician
assistants. Prerequisite: Admission to the PA Program. (3 credits)
Didactic courses in this term are delivered in-person.
This is the first in a three-course pharmacology series which covers
pharmacological therapies in a systems-based approach correlating with
topics covered in the Clinical Medicine course series. Students will examine
all aspects of prescribing medication including mechanisms of action, side
effects, and drug interactions. Prerequisite: PAS 611, Biomedical Science.
Note: A fee is associated with this course. (2 credits)
HCP612 - Medical Pathophysiology I
This is the first course in a three-course series covering pathophysiology
at the molecular, cellular, and organ system levels. The content of this
course is designed to correspond with and support student understanding of
the topics covered in the Clinical Medicine course series. Prerequisite: HCP
511, Human Physiology. (2 credits)
PAS505 - Gross Anatomy for Healthcare Providers I
In this course, the first-year graduate students will work as part of an
interprofessional student team to organize facts into concepts, as well as
appreciate the association between structure and function. This course is
designed for first year health care students to acquire the foundations for
basic descriptive, functional, clinical and radiological human anatomy. (3
credits)
PAS602 - Patient Care Skills II
This is the second course in a four course series designed to develop
students' ability to interact with patients and perform necessary patient
care examinations and procedures. This course will focus on skills and
procedures that coincide with topics in Clinical Medicine I. This course
includes a weekly four-hour lab experience. Prerequisite: PAS 601, Patient
Care Skills I. Note: A fee is associated with this course. (3 credits)
PAS612 - Clinical Medicine I
This course is the first of a three-course series providing students with a
systematic study of common diseases and conditions that they will encounter
as physician assistants. Students will examine risk factors, etiology,
history and physical exam findings, laboratory and radiological exams, and
treatment options for each condition. This term will focus on conditions
affecting the hematological, HEENT, pulmonary, cardiovascular,
genitourinary, and renal systems. Prerequisites: PAS 611, Biomedical Science;
HCP 500, Gross Anatomy for Health Care Providers; and HCP 511, Human Physiology.
(6 credits)
PAS622 - Clinical Reasoning I
This laboratory course is the first in a series of three laboratory courses
designed to develop PA students' clinical thinking and problem solving
skills. Using problem-based learning methods, the cases in this course will
correspond with the material presented in the Clinical Medicine course
series, giving students an opportunity to interact with the material in
structured, group discussions while asking students to consider systems,
cultures, and worldviews that impact the delivery of medicine. Prerequisite: PAS
601, Clinical Skills I. (2 credits)
Didactic courses in this term are delivered in-person.
This is the second in a three-course pharmacology series which covers
pharmacological therapies in a systems-based approach correlating with
topics covered in the Clinical Medicine course series. Students will examine
all aspects of prescribing medication including mechanisms of action, side
effects, and drug interactions. Prerequisite: HCP 602, Pharmacology I. (2
credits)
HCP613 - Medical Pathophysiology II
This is the second course in a three-course series covering pathophysiology
at the molecular, cellular, and organ system levels. The content of this
course is designed to correspond with and support student understanding of
the topics covered in the Clinical Medicine course series. Prerequisite: HCP
612, Medical Pathophysiology I. (2 credits)
PAS506 - Gross Anatomy for Healthcare Providers II
PAS603 - Patient Care Skills III
This is the third course in a four course series designed to develop
students' ability to interact with patients and perform necessary patient
care examinations and procedures. This course will focus on skills and
procedures that coincide with topics in Clinical Medicine II. This course
includes a weekly four-hour lab experience. Prerequisite: PAS 602, Patient
Care Skills II. Note: A fee is associated with this course. (3 credits)
PAS613 - Clinical Medicine II
This course is the second of a three-course series providing students with a
systematic study of common diseases and conditions that they will encounter
as physician assistants. Students will examine risk factors, etiology,
history and physical exam findings, laboratory and radiological exams, and
treatment options for each condition. This term will focus on conditions
affecting the dermatologic, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, endocrine,
neurological, and psychiatric systems. Prerequisite: PAS 612, Clinical Medicine
I. (6 credits)
PAS623 - Clinical Reasoning II
This laboratory course is the second in a series of three laboratory courses
designed to develop PA students' clinical thinking and problem solving
skills. Using problem-based learning methods, the cases in this course will
correspond with the material presented in the Clinical Medicine course
series, giving students an opportunity to interact with the material in
structured, group discussions while asking students to consider systems,
cultures, and worldviews that impact the delivery of medicine. Prerequisite:
PAS 602, Clinical Skills II. Note: A fee is associated with this course. (2
credits)
PAS633 - PA Profession II: Medical Ethics and Cultural Competency
This course is the second in a three-course series designed to introduce
students to professional issues related to practicing medicine as a
physician assistant. In this course, students will study the ethical, legal,
and regulatory guidelines for medical practice and apply them to clinical
situations. Students will also spend time exploring different cultures and
view of health and healthcare to increase cultural awareness and competency.
Prerequisite: PAS 632, PA Profession I. (3 credits)
Didactic courses in this term are delivered in-person.
HCP604 - Pharmacology III
This is the third in a three-course pharmacology series which covers
pharmacological therapies in a systems-based approach correlating with
topics covered in the Clinical Medicine course series. Students will examine
all aspects of prescribing medication including mechanisms of action, side
effects, and drug interactions. Prerequisite: HCP 603, Pharmacology II. (2
credits)
HCP614 - Medical Pathophysiology III
This is the third course in a three-course series covering pathophysiology
at the molecular, cellular, and organ system levels. The content of this
course is designed to correspond with and support student understanding of
the topics covered in the Clinical Medicine course series. Prerequisite: HCP
613, Medical Pathophysiology II. ((2 credits)
PAS604 - Patient Care Skills IV
This is the fourth course in a four course series designed to develop
students' ability to interact with patients and perform necessary patient
care examinations and procedures. This course will focus on skills and
procedures that coincide with topics in Clinical Medicine III. This course
includes a weekly four-hour lab experience. Prerequisite: PAS 603, Patient Care
Skills III. Note: A fee is associated with this course. (3 credits)
PAS614 - Clinical Medicine III
This course is the third of a three-course series providing students with a
systematic study of common diseases and conditions that they will encounter
as physician assistants. Students will examine risk factors, etiology,
history and physical exam findings, laboratory and radiological exams, and
treatment options for each condition. This term will focus on conditions
affecting the female reproductive system, as well as considerations for
special populations including pediatrics, geriatrics, emergency medicine,
and surgical patients. Prerequisite: PAS 613, Clinical Medicine II. (6
credits)
PAS624 - Clinical Reasoning III
This laboratory course is the third in a series of three laboratory courses
designed to develop PA students' clinical thinking and problem solving
skills. Using problem-based learning methods, the cases in this course will
correspond with the material presented in the Clinical Medicine course
series, giving students an opportunity to interact with the material in
structured, group discussions while asking students to consider systems,
cultures, and worldviews that impact the delivery of medicine. Prerequisite:
PAS 603, Clinical Skills II. Note: A fee is associated with this course. (2
credits)
PAS634 - Introduction to Clinical Practice
Students will be presented with expectations for clinical rotations and
future clinical practice, with a focus on professional behaviors and
attitudes. Students will be required to demonstrate understanding of
policies and requirements for successful completion of their clinical
rotations, and will have the opportunity to interact with clinical faculty
to prepare for the clinical year. Prerequisites: PAS 613, Clinical Medicine II,
and PAS 630, Evidence-Based Practice and Preventative Care. (1 credit)
Didactic courses in this term are delivered in-person.
PAS635 - PA Profession III: Practice Issues and Integration
This course is designed to guide students through the application of PA
practice concepts to their own medical practice. Designed to be taken during
the first term of clinical rotations, students will be asked to observe and
interact with situations on their rotations to maximize their understanding
of the role of a physician assistant. Prerequisite: PAS 633, PA Profession II.
(1 credit)
PAS703 - Clinical Rotation Block I
This semester-long course is the first in a series of three blocks, during
which PA students will complete
their clinical education. This course is 17 weeks long, with 16 weeks of
clinical experiences and one week
of testing and learning activities on campus at the end of the term. The 16
weeks of clinical rotations will
be comprised of a combination of core and elective rotations for the
program, which are either 2, 4, or 8
weeks long. By the end of Clinical Rotation Block III, all PA students will
have completed all required
clinical rotation courses for the PA program. Prerequisites: PAS 614, Clinical
Medicine III, and PAS 634, Introduction to
Clinical Practice. (15 credits)
PAS635 Professionalism course is delivered primarily online with end-of-term in-person activities.
PAS703 Clinical Rotation Block course delivers supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs) primarily in person, with possible telemedicine experiences in which preceptors are present in the room. With the exception of Behavioral Health experiences, which may be delivered primarily via telemedicine. See below for a complete list of clinical rotation requirements.
PAS704 - Clinical Rotation Block II
This semester-long course is the second in a series of three blocks, during
which PA students will complete
their clinical education. This course is 17 weeks long, with 16 weeks of
clinical experiences and one week
of testing and learning activities on campus at the end of the term. The 16
weeks of clinical rotations will
be comprised of a combination of core and elective rotations for the
program, which are either 2, 4, or 8
weeks long. By the end of Clinical Rotation Block III, all PA students will
have completed all required
clinical rotation courses for the PA program.
Prerequisite: PAS 703, Clinical Rotation Block I. (15 credits)
PAS704 Clinical Rotation Block course delivers supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs) primarily in person, with possible telemedicine experiences in which preceptors are present in the room. With the exception of Behavioral Health experiences, which may be delivered primarily via telemedicine. See below for a complete list of clinical rotation requirements.
PAS701 - PA Capstone: Certification, Licensure, and Summative
In this final professional issues course, students will review requirements
for certification, licensure, and employment as a physician assistant. This
course will mark the end of their capstone project, and students will have
the opportunity to present their findings to their research committee and
guests. Students will complete a personalized plan for integrating faith
with their medical practice. They will also complete the summative
assessment of their acquisition of program learning objectives. Prerequisite:
Must have completed 6 months of clinical rotation courses. (1 credit)
PAS705 - Clinical Rotation Block III
This semester-long course is the third in a series of three blocks, during
which PA students will complete
their clinical education. This course is 13 weeks long, with 12 weeks of
clinical experiences and one week
of testing and learning activities on campus at the end of the term. The 12
weeks of clinical rotations will
be comprised of a combination of core and elective rotations for the
program, which are either 2, 4, or 8
weeks long. By the end of Clinical Rotation Block III, all PA students will
have completed all required
clinical rotation courses for the PA program.
Prerequisite: PAS 704, Clinical Rotation Block II. (12 credits)
PAS701 Capstone course is delivered asynchronously online.
PAS705 Clinical Rotation Block course delivers supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs) primarily in person, with possible telemedicine experiences in which preceptors are present in the room. With the exception of Behavioral Health experiences, which may be delivered primarily via telemedicine. See below for a complete list of clinical rotation requirements.
Clinical rotations
Clinical rotations
Clinical rotations
Our clinical team will coordinate clinical sites and preceptors for required rotations. PA students are not required to provide or solicit clinical sites or preceptors. Rotations occur at affiliated institutions, exposing students to diverse practice settings for a well-rounded education. Required clinical rotations:
16 weeks: Family Medicine
4 weeks: Surgery
4 weeks: Internal Medicine
4 weeks: Behavioral Health
4 weeks: Emergency Medicine
2 weeks: Women’s Health
2 weeks: Pediatrics
8 weeks: Electives
Advanced resources and PANCE-specific preparation
Advanced resources and PANCE-specific preparation
Advanced resources and PANCE-specific preparation
Students will learn in state-of-the-art facilities with access to valuable online medical resources like UpToDate and Access Medicine, integrating them into case-based learning from day one. The program also provides an extensive PANCE question bank to help students refine their testing skills and prepare for certification.
Students will learn in state-of-the-art facilities with access to valuable online medical resources like UpToDate and Access Medicine, integrating them into case-based learning from day one. The program also provides an extensive PANCE question bank to help students refine their testing skills and prepare for certification.
Students will learn in state-of-the-art facilities with access to valuable online medical resources like UpToDate and Access Medicine, integrating them into case-based learning from day one. The program also provides an extensive PANCE question bank to help students refine their testing skills and prepare for certification.
Accreditation
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Northwestern College Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Northwestern College. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.
Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be September 2034. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-northwestern-college/.
Accreditation
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Northwestern College Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Northwestern College. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.
Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be September 2034. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-northwestern-college/.
Accreditation
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Northwestern College Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Northwestern College. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.
Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be September 2034. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-northwestern-college/.
