M.S. Physician Assistant

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)

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. (3 credits)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)