Course Information
for Physician Assistant Department
Clinical Research Methods (MPAS 590)
Credits:2Students will evaluate current medical literature to determine validity based on statistical and clinical outcomes. Emphasis will be placed on the use, appropriateness, and understanding of common biostatistic methods and epidemiologic approaches employed by the health care professions as a basis for clinical judgment. Empirical data regarding medicine and patient care, as well as those used in the surveillance and investigation of health-related states or events will be explored. Summer
Introduction to the PA Profession (MPAS500)
Credits:1This course explores the history of the Physician Assistant (PA) profession and current trends affecting the profession. Students will gain insight into professional ethics and conduct as well as the role of a PA as a healthcare provider. Students also will be informed of professional organizations, program accreditation, employment considerations and professional liability issues Summer
Principles of Clinical Pharmacology (MPAS502)
Credits:1This course introduces students to the concepts of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics as the fundamental basis for understanding the role clinical pharmacology performs in the treatment of disease processes. The use of pharmacotherapeutics as it pertains to the enhancement of patient care in the clinical setting will be explored through lecture and interactive exercises. Focus will be placed in the interpretation of medical literature using evidence-based, best practices. Summer
Gross Anatomy (MPAS505C)
Credits:6This course will broaden the student’s knowledge of human anatomy. Body system functions, interactions, and locations of specific structures will be explored in depth. Laboratory includes cadaver dissection, prosected material, anatomic models, and incorporation of diagnostic radiology of selected regions. Emphasis will be placed on these components as they enhance examination skills and clinical applications. Summer
Patient-Centered Healthcare I (MPAS509)
Credits:2In this course, students will explore healthcare delivery from a patient-centered perspective. Students will address social, ethnic, and religious issues in the development, evaluation, and implementation of therapeutic goals. Students will learn to develop strategies for patient education, counseling, and preventive measures in light of the above. Fall
Medical Imaging (MPAS511)
Credits:1This course introduces students to various imaging modalities and key concepts for the understanding of normal medical diagnostic imaging. Emphasis is placed on images of normal human body structures and organs through lectures and interactive activities. Summer
History and Physical Examination Skills (MPAS514C)
Credits:3This course is designed to provide the primary care physician assistant student with the essential skills needed to obtain and document a patient’s comprehensive medical history and perform a comprehensive physical examination. Additional emphasis will be placed on written and verbal communication skills. Laboratory sessions will enable the student to practice physical assessment and communication skills on one another. Practice in the use of pertinent diagnostic equipment will be incorporated. Summer
Clinical Laboratory Medicine I (MPAS517)
Credits:1The focus of this course will be on common diseases of a medical and surgical nature that may be encountered in clinical practice. Laboratory and diagnostic tests that can be used to diagnose and manage common diseases will be presented. Case studies will give students the opportunity to solve clinical problems utilizing laboratory data. Fall
Clinical Pharmacology I (MPAS522)
Credits:2Students will build on knowledge obtained in MPAS 502, Principles of Clinical Pharmacology, in deepening their understanding of the application of pharmacotherapeutics to disease processes. The use of pharmacological agents to treat a variety of conditions will be addressed, including mechanism of action, drug categories, drug classifications, drug-drug interactions, indications, and contraindications. Focus will continue to be placed in the interpretation of medical literature using evidence-based, best practices. Fall
Clinical Medicine I (MPAS526)
Credits:7This course is designed to provide the primary care physician assistant student with the essentials of assessment, diagnosis, and management of disease states. Objectives of this course include dissemination and knowledge-building concerning pathology of disease by organ system and medical specialty. Proper selection, utilization, and interpretation of laboratory diagnostic studies and radiologic imaging studies will be stressed. Fall
Patient-Centered Healthcare II (MPAS529)
Credits:2Students will continue their study of concepts learned in MPAS 509 to deepen their understanding of ethical and moral imperatives in health care. Considerations of risk management, medico-legal issues, patient informed consent and confidentiality will be explored. Students will explore the impact of health care policy and socioeconomic status on decision-making and healthcare delivery. Spring
Applied Genetics and Embryology (MPAS531)
Credits:2This course gives the physician assistant student a foundational basis from which to study human genetics and to introduce developmental pediatrics. Students will explore the role of genetics in the etiology of disease, susceptibility to disease, and management of disease. Students will learn effective methods to uncover a patient’s genetic predisposition and increased risk for disease development. This course also includes normal and abnormal fetal and neonatal development, dysmorphology of motor and cognitive development, and conditions specific to the newborn. Fall
Patient Assessment I (MPAS534C)
Credits:2This is the second of a series of courses, following MPAS 514C, designed to provide classroom lecture and hands-on experience that allows the physician assistant student the opportunity to practice history and physical exam skills and apply clinical decision-making skills. Clinical laboratory sessions will be based on patient case studies. The labs will provide students the opportunity to perform complete and focused history and physical evaluations, develop differential diagnoses, and prepare treatment plans for patients’ various illnesses, expanding clinical assessment skills, as based upon conditions taught during MPAS 526, Clinical Medince I. Fall
Clinical Medicine II (MPAS536)
Credits:7This course will continue the essentials of assessment and management of conditions, as introduced in MPAS 526, and will comprise further system evaluation regarding disease processes and their manifestations. Through the use of lectures and interactive experiences, students will add to their fund of knowledge regarding selection, utilization, and interpretation of laboratory and radiologic studies in the diagnosis and management of disease. Spring
Pathophysiology I (MPAS538)
Credits:2In this course, students will learn in-depth concepts of physiology and pathophysiology as they relate to the etiology of disease. Through each organ system, students will learn principles of multisystem function and dysfunction at the cellular and molecular levels, especially as they relate to homeostatic dysfunction. Fall
Clinical Pharmacology II (MPAS542)
Credits:2As the last course in a three-course sequence, students will continue to build on knowledge and skills obtained in MPAS 502, Principles of Clinical Pharmacology, and MPAS 522, Clinical Pharmacology I, in deepening their understanding of the application of pharmacotherapeutics to disease processes. The use of pharmacological agents to treat a variety of conditions will continue to be addressed, including mechanism of action, drug categories, drug classifications, drug-drug interactions, indications, and contraindications. Issues concerning the specific patient populations of pediatric and geriatrics will be emphasized. Interpretation of medical literature will use evidence-based medicine and best practices. Spring
Behavioral Health (MPAS546)
Credits:3Students will study conditions and diseases of behavioral health/psychiatry. The focus will be on common diseases of psychiatric medicine and behavioral health medicine that may be encountered in clinical practice. Students will have the opportunity to solve clinical problems through various methods including case-based learning and team-based learning. Summer
Patient Assessment II (MPAS554C)
Credits:2This is the third of a series of courses designed to provide classroom lecture and hands-on experience that allows the physician assistant student opportunities to build upon knowledge and skills learned in MPAS 514C and MPAS 534C Clinical laboratory sessions will be based on patient case studies, where students will continue to practice complete and focused history and physical evaluations, developing differential diagnoses, and prepare treatment plans for patients’ various illnesses, and expand clinical assessment skills, as based upon conditions taught during MPAS 536, Clinical Medicine II. Spring
General Surgery (MPAS556)
Credits:2The course will provide the student with the background knowledge to enter the field of surgery, including the essentials of assessment and management of the surgical patient. Case studies and team-based learning will give students the opportunity to solve clinical problems. Method of instruction will be primarily, but not limited to, classroom lecture, handouts, and discussion. Summer
Pathophysiology II (MPAS558)
Credits:2Building on the concepts learned in MPAS 538, students will continue to study about the principles of multisystem function and dysfunction at the cellular and molecular levels. This study will culminate in a better understanding of the pathophysiologic processes of the human body. Spring
Healthcare Disparities (MPAS561)
Credits:3In this course, students will continue to learn how to evaluate and care for the pediatric patient, gaining an understanding of diseases of this population with an emphasis on prevention, presentation, differential diagnosis, and treatment. This course includes illnesses specific to those encountered during infancy to adolescence, including developmental milestones and immunization schedules. Students will also study evaluation and care issues specific to women’s health concerns, female sexuality, and the geriatric population. Diverse issues affecting patients in rural and underserved populations will be explored. Spring
Clinical Laboratory Medicine II (MPAS567)
Credits:1Continuing the concepts introduced in MPAS 517, the focus of this course will be on common diseases of a medical and surgical nature that may be encountered in clinical practice. Laboratory and diagnostic tests that can be used to diagnose and manage common diseases will be presented. Case studies will give students the opportunity to solve clinical problems utilizing laboratory data. Spring
Clinical Correlations (MPAS574C)
Credits:4In this final course of the physical assessment course series, students will utilize the various concepts of patient evaluation and care. Students will utilize analytical reasoning, system disease processes, and diagnostic methods in case-based scenarios to form differential diagnoses, final diagnosis, and therapeutic treatment plans. Discussion groups, patient simulation, and various laboratory procedures will be employed to prepare students for real world experiences in medical practice. Summer
Emergency Medicine (MPAS581)
Credits:2Students will become familiar with cases which commonly present to emergency departments. Students will learn to identify illness, trauma, and best practice for stabilization of these presentations. Case-based scenarios and patient simulations will also be utilized. Summer
Medical Procedures (MPAS585C)
Credits:3In this lab intensive course, students will learn skills and techniques in the treatment of patients with a variety of settings. Suturing, splinting, wound care, intravenous and intraosseous insertions, nasogastric intubation and Foley catheter insertions will be demonstrated and practiced. Students will also be introduced to pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative care, and to minor surgical procedures. Summer
Clinical Research Methods (MPAS590)
Credits:2Students will evaluate current medical literature to determine validity based on statistical and clinical outcomes. Emphasis will be placed on the use, appropriateness, and understanding of common biostatistic methods and epidemiologic approaches employed by the health care professions as a basis for clinical judgment. Empirical data regarding medicine and patient care, as well as those used in the surveillance and investigation of health-related states or events will be explored.
Clinical Orientation (MPAS597)
Credits:1Students will learn about professionalism in the clinical setting, patient confidentiality, and HIPAA and OSHA requirements. They will study issues regarding medical errors and their avoidance and the use of electronic medical record systems. The students will also examine the concept of interdisciplinary teams in healthcare delivery and the role it plays in patient outcomes. Summer
Family Medicine Clinical Rotation (MPAS600)
Credits:4This course is a supervised clinical experience designed to provide the physician assistant student with an opportunity to obtain medical data and formulate and implement a medical diagnosis and treatment plan in a family medicine outpatient and/ or inpatient setting. The Family Medicine rotation will expose students to a broad spectrum of patients across the lifespan, ranging from birth until death, with various acute and chronic medical conditions. The student must demonstrate clinical competence and pass an end of rotation examination to pass the course.
Women's Health Clinical Rotation (MPAS610)
Credits:4This course is a supervised clinical experience designed to provide the physician assistant student with an opportunity to obtain medical data and formulate and implement a medical diagnosis and treatment plan in a women’s health setting. The purpose of the women’s health rotation is to expose students to a female patients’ reproductive health. This exposure will include, but will not be limited to: acute, chronic and emergent gynecological conditions throughout the various stages of life and reproduction as well as preventative and prenatal care of women. Students may be placed in an outpatient gynecology practice, outpatient obstetrics and gynecology practice with or without inpatient privileges, a primary care outpatient, or a primary care inpatient setting to obtain this exposure. The student must demonstrate clinical competence and pass an end of rotation examination to pass the course.
Pediatric Clinical Rotation (MPAS620)
Credits:4This course is a supervised clinical experience designed to provide the physician assistant student with an opportunity to obtain medical data and formulate and implement a medical diagnosis and treatment plan in a pediatric outpatient and/ or inpatient setting. The pediatric clinical rotation course will expose students to a broad spectrum of pediatric patients with various acute and chronic medical conditions. There will also be a focus on growth and development as well as well child care. This rotation includes course specific supplemental learning assignments to ensure each student meets the competencies, objectives and outcomes of the course. The student must demonstrate clinical competence and pass an end of rotation examination to pass the course.
Internal Medicine Clinical Rotation (MPAS630)
Credits:4This course is a supervised clinical experience designed to provide the physician assistant student with an opportunity to obtain medical data and formulate and implement a medical diagnosis and treatment plan in an internal medicine outpatient and/ or inpatient setting. The purpose of the Internal Medicine Rotation is to expose students to an adult patient population with acute and chronic medical conditions, including geriatric patients. The student must demonstrate clinical competence and pass an end of rotation examination to pass the course.
Emergency Medicine Clinical Rotation (MPAS640)
Credits:4This course is a supervised clinical experience designed to provide the physician assistant student with an opportunity to obtain medical data and formulate and implement a medical diagnosis and treatment plan in an emergency room setting. The Emergency Medicine rotation will expose students to a broad spectrum of patients, ranging from birth until death, with various acute and chronic medical conditions as well as acute injuries and emergent medical/ psychiatric conditions. Students will be placed in a hospital-based emergency room to obtain this exposure. Students must demonstrate clinical competence and pass an end of rotation examination to pass the course.
Behavioral Health Clinical Rotation (MPAS650)
Credits:4This course is a supervised clinical experience designed to provide the physician assistant student with an opportunity to obtain medical data and formulate and implement a medical diagnosis and treatment plan in a Behavioral Health outpatient and/ or inpatient setting. The Behavioral Health rotation will expose students to a broad spectrum of patients across the lifespan, with various acute and chronic psychiatric and behavioral health conditions. The student must demonstrate clinical competence and pass an end of rotation examination to pass the course.
General Surgery Clinical Rotation (MPAS660)
Credits:4This course is a supervised clinical experience designed to expose the physician assistant student to a broad spectrum of patients with acute and chronic surgical conditions. Students will be placed in setting where they will be exposed to pre, intra, post-operative, inpatient, and outpatient care of surgical patients. The student must demonstrate clinical competence and pass an end of rotation examination to pass the course.
Clinical Seminar I (MPAS665)
Credits:1This course is designed to provide the physician assistant student with a greater depth of assessment, diagnosis, and management in the areas of adult medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, surgery, and emergency medicine. Objectives of this course include dissemination and knowledge building concerning pathology of disease by organ system and medical specialty. In addition, emphasis will be placed on preventive, emergent, acute, and chronic patient encounters occurring over the course of a lifetime. Fall
Clinical Elective Rotation (MPAS670)
Credits:4This course is a supervised clinical experience designed to provide the physician assistant student with an opportunity to obtain medical data and formulate and implement a medical diagnosis and treatment plan in an outpatient and/ or inpatient setting. The final elective clinical rotation is intended to provide students with exposure to a specialty of their own choice and to provide them with an opportunity to sharpen their medical expertise and/or explore career possibilities. The student must demonstrate clinical competence and pass an end of rotation examination to pass the course.
Clinical Seminar II (MPAS675)
Credits:1This course continues concepts from MPAS 665 and is designed to provide the physician assistant student with a greater depth of assessment, diagnosis, and management in the areas of adult medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, surgery, and emergency medicine. Objectives of this course include dissemination and knowledge building of pathology of disease by organ system and medical specialty. In addition, emphasis will be placed on preventive, emergent, acute, and chronic patient encounters occurring over the course of a lifetime. Spring
Clinical Seminar III (MPAS685)
Credits:3This course entails a focused review of program subject matter. Students will participate in board examination-directed modules complete with practice examinations, designed to prepare them for the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE) administered by the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). The test is a post graduate requirement for all PAs intending to obtain initial licensure in any of the 50 United States. The student will also demonstrate his/her grasp of all didactic and clinical knowledge acquired throughout the program. This will be achieved through complex simulation exercises in performing complete history and physical examinations and the demonstration of interpersonal skills. The students must also take and successfully pass an end of program written examination at the termination of this course. Summer