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Physician Assistant
Course Descriptions
PAS5101 Medical Interviewing and Documentation
This course is designed to introduce
students to the art of medical
communication. This encompasses
the skills of medical interviewing and
other forms of communication with
patients, their families, and their caregivers.
Students will learn the components
of a complete medical history. In
addition, they will learn interviewing
skills that will allow them to efficiently
elicit a patient history in an accurate
and empathetic manner. Students will
be exposed to some of the most common
theoretical models that explain
and guide medical communication.
Students will also learn how to properly
document medical interviews and
other patient encounters. 2 quarter
hours
PAS 5105 Epidemiology and
Biostatistics
This course provides a broad
overview to familiarize Physician
Assistant students with the basic concepts
of public health and preventative
medicine. Epidemiological concepts
include the distribution, prevalence,
causation, mode of transmission, dissemination,
control, and preventative
countermeasures of infectious and
non-communicable diseases; and
environmental occupational, behavioral,
and chronic disabling conditions.
Students are introduced to approaches
to evaluate the validity of research
data and the content of articles that
appear in the medical literature. 3
quarter hours
PAS 5110 Physical Assessment I
This introductory course on physical
assessment focuses on patient
communication skills, techniques of
interviewing and performance of complete
physical examination, development
of critical thinking and decision
making skills needed to assess adult
patients’ mental and physical status.
Assessment of common and important
symptoms is also covered. This
course also includes presentation of
patient data in both oral and written
form. This course explores the comprehensive
physical examination of
the relevant regions and systems of
the skin, head, neck, neurologic system,
thorax and lungs. Demonstrations
and practical laboratory application
reinforce the PA’s ability to perform a
comprehensive physical examination.
3 quarter hours
PAS5111 Physical Assessment II
This course on physical assessment
focuses on patient communication
skills, techniques of interviewing
and performance of complete physical
examination, development of critical
thinking and decision making skills
needed to assess adult patients’ mental
and physical status. Assessment of
common and important symptoms is
also covered. This course also
includes presentation of patient data in
both oral & written form. This course
explores the comprehensive physical
examination of the relevant regions
and systems of the chest, heart, musculoskeletal
system, abdominal exam
and genitourinary systems. Demonstrations
and practical laboratory
application reinforce the PA’s ability to
perform a comprehensive physical
examination. 3 quarter hours
PAS 5124 Essentials of Behavioral
Medicine
This course will examine a most
significant power of a health care
provider to act as a behavioral change
agent and a catalyst for patients to
modify a variety of self-injurious
lifestyles or habits. A health care
provider, such as a PA, has the capacity
to assist patients to make such
changes not through technologic
expertise, but in his/her ability to educate
patients in daily healthy living.
Through the use of lecture on the principles
of behavioral science, and
patient case studies, this course also
explores how a PA may appropriately
assess human sexuality and normal
and abnormal human behavior including
common psychiatric disorders. 3
quarter hours
PAS 5125 Medical Anatomy and
Physiology I
Medical Anatomy and Physiology I
is the first course of a two quarter
sequence in which the student will
build upon information learned in the
basic anatomy and physiology prerequisite
courses. General review of all
anatomic and physiologic concepts
and systems will be undertaken.
Class sessions will focus on an indepth
look at human anatomy and
physiology with an emphasis on cellular
and sub-cellular mechanisms of
normal function. Introductory information
will be provided as to clinical application
of anatomic and physiologic
variations from normal and the means
by which these variations can contribute
to disease. A clinical application
lab will correspond to the lecture
course. 4 quarter hours
PAS 5126 Medical Anatomy and
Physiology II
Medical Anatomy and Physiology II
is the final course of a two quarter
sequence in which the student will
build upon information learned in the
basic anatomy and physiology prerequisite
courses. General review of all
anatomic and physiologic concepts
and systems will be undertaken.
Class sessions will focus on an indepth
look at human anatomy and
physiology with an emphasis on cellular
and sub-cellular mechanisms of
normal function. Introductory information
will be provided as to clinical application
of anatomic and physiologic
variations from normal and the means
by which these variations can contribute
to disease. A clinical application
lab will correspond to the lecture
course. 4 quarter hours
PAS 5130 Diagnostic Methods
The purpose of this course is to
provide a comprehensive overview of
three basic diagnostic methods and
treatments (ECG, radiology & ACLS).
The course provides a comprehensive
overview of electrocardiography with a
focus on recognition of abnormalities,
emphasizing the electrical system of
the heart, enabling the student to identify
normal/abnormal wave shape of
12-lead EKGs using a systematic
approach to ECG analysis. The course
also explores the characteristics of the
hex axial system, wave shape distortion,
and patterns of aberrant conduction.
The second component of this
course aims to prepare the student to
provide the best care possible for the
most dramatic and emotional moment
of a person’s life. The course presents
a systematic approach to treat a desperately
ill patient experiencing a cardiopulmonary
emergency or sudden
death.The curriculum provides instruction
in evaluation and management of
life-threatening situations. The third
component of the course focuses on
radiologic imaging designed to assist
Physician Assistant students to understand,
appropriately select, and correctly
interpret the many imaging
modalities and techniques currently
available for examination of patients. 4
quarter hours
PAS5132 Essentials of Clinical
Geriatrics
This course demonstrates new
changes in clinical geriatric medicine
and the ways in which care for the elderly
is being organized. Instruction
provides the Physician Assistant student,
as a future health care practitioner,
an excellent understanding of
the expanding area of geriatrics and
prepares the Physician Assistant student
to appropriately evaluate, diagnose,
monitor, treat, counsel, and refer
elderly patients. Students are given
formal instruction on process of death
and dying. The interpretation and
evaluation of medical literature is also
emphasized. 4 quarter hours
PAS 5135 Laboratory Diagnostics
The analytical procedures discussed
in this course reflect the most
recent or commonly performed techniques
in the clinical laboratory.
Clinical chemistry principles, ordering
and interpretation of diagnostics tests,
procedures, and correlations are discussed
to provide information for
appropriate clinical intervention. 3
quarter hours
PAS 5138 Fundamentals of
Surgery
This course is designed to provide
the Physician Assistant with an early
introduction to and participation in the
many new surgical techniques that are
available, understandable, and safe.
Suturing, anesthesia, major and minor
surgery specific to various body
regions are discussed. New innovations
in chemotherapy, laser therapy,
and laparoscopic techniques are evaluated.
Pre and post operative evaluation
and care of the patient are integrated
into this course. Surgical pro-
cedures, techniques, and instruments
will be explored. 4 quarter hours
PAS 5146 Clinical Skills
The purpose of this course is to
provide students fundamental concepts
and skills required to perform
multiple clinical procedures. Students
will receive knowledge of key indications,
contraindications, risks, and
benefits of basic procedural skills
often performed in various practice
settings. The laboratory environment
will provide students an opportunity to
perform and practice these skills and
procedures. Course offerings will
include workshops and seminars in
addition to defined lecture times.
Skills will include injections, suturing
techniques, intravenous therapy, joint
injection and aspiration and others. 2
quarter hours
PAS 5150 Research Methodology
The purpose of this course is to
provide an introduction to research
and manuscript writing for the graduate
student in physician assistant studies.
The course includes a study of
perspectives, tools, nomenclature, and
processes of research methodology.
Statistical methods and procedures
associated with various research paradigms
will be central to the course. 1
quarter hour
PAS 5165 Orthopedics & the
Physically Challenged Patient
This course covers the general
approach to the orthopedic and physically
challenged patient to include
anatomy & physiology of the skeletal
system, review of the physical examination,
signs and symptoms, differential
diagnosis, treatment and associated
complications. Providing medical
care to this nation’s estimated 40 million
physically disabled citizens is
incumbent on every individual in the
health care team. PAs should have a
basic understanding of the medical
needs of the physically challenged
patient. The topics discussed in this
course include children and adults who
have disabilities such as amputation;
arthritis; fractures; hemiplegia, paraplegia,
and quadriplegia; pulmonary, neuromuscular,
and vascular diseases;
sports injuries; and other less disabling
condition. The goal is to assist physically
challenged patients in achieving
their maximum physical, psychosocial,
and vocational potential. 5 quarter
hours
PAS5170 Professional Seminar I
This course presents an introduction/
overview of the Physician Assistant
(PA) profession. Emphasis is
placed upon the inception, history, and
evolution of the PA profession throughout
the fields of medicine and surgery;
PA relationships with the supervising
physician, the patient; responsibilities
including the concepts of privilege,
confidentiality and informed consent.
This course will also explore a broad
spectrum of patient types which the
physician assistant will be providing
care for in practice. Age, culture, language,
lifestyle, and religion all have
considerable impact on how patients
access and respond to health care
services. In addition, the physician
assistant student’s own background
and beliefs will form the basis of their
attitudes and behaviors. 3 quarter
hours
PAS5171 Professional Seminar II
This is the second seminar in a
series of two which addresses a variety
of topics in physician assistant professional
development. The course
will cover Complementary and
Alternative Forms of Healthcare and
Medicine; to include mainstream
adjuncts such as Physical Therapy,
Nutrition, and Speech Therapy as well
as Herbal and Cultural traditions. The
learner will be able to identify and discuss
a variety of therapeutic interventions
based on patient information and
preferences. The student will also
explore Media and Medicine Topics to
include the following: Health Literacy,
Reliability of Information, Advertising
and Health Care, Printed Material and
Health Information, Video/Television/
Movies and Health Care, Patient
Education, licensing, hospital credentials/
liability, malpractice insurance
and building an individual portfolios.
3 quarter hours
PAS 5175 Issues in Contemporary
Medicine I
This course summarizes the overall
philosophy and skills inherent to the
Physician Assistant’s ability to practice
medicine. Through an eclectic and a
diverse content, the Physician Assistant
student will achieve an overall perspective
of the goals of medicine. A
variety of subjects in medical ethics
and special topics will be discussed
that will allow students to integrate
multiple facets of the didactic phase
into all aspects of clinical practice. 2
quarter hours.
PAS5180 Clinical Medicine &
Pharmacotherapeutics I
This course is the first in a three
course sequence. The course is
designed to teach students clinical
medicine in an integrated and multidisciplinary
approach. The course will be
primarily lecture based. Lectures will
be done in system based sequences.
This course will include an overview of
the scientific principles of clinical pharmacology.
Medical Genetics will be
introduced as well. The sequences will
discuss pathophysiologic mechanisms
of disease, clinical presentation of disease,
and approach to diagnosis of
disease. In most system sequences,
therapeutic specific lectures will be
included to cover an in-depth discussion
of the pharmacology and use of
various agents used in the management
of disease. An understanding of
the actions, reactions, and toxicology
of the various pharmacologic agents
will be emphasized. Topics to be covered
include hematology, dermatology,
ophthalmology, otolaryngology, pulmonology,
and cardiology. 8 quarter
hours
PAS5181 Clinical Medicine &
Pharmacotherapeutics II
This course is the second in a four
course sequence. The course is
designed to teach students clinical
medicine in an integrated and multidisciplinary
approach. The course will be
primarily lecture based. Lectures will
be done in system based sequences.
The sequences will discuss pathophysiologic
mechanisms of disease,
clinical presentation of disease,
approach to diagnosis and management
of diseases. In most system
sequences, therapeutic specific lectures
will be included to cover an indepth
discussion of the pharmacology
and use of various agents used in the
management of disease. An understanding
of the actions, reactions, and
toxicology of the various pharmacologic
agents will be emphasized.
Topics to be covered include diabetes,
endocrine, gastroenterology, nephrology,
acid base disorders, and urology.
8 quarter hours
PAS5182 Clinical Medicine &
Pharmacotherapeutics III
This course is the third in a four
course sequence. The course is
designed to teach students clinical
medicine in an integrated and multidisciplinary
approach. The course will be
primarily lecture based. Lectures will
be done in system based sequences.
The sequences will discuss pathophysiologic
mechanisms of disease,
clinical presentation of disease,
approach to diagnosis and management
of diseases. In most system
sequences, therapeutic specific lectures
will be included to cover an indepth
discussion of the pharmacology
and use of various agents used in the
management of disease. An understanding
of the actions, reactions, and
toxicology of the various pharmacologic
agents will be emphasized.
Topics to be covered include neurology,
oncology, infectious disease,
rheumatology, and introduction to
medical genetics. 8 quarter hours
PAS5183 Clinical Medicine &
Pharmacotherapeutics IV
This course is the last in a four
course sequence. The course is
designed to teach students clinical
medicine in an integrated and multidisciplinary
approach. The course will be
primarily lecture based. The course
will be divided into two primary subject
areas being Obstetrics/Gynecology
and Pediatrics. The lecture presentations
will be similar to those in previous
courses. The OB/GYN sequence
will address normal gynecology, disorders
of the female reproductive system,
normal pregnancy and disorders
seen in pregnancy and partition. The
Pediatrics portion of this course will
present a system based approach to
common disorders seen in pediatric
patients. Lectures focused on disease
states will address pathophysiologic
mechanisms of disease, clinical presentation
of disease, approach to diagnosis
and management of disease. In
some of the lecture sequences, therapeutic
specific lectures will be included
to cover an in-depth discussion of the
pharmacology and use of various
agents used in the management of
disease. An understanding of the
actions, reactions, and toxicology of
the various pharmacologic agents will
be emphasized. 8 quarter hours
PAS5190 Essentials of
Emergency Medicine
This course explores various types
of medical and surgical conditions that
present to a modern day emergency
department and prepares the Physician
Assistant student to evaluate,
treat, and monitor such conditions.
The increased use by patients of emergency
departments for ambulatory and
primary care is discussed, and students
are provided mechanisms to
evaluate resources that are needed
and available to provide appropriate
ambulatory, emergency, and tertiary
care services in a hospital setting. A
generalist approach to providing emergency
care along with injury prevention
is explored. 4 quarter hours
PAS5225 Medical Anatomy and
Physiology I Lab
Medical Anatomy and Physiology I
Lab is the first course of a two quarter
sequence in which the student will
build upon information gained in the
Medical Anatomy and Physiology lecture.
General review of all anatomic
and physiologic concepts will be
undertaken. Lab sessions will focus
on an in-depth look at human anatomy
and physiology with an emphasis on
the specific body systems and aspects
of normal function. Introductory information
will be provided for clinical
application of anatomic and physiologic
variations from normal and the
means by which these variations can
contribute to disease. This clinical lab
application will correspond to the lecture
course. 1 quarter hour
PAS5199 Independent Study I
This is a course in independent
studies for students who may need formal
remediation throughout the curriculum.
Students who do not successfully
complete their formative
examination in the Professional
Development course will have to register
for an eight credit hour independent
study course whereby they will remediate
on areas of noted deficiency.
Students must successfully complete
the remediation course on campus and
then successfully take a new examination
in order to progress through the
curriculum. 8 quarter hours
PAS 5210 Physical Assessment I
Lab
This introductory course on physical
assessment focuses on patient
communication skills, techniques of
interviewing and performance of complete
physical examination, development
of critical thinking and decision
making skills needed to assess adult
patients’ mental and physical status.
Assessment of common and important
symptoms is also covered. This course
also includes presentation of patient
data in both oral and written form. This
course explores the skin, head and
neck, neurological and musculoskeletal
and comprehensive physical examination
of the relevant regions and systems.
Demonstrations and practical
laboratory application reinforce the
PA’s ability to perform a comprehensive
physical examination. The laboratory
allows the student an opportunity
to practice the skills needed to
perform a complete physical of the
body regions covered in the lecture. 1
quarter hour
PAS5211 Physical Assessment II
Lab
This course on physical assessment
focuses on patient communication
skills, techniques of interviewing
and performance of complete physical
examination, development of critical
thinking and decision making skills
needed to assess adult patients’ mental
and physical status. It continues
and builds upon assessment of common
and important symptoms is also
covered. This course also includes
presentation of patient data in both
oral and written form. This course
explores the cardiac, pulmonary, gastrointestinal,
urological and vascular
systems to teach comprehensive
physical examination of the relevant
regions and systems. Demonstrations
and practical laboratory application
reinforce the PA’s ability to perform a
comprehensive physical examination.
The laboratory allows the student an
opportunity to practice the skills
needed to perform a complete physical
of the body regions covered in the
lecture. 1 quarter hour
PAS5225 Medical Anatomy and
Physiology I Lab
Medical Anatomy and Physiology I
Lab is the first course of a two quarter
sequence in which the student will
build upon information gained in the
Medical Anatomy and Physiology lecture.
General review of all anatomic
and physiologic concepts will be
undertaken. Lab sessions will focus
on an in-depth look at human anatomy
and physiology with an emphasis on
the specific body systems and aspects
of normal function. Introductory information
will be provided for clinical
application of anatomic and physiologic
variations from normal and the
means by which these variations can
contribute to disease. This clinical lab
application will correspond to the lecture
course. 1 quarter hour
PAS5226 Medical Anatomy and
Physiology II Lab
Medical Anatomy and Physiology II
Lab is the second course of a two
quarter sequence in which the student
will build upon information gained in
the Medical Anatomy and Physiology
II lecture. General review of all
anatomic and physiologic concepts
will be undertaken. Lab sessions will
focus on an in-depth look at human
anatomy and physiology with an
emphasis on the specific body systems
and aspects of normal function.
Introductory information will be provided
for clinical application of
anatomic and physiologic variations
from normal and the means by which
these variations can contribute to disease.
This clinical lab application will
correspond to the lecture course. 1
quarter hour
PAS5280 Clinical Medicine &
Pharmacotherapeutics I Lab
Small groups are specifically useful
for developing higher order cognitive
skills such as evaluation, problemsolving,
interpretation of complex concepts,
and application of principles
and basic information to practical
problems. The small group is coordinated
with the Clinical Medicine &
Pharmaco-therapeutics I lecture course
in order to coordinate the skills
learned in the classroom as well as to
incorporate OSCE cases related to the
classroom discussion. 1 quarter hour
PAS5281 Clinical Medicine &
Pharmacotherapeutics II Lab
As a supplement to the lecture
sequences, students will meet weekly
for case based laboratories. These will
be small group labs facilitated by faculty
group facilitators. The facilitator
will have students work through case
studies that correspond to current lecture
sequences. The students will be
given introductory information and
must elicit the necessary information
from the facilitator to lead to the formulation
of an appropriate differential
diagnosis, diagnosis, and management
plan. This lab will require that
students incorporate patient history,
physical assessment, scientific concepts,
and diagnostic studies to ultimately
come to a logical differential
diagnosis and final diagnosis. Students
will then be required to utilize
their knowledge of clinical therapeutics
and diseases to develop a rational
plan of management. Medical decision
making and logic will be a key
focus in lab sessions. 1 quartet hour
PAS5282 Clinical Medicine &
Pharmacotherapeutics III Lab
As a supplement to the lecture
sequences, students will meet weekly
for case based laboratories. These will
be small group labs facilitated by faculty
group facilitators. The facilitator
will have students work through case
studies that correspond to current lecture
sequences. The students will be
given introductory information and
must elicit the necessary information
from the facilitator to lead to the formulation
of an appropriate differential
diagnosis, diagnosis, and management
plan. This lab will require that
students incorporate patient history,
physical assessment, scientific concepts,
and diagnostic studies to ultimately
come to a logical differential
diagnosis and final diagnosis. Students
will then be required to utilize
their knowledge of clinical therapeutics
and diseases to develop a rational
plan of management. Medical decision
making and logic will be a key
focus in lab sessions. 1 quarter hour
PAS5283 Clinical Medicine &
Pharmacotherapeutics IV Lab
As a supplement to the lecture
sequences, students will meet weekly
for case based laboratories. These will
be small group labs facilitated by faculty
group facilitators. The facilitator
will have students work through case
studies that correspond to current lec-
ture sequences. The students will be
given introductory information and
must elicit the necessary information
from the facilitator to lead to the formulation
of an appropriate differential
diagnosis, diagnosis, and management
plan. This lab will require that
students incorporate patient history,
physical assessment, scientific concepts,
and diagnostic studies to ultimately
come to a logical differential
diagnosis and final diagnosis. Students
will then be required to utilize
their knowledge of clinical therapeutics
and diseases to develop a rational
plan of management. Medical decision
making and logic will be a key
focus in lab sessions.1 quarter hour
PAS5291 Applied Learning
Experience I
The purpose of this course is to
provide students an opportunity to
observe and participate in clinical
experiences in a variety of community
clinical sites, develop appropriate interpersonal
skills in a medical setting and
develop an understanding of the PA’s
role as a member of a healthcare team.
Clinical specialty sites are assigned to
coincide with didactic courses conducted
each quarter. Clinical specialty
sites include the following: physical
screening clinics, orthopedics, cardiology,
family practice, ENT practice, surgery,
internal medicine grand rounds,
gastroenterology, endocrinology, dermatology,
plastic surgery, nursing
homes, under-served medical clinics,
ophthalmology clinics, and other various
appropriate sites. Students will be
put into practice initial physical examination
skills and techniques as well as
early documentation skills. In all ALE
course rotations, students will keep a
journal of one or more patient care
experience and specifics of their particular
specialty clinical experience. 1
quarter hour
PAS5292 Applied Learning
Experience II
The purpose of this course is to
provide students continuing exposure
and participation in clinical experiences
in a variety of community clinical
sites. Clinical specialty sites are
assigned to coincide with didactic
courses conducted each quarter. In
addition, students will be able to practice
initial clinical skills they are developing
in the Clinical Skills course, to
include injections and intravenous
access and therapy. It will also include
a typical Applied Learning Experience
in any of a number of disciplines in
medicine or surgery. There will be lecture
with emphasis placed on recognizing
common diseases that can be
addressed with primary and secondary
prevention efforts. A review of
special topics in health will also be
included. The clinical experience during
this course will require a student to
complete a journal of one or more
patient care experiences and specifics
of their particular specialty clinical
experience. 1 quarter hours
PAS5293 Applied Learning
Experience III
The purpose of this course is to
provide students an opportunity to
observe and participate in clinical procedures
in a variety of community clinical
sites, develop appropriate interpersonal
skills in a medical setting and
develop an understanding of the PA’s
role as a member of a healthcare
team. Clinical specialty sites are
assigned to coincide with didactic
courses conducted each quarter.
Clinical specialty sites include the following:
physical screening clinics,
orthopedics, cardiology, family practice,
ENT practice, surgery, internal
medicine grand rounds, gastroenterology
clinics, dermatology, plastic surgery,
nursing homes, under-served
medical clinics, ophthalmology clinics,
and other various appropriate sites.
Students will once again have an
opportunity to utilize their increasing
knowledge of various clinical skills
including OR scrub techniques and
suturing. The students will again complete
a journal of one of more patient
care experiences and specifics of their
particular specialty clinical experience.
1 quarter hour
PAS529 Applied Learning
Experience IV
The purpose of this course is to
provide students an opportunity to
observe and participate in clinical
experiences and procedures in a variety
of settings as in their preceding
ALE courses. The locations include
multiple clinical office and hospital settings,
as well as long term care facilities.
Students should continue to
develop additional clinical knowledge
and skills, cultivate interpersonal skills,
and acquire further understanding of
the PA’s role as a member of a healthcare
team. These sites are assigned
to coincide with didactic courses conducted
during this quarter. The students
will increasingly develop their
patient interview and physical examination
skills. The students will gain
complete a journal of one or more
patient care experiences and specifics
of their particular specialty clinical
experience. 1 quarter hour
PAS5299 Independent Study II
This is a course of independent
studies for students who may need formal
remediation throughout the clinical
curriculum. Students who do not
successfully complete their summative
examination in the Advanced Clinical
Decision Making course will have to
register for an eight credit hour independent
study course whereby they
will remediate on areas of noted deficiency.
Students must successfully
complete the remediation course on
campus and then successfully take a
new examination in order to progress
through the curriculum. 8 quarter
hours
PAS6105 Internal Medicine
This rotation focuses on the area of
medicine that treats diseases of the
internal organs by other than surgical
means. Internal medicine is best
defined by its approach to medical
problems. Each diagnostic step is
taken in more depth, with a focus on
adult illnesses and an emphasis on
lifetime continuity of care through
health promotion, disease prevention,
and strong attention to psychosocial
issues. This rotation will build appropriate
links between the extraordinary
advances in science and clinical medicine.
A primary care emphasis is
given to the focus of this rotation. A
Geriatric Tract is included as part of
the Internal Medicine or Primary Care
Clinical Rotation. This Course is 240
hours of clinical rotation during which
students perform and validate their
professional competencies under the
direct supervision of licensed physicians
or physician assistants. 8 quarter
hours
PAS6110 General Surgery
This rotation focuses on the area of
medicine that deals with the manual
and operative procedures for the correction
of deformities, defects, repair
of injuries and diagnosis and cure of
certain diseases. This surgery rotation
will provide a primary care emphasis
to the presentation of the anatomic,
pathologic, physiologic, pharmacologic,
biochemical, and immunologic
features of a variety of surgical disorders.
This course is 240 hours of clinical
rotation during which students perform
and validate their professional
competencies under the direct supervision
of licensed physicians or physician
assistants. 8 quarter hours
PAS6120 Primary Care
This rotation provides clinical experience
with common diseases and the
manifestations of chronic illnesses.
Learning experiences include the traditional
approach to direct, initial, comprehensive
care for patients as well as
continuity of care. The student is
exposed to the promotion of prevention
as well as the practice of curing as
an important aspect of primary care.
A Geriatric Tract is included as part of
the Internal Medicine or Primary Care
Clinical Rotation. This course is 240
hours of clinical rotation during which
students perform and validate their
professional competencies under the
direct supervision of licensed physicians
or physician assistants. 8 quarter
hours
PAS6125 Emergency Medicine
This rotation exposes the student
to the diagnosis and treatment of
patients presenting to the emergency
department. In this often critical care
environment, students will be faced
with problem solving and the need to
rapidly assess patients with a variety
of presentations. Students are
exposed to the practice of utilizing
emergency departments both for
ambulatory care and primary care,
with an emphasis on the primary care
aspect of emergency department utilization.
This course is 240 hours of
clinical rotation during which students
perform and validate their professional
competencies under the direct supervision
of licensed physicians and
physician assistants. 8 quarter hours
PAS6130 Obstetrics/Gynecology
This rotation exposes the student
to obstetrics, reproductive endocrinology,
gynecology and gynecologic
oncology. A primary care emphasis is
given to family planning and important
aspects of women’s health. The basic
operations of obstetrics and gynecology
are explored to allow a fundamental
understanding of the technical procedures
involved. This Course is 240
hours of clinical rotation during which
students perform and validate their
professional competencies under the
direct supervision of licensed physicians
or physician assistants. 8 quarter
hours
PAS6135 Pediatrics
This rotation exposes students to
important pediatric problems and diseases,
representing both common illnesses
of childhood as well as less
common disorders that exemplify
pathophysiologic mechanisms and disease
processes. Students gain a basic
understanding of the particular disease
process and to assist in the development
of a clinical approach to a child’s
problem. A primary care emphasis is
given to the student’s experience. This
course is 240 hours of clinical rotation
during which students perform and validate
their professional competencies
under the direct supervision of licensed
physicians or physician assistants. 8
quarter hours
PAS6140 Behavioral Medicine
This rotation provides the student
an opportunity to pursue focused
study in an area of behavioral medicine
of particular interest to the student.
In this rotation, students will be
exposed to the evaluation, diagnosis,
and treatment of acute and chronic
psychiatric disorders. Through mental
status examinations, history and physical
examinations and counseling, the
students have the opportunity to participate
in a diagnostic plan to address
various differential diagnoses. This
rotation is conducted in an inpatient or
outpatient setting in such areas as
general behavioral psychiatry and psychology,
pediatric and adolescent
behavioral medicine, forensic psychiatry,
geriatric behavioral medicine,
group counseling and addiction specialties.
The student/clinical coordinator
upon student request with program
director approval may develop other
behavioral elective rotations. Application
in a primary care setting must be
a goal of the student’s experience.
This course is 240 hours of clinical
rotation during which students perform
and validate their professional competencies
under the direct supervision of
licensed physicians or physician assistants.
8 quarter hours
PAS6145 Clinical Elective
This rotation provides the student
an opportunity to pursue additional
study in an area of particular interest
to the student. This rotation may be
conducted in such areas as dermatology,
neurology, radiology, orthopedics,
rural medicine, and wound care. Other
elective rotations may be developed
by the clinical coordinator and/or upon
student request with program director
approval. The student is responsible
for developing rotation objectives to be
approved by the clinical coordinator.
This course is 240 hours of clinical
rotation during which students perform
and validate their professional competencies
under the direct supervision of
licensed physicians or physician assistants.
8 quarter hours
PAS6150 Advanced Clinical
Research
This course provides the student
with basic knowledge and experience
that will serve as a foundation for a lifetime
of scholarly pursuit and productivity.
This component of the PA curriculum
is designed to promote the development
of graduate level thinking
skills, which include the abilities to
think logically and consistently, to integrate
and synthesize knowledge, to
access information within the physician
assistant discipline, to write in a
clear, consistent and logical manner,
and to apply knowledge to real-life situations.
It is incumbent upon professionals
conducting research or patient
care within basic or clinical sciences to
objectively report findings that contribute
to the continually growing body
of medical and scientific information.
This sort of contribution may range
from development and disclosure of
completely novel scientific theory or
information to the submission of clinical
case reports that identify unexpected
or unique patient experiences.
These communications serve as a
contribution to the scientific “greater
good” as well as potential catalysts for
review of current practices and the
standard of care on a clinical level.
This course serves as an experience
that will allow students to interact with
basic, applied and clinical scientists to
develop the necessary skills and foundation
for a fruitful career of scholarly
productivity. 3 quarter hours
PAS6170 Professional Seminar III
The focus of this course is to
address various topics related to professional
development during the clinical
year. Topics include building portfolios,
the various roles of a PA in the
clinical year, patient education, CPT
coding, reimbursement, billing in the
medical office, risk management,
quality assurance, employment and
contract negotiations, interview skills,
resume development, important
aspects of the job search, certification
& recertification, concepts in credentialing
and licensure, and hospital privileges.
Students will be working on
various methods for self-directed
study skills in preparation for the
PANCE examination. The course concludes
with a final summative evaluation
which includes three components
that evaluate the cognitive, psychomotor,
and affective domains including:
basic medical science, behavioral science,
clinical medicine, medical history,
physical examination skills, ordering
and interpretation of diagnostic
studies, diagnostics, therapeutics,
patient interaction, oral and written
communication skills, documentation,
and information literacy. This assessment
is administered at the end of the
clinical training period. 2 quarter hours
Apply to the Program
The South University
PA Program is now
accepting applications
for the class beginning
January 2009.
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- – Application Process
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