Phase I of the program of study consists of 60.5 credit hours in pre-clinical didactic coursework. The summer, fall, and spring terms include instruction in the fields of biomedical sciences, clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, clinical assessment, anatomy, physiology, evidence-based medicine, ethics and professionalism, specialty disciplines, surgery, geriatrics, and emergency medicine. Twelve months of clinical rotations will take place upon successful completion of the didactic phase. The program ends with a final week on campus, which provides a forum for the presentation of students' research projects to peers and faculty; offers assistance in preparing the graduating students for certification, and gives physician assistant candidates an opportunity to integrate the didactic and clinical portions of their training in preparation for the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam.
Summer I (June–August, 10 weeks)
| Courses/Program Areas | Credits |
|---|---|
| PAC 555 - Anatomy | 5 |
| PAC 503 - Clinical Assessment I | 2.5 |
| PAC 559 - Pharmacology I | 3 |
| PAC 548 - Principles of Biological Science | 3 |
| PAC 509 - Clinical Medicine I | 1 |
| PAC 582 - Professional and Ethical Issues for Physician Assistants | 1 |
| Semester total | 15.5 |
Fall (September–December, 15 weeks)
| Courses/Program Areas | Credits |
|---|---|
| PAC 554 - Clinical Assessment II | 3 |
| PAC 560 - Pharmacology II | 3.5 |
| PAC 519 - Clinical Medicine II | 8 |
| PAC 564 - Interprofessional Geriatric Education Practicum I | 2 |
| PAC 565 - Integrating Seminar I | 3 |
| PAC 543 - Evidence Based Medicine I | 1 |
| Semester Total | 20.5 |
Spring (January–May, 20 weeks)
| Courses/Program Areas | Credits |
|---|---|
| PAC 551 - Introduction to Public Health | 1 |
| PAC 556 - Evidence Based Medicine II | 0.5 |
| PAC 545 - Specialty Disciplines | 7 |
| PAC 585 - Integrating Seminar II | 3 |
| PAC 533 - Clinical Assessment III | 3 |
| PAC 561 - Pharmacology III | 3.5 |
| PAC 546 - Clinical Medicine III | 6 |
| PAC 547 - Interprofessional Geriatric Education Practicum II | 1 |
| Semester Total | 25 |
Spring II–Summer II (June–June, 12 months)
| Clinical Rotations | Credits |
|---|---|
| PAC 667 - Inpatient Selective (6 Weeks) | 6 |
| PAC 601 - Internal Medicine Outpatient (6 Weeks) | 6 |
| PAC 602 - Emergency Medicine (6 Weeks) | 6 |
| PAC 603 - Surgery (6 Weeks) | 6 |
| PAC 607 - Family Medicine I (6 Weeks) | 6 |
| PAC 608 - Family Medicine II (6 Weeks) | 6 |
| PAC 612 - Primary Care Selective | 6 |
| PAC 613 - Elective | 6 |
| PAC 614 - Preparation for Clinical Practice I | 1 |
| PAC 615 - Preparation for Clinical Practice II | 1 |
| PAC 616 - Preparation for Clinical Practice III | 1 |
| PAC 628 - Clinical Therapeutics I | 0.5 |
| PAC 629 - Clinical Therapeutics II | 0.5 |
| Semester Total | 52 |
Graduation Requirements
Students must complete all program requirements prior to the issuance of their Master of Science degree and the certificate of completion of the program.