Timeline

PA 400 Patient Assessment I ( Credits3)

Patient assessment I, II, and III are a series of courses designed to develop the knowledge and skills required to obtain and record the complete medical history and physical exam, including the use of appropriate equipment, proper techniques and accurate medical terminology to document findings; course will provide an overview of the medical record as well as development of writing and organizational skills for medical record keeping and oral presentation skills. Skills will be developed through structured laboratory exercises.

Prerequisites: Admission to the physician assistant program

PA 410 Behavioral/Preventive Medicine I ( Credits2)

This is the first in a series of courses designed to develop skills in the areas of patient-centered communication, patient counseling and education, and health promotion, disease prevention and risk reduction. There is a focus on social determinants of health, development of cultural humility, and competence in providing care to at-risk populations.

Prerequisites: Admission to the physician assistant program

PA 450 Pharmacotherapeutics I ( Credits3)

This is the first in a series of courses designed to develop skills related to the principles of pharmacology as they pertain to therapeutic agents, prescription and non-prescription. Discussion will include the principal mechanisms of action of the major classes of therapeutic agents, understanding of pharmacodynamics, uses, side effects and toxicities.

Prerequisites: Admission to the physician assistant program

PA 430 Clinical Laboratory Medicine I ( Credits2)

This is the first in a series of courses designed to develop a functional understanding of the appropriate uses and interpretations of clinical diagnostic testing, including radiographic and EKG testing. Students will learn to select, interpret and evaluate clinical laboratory, imaging and other diagnostic tests used for diagnosing, treating and managing patient needs.

Prerequisites: Admission to the physician assistant program

PA 420 Basic Science I ( Credits3)

This is the first of three units in a series designed to develop an understanding of normal physiology, pathologic and pathophysiologic concepts of diseases per organ system. The anatomy section will focus on important anatomical landmarks required in physical evaluation of patient, anatomical relationships of structures to each other, and anatomical components of body systems.

Prerequisites: Admission to the physician assistant program

PA 440 Clinical Medicine I ( Credits5)

This is the first in a series of courses designed to provide an intensive study of human diseases and disorders, using a lifespan approach from pediatrics to geriatrics, in the areas of clinical medicine including epidemiology, etiology, historical data, clinical manifestations, progression, therapeutic management, prevention, laboratory medicine and prognosis. Emphasis will be on disease processes common to primary care practices and the development of differential diagnoses and plan based upon the patient's clinical presentation.

Prerequisites: Admission to the physician assistant program

PA 470 Mastering Medical Information ( Credits2)

This course will cover the importance of evidence-based medicine and review basic statistical, research methods and ethical standards in research. It will also cover the interpretation and application of various types of clinical articles to answering a clinical question and prepare the student for the project to be completed during the clinical year.

Prerequisites: Admission to the physician assistant program

PA 401 Patient Assessment II ( Credits3)

Patient assessment I, II, and III are a series of courses designed to develop the knowledge and skills required to obtain and record the complete medical history, use of appropriate equipment, proper techniques and accurate medical terminology to document findings; course will provide an overview of the medical record as well as development of writing and organizational skills for medical record keeping and oral presentation skills. Skills will be developed through structured laboratory exercises.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior semester of PA coursework or program permission.

PA 411 Behavioral/Preventive Medicine II ( Credits2)

This is the second in a series of courses designed to develop skills in the areas of patient-centered communication, patient counseling and education, and health promotion, disease prevention and risk reduction. There is a focus on social determinants of health, development of cultural humility, and competence in providing care to at-risk populations.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior semester of PA coursework or program permission.

PA 451 Pharmacotherapeutics II ( Credits3)

This is the second in a series of courses designed to develop skills related to the principles of pharmacology as they pertain to therapeutic agents, prescription and non-prescription. Discussion will include the principal mechanisms of action of the major classes of therapeutic agents, understanding of pharmacodynamics, uses, side effects and toxicities.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior semester of PA coursework or program permission.

PA 431 Clinical Laboratory Medicine II ( Credits2)

This is the second in a series of courses designed to develop a functional understanding of the appropriate uses and interpretations of clinical diagnostic laboratory testing and imaging. Students will learn to select, interpret and evaluate clinical laboratory, imaging and other diagnostic tests used for diagnosing, treating, and managing patient needs.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior semester of PA coursework or program permission.

PA 421 Basic Science II ( Credits3)

This is the second of three units in a series designed to develop an understanding of normal physiology, pathologic and pathophysiologic concepts of diseases per organ system. The anatomy section will focus on important anatomical structures required in the physical evaluation of patients, relationships between anatomical structures, and anatomical components of body systems.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior semester of PA coursework or program permission.

PA 441 Clinical Medicine II ( Credits5)

This is the second in a series of courses designed to provide an intensive study of human diseases and disorders, using a lifespan approach from pediatrics to geriatrics, in the areas of clinical medicine including epidemiology, etiology, historical data, clinical manifestations, progression, therapeutic management, prevention, laboratory medicine and prognosis. Emphasis will be on disease processes common to primary care practices and the development of differential diagnoses and plan based upon the patient's clinical presentation.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior semester of PA coursework or program permission.

PA 485 Bioethics ( Credits1)

This course is designed to aid the student in the transition into the medical profession and serves as an introduction to bioethics. Areas of discussion include confidentiality, truth telling, competency, making informed decisions and other ethical issues.

Prerequisites: Admission in the physician assistant program

PA 480 Preparing Future PAs ( Credits1)

This course is designed to aid the student in the transition into the medical profession and serves as an introduction to professional practice issues. Areas of discussion include history of the physician assistant profession, professional organizations, medical error, malpractice, professionalism, health care delivery and health care systems, burnout and provider wellbeing and appropriate documentation for coding and billing.

Prerequisites: Admission to the physician assistant program

PA 402 Patient Assessment III ( Credits3)

Patient assessment I, II, and III are a series of courses designed to develop the knowledge and skills required to obtain and record the complete medical history, use of appropriate equipment, proper techniques and accurate medical terminology to document findings; course will provide an overview of the medical record as well as development of writing and organizational skills for medical record keeping and oral presentation skills. Skills will be developed through structured laboratory exercises.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior semester of PA coursework or program permission.

PA 412 Behavioral/preventive Medicine III ( Credits2)

This is the third in a series of courses designed to develop skills in the areas of patient-centered communication, patient counseling and education, and health promotion, disease prevention and risk reduction. There is a focus on social determinants of health, development of cultural humility, and competence in providing care to at-risk populations.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior semester of PA coursework or program permission.

PA 452 Pharmacotherapeutics III ( Credits3)

This is the third in a series of courses designed to develop skills related to the principles of pharmacology as they pertain to therapeutic agents, prescription and non-prescription. Discussion will include the principal mechanisms of action of the major classes of therapeutic agents, understanding of pharmacodynamics, uses, side effects and toxicities.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior semester of PA coursework or program permission.

PA 432 Clinical Laboratory Medicine III ( Credits1)

This is the third in a series of courses designed to develop a functional understanding of the appropriate uses and interpretations of clinical diagnostic and laboratory testing. Students will learn to select, interpret and evaluate clinical laboratory, imaging and other diagnostic procedures used for diagnosing, treating, and managing patient needs.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior semester of PA coursework or program permission.

PA 422 Basic Science III ( Credits3)

This is the third and final unit in a series of courses designed to develop an understanding of normal physiology, genetics, pathologic and pathophysiologic concepts of diseases per organ system. The anatomy section will focus on important anatomical landmarks required in physical evaluation of patient, anatomical relationships of structures to each other, and anatomical components of body systems.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior semester of PA coursework or program permission.

PA 442 Clinical Medicine III ( Credits4)

This is the final course in a series designed to provide an intensive study of human diseases and disorders, using a lifespan approach from pediatrics to geriatrics, in the areas of clinical medicine including epidemiology, etiology, historical data, clinical manifestations, progression, therapeutic management, prevention, laboratory medicine, and prognosis. Emphasis will be on disease processes common to primary care practices, and the development of differential diagnoses and plan based upon the patient's clinical presentation.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of prior semester of PA coursework or program permission.

PA 490 Medical Spanish ( Credits1)

This course is designed to prepare the student to communicate with Spanish speaking patients as they conduct a medical history and physical examination. Basic medical vocabulary and comfort with the spoken language is the focus of this course.

Prerequisites: Admission to the physician assistant program

PA 460 Pre-Clinical Year Prep Course ( Credits3)

This course is designed to build upon the first year PA student’s foundation of clinical medical knowledge that was laid down during the Clinical Medicine, Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Patient Assessment, Basic Science, and Pharmacology course series to prepare them for clinical rotations. Lectures and discussion sessions will provide advanced information and instruction covering a range of medical topics. Clinical skills practical sessions will facilitate the student’s attainment of the knowledge and development of the technical aptitude of fundamental skills utilized in clinical practice.

Prerequisites: Admission to the physician assistant program