MPAS Course Descriptions
Didactic Phase
The didactic phase of the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) Program takes place over the course of four semesters. Although primarily campus-based, students occasionally need to travel to clinical application obligations, including local interprofessional education activities.
Fall 1 (16 weeks, 17 credit hours):
PAS 5001 CLINICAL GENETICS (1 CREDIT)
This course will focus on the clinically relevant genetics and genomics necessary
for clinical practice. This survey course covers introductory genetics, inheritable
patterns disease, specific hereditary diseases and clinical applications of genetics/genomics.
Prerequisite: Matriculation into the MPAS program.
PAS 5003 CLINICAL PHYSIOLOGY (3 CREDITS)
This lecture course is a graduate level survey of clinically relevant human physiology.
The goal is to compare and contrast normal and abnormal physiology associated with
common clinical conditions, injuries, pathologies, and diagnostic/interventional procedures.
Prerequisite: Matriculation into the MPAS program.
PAS 5004 CLINICAL ANATOMY (4 CREDITS)
This lecture and lab course consists of an in-depth study of gross human anatomy along
with applications to a clinical setting. The course consists of a mixture of techniques,
including lecture, discussion, and examination of cadaveric specimens, and palpation.
Prerequisite: Matriculation into the MPAS program.
PAS 5012 CLINICAL SKILLS I: MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION & INTERVIEWING (2 CREDITS)
This is the first of a series of four lecture and lab courses in which students acquire
and practice various diagnostic and therapeutic clinical skills, such as performance
of basic and advanced health histories and physical exams, the performance and interpretation
of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. In this course portion of the course, the
emphasis will be on the art of communication in medicine, the medical interview, and
the proper documentation of medical encounters.
Prerequisite: Matriculation into the MPAS program.
PAS 5022 PA PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE (2 CREDITS)
In this course, students learn about issues pertinent to the PA profession. The course
covers the profession’s history and future directions, roles and responsibilities,
and organizations. The course also includes an introduction to the psychosocial aspects
of medical care and medical ethics.
Prerequisite: Matriculation into the MPAS Program.
PAS 5052 CLINICAL APPLICATION & REFLECTION EXPERIENCE I (2 CREDITS)
This is the first in a series of four courses where students work in teams to practice
and refine skills, employ problem solving, participate in reflective experiences,
and assume professional roles. Students are expected to retain and apply knowledge
from concurrent and previous coursework. Examples of experiences include simulation
/ standardized patients, interprofessional education opportunities, preclinical patient
exposures, and case studies. Professional development areas include professional communications
and behavior, conflict resolution, and stress management. (Pass/Fail)
Prerequisite: Matriculation into the MPAS Program.
PAS 5213 DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES: IMAGING & PFT (3 CREDITS)
This course is the first in a series of three lecture and lab courses in which students
acquire and practice various diagnostic clinical skills. This course will focus on
diagnostic imaging (Radiography, Computer Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging,
Ultrasound etc.). An introduction to Pulmonary Function Testing to correlate with
chest and lung imaging studies is included.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of previous MPAS Program semester courses.
Spring 1 (16 weeks, 18 credit hours):
PAS 5002 DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES: LABORATORY MEDICINE (2 CREDITS)
This course is the second in a series of three lecture and lab courses in which students
acquire and practice various diagnostic clinical skills. In this course, students
will be introduced to the interpretation and application of common clinical laboratory
tests.
Prerequisite: Matriculation into the MPAS program.
PAS 5102 CLINICAL SKILLS II: PHYSICAL EXAM & DOCUMENTATION (2 CREDITS)
This is the second of a series of four lecture and lab courses in which students acquire
and practice various diagnostic and therapeutic clinical skills, such as performance
of health histories and physical exams and documentation. In this course, the emphasis
is on the performance and documentation of a complete (head to toe) physical examination.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of previous MPAS Program semester courses.
PAS 5110 CLINICAL MEDICINE & THERAPEUTICS I (10 CREDITS)
This is the first in a series of three courses for the study of the diagnosis and
management of common acute, emergent, rehabilitative, and chronic medical disorders
across the lifespan. The relevant anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of disease
states are discussed, followed by incidence/prevalence, associated risk factors, signs
and symptoms, clinical findings, diagnostic criteria, diagnostic tests and procedures,
pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapeutic options, prevention, patient education,
follow-up care, course, and prognosis. This 3-series course series collectively covers
disorders categorized under the following organ systems: cardiovascular, dermatology,
ophthalmology, EENT, endocrine, GI/Nutritional, GU, hematology, infectious disease,
musculoskeletal/rheumatology, neurological, psychiatry/behavioral medicine, pulmonary,
and reproductive.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of previous MPAS Program semester courses.
PAS 5152 CLINICAL APPLICATION & REFLECTION EXPERIENCE II (2 CREDITS)
This is the second in a series of four courses where students work in teams to practice
and refine skills, employ problem solving, participate in reflective experiences,
and assume professional roles. Students are expected to retain and apply knowledge
from concurrent and previous coursework. Examples of experiences include simulation
/ standardized patients, interprofessional education opportunities, preclinical patient
exposures, and case studies. Professional development areas include professional communication
and behavior, conflict resolution, and stress management. (Pass/Fail)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of previous MPAS Program semester courses.
PAS 5161 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY I (1 CREDIT)
This course is the first in a series of three courses for the study of clinical pharmacology
appropriate to the professional physician assistant role. The basic principles of
pharmacology, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics are discussed. This 3-series course
collectively provides as introduction to the pharmacologic processes in the care and
promotion of wellness across the lifespan, including the medications commonly used
to treat human disorders, their classification, mechanisms of actions, indications,
contraindications/cautions, formulations, routes of metabolism and excretion, adverse
reactions, and drug interactions.
Prerequisite: Matriculation into the MPAS Program.
PAS 5171 EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE I (1 CREDIT)
This course will provide a foundational framework for clinical research and evidence-based
practice (EBP) in the health sciences, covering the steps in the EBP research process
and strategies for implementing EBP in real world settings. In this first course in
the series, students study the philosophical and theoretical concepts of evidence-based
clinical research and learn how to search, retrieve, organize, synthesize and critically
evaluate the clinical evidence. The course will include lectures, readings, discussions,
and skill-building activities with grading based upon class participation, quizzes,
homework assignments, and a final project (literature review).
Prerequisite: Successful completion of previous MPAS Program semester courses.
Summer 1 (12 weeks, 13 credit hours):
PAS 5112 DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES: EKG (2 CREDITS)
This course is the third in a series of three lecture and lab courses in which students
acquire and practice various diagnostic clinical skills. In this course the student
will learn interpretation of electrocardiograms and some associated clinical syndromes
and diagnoses as well as therapeutic interventions for common dysrhythmias and syndromes.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of previous MPAS Program semester courses.
PAS 5205 CLINICAL MEDICINE & THERAPEUTICS II (5 CREDITS)
This is the second in a series of three courses for the study of the diagnosis and
management of common acute, emergent, rehabilitative, and chronic medical disorders
across the lifespan. The relevant anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of disease
states are discussed, followed by incidence / prevalence, associated risk factors,
signs and symptoms, clinical findings, diagnostic criteria, diagnostic tests and procedures,
pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapeutic options, prevention, patient education,
follow-up care, course, and prognosis. This 3-series course series collectively covers
disorders categorized under the following organ systems: cardiovascular, dermatology,
ophthalmology, EENT, endocrine, GI / Nutritional, GU, hematology, infectious disease,
musculoskeletal, neurological, psychiatry / behavioral medicine, pulmonary, and reproductive.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of previous MPAS Program semester courses.
PAS 5212 CLINICAL SKILLS III: SPECIAL POPULATIONS (2 CREDITS)
This is the third of a series of four lecture and lab courses in which students acquire
and practice various diagnostic and therapeutic clinical skills, such as performance
of health histories and physical exams, interpretation of laboratory, electrocardiographic,
and imaging studies, the performance and interpretation of diagnostic and therapeutic
procedures, and training in basic and advanced cardiac life support. In this lab course,
the emphasis is on the performance and documentation of problem-focused medical interviews
and physical examinations, and an introduction to specialty-focused medical interviews
and physical examinations across the lifespan.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of previous MPAS Program semester courses.
PAS 5252 CLINICAL APPLICATION & REFLECTION EXPERIENCE III (2 CREDITS)
This is the third in a series of four courses where students work in teams to practice
and refine skills, employ problem solving, participate in reflective experiences,
and assume professional roles. Students are expected to retain and apply knowledge
from concurrent and previous coursework. Examples of experiences include simulation
/ standardized patients, interprofessional education opportunities, preclinical patient
exposures, and case studies. Professional development areas include professional communication
and behavior, conflict resolution, and stress management. (Pass/Fail)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of previous MPAS Program semester courses.
PAS 5261 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY II (1 CREDIT)
This course is the second in a series of three courses for the study of clinical pharmacology
appropriate to the professional physician assistant role. The basic principles of
pharmacology, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics are applied to generate pharmacologic
management plans for the diseases / disorders based upon current clinical practice
guidelines and other evidence-based resources. This 3-series Clinical Pharmacology
Course collectively provides an introduction to the pharmacologic processes in the
care and promotion of wellness across the lifespan, including the medications commonly
used to treat human disorders, their classification, mechanisms of actions, indications,
contraindications / cautions, formulations, routes of metabolism and excretion, adverse
reactions, and drug interactions.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of previous MPAS Program semester courses.
PAS 5371 EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE II (1 CREDIT)
This course will provide a foundational framework for clinical research and evidence-based
practice (EBP) in the health sciences, covering the steps in the EBP research process,
and strategies for implementing EBP in real world settings. In this second course
in the series, students study the principles of experimental, qualitative, and survey
research methods and the application of these methods to the practice of medicine.
Students utilize and apply these principles to the critical appraisal of the validity,
importance, and applicability of research studies for use in clinical decision-making
and evidence-based practice. The course will include lectures, readings, discussions,
and skill-building activities with grading based upon quizzes, homework assignments,
and a final project (three-study deconstruction rubric).
Prerequisite: Successful completion of previous MPAS Program semester courses.
Fall 2 (16 weeks, 18 credit hours):
PAS 5310 CLINICAL MEDICINE & THERAPEUTICS III (10 CREDITS)
This is the third in a series of three courses for the study of the diagnosis and
management of common acute, emergent, rehabilitative, and chronic medical disorders
across the lifespan. The relevant anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of disease
states will be discussed, followed by incidence / prevalence, associated risk factors,
signs and symptoms, clinical findings, diagnostic criteria, diagnostic tests and procedures,
pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapeutic options, prevention, patient education,
follow-up care, course, and prognosis. This 3-series course series collectively covers
disorders categorized under the following organ systems: cardiovascular, dermatology,
ophthalmology, EENT, endocrine, GI / Nutritional, GU, hematology, infectious disease,
musculoskeletal, neurological, psychiatry / behavioral medicine, pulmonary, and reproductive.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of previous MPAS Program semester courses.
PAS 5315 CLINICAL SKILLS IV: PROCEDURES (5 CREDITS)
This is the fourth of a series of four lecture and lab courses in which students acquire
and practice various diagnostic and therapeutic clinical skills, such as performance
of health histories and physical exams, interpretation of laboratory, electrocardiographic,
and imaging studies, the performance and interpretation of diagnostic and therapeutic
procedures, and training in basic and advanced cardiac life support. In this course,
the emphasis is on performance and interpretation of common diagnostic and therapeutic
procedures including an orientation to the operating room, completion of advanced
cardiac life support training, as well as the continuation of specialty-focused medical
interviews and physical examinations across the lifespan from pediatrics to geriatrics,
including the unique healthcare needs for women, diverse patient populations, and
patients with disabilities.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of previous MPAS Program semester courses.
PAS 5352 CLINICAL APPLICATION & REFLECTION EXPERIENCE IV (2 CREDITS)
This is the third in a series of four courses where students work in teams to practice
and refine skills, employ problem solving, participate in reflective experiences,
and assume professional roles. Students are expected to retain and apply knowledge
from concurrent and previous coursework. Examples of experiences include simulation
/ standardized patients, interprofessional education opportunities, preclinical patient
exposures, and case studies. Professional development areas include professional communication
and behavior, conflict resolution, and stress management. (Pass/Fail)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of previous MPAS Program semester courses.
PAS 5361 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY III (1 CREDIT)
This course will be the third in a series of three courses for the study of clinical
pharmacology appropriate to the professional physician assistant role. The basic principles
of pharmacology, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics are applied to generate pharmacologic
management plans for the diseases / disorders based upon current clinical practice
guidelines and other evidence-based resources. This 3-series Clinical Pharmacology
Course collectively provides an introduction to the pharmacologic processes in the
care and promotion of wellness across the lifespan, including the medications commonly
used to treat human disorders, their classification, mechanisms of actions, indications,
contraindications/cautions, formulations, routes of metabolism and excretion, adverse
reactions, and drug interactions.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of previous MPAS Program semester courses.
Experiential Phase (Clinical Year)
The clinical phase of the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) Program runs over the course of approximately three semesters with nine clinical rotations organized in five-week blocks. Students are responsible for their own travel and housing expenses. Students are not eligible for experiential phase courses until having successfully completed all didactic phase courses.
PAS 6015 – PAS 6095 CLINICAL PRACTICUM 1 - 9 (5 CREDITS EACH)
In the experiential phase, students are assigned into a series of rotations in a variety
of settings. The Clinical Practicum are divided into 9 periods of approximately 5
weeks each. Required 5-week rotations include Family Medicine, Internal Medicine,
Emergency Medicine and General Surgery. Experiences in Women’s Health, Pediatrics
and Behavioral Health are also required but tend to be briefer experiences that may
be integrated throughout the clinical experiences. Elective rotations are available
in a variety of clinical practice areas, pending preceptor availability. The Program
reserves the right to assign rotations or supplemental activities to ensure that students
meet all experiential phase Program requirements.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of all didactic phase courses.
PAS 6141 SENIOR SEMINAR I (1 CREDIT)
This is the first of three Senior Seminar courses intertwined with the experiential
phase of the PA Program. Over this course series, students will be exposed to a wide
variety of topics pertinent to medical practice, including: healthcare policy and
systems issues, medicolegal aspects of clinical practice, reimbursement issues, PA
employment issues, patient safety and error reduction measures, and public health
issues (e.g., mandatory reporting requirements, public health disease control measures).
In addition, students will give case presentations of interesting patients they cared
for on clinical practicums, and participate in activities designed to prepare them
for the end-of-program summative exam and PANCE. (Pass/Fail)
PAS 6171 GRADUATE PROJECT I (1 CREDIT)
This is the first in a series of three courses designed to build upon the Evidence-Based
Practice courses and provide students with experience in planning and implementing
a graduate project. In these courses, students apply the concepts of evidence-based
medicine to answer a question relevant to clinical practice or to devise a clinical
practice improvement proposal. In the first course in the series, students work individually
or in groups of up to four to select relevant information sources and to begin the
process of reviewing the literature. For those doing original research, they must
complete a study proposal as outlined in the Graduate Project Guidelines and at least
begin seeking IRB approval if needed. (Pass/Fail)
PAS 6241 SENIOR SEMINAR II (1 CREDIT)
This is the second of three Senior Seminar courses intertwined with the experiential
phase of the PA Program. Over this course series, students will be exposed to a wide
variety of topics pertinent to medical practice, including: healthcare policy and
systems issues, medicolegal aspects of clinical practice, reimbursement issues, PA
employment issues, patient safety and error reduction measures, and public health
issues (e.g., mandatory reporting requirements, public health disease control measures).
In addition, students will give case presentations of interesting patients they cared
for on clinical practicums, and participate in activities designed to prepare them
for the end-of-program summative exam and PANCE.
Prerequisite: PAS 6141 (Pass/Fail)
PAS 6271 GRADUATE PROJECT II (1 CREDIT)
This is the second in a series of three courses designed to build upon the Evidence-Based
Practice courses and provide students with experience in planning and implementing
a graduate project. In these courses, students apply the concepts of evidence-based
medicine to answer a question relevant to clinical practice or to devise a clinical
practice improvement proposal. In the second course in the series, students work individually
or in groups of up four to collect and analyze the evidence included in selected sources.
For those doing original research, they must complete process of IRB approval if needed
and finish data collection.
Prerequisite: 6171 (Pass/Fail)
PAS 6341 SENIOR SEMINAR III (1 CREDIT)
This is the third of three Senior Seminar courses intertwined with the experiential
phase of the PA Program. Over this course series, students will be exposed to a wide
variety of topics pertinent to medical practice, including: healthcare policy and
systems issues, medicolegal aspects of clinical practice, reimbursement issues, PA
employment issues, patient safety and error reduction measures, and public health
issues (e.g., mandatory reporting requirements, public health disease control measures).
In addition, students will give case presentations of interesting patients they cared
for on clinical practicums, and participate in activities designed to prepare them
for the end-of-program summative exam and PANCE.
Prerequisite: PAS 6241 (Pass/Fail)
PAS 6371 GRADUATE PROJECT III (1 CREDIT)
This is the third in a series of three courses designed to build upon the Evidence-Based
Practice courses and provide students with experience in planning and implementing
a graduate project. In these courses, students apply the concepts of evidence-based
medicine to answer a question relevant to clinical practice or to devise a clinical
practice improvement proposal. In this third course in the series, students work
individually or in groups of up to four to complete the project and communicate the
project’s findings in oral and written formats. The course meets its conclusion through
submission of (1) an evidence-based medicine review paper; (2) a case report; (3)
an observational study; (4) a survey related to a medical or health topic; or (5)
a rehabilitation focused experiment and study. A different method may be used but
must have the approval of the Instructor of Record and associated faculty research
advisor.
Prerequisite: PAS 6271 (Pass/Fail)