Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences—Department of Physician Assistant 447 Course of Study The Physician Assistant Program curriculum is completed following a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. The comprehensive curriculum, completed in a consecutive manner, is oriented to primary care and prepares the student to practice in a wide variety of clinical settings. The first 15 months of study consist of basic sciences and clinically related didactic courses. All courses are required and must be successfully completed before advancing to the clinical year. During this time frame, students are generally in class from Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., although there are occasional evening and/or weekend hours. Because of its highly integrated and compact curriculum, the PA program requires matriculants to complete the entire curriculum at this campus. No advanced placement, transfer of credit, or credit for experiential learning will be granted. The clinical year is devoted to 12 months of clinical training with required clinical rotations in family medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics, prenatal care/gynecology, general surgery, behavioral health, and internal medicine. Students must also complete two elective rotations, for a total of nine clinical rotations. The required rotations and one of the elective rotations are six weeks in length. The remaining elective rotation is four weeks in length. Each required rotation has assigned readings and learning objectives. At the end of each required rotation, the Physician Assistant Education Association End of Rotation Examination (PAEA EOR Exam) is administered and must be passed. During rotations, students will be supervised by licensed practitioners and will actively participate in patient assessments, perform common laboratory procedures, interpret common diagnostic examinations, and help manage common medical problems. The work hours during clinical rotations are set by the preceptor and can include evening and weekend hours. Students are required to work a minimum of 40 hours per week, however, many rotation sites require students to work substantially more hours per week. During the clinical year, students will also work on their capstone project, which must be completed prior to completion of the program. Upon completion of the course of study, students will have earned a Master of Medical Science (M.M.S.) in Physician Assistant degree. Graduates will be eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE) administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. The progress of each student through the curriculum requires continuous satisfactory academic and clinical performance. Since many of the curriculum’s courses are offered only once per year, a student may have an altered plan of study if not making satisfactory progress each semester. This may extend the student’s program beyond the standard seven consecutive semesters. There is a maximum four-year time limit for program completion, which includes any approved leave of absence / administrative break in enrollment and subsequent return to the program. The role of the physician assistant requires a high-level of expertise and responsibility. The applicant must possess the ability and desire to complete a rigorous academic and clinical program and make a commitment to continued learning.
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