Physician Assistant Program Course Descriptions

Anatomical Sciences I (HPANA-66101)
This course is designed to provide students with an extensive background in the fundamentals of human anatomy through lectures, small group laboratories, and independent study formats. Subjects taught include central nervous system anatomy, basic embryology, anatomy of upper and lower extremities, cardiovascular and pulmonary systems, abdomen, and pelvis. All course content is delivered through several learning modalities, including didactic lectures, laboratory sessions utilizing cadavers, radiographic images, anatomical models, in-class review sessions, and practice practical exams. The in-class review sessions and practice practical exams will allow for consolidation of the course material and an opportunity to test established knowledge prior to comprehensive exams. The course emphasizes the location, identification, function, and relationships of pertinent structures. The course is intended to provide an anatomical basis for understanding the physical examination, clinical diagnoses and treatment, and pathological changes associated with illness and injury of each major organ and body system.
Credit: 6 semester hours
Course Director: Adi Pinkas
Course Offered: Fall 1, Terms 1, 2, 3

Anatomical Sciences II (HPANA-63102)
This course is designed to provide students with an extensive background in the fundamentals of human anatomy utilizing lectures, small group laboratories, and independent study formats. Anatomic structures of the head and neck are described and illustrated in lecture followed by laboratory experiential learning to include location and identification as well as function and relationships of structures using cadavers, boney specimens, models, and radiographic images. The course is intended to provide an anatomical basis for understanding the physical examination and structural changes associated with illness and injury of each major organ and body system.
Credit: 3 semester hours
Course Director: Adi Pinkas
Course Offered: Spring 1, Term 1

Behavioral Dynamics (PABDN-62431)
A lecture and discussion course designed to provide the student with an overall view of the normal and abnormal characteristics of human psychological development and behavior. The etiology of common behavioral and mental health conditions and consequences of common congenital and environmental influences on psychological development are studied in relation to the pediatric, adult and geriatric patient populations.
Credit: 2 semester hours
Course Directors: Ali Asghar and Sean Hurdiss
Course Offered: Spring 1, Terms 2

Clinical Biochemistry (HPBIO-63121)
This course is designed to provide the student with the basics of clinical biochemistry in order to prepare them for their further studies. The course will review basic organic chemistry pertinent to understanding metabolic pathways with emphasis on different aspects of clinical biochemistry including structure and function of proteins, enzyme kinetics, and the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids. Special attention will be given to the nutritional needs of humans.
Credit: 3 semester hours
Course Director: Kristina Hulten
Course Offered: Fall 1, Terms 1, 2

Clinical Genetics (HPGEN-61141)
The genetics course introduces students to the basics of clinical genetics in order to prepare them for their further studies and practice in primary care. The course will review fundamental genetic concepts, principles and information (patterns of inheritance, mitosis & meiosis, the structure of DNA, RNA and protein synthesis) as well as concepts underlying clinical genetics (human development, gene analysis, disease producing mutations).
Credit: 1 semester hour
Course Director: Lorraine Potocki
Course Offered: Fall 1, Term 3

Clinical Medicine I (PACMD-61501)
This module introduces the basic principles cell injury, adaptation and death, acute and chronic inflammation, cell regeneration and fibrosis, hemostasis, thrombosis and shock, immune-mediated injury, benign and malignant neoplasms, atherosclerosis along with an introduction to the mechanisms underlying viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens to include innate host defense mechanisms prior to studying organ system pathophysiology.
Credit: 0.5 semester hour
Course Director: Valerie DeGregorio
Course Offered: Fall 1, Term 1

Clinical Medicine II (PACMD-61502)
This module introduces pathophysiology, clinical manifestations differential diagnosis, and treatments of acute and chronic disease involving the cardiovascular system. Critical Thinking Sessions are used to integrate and apply the knowledge acquired from lectures and readings.
Credit: 1 semester hour
Course Director: Valerie DeGregorio
Course Offered: Fall 1, Term 2

Clinical Medicine III (PACMD-63503)
This module introduces pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, differential diagnosis, and treatments of acute and chronic disorders involving the pulmonary, renal and integument systems. Critical Thinking Sessions are used to integrate and apply the knowledge acquired from lectures and readings.
Credit: 3 semester hours
Course Director: Valerie DeGregorio
Course Offered: Fall 1, Term 3

Clinical Medicine IV (PACMD-63511)
This module introduces pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, differential diagnosis, and treatments of acute and chronic disorders involving the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, musculoskeletal, and rheumatologic systems. Critical Thinking Sessions are used to integrate and apply the knowledge acquired from lectures and readings.
Credit: 3 semester hours
Course Director: Katherine Erdman
Course Offered: Spring 1, Term 1

Clinical Medicine V (PACMD-63512)
This module introduces pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, differential diagnosis, and treatments for acute and chronic disorders involving the ears, eyes, and central and peripheral nervous systems, coupled with disorders affecting older adults. Critical Thinking Sessions are used to integrate and apply the knowledge acquired from lectures and readings.
Credit: 3 semester hours
Course Director: Katherine Erdman
Course Offered: Spring 1, Term 2

Clinical Medicine VI (PACMD-63513)
This module introduces the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, differential diagnosis and treatments for conditions presenting in emergency care, and for acute and chronic disorders involving the endocrine and hematologic systems and the management of clinical infectious disease including HIV infection. Critical Thinking Sessions are used to integrate and apply the knowledge acquired from lectures and readings.
Credit: 3 semester hours
Course Director: Eric Rasch
Course Offered: Spring 1, Term 3

Clinical Prevention (PACLP-62301)
This course introduces students to the history, underlying theory, basic concepts, and interplay associated with public health, lifestyle medicine, and clinical prevention in the United States. Strategies for illness prevention, risk characterization, early screening for asymptomatic disease, risk stratification, and the reduction of risk at the individual and community level will be addressed. The content within the course is designed to provide a foundation for parallel learning experiences in Health Behavioral Counseling, Clinical Medicine, Genetics, and Health Research Methods. The need to identify health behaviors and risks will be reinforced within the Physical Diagnosis course through patient write-ups and through this course using case integrations.
Credit: 2 semester hours
Course Director: Sarah Keyes
Course Offered: Fall 1, Terms 1, 2

Communications and Perspectives in Healthcare I (PACC-61401)
The course introduces students to basic concepts of non-medical drivers of health that pertain to the delivery of health care for a practitioner in a clinical setting. Lectures, discussions, small group activities, and community engagement are used to teach and reinforce course content. The course will focus on identifying and examining basic concepts associated with non-medical drivers of health and understanding clinical relevance. In addition, the impact of religious beliefs, alternative health care practices and family roles on the delivery of health care will be explored, as well as the role of the practitioner in providing competent care to all patients.
Credit: 1 semester hours
Course Director: Jonnae Atkinson
Course Offered: Fall 1, Terms 1, 2

Diagnostic Testing (PADIA-61701)
A course designed to acquaint students with the principals involved in and the clinical evaluation of radiographic and clinical laboratory diagnostic studies. The emphasis within the radiology section is placed on normal radiographic findings and their comparison to the abnormalities visualized in disease processes. In the laboratory medicine section, the lectures are designed to survey and relate the results of tests to clinical situations. Lectures will also introduce the techniques of more important laboratory tests to include specimen acquisition and handling.
Credit: 1 semester hour
Course Director: Stephanie DeSandro
Course Offered: Spring 1, Term 1, 2, 3

Electrocardiography (PAECG-62711)
This course is designed to present a systematic and standardized approach to ECG evaluation and interpretation. Each session covers a specific topic or topics and builds on the previous ones. After completing each session, the student will work through ECG tracings to review and apply the knowledge acquired.
Credit: 2 semester hours
Course Director: Elizabeth Elliott
Course Offered: Spring 1, Term 3

Health Behavioral Counseling I (HPHBC-61201)
This course introduces health counseling and behavioral science theories, skills, and tools to enhance learners’ communication skills, empathy, and understanding of the process of health behavior change. Behavior change processes are introduced using the Transtheoretical Model, Self-Determination Theory, and Health Belief Model, with a focus on applying Motivational Interviewing, Brief Action Planning, and Shared Decision Making to clinical scenarios through lecture, role play, simulation, peer observation, and self-reflection.
Credit: 1 semester hour
Course Director: Beth Garland
Course Offered: Fall 1, Terms 2, 3

Human Physiology I (HPPHY-64221)
This course is designed to provide the student an extensive understanding of human physiology from the cellular to the organ and body systems level with a focus on the mechanisms of normal organ function and the consequences of malfunction of the nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and digestive systems along with temperature regulation. Clinical examples that illustrate the consequences of malfunction are used to emphasize, by comparison, normal physiology.
Credit: 4 semester hours
Course Director: Irrum Niazi
Course Offered: Fall 1, Terms 2, 3

Human Physiology II (HPPHY-61222)
This course is designed to provide an extensive understanding of human physiology from the cellular to the organ and body systems level with a major emphasis on the mechanisms of normal organ function and the consequences of malfunction of the endocrine and reproductive systems along with energy and metabolism, bone, and the physiology of normal pregnancy. Clinical examples that illustrate the consequences of malfunction are used to emphasize, by comparison, normal physiology
Credit: 1 semester hour
Course Director: Irrum Niazi
Course Offered: Spring 1, Term 1

Immunology for Health Professions (HPIMM-62131)
This course will provide an overview of basic immunological concepts including components of the immune system, innate and adaptive immune responses. The immune responses against infectious microbes as well as immunologic diseases will also be addressed.
Credit: 2 semester hours
Course Director: Vanaja Konduri
Course Offered: Fall 1, Term 2

Medical Ethics (PAETH-61421)
This course provides physician assistant students with a comprehensive understanding of medical ethics essential for professional practice. Through lectures, learning modules, and small group case discussions, students will explore fundamental ethical principles and their application in the clinical setting. Topics include confidentiality, informed consent, decision-making capacity, surrogate decision making, pediatric ethics, reporting requirements, reproductive ethics, end-of-life ethics, and resource allocation. Emphasis will be placed on acquiring a broad baseline of knowledge on these topics, developing critical thinking skills, applying a framework to ethical decision making, and fostering sensitivity to diverse patient populations. This course aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate complex ethical dilemmas encountered in healthcare settings, focusing on professionalism and compassionate patient care.
Credit: 1 semester hour
Course Director: Holland Kaplan
Course Offered: Spring 1, Term 2

Medical Humanities (PAMHM-81101)
The Medical Humanities course utilizes the curriculum of The Healer’s Art course to enable the formation of a genuine community of inquiry between students and faculty that encourages an in-depth sharing of experience, beliefs, aspirations and personal truths. Students and faculty participate together in a discovery model that transcends the divisiveness of expertise to explore service as a way of life. The process-based curriculum takes a highly innovative, interactive, contemplative and didactic approach to enabling students to uncover and recognize the personal and universal meaning in the daily work of medicine.
Credit: 1 semester hour
Course Director: Katherine Erdman
Course Offered: Spring 1, Term 2

Pediatrics (PAPED-62531)
The Pediatrics course is designed to introduce students to the most common health problems affecting the pediatric patient from the newborn period through adolescence. The lectures focus on health promotion, disease prevention and screening, pathology identification and management, education and counseling, and injury prevention for the pediatric patient and family. The laboratory components focus on skills and knowledge needed in caring for pediatric patients.
Credit: 2 semester hours
Director: Elizabeth Elliott
Course Offered: Spring 1, Term 3

Pharmacology I (PAPRM-63801)
This course promotes an understanding of the general principles of pharmacology and their application of these principles to patient care situations. Students will learn the mechanism of action of drugs in different therapeutic classes and understand how use of these drug interacts with the pathophysiology of the disease under treatment; learn the most common effects and side effects for prototypic drugs in each category; become comfortable with sources of information about drugs, drug side effects and drug interactions; learn the drug of choice for diseases; and know which drugs have potentially fatal side effects.
Credit: 3 semester hours
Course Director: Irrum Niazi
Course Offered: Fall 1, Terms 2, 3

Pharmacology II (PAPRM-61811)
This course continues the study of the mechanisms of action of drugs in different therapeutic classes and their effects on the pathophysiology of disease states under treatment.
Credit: 1 semester hours
Course Director: Irrum Niazi
Course Offered: Spring 1, Term 1

Physical Diagnosis I (PAPHD-66601)
The first semester of this course focuses on developing skills to perform a complete history and physical examination on patients over the spectrum of ages and clinical situations that a physician assistant may encounter in clinical practice.

The learning experiences emphasize the principles, skills, routines and special tests appropriate for the assessment of disease involving the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. A secondary aim of this course is the development of skills in formulating an appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan derived from information taken in the history and identified from the physical exam. The course will stress the accurate presentation of information in both written and oral forms.
Credit: 6 semester hours
Course Director: Stephanie DeSandro
Course Offered: Fall 1, Terms 1, 2, 3

Physical Diagnosis II (PAPHD-63611)
The second semester continues to develop skills in performing a complete and problem-specific history and physical examination on patients over the spectrum of ages and clinical situations. The learning experiences focus upon the principles, skills, routines and special tests appropriate for the assessment of diseases involving the eyes, ears, nose, throat, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, dermatological, musculoskeletal, and nervous systems. This semester will continue the development of an appropriate differential diagnosis and plan for the further evaluation and management of an identified problem with accurate presentation of information in both written and oral forms.
Credit: 3 semester hours
Course Director: Jayne Chirdo-Taylor
Course Offered: Spring 1, Terms 1, 2, 3

Problem Solving in Medicine I (PAPSM-61901)
This course assists students to develop their skills at differential diagnosis and problem identification through the integration of information presented in the Clinical Medicine, Physical Diagnosis, and other courses. Multiple critical thinking sessions using individual and team learning techniques are used to explore problems involving the heart and lungs.
Credit: 1 semester hour
Course Director: Elizabeth Elliott
Course Offered: Fall 1, Term 3

Problem Solving in Medicine II (PAPSM-62911)
This course assists students to develop their skills at differential diagnosis and problem identification through the integration of information presented in the Clinical Medicine, Physical Diagnosis, and other courses. Multiple critical thinking sessions using individual and team learning techniques are used to explore problems involving the abdomen, kidney, lower urinary tract, ear, nose and throat, musculoskeletal, special sensory, central and peripheral nervous systems, and the hematopoietic system.
Credit: 2 semester hours
Course Director: Elizabeth Elliott
Course Offered: Spring 1, Terms 1, 2, 3

Professional Role Issues I (PAPRI-61411)
This course provides students a historical perspective of the evolving professional, clinical and intra-professional roles carried out by physician assistants through a study of the organizational, political, legal and socioeconomic forces that have and continue to shape the profession.
Credit: 1 semester hour
Course Director: Carl Fasser
Course Offered: Fall 1, Term 1

Therapeutics I (PATHR 61101)
This course is designed in a case-based, flipped-classroom format, providing students with practical, real-world scenarios in which to apply their knowledge of pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic management. It promotes an understanding of the general principles of rational therapeutics and the application of these principles to patient care situations. Students will learn the latest therapeutic guidelines and evidence-based practices, will develop skills in selecting and managing appropriate therapeutic interventions for various medical conditions, and will practice critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the context of therapeutic management.
Credit: 0.5 semester hours
Course Director: Katherine Erdman
Course Offered: Spring 1, Terms 2, 3

Women’s Health (PAWHI-62521)
The course focuses on the normal physiologic and sexual development of women, health maintenance concerns of women at various life stages, and serves as an introduction to gynecologic/obstetric history taking and physical examination skills. The manifestation, evaluation, management, and treatment of common disease entities along with routine care for both gynecologic/obstetric patients are also addressed. The course facilitates the use of critical thinking skills along with appropriate clinical decision-making strategies so that students can provide a sensitive approach to preventive and therapeutic healthcare, recognize common gynecologic and obstetric problems, understand appropriate therapeutic interventions, and effectively provide patient education.
Credit: 2 credit hours
Course Director: Anna Shafer
Course Offered: Spring 1, Term 2

Research I (PARS1-71531)
This faculty-guided seminar series is devoted to examining and applying principles central to the practice of evidence-based medicine. Students will develop an understanding of how to access and critically review medical literature, design a research study, apply epidemiologic methods to assess test quality and disease risk, approach data generation and analysis, address quality assurance concerns, and adhere to ethical, legal, and regulatory issues involved in human-subject research. Exercises in inductive reasoning include article search-and-retrieval, annotated bibliography generation, and manuscript abstractions. On-line assignments that reinforce critical content will be completed in small groups.
Credit: 1 semester hour
Course Director: Carl Fasser
Course Offered: Fall 2, Terms 1AB-2AB

Research II (PARS2-74541)
This faculty-guided research seminar is devoted to the refinement of strategies for the evidenced-based search and interpretation of scientific literature; critique of study designs for IRB-approved student research projects involving the prospective and retrospective collection and analysis of data; resolution of questions surrounding database construction and data entry verification; draft of the introduction, background and methods sections of the Master’s Paper; and the development of skills at the oral presentation and defense of research results. Critical review and interpretation of the scientific literature initiated during Research 1 is extended in this seminar course. Without clinical responsibilities, students devote their undivided attention to their Master’s Paper research.
Credit: 4 semester hours
Course Director: Carl Fasser
Course Offered: Spring 2, Terms 3B-5B and Fall 3, Terms 6A-6B

Research III (PARS3-74551)
This faculty-guided seminar builds upon the student’s understanding of the evidence-based interpretation of literature, research design, data collection, scientific writing, and oral presentation. The focus is on the statistical analysis and interpretation of quantitative data and qualitative information using appropriate methods; generation of tables, charts, graphs, and images as indicated; draft of the results, discussion, and conclusion sections of the Master’s Paper; and the refinement of oral presentation skills and the defense of research results. Critical review of student project results is carried out in collaboration with each student’s expert faculty mentor followed by the oral presentation of the drafted poster for student research day. Students do not carry clinical responsibilities during this four-week time-period.
Credit: 4 semester hours
Course Director: Carl Fasser
Course Offered: Fall 3, Terms 6B-6E

Master Paper (PAMPP 74800)
Practice-based learning and improvement using evidence constitutes one of six core competencies that should be exhibited by future entry-level PA providers. The intent of the longitudinal Master’s Paper Project is to provide students with knowledge of study designs and statistical methods needed to understand clinical information, the ability to locate, critically appraise, and integrate evidence from scientific studies into clinical practice activities, to use technology to analyze and manage information on a longitudinal basis, and to review practice experiences using a systematic method in concert with other team members as a means of improving the outcomes of care.
Course Credits: 4 semester hours
Course Director: Carl Fasser
Course Offered: Fall 3

Emergency Medicine (PAERM-74681)
The core Emergency Medicine rotation provides an in-depth exposure to the illnesses and injuries sustained by children, adults, and the elderly that necessitate emergency care. The educational experiences emphasize the focusing of interview and examination skills and performing of techniques and procedures essential to the proper management of surgical illness and injury.
Credit: 4 semester hours
Course Director: Eric Rasch
Course Coordinator: Eric Martinez
Course Offered: Fall 2, Spring 2

Internal Medicine – Inpatient (PAIMI-78621)
During this core rotation the student will learn to apply basic medical knowledge to the evaluation of problems encountered on a general medicine service. The formulation of an understanding of the various medical disorders in adults and elderly is accomplished during the accurate collection of data, the identification of problems, and the development of a plan for each problem. The student likewise learns to view the patient in a broader context because of the emphasis given to the emotional and social needs of the individual.
Credit: 8 semester hours
Course Director: Sarah Keyes
Course Coordinators: Andrew Caruso, Lindsey Jordon Gay, Alexandria Fornerette-Harris
Course Offered: Fall 2 and Spring 2

Internal Medicine – Outpatient (PAIMO-74631)
During this core rotation the student will learn to apply basic medical knowledge to the evaluation of problems encountered in an ambulatory clinic. The formulation of an understanding of the various preventive, acute and chronic medical disorders in adults and the elderly is accomplished during the accurate collection of data, the identification of problems, and the development of a plan for each problem. The student likewise learns to view the patient in a broader context because of the emphasis given to the emotional and social needs of the individual.
Credit: 4 semester hours
Course Director: Vicki Waters
Course Offered: Fall 2 and Spring 2

Gynecology/Obstetrics (PAGYN-74641)
The core Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN) rotation exposes students to the spectrum of problems and issues associated with prenatal, obstetrical and gynecologic healthcare primarily in an ambulatory setting. The learning experiences emphasize family planning and birth control, sexually transmitted disease recognition and treatment, cancer detection, prenatal care, the evaluation of common GYN problems, and offer exposures to delivery and the surgical management of GYN disorders.
Credit: 4 semester hours
Course Director: Anna Shafer
Course Coordinator: Tara Harris
Course Offered: Fall 2 and Spring 2

Pediatrics – Inpatient (PAPDI-74751)
During this core rotation the student learns to apply basic medical knowledge and skills to the evaluation of problems encountered on a general pediatric service. The emphasis in this setting is on the provision of secondary and tertiary care to a child from birth through adolescence.
Credit: 4 semester hours
Course Director: Kathleen Thompson
Course Coordinators: Sanghamitra Misra, Susan Lee, Tracy Thomas
Course Offered: Fall 2 and Spring 2

Pediatrics – Outpatient (PAPDO-74761)
During this core rotation the student learns to apply basic medical knowledge and skills to the evaluation of acute and chronic problems along with preventive care needs encountered in an ambulatory pediatric practice. The emphasis in this setting is on the provision of primary and secondary care to newborns, infants, children and adolescents.
Credit: 4 semester hours
Course Director: Elizabeth Elliott
Course Coordinators: Stephanie Marton and Sean Souders
Course Offered: Fall 2 and Spring 2

Psychiatry (PAPSY-74671)
This core rotation is designed to provide an understanding of the behavioral components of health, disease and disability. Exposure to adult and elderly patients with a variety of emergent, acute and chronic behavioral and mental health conditions are used to develop informed history taking and mental status examination skills abilities to recognize and categorize behavioral and mental health conditions and techniques of early intervention and psychiatric referral.
Credit: 4 semester hours
Course Director: Vicki Waters
Course Coordinator: Ali Abbas Asghar-Ali
Course Offered: Fall 2 and Spring 2

Surgery (PASUR-74691)
This core rotation provides an orientation to patients of various ages with surgically manageable disease. The emphasis of the learning experiences is on the preoperative evaluation and preparation of patients for surgery; assistance during the intra-operative period to develop an understanding of team member roles and operative procedures; and the care of surgical wounds and post-operative complications.
Credit: 4 semester hours
Course Director: Jayne Chirdo-Taylor
Course Coordinator: Yesenia Rojas Khalil
Course Offered: Fall 2 and Spring 2

Community Family Medicine (PACFM-74731)
This applied integration core rotation provides an exposure to the principles and practices of community-oriented primary care with an emphasis on disease prevention and health maintenance patients across the lifespan to include infants, children, adolescents, adults and elderly as well as the opportunity to further techniques in history taking, physical examination, and health behavior counseling. Students also gain insight into the contextual factors such as family structure, income level and access to care that affect the provision of healthcare services.
Credit: 4 semester hours
Course Director: Katherine Erdman
Course Offered: Fall 3

Geriatric Medicine (PAGER-74721)
This integration rotation provides an opportunity to apply knowledge of the physiological, behavioral, psychological and sociological changes associated with aging to the multidimensional assessment of elderly individuals. The student acts as a member of an interdisciplinary team of health professionals managing disorders common to older individuals with particular attention to the maintenance of autonomy across alternative care settings.
Credit: 4 semester hours
Course Director: Vicki Waters
Course Coordinators: Michael Anderson
Course Offered: Fall 2, Term 2AB, Spring 2, and Fall 3

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PAPMR-74781)
This clinical core rotation emphasizes medical rehabilitation in the adult population to enhance maintenance of independence in daily personal care and ambulatory household and community activities. It is designed to enable the student to develop skills in the examination of the spine and extremities; develop knowledge of basic kinesiology and biomechanics; and to begin to understand techniques of dynamic assessment. The student will perform comprehensive exams of the neurologic, muscular and skeletal system in young, mature and older adults while learning about the unique aspects of medical care of persons with major trauma, traumatic brain injury, amputation, and spinal cord injury.
Credit: 4 semester hours
Course Director: Kathleen Thompson
Course Offered: Fall 3

Communications and Perspectives in Healthcare II (PACC-71521)
This course builds on the students’ effective communication with patients from different backgrounds through the exploration of individual perspectives, communication styles, belief systems, health care practices, family roles, and their impact on the clinical encounter using the skill of critical self-assessment.
Credit: 1 semester hour
Course Director: Eric Rasch
Course Offered: Fall 2, Spring 2, and Fall 3

Professional Role Issues II (PAPRI-71511)
This course introduces students to jurisprudence and professional practice issues. Through lectures, seminars, and individual assignments the student will learn about the healthcare marketplace, Texas medical jurisprudence, risk management, and professional practice issues to include employment and credentialing, insurance reimbursement, and medical coding. The course also addresses the alternative roles played by PAs in the community and the therapeutic uses for common drugs.
Credit: 1 semester hour
Course Director: Sarah-Ann Keyes
Course Offered: Fall 2, Spring 2, and Fall 3

Preparation for Clinical Practice (PAPCP 74551)
This advanced course will prepare PA students for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) while reapproaching content contained on the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) blueprint and further solidifying and advancing knowledge of fundamental concepts and disease states critical to PA practice. Having a solid foundation of basic science coursework and diverse clinical rotations, students reapproach material and concepts in the advanced and integrated manner necessary for success on the certifying exam and entry to professional clinical practice.
Credit: 4 semester hours
Course Directors: Vicki Waters
Course Offered: Fall 3

Health Behavioral Counseling II (PAHBC-71201)
This course continues the introduction of counseling and behavioral science theories, with a focus on applying Motivational Interviewing skills. Learning activities include role play and simulated relevant learning activities to help learners develop an intimate understanding of the process of change and enhance patient-centered communication skills.
Credit: 0.5 semester hour
Course Director: Beth Garland
Course Offered: Spring 2

Therapeutics II (PATHR 61102)
This course continues the practical application of therapeutic management in clinical settings, building on the foundational knowledge obtained in Therapeutics I and in clinical rotations. Selected cases for class discussion will require more advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills and allow students to further practice and refine their skills in therapeutic management.
Credit: 0.5 semester hours Course Director: Katherine Erdman
Course Offered: Spring 2

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Physician Assistant Program Course Descriptions

Course Descriptions for Academic Year 2025-2026

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