Physician Assistant Studies Curriculum
The Master of Medical Science Physician Assistant Studies program is completed through full-time, in-person instruction over 24 consecutive months.
This cohort program offers 102 credit hours of study, where students complete one year of core didactic courses on-campus, followed by a second year of supervised clinical practice experiences as they prepare to sit for the PANCE exam at the end of their program. Successful completion of this program requires a minimum GPA of 3.000 to receive a Master of Medical Science degree.
Classes are held during the day at our campus located in Decatur, Georgia.
Year One: Didactic Courses
PAS-601: Essentials of Medical Science (3.00)
This course builds a strong foundation of the medical sciences including concepts in immunology, genetics, nutrition, microbiology, and molecular mechanisms of health and disease. This course is designed to provide students with an introductory understanding of scientific concepts that will be applied to the study of clinical medicine.
PAS-602: Physiology (2.00)
This course examines the homeostatic mechanisms of human physiology. Each organ system will be analyzed and assessed in terms of structure and function in relation to providing appropriate medical care. Students will learn the regulatory function of the human body at the cellular, tissue, and organ system levels. This course provides foundational knowledge which students will apply to the study of diseases and disorders.
PAS-603: Biostatistics (3.00)
This course will explore statistical concepts and methods in order to understand how to interpret the medical literature. Emphasizing the role of statistical methods in evidence-based medicine, students will critically evaluate, analyze, and apply these principles to clinical decision-making.
PAS-604: Ethics in Medicine (1.00)
This course introduces students to ethical considerations, principles, and dilemmas in the practice of medicine. The course also explores ethical frameworks for navigating issues related to patient care and ethical decision-making.
PAS-605: Medical Communication (2.00)
This course is designed to provide students with the skills to effectively communicate with patients and healthcare providers. Students will explore various aspects of medical communication, including verbal and non-verbal communication, active listening, empathy, and delivering difficult news. Students will develop tools to conduct patient interviews, elicit a medical history, and provide medical documentation of patient encounters.
PAS-606: PA Professional Practice I (1.00)
The course is the first of a two-part series that prepares students to succeed professionally as practicing physician assistants. Students will explore topics related to the history of the profession, develop skills in advocacy and leadership, engage in service learning activities, and cover concepts of public health as they relate to the role of the practicing PA.
PAS-607: PA Professional Practice II (1.00)
The course is the second of a two-part series that prepares students to succeed professionally as practicing physician assistants. Students will explore topics related to the business of healthcare, health care delivery systems, health policy, and improving patient safety.
PAS-610: Anatomy With Lab (4.00)
This course offers a comprehensive study of gross and functional anatomy of the human body at the cellular, tissue, organ, and system level. Through a combination of lectures, laboratory work, and interactive activities, students will explore organ systems and tissues, fostering a deeper understanding of the anatomical basis of health and disease.
PAS-612: Physical Assessment & History With Lab (4.00)
In this course, students learn and practice the fundamental techniques of performing an age appropriate physical examination. Students will learn to systematically assess, interpret, and document findings during comprehensive and problem-focused physical examinations. Students will learn to distinguish between normal and abnormal physical exam findings in order to formulate differential diagnoses and develop patient assessment plans.
PAS-615: Laboratory Interpretation I (3.00)
This course is the first in a series that provides students with the knowledge and skills to think critically when ordering and interpreting laboratory and diagnostic studies. Students will also gain skills in diagnostic and therapeutic procedural techniques. The course will align with the topics covered in Clinical Medicine I including HEENT, pulmonology, cardiology, and neurology.
PAS-616: Laboratory Interpretation II (3.00)
This course is the second in a series that provides students with the knowledge and skills to think critically when ordering and interpreting laboratory and diagnostic studies. Students will also gain skills in diagnostic and therapeutic procedural techniques. BLS instruction, testing and certification will also be included in this course. The course will align with the topics covered in Clinical Medicine II including gastroenterology, endocrinology, hematology, and musculoskeletal medicine and rheumatology.
PAS-617: Laboratory Interpretation III (2.00)
This course is the third in a series that provides students with the knowledge and skills to think critically when ordering and interpreting laboratory and diagnostic studies. Students will also gain skills in diagnostic and therapeutic procedural techniques. The course will align with the topics covered in Clinical Medicine III including genitourinary, renal, reproductive health, pediatrics, geriatrics, and infectious diseases.
PAS-620: Clinical Medicine I (4.00)
This course series is designed to provide students with a comprehensive study of acute and chronic disease and disorders by organ system across the lifespan including infant, children, adolescent, adult and elderly patients. Organ systems included will be EENT, neurology, pulmonary and cardiovascular systems. Students will learn clinical presentation, pathophysiology, diagnosis, pharmacotherapeutic and medical management.
PAS-621: Clinical Medicine II (3.00)
This course series is designed to provide students with a comprehensive study of acute and chronic disease and disorders by organ system across the lifespan including infant, children, adolescent, adult and elderly patients. Organ systems included will be gastroenterology, endocrinology, hematology, dermatology and musculoskeletal/rheumatology. Students will learn clinical presentation, pathophysiology, diagnosis, pharmacotherapeutic and medical management.
PAS-622: Clinical Medicine III (3.00)
This course series is designed to provide students with a comprehensive study of acute and chronic disease and disorders by organ system across the lifespan including infant, children, adolescent, adult and elderly patients.Organ systems included will be gastrourinary, renal, infectious, reproductive health, pediatrics and geriatrics. Students will learn clinical presentation, pathophysiology, diagnosis, pharmacotherapeutic and medical management.
PAS-625: Essentials of Behavioral Medicine (2.00)
This course focuses on essential concepts from the social and behavioral sciences. Instruction will focus on the prevention, screening, diagnosis, management and referral of acute and chronic psychiatric and behavioral conditions. Through lecture and case discussion, students will formulate care plans that are patient-centered, culturally sensitive and focused on helping patients develop coping mechanisms and adopt more healthful behaviors.
PAS-627: Essentials of Emergency Medicine (2.00)
This course focuses on the fundamental concepts necessary for PA practice in emergency medicine settings across the lifespan. Students will learn clinical presentation, pathophysiology, diagnosis, pharmacotherapeutic and medical management of common emergencies in all organ systems. ACLS instruction, testing, and certification will also be included in this course.
PAS-628: Essentials of Surgical Medicine (2.00)
This course focuses on the fundamental concepts necessary for PA practice in surgical medicine including the evaluation, diagnosis, and management of surgical conditions. Instruction will focus on perioperative approach to the patient including preoperative, intraoperative, and post-operative care. Students will learn the indications, contraindications, and intervention of common surgical procedures and techniques.
PAS-630: Pharmacotherapeutics I (3.00)
This course series is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the pharmacologic management of human diseases and disorders. This course is organized in sequence with the Clinical Medicine I course. Through a blend of lectures, case studies, and interactive activities, students will build foundational knowledge about pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, mechanisms of drug action, drug interactions, adverse reactions, and safe prescribing practices.
PAS-631: Pharmacotherapeutics II (3.00)
This course series is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the pharmacologic management of human diseases and disorders. This course is organized in sequence with the Clinical Medicine II course. Through a blend of lecture, case studies, and interactive activities, students will continue to explore pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, mechanisms of drug action, drug interactions, adverse reactions, and safe prescribing practices.
PAS-632: Pharmacotherapeutics III (3.00)
This course series is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the pharmacologic management of human diseases and disorders. This course is organized in sequence with the Clinical Medicine III course. Through a blend of theoretical knowledge, case studies, and interactive activities, students will continue to explore pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, mechanisms of drug action, drug interactions, adverse reactions, and safe prescribing practices.
PAS-635: Evidence-Based Medicine I (1.00)
This three-part course series is designed to provide students with the essential skills needed to critically evaluate and integrate the best available evidence into clinical decision-making. The first course will build on the foundational skills established in the Biostatistics course through the use of interactive cases to develop a systematic and practical approach to search, interpret, and evaluate the medical literature.
PAS-636: Evidence-Based Medicine II (1.00)
This is the second course in a series designed to provide students with the essential skills to critically evaluate and integrate the best available evidence into clinical decision-making. In a small group learning environment, students will engage in case-based discussions and journal club activities to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students will also begin preliminary efforts for their scholarly work which will conclude in the Senior Seminar course.
PAS-637: Evidence-Based Medicine III (1.00)
This is the third course in a series designed to provide students with the essential skills to critically evaluate and integrate the best available evidence into clinical decision-making. Using case-based discussions and journal club activities, students will continue to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students will continue their work on a scholarly paper and poster presentation which will conclude the Senior Seminar course.
Year Two: Clinical Year Courses
PAS-650: Community Health (5.00)
This 5-week supervised clinical practice experience provides students the opportunity to gain direct patient care experience in the area of family medicine across the lifespan. Students will apply and expand the knowledge and skills learned during the didactic curriculum by participating in preventive, acute, and chronic patient encounters in outpatient community health centers. Students will assist in the evaluation and treatment of patients and develop the skills necessary to function as part of an interprofessional healthcare team. The Community Health rotation provides a unique opportunity for students to learn more about providing culturally sensitive patient-centered care.
PAS-651: Women's Health (5.00)
This 5-week supervised clinical practice experience provides students the opportunity to gain direct patient care experience in the area of women's health to include prenatal and gynecologic care. Students will apply and expand the knowledge and skills learned during the didactic curriculum. Students will participate in preventive, acute, and chronic encounters in women's health.
PAS-652: Pediatrics (5.00)
This 5-week supervised clinical practice experience provides students the opportunity to gain direct patient care experience in the area of pediatrics, caring for infants, children, and adolescents. Students will apply and expand the knowledge and skills learned during the didactic curriculum. Students will participate in pediatric encounters that focus on preventive, emergent, acute, and chronic care.
PAS-653: Emergency Medicine (5.00)
This 5-week supervised clinical practice experience provides students the opportunity to gain direct patient care experience managing acute and emergent health conditions across the lifespan in the emergency department. Students will apply and expand the knowledge and skills learned during the didactic curriculum to emergency medicine.
PAS-654: Hospital Medicine (5.00)
This 5-week supervised clinical practice experience provides students the opportunity to gain direct patient care experience in inpatient hospital medicine settings. Students will apply and expand the knowledge and skills learned during the didactic curriculum to internal medicine. Students will participate in preventive, emergent, acute, and chronic patient encounters caring for adult and elderly patients in the hospital setting.
PAS-655: Surgical Medicine (5.00)
This 5-week supervised clinical practice experience provides students the opportunity to gain direct patient care experience applying the concepts and principles of surgical medicine. Students will apply and expand the knowledge and skills learned during the didactic curriculum to surgery. Students will participate in the assessment and care of patients presenting with emergent, acute, and chronic conditions which may require surgical intervention. Students will participate in the pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative care of patients. This clinical rotation may include experiences in inpatient, outpatient, and operating room settings.
PAS-656: Behavioral Medicine (5.00)
This 5-week supervised clinical practice experience provides students the opportunity to gain direct patient care experience in behavioral medicine and mental health care. Students will apply and expand the knowledge and skills learned during the didactic curriculum. Students will participate in preventative, acute and chronic patient encounters across the lifespan. Students will engage in providing basic counseling, strengthening their communication and patient education skills.
PAS-657: Elective Clinical Practice Experience (5.00)
This 5-week supervised clinical practice experience provides students the opportunity to gain additional direct patient care experience by applying the concepts and principles of a medical or surgical specialty. Students will apply and expand the knowledge and skills learned during the didactic curriculum. This clinical rotation may include experiences in the emergency room, inpatient, outpatient, or operating room settings.
PAS-660: Senior Seminar (5.00)
This course will allow students to demonstrate proficiency in the acquisition of medical knowledge, clinical and technical skills, clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities, interpersonal skills and professional behaviors. Students will complete their scholarly project which will include submission of a final paper. Additionally, students will complete a summative evaluation within four months of graduation consisting of a written end of curriculum examination, Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs), technical skills stations designed to assess diagnostic interpretation and procedural skills, and a formal poster presentation related to an approved clinical medicine topic.