2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Physician Assistant Education


Lindsey Hammett Loonkishu, Department Chairperson


The Physician Assistant Education Department's mission is to produce physician assistants who are committed to the service of the human person through the skillful, compassionate, and ethical provision of health care within the context of the Catholic Marianist tradition. We emphasize excellent generalist care for the whole person, particularly upholding dignity for society's most vulnerable, in a learning environment which emphasizes leadership, life-long learning and service.
 

Master of Physician Assistant Practice (PAP)

Fall Semester I
PAS 500Foundations of Patient Care6
PAS 505Foundations of PA Practice I1
PAS 510Essentials of Hematology/Oncology2
PAS 515Essentials of Infectious Disease2.5
PAS 520Essentials of Otolaryngology3
PAS 525Essentials of Gastroenterology4
PAS 535Essentials of Endocrinology3
PAS 533Applied Patient Assessment I1.5
PAS 600Research Design3
Spring Semester II
PAS 530Essentials of Nephrology & Urology4.5
PAS 540Essentials of Cardiology7
PAS 545Essentials of Pulmonology4.5
PAS 549Seminar in Special Topics1
PAS 548Applied Patient Assessment II1.5
Summer Semester III
PAS 550Essentials of Orthopedics/Rheumatology5
PAS 555Essentials of Neurology 3
PAS 560Essentials of Dermatology2
PAS 565Principles of Geriatrics 1
PAS 568Applied Patient Assessment III 1.5
Fall Semester IV
PAS 503Ethical and Social Issues in Health Care1
PAS 570Principles of Pediatrics3
PAS 575Principles of Women’s Health Issues3
PAS 580Principles of Mental Health 3
PAS 585Principles of Emergency Medicine 6
PAS 590Principles of Care for the Surgical Patient1.5
PAS 593Applied Patient Assessment IV 1.5
Clinical Year
PAS 603Foundations of PA Practice II1
PAS 605Clinical Experience Family Medicine2
PAS 615Clinical Experience Adult Medicine 2
PAS 635Clinical Experience General Surgery 2
PAS 604Clinical Experience Office Orthopedic Practice2
PAS 614Clinical Experience Pediatrics 2
PAS 625Clinical Experience Emergency Medicine2
PAS 624Clinical Experience Women's Health2
PAS 634Clinical Experience in Mental Health2
PAS 646Clinical Elective Experience (10 week rotation)5
PAS 650Capstone Project 2
Total Hours100

Courses

PAS 500. Foundations of Patient Care. 6 Hours

Prepares students to begin patient care through developing skills in effective patient interviewing, basic pharmacotherapeutics, ordering and interpreting radiographs and diagnostic tests, performing injections, IV insertions, and vital signs. Prerequisites: Admission to the PA program.

PAS 503. Ethical and Social Issues in Health Care. 1 Hour

Examines the ethical, social, and legal issues that accompany medical provider’s interactions with patients and contribute to their effectiveness as compassionate healers and healthcare professionals. Various issues are explored, including ethical principles and decision making, caring for a diverse population, religious ethical and social considerations, end of life challenges and the legal issues that may affect these situations. Prerequisites: Admission to the PA program.

PAS 505. Foundations of PA Practice I. 1 Hour

Taught in a seminar fashion, explores the history of the PA profession, current trends in practice, significance of professional organizations pertinent to students, the impact of US health care delivery system and public health policy and concepts of evidence based medicine. Students will develop communication skills, maximize their learning styles, and define professionalism as it applies to the health care field. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the PA program.

PAS 510. Essentials of Hematology/Oncology. 2 Hours

Systems-based module addressing physiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic studies, medical procedures, pharmacology, clinical medicine, and surgical conditions involving the hematology system and common oncological conditions that is presented in lecture and patient simulation format.

PAS 515. Essentials of Infectious Disease . 2.5 Hours

Systems-based module addressing physiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic studies, pharmacology, clinical medicine and surgical conditions involving infectious diseases presented in lecture and patient simulation format.

PAS 520. Essentials of Otolaryngology. 3 Hours

Systems-based module addressing anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, history/physical examination skills, diagnostic studies, medical procedures, pharmacology, clinical medicine and surgical conditions involving the HEENT system that is presented in lecture and patient simulation format.

PAS 525. Essentials of Gastroenterology . 4 Hours

Systems-based module addressing nutrition, anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, history/physical examination skills, diagnostic studies, medical procedures, pharmacology, clinical medicine and surgical conditions involving the gastrointestinal system that is presented in lecture and patient simulation format. Prerequisites: Admission to the PA program.

PAS 530. Essentials of Nephrology & Urology. 4.5 Hours

Systems-based module addressing anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, history/physical examination skills, diagnostic studies, medical procedures, pharmacology, clinical medicine and surgical conditions involving the renal and urological system that is presented in lecture and patient simulation format. Prerequisites: Admission to the PA program; successful completion of Semester 1 of the PA program.

PAS 533. Applied Patient Assessment I. 1.5 Hour

Integrates information from previous modules. Using critical thinking, student groups will review, discuss patient cases then assimilate information to develop diagnosis and treatment plans. Module culminates with individual assessment using simulation.

PAS 535. Essentials of Endocrinology . 3 Hours

Systems-based module addressing anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, history/physical examination skills, diagnostic studies, medical procedures, pharmacology, clinical medicine and surgical conditions involving the endocrine system that is presented in lecture and patient simulation format. Prerequisites: Admission to the PA program.

PAS 540. Essentials of Cardiology. 7 Hours

Systems-based module addressing anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, history/physical examination skills, diagnostic studies, medical procedures, pharmacology, clinical medicine and surgical conditions involving the cardiovascular system presented in lecture and patient simulation format.

PAS 545. Essentials of Pulmonology. 4.5 Hours

Systems-based module addressing anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, history/physical examination skills, diagnostic studies, medical procedures, pharmacology, clinical medicine and surgical conditions involving the respiratory system presented in lecture and patient simulation format.

PAS 548. Applied Patient Assessment II. 1.5 Hour

Integrates information from previous modules. Using critical thinking, student groups will review, discuss patient cases then assimilate information to develop diagnosis and treatment plans. Module culminates with individual assessment using simulation.

PAS 549. Seminar in Special Topics . 1 Hour

Two-week seminar which addresses, preventive medicine, alternative medicine, and physical medicine/rehabilitation. Each topic will address most commonly encountered issues; lecture and group case studies refine the application of newly learned material.

PAS 550. Essentials of Orthopedics/Rheumatology. 5 Hours

Systems-based module addressing anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, history/physical examination skills, diagnostic studies, medical procedures, pharmacology, clinical medicine and surgical conditions involving the musculoskeletal system, including rheumatological diseases. Material is presented in lecture and patient simulation format.

PAS 555. Essentials of Neurology . 3 Hours

Systems-based module addressing anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, history/physical examination skills, diagnostic studies, medical procedures, pharmacology, clinical medicine and surgical conditions involving the neurological system presented in lecture and patient simulation format.

PAS 560. Essentials of Dermatology. 2 Hours

Systems-based module addressing anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, history/physical examination skills, diagnostic studies, medical procedures, pharmacology, clinical medicine and surgical conditions involving the dermatological system presented in lecture and patient simulation format.

PAS 565. Principles of Geriatrics . 1 Hour

Population-based course dealing with social and medical problems specific to the geriatric age group. Topics will focus on techniques of communication in this age group, medical treatments specific to the elderly, and navigation through health care systems.

PAS 568. Applied Patient Assessment III . 1.5 Hour

Integrates information from previous modules. Using critical thinking, student groups will review, discuss patient cases, and then assimilate information to develop diagnosis and treatment plans. Module culminates with individual assessment using simulation.

PAS 570. Principles of Pediatrics. 3 Hours

Population-based module focusing on pediatric issues. The course addresses etiology, epidemiology, clinical signs and symptoms, physical exam findings, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis for significant issues in the pediatric population.

PAS 575. Principles of Women’s Health Issues. 3 Hours

Population-based module focusing on women’s issues. The course addresses etiology, epidemiology, clinical signs and symptoms, physical exam findings, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis for significant issues in the female population.

PAS 580. Principles of Mental Health . 3 Hours

Population-based module focusing on mental health issues. The course addresses etiology, epidemiology, clinical signs and symptoms, physical exam findings, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis for significant psychiatric, behavioral medicine issues.

PAS 585. Principles of Emergency Medicine . 6 Hours

Taught in a case-based format, this population-based module emphasizes stabilizing patients with life-threatening trauma or illness and selecting appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic measures. Students learn treatment of trauma and medical disorders commonly presenting to the emergency department and become Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advances Life Support (PALS), and Basic Disaster Life Support (BDLS) certified.

PAS 590. Principles of Care for the Surgical Patient. 1.5 Hour

Population-based course dealing with basics needed for surgical patient. This course includes pre-operative evaluation, peri-and post-operative tenets of care for the surgical patient. Students will demonstrate suturing, gowning/gloving skills.

PAS 593. Applied Patient Assessment IV . 1.5 Hour

Integrates information from previous modules. Using critical thinking, student groups will review, discuss patient cases, and then assimilate information to develop diagnosis and treatment plans. Module culminates with individual assessment using simulation.

PAS 600. Research Design. 3 Hours

Instruction in research methods and application to the clinical setting. Basic concepts of epidemiology and statistics integrate into concepts related to medical practice. Students critically read published reports of clinical research then identify strengths and weaknesses in structure, data presentation and conclusions. This course provides skills necessary to practice evidence based medicine.

PAS 603. Foundations of PA Practice II. 1 Hour

Taught in seminar fashion, prepares the PA student for clinical practice post-graduation. Emphasizes topics of PA residency programs, PA professional organizations, coding/reimbursement/billing information, and malpractice liability. Prepares student for employment with resume construction, interview skills, contracts, and assistance in finding employment as a PA.

PAS 604. Clinical Experience Office Orthopedic Practice. 2 Hours

Four week required rotation in an orthopedic office clinical setting. Students engage in all aspects of patient care, including history taking, physical examination, and treatment plan design and evaluation. Students’ application of patient and family education to treatment and preventive measures is emphasized.

PAS 605. Clinical Experience Family Medicine. 2 Hours

Four week required rotation in clinical setting of general primary care. Students engage in all aspects of patient care, including history taking, physical examination, and treatment plan design and evaluation. Students’ application of patient and family education to treatment and preventive measures is emphasized.

PAS 614. Clinical Experience Pediatrics. 2 Hours

Four week required rotation in a pediatric clinical setting. Students engage in all aspects of patient care, including history taking, physical examination, and treatment plan design and evaluation. Students’ application of patient and family education to treatment and preventive measures is emphasized.

PAS 615. Clinical Experience Adult Medicine . 2 Hours

Four week required rotation in clinical setting of in adult/internal medicine in a hospital and/or outpatient setting. Students engage in all aspects of patient care, including history taking, physical examination, and treatment plan design and evaluation. Students’ application of patient and family education to treatment and preventive measures is emphasized.

PAS 624. Clinical Experience Women's Health. 2 Hours

Four week required rotation in a clinical setting of women's health/obstetrics and gynecology. Students engage in all aspects of patient care, including pre-natal care, history taking, physical examination, and treatment plan design and evaluation. Students’ application of patient and family education to treatment and preventive measures is emphasized.

PAS 625. Clinical Experience Emergency Medicine. 2 Hours

Four week required rotation in the emergency department clinical setting. Students engage in all aspects of patient care, including history taking, physical examination, and treatment plan design and evaluation. Students’ application of patient and family education to treatment and preventive measures is emphasized.

PAS 634. Clinical Experience in Mental Health. 2 Hours

Four week required rotation in a mental health clinical setting. Students engage in all aspects of patient care, including history taking, physical examination, and treatment plan design and evaluation. Students’ application of patient and family education to treatment and preventive measures is emphasized.

PAS 635. Clinical Experience General Surgery . 2 Hours

Four week required rotation in clinical setting of general surgery. Students engage in all aspects of patient care, including history taking, physical examination, and treatment plan design and evaluation. Students’ application of patient and family education to treatment and preventive measures is emphasized.

PAS 646. Clinical Elective Experience . 5 Hours

Elective rotation of student’s choice (with PA faculty guidance and approval). A ten week rotation that will provide the student with either a repeat rotation or new clinical experience. Students can choose a combination of experiences totaling 10 weeks.

PAS 650. Capstone Project . 2 Hours

Designed to provide students with the opportunity to complete a scholarly project with faculty as mentors for this experience. The process includes choice of topic, literature review, data collection, and paper preparation; culminates in either a professional article or formal presentation.