PA Curriculum

Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences’ PA Program will utilize an interprofessional, collaborative and specialist model of education. 

It is our belief that faculty who have experience in research, teaching, and practice are best suited to teach our students. Additionally, collaborative work with such experts will only enhance the educational experience for the student, thus better preparing them for practice upon graduation. 

All didactic courses (15 months of instruction) will utilize the most appropriate and up-to-date instructional techniques to ensure our students receive the best education possible. These techniques include, but are not limited to: lecture/discussion, interprofessional group and problem-based discussion, case studies, presentations, clinical skill scenarios and hospital-based experiences. Beginning in the first semester, students will participate in clinical experiences at local institutions and with local practitioners. 

The clinical phase follows the didactic and is 12 months in length. Students will study in 6 week rotations with practitioners in the areas of family medicine, internal medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, behavioral medicine/mental health and general surgery. Students may also take one elective rotation, subject to availability and program approval.

Note: The asterisk * beside course numbers indicates that the course is interprofessional.

Didactic Phase (73 semester hours)

Spring

Total: 17 credit hours

Summer

Total: 18 credit hours

Fall

Total: 19 credit hours

Spring II

Total: 18 credit hours

Summer (Pre-Clinical Phase)

Total: 1

Clinical Phase (12 months: 49 semester hours)

Core Clinical Rotations

PAS 641 Behavioral and Mental Healthcare – 6 credits
PAS 642 Emergency Medicine – 6 credits
PAS 643 Family Medicine – 6 credits
PAS 644 Internal Medicine – 6 credits
PAS 645 Pediatrics – 6 credits
PAS 646 Surgery – 6 credits
PAS 647 Women’s Health – 6 credits

Additional Clinical Preparation

Total Clinical Phase Credit Hours: 49