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WesternU / College of Health Sciences / Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Admissions Information / MSPAS Curriculum

MSPAS Curriculum

The WesternU PA Program is a 24-month, full-time graduate professional degree program designed to be taken over six consecutive semesters with a curriculum emphasis on primary care medicine and clinical methods. The didactic year is twelve (12) months beginning in August of each year. The clinical year is twelve (12) months and consists of nine (9), five (5) week-long Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPEs). Total number of credits for PA program is 100.5 units.

Curriculum Organization

Year 1

Phase I, First Year, Fall Semester
Course Title Credit Hours
IPE 5000 An Interprofessional Approach I 1.00
PA 5005 Medical Terminology 1.00
PA 5015 Human Anatomy 2.50
PA 5020 Clinical Skills I 1.50
PA 5025 Physiology and Pathophysiology I 3.50
PA 5030 Physical Assessment I 2.00
PA 5040 Health Promotion/Disease Prevention I 2.50
PA 5050 Adult Medicine I 4.00
PA 5060 Pharmacology and Therapeutics I 3.00
PA 5100 Pediatrics I 1.50
Semester Total: 22.50
Phase I, First Year, Spring Semester
Course Title Credit Hours
IPE 5100 An Interprofessional Approach II 1.00
PA 5021 Clinical Skills II 1.50
PA 5026 Physiology and Pathophysiology II 3.50
PA 5031 Physical Assessment II 2.00
PA 5041 Health Promotion/Disease Prevention II 1.50
PA 5051 Adult Medicine II 4.00
PA 5061 Pharmacology and Therapeutics II 3.00
PA 5070A Behavioral Health and Psychiatry 0.00
PA 5101 Pediatrics II 1.50
PA 5110 Women’s Health 2.50
Semester Total: 20.50
Phase I, First Year, Summer Semester
Course Title Credit Hours
PA 5175 Research Methods 1.50
PA 5070B Behavioral Health and Psychiatry 3.00
PA 5120 Geriatrics 2.50
PA 5130 Emergency Medicine 2.50
PA 5140 Professional Roles & Responsibilities 1.00
PA 5160 Health Care Delivery System 1.00
PA 5180 Introduction to Clinical Education 1.00
PA 5190 Introduction to POCUS 1.00
Semester Total: 13.50
First Year Total: 56.50

Interprofessional Education

Learning Along Side Students In Other Health Professions

WesternU’s interprofessional curriculum provides a forum for you to collaborate and learn from students in other University health-care programs. This curriculum provides an opportunity for early networking with other health professionals and ultimately prepares you to better serve your patients through interprofessional collaboration and referrals.

Year 2

Phase II, Second Year, Fall Semester
Course Title Credit Hours
PA 6020 Senior Seminar I 2.50
### Clinical Rotations (4 rotations) 14.00
PA 6970 Applied Clinical Project I 1.00
Semester Total: 17.50
Phase II, Second Year, Spring Semester
Course Title Credit Hours
PA 6030 Senior Seminar II 2.50
### Clinical Rotations (3 rotations) 10.50
PA 6980 Applied Clinical Project II 1.00
Semester Total: 14.00
Phase III, Second Year, Summer Semester
Course Title Credit Hours
PA 6040 Senior Seminar III 1.50
### Clinical Rotations (2 rotations) 7.00
PA 6990 Applied Clinical Project III 4.00
Semester Total: 12.50
Second Year Total: 44.00
Program Total: 100.50

 

  • The program makes all decisions with regard to rotation assignments, content and sequencing.  The PA Program reserves the right to modify the referenced rotation assignments in accordance with accreditation standards, preceptor availability, clinical site resources and program need.
  • Students are permitted to identify a potential preceptor outside of the established PA Program network. Students may then provide contact information for the potential preceptor.  The Clinical Coordinator will contact the site to inquire about the interest and appropriateness of the site. Once the site is vetted via phone, a site visit will be made by a member of the Clinical Year Team to determine if the site meets expectations as an acceptable clinical experience. Refer to the Clinical Education Handbook for process on vetting preceptors.
  • Family members are not allowed to serve as a preceptor for a student enrolled within the PA Program. The provider (relative) may serve as a preceptor for other enrolled students within the PA Program.
  • Students are not allowed to have clinical rotations with a current employer. If a student has a signed contract to work with a particular office or preceptor after graduation, the student may not use that provider as a preceptor during the clinical year- this includes the elective rotation.
  • Students are not required to provide or solicit clinical sites or preceptors. The program is responsible for the coordination of all Clinical Sites and Preceptors.

Required SCPEs

  1. Family Medicine
  2. Internal Medicine
  3. Pediatrics
  4. Women’s Health
  5. Behavioral Health
  6. Emergency Medicine
  7. General Surgery
  8. Selective I
  9. Selective II

SCPE Rotation Settings

  1. Emergency Department
  2. Inpatient
  3. Outpatient
  4. Operating Room