Earn Your Master's in Physician Assistant Studies

PA 501                 Clinical Medicine I           (6)

This is the first in a series of courses designed to provide an intensive study of human diseases and disorders, using a lifespan approach from pediatrics to geriatrics, in the areas of clinical medicine including epidemiology, etiology, historical data, clinical manifestations, progression, therapeutic management, prevention, laboratory medicine, imaging, and prognosis.  Emphasis will be on disease processes common to primary care practices and the emergency department following the NCCPA Blueprint, and the development of differential diagnoses and plans based upon the patient’s clinical presentation.  This course will be facilitated through lecture and problem-based learning.   

PA 502                  Clinical Medicine II   (6)

This is the second in a series of courses designed to provide an intensive study of human diseases and disorders, using a lifespan approach from pediatrics to geriatrics, in the areas of clinical medicine including epidemiology, etiology, historical data, clinical manifestations, progression, therapeutic management, prevention, laboratory medicine, imaging and prognosis.  Emphasis will be on disease processes common to primary care practices and the emergency department following the NCCPA Blueprint, and the development of differential diagnoses and plans based upon the patient’s clinical presentation.  This course will be facilitated through lecture and problem-based learning.

PA 503                   Clinical Medicine III     (6)

This is the third in a series of courses designed to provide an intensive study of human diseases and disorders, using a lifespan approach from pediatrics to geriatrics, in the areas of clinical medicine including epidemiology, etiology, historical data, clinical manifestations, progression, therapeutic management, prevention, laboratory medicine, imaging, and prognosis.  Emphasis will be on disease processes common to primary care practices and the emergency department following the NCCPA Blueprint, and the development of differential diagnoses and plans based upon the patient’s clinical presentation.  This course will be facilitated through lecture and problem-based learning.

PA 504                  Basic Science I     (2)

This is the first in a series of courses designed to develop an understanding of normal physiology, genetics, pathologic, and pathophysiologic concepts of diseases per organ system, and clinical anatomy with an emphasis on important anatomical landmarks required in physical evaluation of patients, anatomical relationships of structures to each other, and anatomical components of body systems.  

PA 505                Basic Science II     (2)

This is the second in a series of courses designed to develop an understanding of normal physiology, genetics, pathologic, and pathophysiologic concepts of diseases per organ system, and clinical anatomy with an emphasis on important anatomical landmarks required in physical evaluation of patients, anatomical relationships of structures to each other, and anatomical components of body systems. 

PA 506                  Basic Science III    (2)

This is the third in a series of courses designed to develop an understanding of normal physiology, genetics, pathologic, and pathophysiologic concepts of diseases per organ system, and clinical anatomy with an emphasis on important anatomical landmarks required in physical evaluation of patients, anatomical relationships of structures to each other, and anatomical components of body systems 

PA 507                   Pharmacotherapeutics I    (3)

This is the first in a series of courses designed to develop skills related to the principles of pharmacology as they pertain to therapeutic agents, prescription, and non-prescription medications.  Discussion will include the principal mechanisms of action of the major classes of therapeutic agents, understanding of pharmacodynamics, uses, side effects, and toxicities.

PA 508                    Pharmacotherapeutics II     (3)

This is the second in a series of courses designed to develop skills related to the principles of pharmacology as they pertain to therapeutic agents, prescription, and non-prescription medications.  Discussion will include the principal mechanisms of action of the major classes of therapeutic agents, understanding of pharmacodynamics, uses, side effects, and toxicities.

PA 509                  Pharmacotherapeutics III      (3)

This is the third in a series of courses designed to develop skills related to the principles of pharmacology as they pertain to therapeutic agents, prescription, and non-prescription medications.  Discussion will include the principal mechanisms of action of the major classes of therapeutic agents, understanding of pharmacodynamics, uses, side effects, and toxicities.

PA 510                 Patient Assessment I   (3)

This is the first in a series of courses designed to develop the knowledge and skills required to obtain and record the complete medical history, use of appropriate equipment, proper techniques, and accurate medical terminology to document findings. This course will provide an overview of the medical record as well as development of writing and organizational skills for medical record keeping and oral presentation skills. Skills will be developed through lecture and structured laboratory exercises.

PA 511               Patient Assessment II    (3)

This is the second in a series of courses designed to develop the knowledge and skills required to obtain and record the complete medical history, use of appropriate equipment, proper techniques, and accurate medical terminology to document findings. This course will provide an overview of the medical record as well as development of writing and organizational skills for medical record keeping and oral presentation skills. Skills will be developed through lecture and structured laboratory exercises.

PA 512                   Patient Assessment III    (3)

This is the third in a series of courses designed to develop the knowledge and skills required to obtain and record the complete medical history, use of appropriate equipment, proper techniques, and accurate medical terminology to document findings. This course will provide an overview of the medical record as well as development of writing and organizational skills for medical record keeping and oral presentation skills. Skills will be developed through lecture and structured laboratory exercises.

PA 513                  The Patient and the PA I   (1)

This is the first in a series of courses designed to develop skills in the area of patient communication, patient counseling, patient education, and cultural diversity and how they influence all aspects of medical practice.  Instruction is focused on the detection and application of preventive measures and treatment of health risk behaviors including stress, abuse and violence, substance abuse, sexuality, end of life issues, and reaction to illness. The course will also include discussions on medical ethics.

PA 514                   The Patient and the PA II     (1)

This is the second in a series of courses designed to develop skills in the area of patient communication, patient counseling, patient education, and cultural diversity and how they influence all aspects of medical practice.  Instruction is focused on the detection and application of preventive measures and treatment of health risk behaviors including stress, abuse and violence, substance abuse, sexuality, end of life issues, and reaction to illness.  The course will also include discussions on medical ethics.

PA 515                  The Patient and the PA III    (1)

This is the third in a series of courses designed to develop skills in the area of patient communication, patient counseling, patient education, and cultural diversity and how they influence all aspects of medical practice.  Instruction is focused on the detection and application of preventive measures and treatment of health risk behaviors including stress, abuse and violence, substance abuse, sexuality, end of life issues, and reaction to illness.  The course will also include discussions on medical ethics.

PA 516                   Medical Informatics (1)

This course will cover the importance of evidence-based medicine and review basic statistics, research methods, and ethical standards in research.  It will also cover the interpretation of medical literature and application of various types of clinical articles in answering clinical questions.  It will also include the basics of medical writing to provide added guidance for upcoming projects.

PA 517                  Clinical Procedures (2)

This course will prepare the student for the upcoming clinical year.  The focus will be on procedures, such as bedside and surgical procedures including aseptic technique, air and blood-borne pathogen transmission prevention, phlebotomy, IV placement, foley catheter insertion, lumbar puncture, injections, surgical techniques, suturing, and casting.

PA 518                Laboratory and Diagnostics (1)

This course is designed as an introduction to laboratory and diagnostic testing to include basic blood testing and radiologic imaging with progression to more advanced testing.  This is the only course that will fall outside the module-based approach that is followed for the majority of the curriculum.  Emphasis will be on laboratory and diagnostic studies pertinent to disease processes common to primary care practices and the emergency department following the NCCPA Blueprint. This course will be facilitated through lecture and problem-based learning via casework.

PA 600              Supervised Practice – Ambulatory Medicine (3)

This 5 week clinical course will be within a Family Medicine clinic setting.  This course provides the PA student with experience in the outpatient evaluation and treatment of pediatric and adult patients, including preventive medicine, acute and chronic illness, and patient education.

PA 601                  Supervised Practice – Internal Medicine (3)

This 5 week clinical course will be within an Internal Medicine practice. It will include a substantial inpatient experience for the PA student to gain knowledge of the evaluation and treatment of the multiple diseases and conditions of the adult population requiring hospitalization.

PA 602                  Supervised Practice – General Surgery (3)

This 5 week clinical course will be within a surgical practice. PA students will participate in Operating Room (OR) cases and hospital consultations as well as clinic based cases and visits in caring for conditions that require surgical management. This will include pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative care.

PA 603                  Supervised Practice – Emergency Medicine (3)

This 5 week clinical course will be within a hospital Emergency Department.  PA students will gain knowledge and learn skills relevant to the triage, stabilization, diagnosis, and management of acute, life-threatening injuries and illnesses as well as the care of less threatening conditions.

PA 604                   Supervised Practice – Pediatrics (3)

This 5 week clinical course will provide the PA student with experience in outpatient and/or in-patient management of pediatric patients. The student will have the opportunity to perform well child exams, problem oriented exams, evaluate common pediatric illnesses, and the care of the newborn and children.

PA 605                  Supervised Practice – Women’s Health (3)

This 5 week clinical course provides the PA student with experience in managing common gynecologic disorders. The obstetric experience will include routine prenatal and postpartum care.  It will include labor & delivery when possible.

PA 606                  Supervised Practice – Behavioral Health (3)

This 5 week clinical course will provide the PA student with a behavioral medicine experience in caring for ambulatory and/or hospitalized patients with psychiatric disorders.  The student will perform basic psychiatric evaluations, monitor medications, and support the clinical management plan for patients after psychiatric evaluation and treatment.

PA 607                  Supervised Practice – Elective I (3)

This 5 week clinical course will provide the PA student the opportunity to practice in any available medical setting of the student’s choice. This may be used to augment a previous clinical experience or explore an area of interest or potential future employment.

PA 608                  Supervised Practice – Elective II (3)           

This 5 week clinical course will provide the PA student the opportunity to practice in any available medical setting of the student’s choice. This may be used to augment a previous clinical experience or explore an area of interest or potential future employment.

PA 609                  Clinical Research Elective (3)

Prerequisite: Completion of the preclinical year of the physician assistant program or program permission. This 5 week course gives the PA student time to focus on research in preparation for completion of their Master’s Project. The student may engage the multiple academic departments of Clarkson University outside of PA Studies for their research.

PA 610                  Summative Review (1)

This course, presented near the end of the clinical year, will include intensive board review in preparation for the PANCE, review for clinical skills testing, CV preparation, and interviewing skills. It also includes a final clinical skills exam as well as a cumulative written test, both of which must be successfully passed to graduate from the program.

PA 611                  Master’s Project (2)

This course is a follow up to Medical Informatics and the Research elective. It is designed to allow the PA student to complete a Master’s Project under the guidance of a Clarkson faculty advisor.  Students may identify an area of medicine, disease process or condition, conduct research, and produce a paper worthy of publication.  The student may also perform a learning service project resulting in a paper worthy of publication or product for use in the community.  The student will prepare and present an oral presentation on their topic at the conclusion of the year.