Physician Assistant Program

Program Overview

The Physician Assistant Program at the University of Charleston is a 27-month program that prepares graduates for careers in healthcare. The program emphasizes patient-centered care and evidence-based medicine. Graduates are eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE).

Program Outline

The program emphasizes patient-centered care and evidence-based medicine. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE).

• Objectives: The program aims to graduate competent and compassionate PAs who are able to provide high-quality care to patients in a variety of settings.
Graduates are also equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to advocate for their patients and contribute to the healthcare team.
• Program Description: The PA program is divided into three phases: didactic, clinical, and culminating experience.
The didactic phase consists of three semesters of classroom instruction in medical sciences, clinical medicine, and PA skills. The clinical phase consists of six semesters of supervised clinical rotations in a variety of healthcare settings, including family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, and emergency medicine. The culminating experience is a 12-week capstone project that allows students to apply their knowledge and skills in a real-world setting.

Outline:

• Program Content: The program curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including:
• Medical sciences (anatomy, physiology, pathology, etc.)
• Clinical medicine (diagnosis, treatment, and management of disease)
• PA skills (history taking, physical exam, communication, etc.)
• Pharmacology
• Ethics
• Public health
• Program Structure: The program is divided into three phases:
• Didactic phase (3 semesters)
• Clinical phase (6 semesters)
• Culminating experience (12 weeks)
• Individual Modules: The individual modules in the PA program are listed below:
• Didactic Phase:
• Medical Terminology
• Human Anatomy
• Physiology
• Pathophysiology
• Pharmacology
• Microbiology
• Immunology
• Health Assessment
• Clinical Reasoning
• Patient Management
• Ethics and Law
• Public Health
• Clinical Phase:
• Family Medicine
• Internal Medicine
• Pediatrics
• Surgery
• Emergency Medicine
• Women's Health
• Behavioral Health
• Geriatrics
• Subspecialty Rotations
• Culminating Experience:
• Capstone Project

Assessment:

• Assessment Methods: The PA program uses a variety of assessment methods, including:
• Exams (written, oral, practical)
• Quizzes
• Assignments
• Presentations
• Clinical evaluations
• Knowledge
• Skills
• Attitudes
• Professionalism

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods: The PA program uses a variety of teaching methods, including:
• Lectures
• Small group discussions
• Case studies
• Simulations
• Clinical rotations
• Faculty: The PA program faculty are experienced and dedicated professionals who are committed to student success.
The faculty includes physicians, PAs, and other healthcare professionals.
• A team-based learning approach
• A focus on patient-centered care
• A commitment to service-learning

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths: Graduates of the PA program are qualified to work in a variety of healthcare settings, including:
• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Private practices
• Public health agencies
• Opportunities: PAs are in high demand, and there are many opportunities for career advancement.
• Fast Track Program: The PA program offers a fast track program for motivated undergraduates who can complete the program in 24 months.
• Commitment to Medically Underserved Populations: The PA program is committed to serving the needs of medically underserved populations.
Students have the opportunity to participate in outreach programs within and outside the community. The PA program at the University of Charleston is a comprehensive and rigorous program that prepares graduates for successful careers in healthcare. The program offers a strong curriculum, experienced faculty, and a commitment to student success. Graduates of the program are highly qualified and in demand in the healthcare field.