Program Overview

Physician Assistant Program

The Physician Assistant program at Temple University is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to become competent and compassionate physician assistants. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) and is offered through the Lewis Katz School of Medicine.

Program Overview

The program is a graduate program that leads to a Master of Medical Science (MMS) degree. It is a 26-month program that includes both didactic and clinical components. The program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the basic sciences, as well as the clinical skills and knowledge necessary to practice as a physician assistant.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes a variety of courses that cover topics such as:

• Human anatomy and physiology
• Pharmacology
• Pathophysiology
• Clinical medicine
• Patient assessment and diagnosis
• Therapeutics and treatment
• Health promotion and disease prevention
• Professional practice and ethics

Clinical Experience

The program includes a variety of clinical experiences that provide students with hands-on experience in different medical specialties, including:

• Family medicine
• Internal medicine
• Surgery
• Pediatrics
• Obstetrics and gynecology
• Emergency medicine
• Behavioral medicine

Research Opportunities

Students in the program have the opportunity to participate in research projects and present their findings at national conferences. The program also offers a variety of electives that allow students to pursue their interests in specific areas of medicine.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the program, applicants must:

• Have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.0
• Have completed prerequisite courses in biology, chemistry, and physics
• Have taken the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
• Have experience in the healthcare field

Tuition and Fees

The tuition and fees for the program vary depending on the student's residency status and other factors. Financial aid is available to eligible students.

Faculty and Staff

The program is taught by a faculty of experienced physician assistants and medical doctors who are experts in their fields. The faculty and staff are committed to providing students with a high-quality education and supporting them in their academic and professional pursuits.

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

Course Descriptions

The following courses are part of the Physician Assistant program:

• PA 8101: Physician Assistant Practice I: This course introduces students to the profession of physician assisting and covers topics such as the history of the profession, professional ethics, and communication skills.
• PA 8102: Patient Assessment I: This course teaches students how to take a patient's medical history, perform a physical examination, and develop a treatment plan.
• PA 8103: Human Gross Anatomy: This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of human anatomy and includes laboratory sessions where students dissect and examine the human body.
• PA 8104: Introduction to Scientific Inquiry: This course introduces students to the principles of scientific research and evidence-based medicine.
• PA 8105: Foundations of Medical Sciences I: This course covers the basic sciences of biochemistry, nutrition, molecular biology, genetics, and cell and organ physiology.
• PA 8106: Introduction to Epidemiology and Biostatistics: This course introduces students to the principles of epidemiology and biostatistics and teaches them how to analyze and interpret data.
• PA 8201: Physician Assistant Practice II: This course builds on the knowledge and skills learned in PA 8101 and covers topics such as regulatory issues, health policy, and healthcare finance.
• PA 8202: Patient Assessment II: This course teaches students how to perform a focused physical examination and develop a treatment plan for patients with common medical conditions.
• PA 8203: Foundations of Medical Sciences II: This course covers the basic sciences of immunology, microbiology, and pharmacology.
• PA 8204: Fundamentals of Hematology: This course teaches students about the physiology and pathophysiology of hematological diseases and disorders.
• PA 8205: Fundamentals of Cardiology: This course teaches students about the physiology and pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases and disorders.
• PA 8206: Fundamentals of Pulmonology: This course teaches students about the physiology and pathophysiology of pulmonary diseases and disorders.
• PA 8207: Fundamentals of Gastroenterology: This course teaches students about the physiology and pathophysiology of gastrointestinal diseases and disorders.
• PA 8301: Physician Assistant Practice III: This course covers topics such as professional ethics, cultural competence, and healthcare disparities.
• PA 8302: Patient Assessment III: This course teaches students how to perform a comprehensive physical examination and develop a treatment plan for patients with complex medical conditions.
• PA 8303: Fundamentals of Nephrology: This course teaches students about the physiology and pathophysiology of renal diseases and disorders.
• PA 8304: Fundamentals of Endocrinology: This course teaches students about the physiology and pathophysiology of endocrine diseases and disorders.
• PA 8305: Fundamentals of Ears/Eyes/Nose/Throat (EENT): This course teaches students about the physiology and pathophysiology of EENT diseases and disorders.
• PA 8306: Fundamentals of Neurology: This course teaches students about the physiology and pathophysiology of neurological diseases and disorders.
• PA 8307: Fundamentals of Rheumatology and Orthopedics: This course teaches students about the physiology and pathophysiology of rheumatological and orthopedic diseases and disorders.
• PA 8308: Fundamentals of Dermatology: This course teaches students about the physiology and pathophysiology of dermatological diseases and disorders.
• PA 8309: Essentials of Psychiatry: This course teaches students about the physiology and pathophysiology of psychiatric diseases and disorders.
• PA 8401: Physician Assistant Practice IV: This course covers topics such as healthcare finance, medical coding, and career development.
• PA 8402: Patient Assessment IV: This course teaches students how to perform a comprehensive physical examination and develop a treatment plan for patients with complex medical conditions.
• PA 8403: Bioethics: This course introduces students to the principles of bioethics and teaches them how to apply these principles in clinical practice.
• PA 8404: Essentials of Reproductive Health: This course teaches students about the physiology and pathophysiology of reproductive health and diseases.
• PA 8405: Essentials Across the Lifespan: This course teaches students about the physiology and pathophysiology of diseases and conditions that affect patients across the lifespan.
• PA 8406: Essentials of Surgery and Emergency Medicine: This course teaches students about the physiology and pathophysiology of surgical and emergency medical conditions.
• PA 9085: Family Medicine Clerkship: This course provides students with hands-on experience in family medicine.
• PA 9086: Elective Clerkship in Medicine Subspecialties I: This course provides students with hands-on experience in a medicine subspecialty of their choice.
• PA 9185: Internal Medicine Clerkship: This course provides students with hands-on experience in internal medicine.
• PA 9186: Elective Clerkship in Neurology: This course provides students with hands-on experience in neurology.
• PA 9285: Emergency Medicine Clerkship: This course provides students with hands-on experience in emergency medicine.
• PA 9286: Elective Clerkship in Neurosurgery: This course provides students with hands-on experience in neurosurgery.
• PA 9385: Obstetrics/Gynecology Clerkship: This course provides students with hands-on experience in obstetrics and gynecology.
• PA 9386: Elective Clerkship in Ophthalmology: This course provides students with hands-on experience in ophthalmology.
• PA 9485: Surgery Clerkship: This course provides students with hands-on experience in surgery.
• PA 9486: Elective Clerkship in Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine: This course provides students with hands-on experience in orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine.
• PA 9585: Behavioral Medicine Clerkship: This course provides students with hands-on experience in behavioral medicine.
• PA 9586: Elective Clerkship in Otolaryngology: This course provides students with hands-on experience in otolaryngology.
• PA 9685: Pediatric Medicine Clerkship: This course provides students with hands-on experience in pediatric medicine.
• PA 9686: Elective Clerkship in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: This course provides students with hands-on experience in physical medicine and rehabilitation.
• PA 9785: Elective Clerkship I: This course provides students with hands-on experience in a medical specialty of their choice.
• PA 9786: Elective Clerkship in Radiology: This course provides students with hands-on experience in radiology.
• PA 9885: Elective Clerkship II: This course provides students with hands-on experience in a medical specialty of their choice.
• PA 9886: Elective Clerkship in Surgical Subspecialties I: This course provides students with hands-on experience in a surgical subspecialty of their choice.
• PA 9985: Elective Clerkship in Dermatology: This course provides students with hands-on experience in dermatology.
• PA 9986: Elective Clerkship in Thoracic Medicine and Surgery: This course provides students with hands-on experience in thoracic medicine and surgery.
• PA 9991: Scholarly Clinical Research I: This course introduces students to the principles of clinical research and teaches them how to design and conduct a research study.
• PA 9993: Comprehensive Review: This course provides students with a comprehensive review of the material covered in the program and prepares them for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE).
• PA 9995: Scholarly Clinical Research II: This course builds on the knowledge and skills learned in PA 9991 and provides students with the opportunity to complete their research study and present their findings.