Program Overview

Physician Assistant Education Program

The Physician Assistant Education Program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to diagnose and treat medical, surgical, and infectious diseases. The program consists of a series of courses and clinical rotations that cover various aspects of physician assistant practice.

Course Descriptions

• PAEP 7000: Physiology and Pathophysiology for Physician Assistants (3 cr) This course provides an introduction to normal physiological functioning of the human body and the pathophysiology of disease by organ systems.
• PAEP 7002: Physiology and Pathophysiology for Physician Assistants II (3 cr) A continuation of the material presented in Physiology and Pathophysiology for Physician Assistants.
• PAEP 7010: Human Anatomy for Physician Assistants (3 cr) This course provides a comprehensive introduction to gross functional anatomy of the human body.
• PAEP 7030: Professional Studies of Physician Assistants (3 cr) This course provides an understanding of the role the Physician Assistant plays within the structure of the Canadian Health Care System.
• PAEP 7042: Biochemistry for Physician Assistants (1 cr) A brief introduction to medical biochemistry.
• PAEP 7045: Research and Clinical Practice for Physician Assistants (1 cr) An introduction to the skills required for quality improvement efforts and critical appraisal of medical literature in clinical practice and evidenced-based medicine.
• PAEP 7046: Genetics for Physician Assistants (1 cr) A brief introduction to medical genetics.
• PAEP 7048: Pediatrics for Physician Assistants (3 cr) A brief, comprehensive didactic introduction to the field of pediatrics.
• PAEP 7050: Obstetrics and Gynecology for Physician Assistants (3 cr) A brief, comprehensive didactic introduction to the field of obstetrics and gynecology.
• PAEP 7052: Patient Assessment for Physician Assistants I (2 cr) A comprehensive introduction to the clinical assessment of a patient.
• PAEP 7054: Patient Assessment for Physician Assistants II (2 cr) Continues developing the skills in history taking and physical examination introduced in Patient Assessment for PAs I.
• PAEP 7056: Patient Assessment for Physician Assistants III (2 cr) A brief, comprehensive introduction to diagnostic imaging techniques and interpretation of diagnostic images.
• PAEP 7068: Adult Medicine for Physician Assistants 1 (6 cr) A comprehensive, system-based introduction to the clinical disciplines of medicine.
• PAEP 7078: Adult Medicine for Physician Assistants II (6 cr) A comprehensive, system-based introduction to the clinical disciplines of medicine.
• PAEP 7082: Diagnostic Imaging for Physician Assistants (1 cr) A brief, comprehensive introduction to diagnostic imaging techniques and interpretation of diagnostic images.
• PAEP 7084: Microbiology for Physician Assistants (1 cr) A brief introduction to Medical Microbiology.
• PAEP 7090: Principles of Psychiatry for Physician Assistants (3 cr) A brief, comprehensive introduction designed to impart an understanding of mental and behavioral health.
• PAEP 7100: Principles of Surgery for Physician Assistants (3 cr) A brief, comprehensive introduction designed to impart an understanding of surgical diseases.
• PAEP 7110: Emergency and Critical Care for Physician Assistants (3 cr) A brief, systems-based comprehensive introduction designed to impart an understanding of emergency and intensive care medicine.
• PAEP 7150: Year 1 Comprehensive Examination (0 cr) A pass/fail, multiple choice examination designed to assess students' knowledge of clinically relevant Year 1 material.
• PAEP 7202: Family Medicine for Physician Assistants (6 cr) A clinical rotation designed to impart a practical understanding of Family Medicine.
• PAEP 7204: Clinical Elective for Physician Assistants I (1.5 cr) This course consists of two weeks of clinical time, offering an introduction to the clinical discipline of the Physician Assistant learner's choice.
• PAEP 7206: Clinical Elective for Physician Assistants II (1.5 cr) This course consists of two weeks of clinical time, offering an introduction to the clinical discipline of the Physician Assistant learner's choice.
• PAEP 7210: Clinical Internal Medicine for Physician Assistants (3 cr) A brief, clinical rotation designed to impart a practical understanding in the area of internal medicine.
• PAEP 7212: External Electives for Physician Assistant Students (0 cr) A clinical rotation of varying length designed to provide a physician assistant student with clinical education and training in a medical discipline of the student's choice.
• PAEP 7220: Clinical Surgery for Physician Assistants (3 cr) The 6-week General Surgery service rotation provides Physician Assistant-Student with clinical experience in a surgical learning environment.
• PAEP 7240: Clinical Pediatrics for Physician Assistants (3 cr) A brief, clinical rotation designed to impart a practical understanding of health and diseases in the field of pediatrics.
• PAEP 7250: Clinical Psychiatry for Physician Assistants (3 cr) A brief, clinical rotation designed to impart a practical understanding of mental health and psychiatric disease.
• PAEP 7260: Community Health for Physician Assistants (3 cr) Community Health for PAs is a 4-week clinical experience focusing on primary health care and community services.
• PAEP 7270: Clinical Emergency Medicine for Physician Assistants (3 cr) The Physician Assistant must have the knowledge and skills to manage life-threatening emergent medical or surgical issues.
• PAEP 7280: Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology for Physician Assistants (3 cr) A brief, clinical rotation in obstetrics and gynecology designed to impart a practical understanding of reproductive health.
• PAEP 7300: Comprehensive Assessment of Clinical Skills (0 cr) The Comprehensive Assessment of Clinical Skills is a comprehensive summary of clinical performance.
• PAEP 7350: PAEP Final Project (0 cr) A capstone project that may take a variety of formats as dictated by Program faculty.

Prerequisites and Requirements

• A minimum grade of C is required for most courses unless otherwise indicated.
• Admission to PAEP Year 1 is required for several courses.
• Successful completion of MPAS year 1 is required for certain courses.

Evaluation and Assessment

• Evaluation methods vary by course and may include successful completion of exercises, class participation, written examinations, practical evaluations, and problem-solving exercises.
• Some courses are graded on a pass/fail basis.