Program Overview

Doctor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies - Orthopedics

The Doctor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies with a major in Orthopedics (DSc.P.A.S.) is a degree program established by Baylor University in affiliation with the U.S. Army. The program consists of 18 months of didactic study, clinical experience, and clinically oriented research conducted in a professional residency setting.

Program Overview

The Baylor-Army DScPAS residency in Orthopedics is offered at various locations, including William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Brooke Army Medical Center, Madigan Army Medical Center, and David Grant USAF Medical Center. This residency provides physician assistants with the opportunity to develop advanced competencies in both operative assistance and non-operative management of musculoskeletal conditions.

Admission Requirements

Candidates for admission must hold a Master's Degree in Physician Assistant Studies and be active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Services. Applicants must present a competitive undergraduate grade point average and scores on the GRE General Exam predictive of success in this program. Candidates must also meet all Baylor University Graduate School entrance requirements.

Program Requirements

The 18-month curriculum totals 85 semester credit hours, including 19 clinical rotations and 4 research courses. The clinical rotations provide over 4,900 training hours in academic hospitals, while the research courses are used to develop and execute a research project. Both written and oral exams, preceptor evaluations, article reviews, and presentations are used for assessment.

Research Project

Each physician assistant resident is required to initiate and complete a research project, approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB), during their 18-month curriculum. The project must be presented in written and oral form and defended before a doctoral examining committee.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes the following courses:

• Research Courses:
  • MCO 6351: Evidence-Based Orthopaedic Care
  • MCO 6356: Techniques for Medical Research Presentation
  • MCO 6423: Medical Research Design
  • MCO 6424: Approaches to Medical Data Collection and Analysis
• Practical Clinical Rotations:
  • MCO 6350: Introduction to Orthopaedic Clinical Evaluation and Procedures
  • MCO 6352: Orthopaedic Evaluation and Management of Spine Disorders
  • MCO 6353: Evaluation and Management of Neurologic Disorders
  • MCO 6354: Evaluation and Management of Pediatric Orthopaedic Disorders
  • MCO 6355: Advanced Orthopaedic Clinical Evaluation and Procedures
  • MCO 6410: Introduction to Upper Extremity Sports Injury Management
  • MCO 6411: Introduction to Lower Extremity Sports Injury Management
  • MCO 6412: Evaluation and Management of Hand and Elbow Disorders
  • MCO 6413: Evaluation and Management of Foot and Ankle Disorders
  • MCO 6414: Evaluation and Management of Complex Wounds
  • MCO 6415: Evaluation of Joint Arthritis and Trauma Managed with Joint Reconstruction
  • MCO 6416: Musculoskeletal Oncology Evaluation and Management
  • MCO 6417: Introduction to Evaluation and Management of Orthopaedic Trauma
  • MCO 6418: Introduction to Evaluation and Management of General Trauma
  • MCO 6419: Introduction to Critical Care Management
  • MCO 6420: Advanced Sports Injury Management
  • MCO 6421: Advanced Evaluation and Management of Orthopaedic Trauma
  • MCO 6422: Advanced Critical Care Management
  • MCO 6425: Urgent Orthopaedic Evaluation
  • MCO 6426: Advanced Joint Reconstruction

Total Hours

The total hours for the program are 85 semester credit hours, with 71 credit hours representing over 4,900 training hours in academic hospitals and 14 credit hours for research courses.