Mr. James Hammond, M.A., P.A.-C, Graduate Coordinator
Phone: (540) 568-2395
Web site: http://www.jmu.edu/healthsci/paweb
Admission
Mission
Accreditation
Curriculum
Course Offerings
Admission
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the Master in Physician
Assistant Studies a prospective student must
§ Apply to and be accepted for admission to
the Graduate College. See “Admission to the College of Graduate and
Professional Programs.”
§ Submit scores from the Graduate Record
Examination
§ Have earned a bachelor degree from a
regionally accredited college or university.
§ Successfully complete the following
specific undergraduate prerequisite course work at the “C,” 2.0 level or better
prior to beginning the PA curriculum.
Within the last seven years: Human Physiology – one semester
Human Anatomy – one semester
Biochemistry – one semester
Genetics – one semester
Within any number of years:
Medical Terminology
A minimum of 1,000 hours of direct
patient contact health care experience is required.
These hours may come from one
experience or a combination of experiences and may be voluntary or paid work.
Examples of health care professions that require direct patient contact include
nurse, EMT or paramedic, corpsman, patient care technician, nurse’s aide,
surgical assistant, clinic/medical assistant, respiratory technologist,
radiology technologist, medical technologist, mental health worker, and
clinical research assistant. Other professions and experiences not listed may
also qualify as direct patient care.
Healthcare related professions that
do not include hands-on patient contact are not considered toward meeting the
health care experience requirement. These typically include lab technician,
transporter, CPR or ACLS instructor, lifeguard, non-clinical research
assistant, candy striper, unit clerk, and others. Although desirable for other
reasons, PA shadowing and student/intern experience do not count toward the
required 1,000 hours of patient care experience. Please contact the PA program,
if you have any questions regarding your healthcare experience.
§
Submit an application to the JMU PA program through the
Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). Information
and application can be obtained online at www.caspaonline.org.
Application Deadlines
One cadre of students is admitted each year. Classes begin in
May.
§ For deadlines for application to the
College of Graduate and Professional Programs, see “Admission to the College of
Graduate and Professional Programs.”
§
For deadlines for application to the PA Program see
either www.jmu.edu/healthsci or www.caspaonline.org. Applications to the
program are due the preceding fall. Specific dates each year are available on
the above-mentioned Web sites or by contacting the PA Program.
Application Evaluation Criteria
Candidates are evaluated through review of their written
application. Superior candidates are invited to on campus interviews. The
following characteristics, skills and accomplishments are assessed.
§ Academic preparation (Overall GPA, Science
GPA, Non-Science GPA, recent course work)
§ Communication skills (Written application,
personal essay, speaking and listening skills at interview)
§ Career Plans / Concept of the PA Profession
(Written application and interview)
§ Health Care Experience (Written application
and interview)
§ Professionalism (Interview)
§ Service to Society (Written application and
interview)
Mission
The graduate programs in Health
Sciences are committed to preparing students to become evidence-based critical
thinkers in the health sciences. Specifically, these programs build upon the
undergraduate health sciences programs by providing a more detailed knowledge
base that is fortified by self-directed learning experiences and the
development of practical, clinical, and/or research skills.
The Master of Physician Assistant Studies program prepares
students for clinical positions as primary care physician assistants (PA). The
course of study requires 24 consecutive months of work for students who have
met the prerequisite requirements and been admitted to the program. Admission
is limited and competitive. Students must be admitted to the College of
Graduate and Professional Programs and to the PA master degree program via
separate application processes.
Physician Assistants (PAs) are highly skilled medical
professionals who have for over 35 years functioned as members of a team
delivering quality healthcare. Working with physicians, PAs provide medical
services traditionally performed by physicians. These services include taking
medical histories, performing physical examinations, ordering and interpreting
tests, diagnosing and treating medical conditions, educating and counseling
patients, performing minor medical/surgical procedures, and, in most states
prescribing medications. The PA’s duties are determined by physician
supervision as defined by law.
PAs practice in the same settings as physicians, i.e.,
outpatient facilities, private and public clinics, managed care and other
systems, and in rural and urban areas. The focus of the JMU concentration is
primary care medicine.
Accreditation
The PA program is accredited by the Accreditation Review
Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. Accreditation
provides graduates eligibility to take the Physician Assistant National
Certifying Examination (PANCE). Successful completion of the PANCE is required
for graduates to be licensed and to practice.
Curriculum
All courses are required and must be taken in sequence.
Students must be full-time and must take the curriculum in a consecutive
twenty-four month period. Exceptions are rare and are granted only by the
program director.
|
Summer
Session Year 1 (twelve weeks)
|
Credits
|
|
BIO 513. Human Gross Anatomy with Clinical Applications
|
6
|
|
BIO 516. Pathophysiology I
|
4
|
|
PA 510. Physical Diagnosis I
|
3
|
|
PA 540. The Physician Assistant
Profession
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
Fall Semester Year
|
|
|
BIO 517. Pathophysiology II
|
3
|
|
PA 630. Clinical Laboratory Medicine
I
|
2
|
|
PA 511. Physical Diagnosis II
|
2
|
|
PA 532. Pharmacology for PAs I
|
3
|
|
PA 520. Clinical Medicine I
|
5
|
|
PA 551. Managing Medical Information I: Clinical Biostatistics
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
Spring Semester Year
|
|
|
PA 652. Managing Medical Information II: Clinical Problem Solving
|
3
|
|
PA 631 Clinical Laboratory Medicine
II
|
2
|
|
PA 633 Pharmacology for PAs II
|
3
|
|
PA 622 Women’s Medicine
|
2
|
|
PA 623 Pediatric Medicine
|
2
|
|
PA 624 Behavioral Medicine
|
2
|
|
PA 621 Clinical Medicine II
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
Summer Session Year
|
|
|
PA 653. Managing Medical Information III: Research Design and
Implementation
|
1
|
|
HTH 659 Health Care Environment
|
3
|
|
PA 671 Clinical Rotation I
|
2
|
|
PA 672 Clinical Rotation II
|
2
|
|
PA 673 Clinical Rotation III
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
Fall Semester Year
|
|
|
PA 625 Health Promotion & Disease
Prevention
|
1
|
|
PA 643 Values in Primary Care
|
3
|
|
PA 674 Clinical Rotation IV
|
2
|
|
PA 675 Clinical Rotation V
|
2
|
|
PA 676 Clinical Rotation VI
|
2
|
|
PA 677 Clinical Rotation VII
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
Spring Semester Year
|
|
|
PA 642 Transition to Practice
|
1
|
|
PA 678 Clinical Rotation VIII
|
2
|
|
PA 679 Clinical Rotation IX
|
2
|
|
PA 670 Clinical Rotation X
|
2
|
|
PA 654 Managing Medical Information
IV: Senior Project
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Master of PA Studies Credits
|
|
Course Offerings
PA 510. Physical Diagnosis I. 3 credits.
This is the first in a two-course series that
presents fundamental concepts in the physician assistant/patient relationship,
skills needed to conduct complete medical histories and physical examinations
of patients of all ages, and methodologies commonly used to communicate medical
information. Prerequisites: Admission to Physician Assistant Program, or
permission of Program Director.
PA 511. Physical Diagnosis II. 2 credits
This is the second in a two-course series that
presents fundamental concepts in the physician assistant/patient relationship,
skills needed to conduct complete medical histories and physical examinations
of patients of all ages, and methodologies commonly used to communicate medical
information. Prerequisites: Admission to the Physician Assistant Program and
successful completion of all previous courses in the curriculum, or permission
of the Program Director.
PA 520. Clinical Medicine I. 5 credits.
This is the first of a two-course series that
examines the etiology, presentation, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and
disorders common to adults seen in primary care physician assistant practice.
This series serves as preparation for the clinical rotations in internal
medicine, family medicine, emergency medicine and surgery. Prerequisites:
Admission to the Physician Assistant Program and successful completion of all
previous courses in the curriculum, or permission of the Program Director.
PA 532. Pharmacology for Physician Assistants I. 3 credits.
This is the first of two courses that provide the
base of information necessary for clinical prescribing of medications. It
includes pharmacokinetics, pharmocodynamics and pharmacotherapeutics. Within
each class of therapeutic drugs, the course examines drug actions,
interactions, reactions, and contraindications. The course also includes
principles of prescribing and patient compliance. Prerequisites: Admission
to the Physician Assistant Program and successful completion of all previous
courses in the curriculum, or permission of the Program Director.
PA 540. The Physician Assistant Profession. 1 credit.
This course explores the principles of the PA
profession, its history and place in the spectrum of health care professions.
Economic, legal and societal factors influencing the profession are also
discussed. Prerequisites: Admission to Physician Assistant Program, or
permission of Program Director.
PA 551. Managing Medical Information I: Clinical
Biostatistics. 3 credits.
This is the first in a four-course series designed
to provide the physician assistant student with skills to understand research
design, analyze research information and apply it to clinical practice.
Emphasis in this course will be placed on basic biostatistical concepts,
literature searches and analysis. Prerequisites: Admission to the Physician
Assistant Program and successful completion of all previous courses in the
curriculum, or permission of the Program Director.
PA 621. Clinical Medicine II. 5 credits.
This is the second of a two-course series that
examines the etiology, presentation, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and
disorders common to adults seen in primary care physician assistant practice.
This course focuses on the primary aspects of diseases and disorders seen in
the fields of emergency medicine, dermatology and surgery. Prerequisites:
Admission to the Physician Assistant Program and successful completion of all
previous courses in the curriculum, or permission of the Program Director.
PA 622. Women’s Medicine. 2 credits.
This course provides an introductory knowledge base
in women’s medicine. Through a series of presentations it prepares students for
obstetric and gynecologic conditions encountered during clinical rotations. Prerequisites:
Admission to the Physician Assistant Program and successful completion of all
previous courses in the curriculum, or permission of the Program Director.
PA 623. Pediatric Medicine. 2 credits.
This course provides an introductory knowledge base
in pediatric medicine. Through a series of presentations it prepares students
for pediatric medical conditions encountered during clinical rotations. Prerequisites:
Admission to the Physician Assistant Program and successful completion of all
previous courses in the curriculum, or permission of the Program Director.
PA 624. Behavioral Medicine. 2 credits.
This course provides an introductory knowledge base
in behavioral medicine. Through a series of presentations it prepares students
for behavioral medicine conditions encountered during clinical rotations. Prerequisites:
Admission to the Physician Assistant Program and successful completion of all
previous courses in the curriculum, or permission of the Program Director.
PA 625. Health Promotion and
Disease Prevention. 1 credit.
The course presents strategies that physician
assistants employ in promoting health and well being among the people they
serve. It also examines public health strategies focused on early discovery of
disease, prevention of disease, and stopping the spread of disease. Prerequisites:
Admission to the Physician Assistant Program and successful completion of all
previous courses in the curriculum, or permission of the Program Director.
PA 630. Clinical Laboratory
Medicine I. 2 credits.
This is the first of a two-course series that presents
the clinical laboratory tests used to detect and monitor common diseases and
disorders. It focuses on selecting and interpreting the appropriate tests for
each body system as well as performing selected tests. Prerequisites:
Admission to the Physician Assistant Program and successful completion of all
previous courses in the curriculum, or permission of the Program Director.
PA 631. Clinical Laboratory
Medicine II. 2 credits.
This is the second
course in a two-course series that presents the clinical laboratory tests used
to detect and monitor common diseases and disorders. It focuses on selecting
and interpreting the appropriate tests for each body system as well as
performing selected tests. Prerequisites: Admission to the Physician
Assistant Program and successful completion of all previous courses in the
curriculum, or permission of the Program Director.
PA 633. Pharmacology for
Physician Assistants II. 3 credits.
This is the second of two courses that provide the
base of information necessary for clinical prescribing of medications. It
includes pharmacokinetics, pharmocodynamics and pharmacotherapeutics. Within
each class of therapeutic drugs, the course examines drug actions,
interactions, reactions, and contraindications. The course also includes
principles of prescribing and patient compliance. Prerequisites: Admission
to the Physician Assistant Program and successful completion of all previous
courses in the curriculum, or permission of the Program Director.
PA 642. Transition to Physician Assistant Practice. 1 credit.
This course examines issues related to the shift
from the role of a PA student to that of a practicing PA. Topics include
medical liability and risk management, business aspects of clinical practice,
credentialing processes, and career development. Prerequisites: Admission to
the Physician Assistant Program and successful completion of all previous
courses in the curriculum, or permission of the Program Director.
PA 643. Values in Primary Care. 3 credits.
This course provides an overview of professional
ethics as they apply to primary care practice for physician assistants. The
focus is on major principles and methodologies that guide clinicians in ethical
decision-making as they encounter situations common to primary care practice. Prerequisites:
Admission to the Physician Assistant Program and successful completion of all
previous courses in the curriculum, or permission of the Program Director.
PA 652. Managing Medical Information II: Clinical Problem
Solving. 3 credits.
This is the second in a four-course series designed
to provide the physician assistant student with skills to understand research
design, analyze research information and apply it to clinical practice. The
emphasis in this course is placed on the use of evidence-based medicine in
clinical decision-making. Prerequisites: Admission to the Physician
Assistant Program and successful completion of all previous courses in the
curriculum, or permission of the Program Director.
PA 653. Managing Medical Information III: Research Design
and Implementation. 1 credit.
This is the third in a four-course series designed
to provide the physician assistant student with skills to understand research
design, analyze research information and apply it to clinical practice. In this
course students design an individual senior project that will be implemented
and presented in PA 654. Prerequisites: Admission to the Physician Assistant
Program and successful completion of all previous courses in the curriculum, or
permission of the Program Director.
PA 654. Managing Medical Information IV: Senior Project. 2 credits.
This is the fourth in a four-course series designed
to provide the physician assistant student with skills to understand research
design, analyze research information and apply it to clinical practice.
Utilizing a study question or research protocol generated in PA 653 students
will collect and synthesize information culminating in a class presentation and
paper suitable for publication. Prerequisites: Admission to the Physician
Assistant Program and successful completion of all previous courses in the
curriculum, or permission of the Program Director.
PA 670. Clinical Rotation X. 2 credits.
This is the tenth in a ten-course series of clinical
rotations. During the series students are assigned to two rotations in family
medicine, two in internal medicine, and one each in obstetrics/gynecology,
pediatrics, behavioral medicine, surgery, emergency medicine and an elective.
Students gain experience working with experienced, supervising clinicians. Prerequisites:
Admission to the Physician Assistant Program and successful completion of all
previous courses in the curriculum, or permission of the Program Director.
PA 671. Clinical Rotation I. 2 credits.
This is the first in a ten-course series of clinical
rotations. During the series students are assigned to two rotations in family
medicine, two in internal medicine, and one each in obstetrics/gynecology,
pediatrics, behavioral medicine, surgery, emergency medicine and an elective.
Students gain experience working with experienced, supervising clinicians. Prerequisites:
Admission to the Physician Assistant Program and successful completion of all
previous courses in the curriculum, or permission of the Program Director.
PA 672. Clinical Rotation II. 2 credits.
This is the second in a ten-course series that
comprises the clinical rotation year. During the series students are assigned
to clinical rotations in family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics and
gynecology, pediatrics, behavioral medicine, surgery, emergency medicine or an
elective rotation. Students gain experience in clinical practice working with
experienced, supervising clinicians. Prerequisites: Admission to the
Physician Assistant Program and successful completion of all previous courses
in the curriculum, or permission of the Program Director.
PA 673. Clinical Rotation III. 2 credits.
This is the third in a ten-course series of clinical
rotations. During the series students are assigned to two rotations in family
medicine, two in internal medicine, and one each in obstetrics/gynecology,
pediatrics, behavioral medicine, surgery, emergency medicine and an elective.
Students gain experience working with experienced, supervising clinicians. Prerequisites:
Admission to the Physician Assistant Program and successful completion of all
previous courses in the curriculum, or permission of the Program Director.
PA 674. Clinical Rotation IV. 2 credits.
This is the fourth in a ten-course series of
clinical rotations. During the series students are assigned to two rotations in
family medicine, two in internal medicine, and one each in
obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, behavioral medicine, surgery, emergency
medicine and an elective. Students gain experience working with experienced,
supervising clinicians. Prerequisites: Admission to the Physician Assistant
Program and successful completion of all previous courses in the curriculum, or
permission of the Program Director.
PA 675. Clinical Rotation V. 2 credits.
This is the fifth in a ten-course series of clinical
rotations. During the series students are assigned to two rotations in family
medicine, two in internal medicine, and one each in obstetrics/gynecology,
pediatrics, behavioral medicine, surgery, emergency medicine and an elective.
Students gain experience working with experienced, supervising clinicians. Prerequisites:
Admission to the Physician Assistant Program and successful completion of all
previous courses in the curriculum, or permission of the Program Director.
PA 676. Clinical Rotation VI. 2 credits.
This is the sixth in a ten-course series of clinical
rotations. During the series students are assigned to two rotations in family
medicine, two in internal medicine, and one each in obstetrics/gynecology,
pediatrics, behavioral medicine, surgery, emergency medicine and an elective.
Students gain experience working with experienced, supervising clinicians. Prerequisites:
Admission to the Physician Assistant Program and successful completion of all
previous courses in the curriculum, or permission of the Program Director.
PA 677. Clinical Rotation VII. 2 credits.
This is the seventh in a ten-course series of
clinical rotations. During the series students are assigned to two rotations in
family medicine, two in internal medicine, and one each in
obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, behavioral medicine, surgery, emergency
medicine and an elective. Students gain experience working with experienced,
supervising clinicians. Prerequisites: Admission to the Physician Assistant
Program and successful completion of all previous courses in the curriculum, or
permission of the Program Director.
PA 678. Clinical Rotation VIII. 2 credits.
This is the eighth in a ten-course series of
clinical rotations. During the series students are assigned to two rotations in
family medicine, two in internal medicine, and one each in
obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, behavioral medicine, surgery, emergency
medicine and an elective. Students gain experience working with experienced,
supervising clinicians. Prerequisites: Admission to the Physician Assistant
Program and successful completion of all previous courses in the curriculum, or
permission of the Program Director.
PA 679. Clinical Rotation IX. 2 credits.
This is the ninth in a ten-course series of clinical
rotations. During the series students are assigned to two rotations in family
medicine, two in internal medicine, and one each in obstetrics/gynecology,
pediatrics, behavioral medicine, surgery, emergency medicine and an elective.
Students gain experience working with experienced, supervising clinicians. Prerequisites:
Admission to the Physician Assistant Program and successful completion of all
previous courses in the curriculum, or permission of the Program Director.
