Master of Science in Physician Assistant Practice

 

Didactic Curriculum

Summer Quarter
MCBA 501 Gross Human Anatomy, Lecture/Lab (10 qh)
An in-depth study of the structure of the human body utilizing both lecture and cadaver dissection. Supplemental lectures correlate the anatomical findings with clinical applications for the medical practitioner.

HPAS 500 P.A. Professional Issues and Ethics (2 qh)
This course is designed to familiarize the student with the history and traditions of the PA Profession. This is complemented by a focused review of current philosophies, policies, and ethical issues in contemporary health care targeted at the Health Care professional.

HPAS 508 Interviewing and Medical Documentation (2 qh)
This course will provide the PA student with the proper techniques for obtaining a medical interview and for documenting the medical record. Accurate and efficient data collection, proper responses to patient’s emotions, and skills to educate and influence patient’s behaviors are covered.

HPAS 537 Population Medicine (1 qh)
This course includes evaluation and discussion of the role of the physician assistant in disease prevention and patient education. Additionally, students will design and utilize patient education materials in clinical scenarios.

Fall Quarter
HPAS 501 General Medicine & Infectious Disease-I (10 qh)
The first in a series of three General Medicine/Infectious Disease courses; This course utilizes a systems-oriented approach in focusing on the etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, imaging, treatment, and prognosis for a wide variety of diseases, syndromes, and disorders. Relevant topics in infectious disease and surgery for each system are also covered.

HPAS 502 Introduction to EKG (1 qh)
This course provides students with a systematic method of interpreting rhythm strips and 12-lead EKGs.

HPAS 515 Psychosocial Aspects of Patient Care (2 qh)
This course aims expand the awareness of the physician assistant to psychological and sociological aspects potentially operational in the relationship of patient and physician assistants. Students investigate the contextual setting of medical practice, the patient as a person, and the professional physician assistant’s psycho/social considerations during patient assessment and treatment.

HPAS 528 Research & Statistics (3 qh)
This course will introduce students to the applications of research and statistics in medicine. Use of computer for statistical analysis is included, and students will have the opportunity to analyze data for their Master’s project.

PBBS 601 A&B Pharmacology (9 qh)
This two quarter course covers general pharmacologic principles, drug receptor sites, important drug interactions, and the effects of drugs on the peripheral nervous system. Discussion of each drug class will include practical clinical correlations.

HPAS 536 Clinical Laboratory for the Health Professional (3 qh)
This course applies scientific laboratory methods to diagnostic and therapeutic problems in clinical medicine. Students will learn to order lab tests in a timely, appropriate, and cost effective manner for the purpose of improved patient monitoring and enhanced diagnostic accuracy.

HPAS 650 Complementary Medicine (1 qh)
This course will provide students with a broad perspective of the characteristics and cultural/historical background of complementary health therapies.

Winter Quarter
HPAS 510 General Medicine & Infectious Disease-II (9 qh)
This course is the second in a series of three General Medicine/Infectious Disease courses as described above.

HPAS 512 Clinical Decision Making-I (2 qh)
Utilizing case studies, this course teaches the systematic approach to the assessment and management of clinical problems, including ordering appropriate diagnostic studies, developing a differential diagnosis, formulating a treatment plan, and describing disease prognosis.

HPAS 513 Physical Examination, Lecture/Lab (3 qh)
This course teaches the student to perform a comprehensive head-to-toe physical examination of an adult, and the proper documentation of physical findings in the medical record.

HPAS 525 Geriatrics (2 qh)
This course introduces the student to the principles of Geriatric Medicine with an emphasis on the normal changes of aging, clinical implications of the aging process, and recognizing, assessing and treating medical problems common to the geriatric population.

HPAS 540 Pediatrics (2 qh)
This course will introduce the student to the fundamentals of pediatric medicine, covering the neonate through adolescence, including preventive care and diagnosis and management of common pediatric disorders.

Spring Quarter
HPAS 518 Emergency Medicine (2 qh)
This course introduces the PA student to the principles of Emergency Medicine including the PA’s role in triage, assessment, and emergency management. A variety of neonatal, pediatric and adult emergencies will be discussed. In addition, the student will be expected to successfully complete an American Heart Association CPR course (level C) as part of this class.

HPAS 519 Obstetrics and Gynecology (2 qh)
This course is designed to introduce and familiarize the student with the principles of Obstetrics and Gynecology. It will cover a wide variety of common problems, focusing on diagnosis and treatment.

HPAS 520 General Medicine & Infectious Disease-III (7 qh)
This course is the third in a series of three General Medicine/Infectious Disease courses as described above.

HPAS 522 Clinical Decision-Making-II (2 qh)
This is the second of two clinical problem solving courses as described above.

HPAS 523 Clinical Procedures, Lecture/Lab (3 qh)
This course covers the indications, contraindications, step-by-step procedures, and potential complications of multiple hands-on skills that are commonly performed by PAs in clinical practice. In addition, students will be required to successfully complete an Advanced Cardiac Life Support (A.C.L.S.) training course.

HPAS 646 Advanced Physical Examination Lecture/Lab (3 qh)
This course expands upon the HPAS 513 Clinical Skills-II course. Students will learn to perform focused physical examinations as well as specialty exams that are typically performed by PAs in clinical practice.

HMTD 551 Leadership in the Healthcare Environment (3 qh)
This course will enable students to develop an understanding of the complex nature of health care facility problems and learn a systematic approach to problem resolution through the group problem solving process.

HNUT 561 Clinical Nutrition for Health Professionals-I (1 qh)
This course focuses on the areas of nutrition for health maintenance, including: metabolism requirements and sources of nutrients; nutritional needs during the life cycle, including pregnancy and lactation, enteral and parenteral nutrition, critical illness and drug-nutrient interactions.

HMTD 500 Interprofessional Health Teams (1 qh)
HMTD 500 is the first component of the Interprofessional First Year Experience for all incoming students at Rosalind Franklin University. The course is an experiential learning opportunity for students to interact in interprofessional health care teams focusing on the collaborative approach to patient-centered care, with emphasis on communication, service learning and quality improvement. The Interprofessional First Year Experience extends through the Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters of the first year curriculum.

HMTD 501 Culture in Health Care (1 qh)
HMTD 501 is the second component of the Interprofessional First Year Experience for all incoming students at Rosalind Franklin University. This interactive course focuses on developing student awareness and knowledge of culture and diversity issues within the healthcare community and the community at large. The course is designed to encourage small group discussion and problem solving. The topics include: Cultural Heritage and History, Diversity Health and Illness, Health Traditions, Healing Traditions, Familial Health Traditions, and Health Care Delivery. The Interprofessional First Year Experience extends through the Fall, Winter and Spring quarters of the first year curriculum.