Physician Assistant Studies, M.S.
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-05-01 | - |
Program Overview
The Physician Assistant Studies Program at MTSU is a rigorous 27-month program that awards a Master of Science degree. It emphasizes hands-on clinical experience, with students completing over 1,000 hours of rotations in various medical settings. Graduates are eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) and obtain licensure to practice as Physician Assistants (PAs). PAs work in a variety of healthcare settings, providing a wide range of medical services.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Physician Assistant Studies Program at MTSU is a 27-month-long rigorous program. The degree awarded is a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (M.S.). This degree aligns with the institutional mission and provides the necessary educational credential for licensure to practice in one of the fastest-growing occupational sectors in Middle Tennessee.
Outline:
Program Content:
- Medical Knowledge
- Interpersonal Skills
- Clinical and Technical Skills
- Clinical Reasoning & Problem Solving
- Professional Behaviors
Program Structure:
- Didactic Phase (Semesters 1-4)
- Clinical Phase (Semesters 5-7)
Course Schedule:
- Semester 1: Regional Anatomy, Scientific Basis of Medicine I, Diagnostic Tests I, Clinical Pharmacology I, Clinical Medicine I, History and Physical Exam I, Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving I
- Semester 2: Scientific Basis of Medicine II, Diagnostic Tests II, Introduction to the Medical Profession and Ethical Practice, Clinical Pharmacology II, Clinical Medicine II, History and Physical Exam II, Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving II
- Semester 3: Scientific Basis of Medicine III, Diagnostic Tests III, Clinical Pharmacology III, Clinical Medicine III, History and Physical Exam III, Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving III, Survey of Surgery
- Semester 4: Population Health, Clinical Procedures, Issues in Practice, Critical Appraisal of Medical Literature and Evidence-Based Medicine, Survey of Psychiatry, Survey of Women's Health, Survey of Pediatrics, Survey of Emergency Medicine
- Semester 5: Capstone I, PANCE Preparation Seminar I, Clinical Rotations I-III
- Semester 6: PANCE Preparation Seminar II, Clinical Rotations IV-VI
- Semester 7: Capstone II, PANCE Preparation Seminar III, Clinical Rotations VII-VIII
Individual Modules with Descriptions:
- Regional Anatomy: Study of the human body's anatomical structures and their relationships to each other.
- Scientific Basis of Medicine I-III: Examination of the fundamental principles of medicine, including anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, and pharmacology.
- Diagnostic Tests I-III: Exploration of various diagnostic tests used in medical practice, including laboratory tests, imaging studies, and physical examinations.
- Clinical Pharmacology I-III: Study of the principles of pharmacology, including drug mechanisms of action, side effects, and interactions.
- Clinical Medicine I-III: Examination of common medical conditions, their diagnosis, and treatment.
- History and Physical Exam I-III: Development of skills in taking patient histories and performing physical examinations.
- Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving I-III: Application of critical thinking and problem-solving skills to clinical scenarios.
- Introduction to the Medical Profession and Ethical Practice: Exploration of the ethical and professional responsibilities of healthcare providers.
- Population Health: Study of the distribution and determinants of health in populations.
- Clinical Procedures: Development of skills in performing common medical procedures, such as suturing, injections, and wound care.
- Issues in Practice: Examination of contemporary issues in healthcare, such as healthcare disparities and access to care.
- Critical Appraisal of Medical Literature and Evidence-Based Medicine: Development of skills in evaluating medical literature and applying evidence-based practices.
- Survey of Surgery: Overview of surgical principles and techniques.
- Survey of Psychiatry: Exploration of the principles of psychiatry and the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders.
- Survey of Women's Health: Study of women's health issues, including reproductive health, pregnancy, and menopause.
- Survey of Pediatrics: Examination of the unique health needs of children and adolescents.
- Survey of Emergency Medicine: Overview of the principles of emergency medicine and the management of acute medical conditions.
- Capstone I-II: Integration of knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program through clinical practice and research projects.
- PANCE Preparation Seminar I-III: Preparation for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE).
Assessment:
The program uses a variety of assessment methods to evaluate student learning, including:
- Written exams
- Quizzes
- Clinical skills assessments
- Case studies
- Presentations
- Research projects
Teaching:
The program employs a variety of teaching methods, including:
- Lectures
- Small group discussions
- Case-based learning
- Simulation
- Clinical rotations
Faculty:
The program's faculty consists of experienced physician assistants, physicians, and other healthcare professionals.
Unique Approaches:
The program emphasizes hands-on clinical experience, with students completing over 1,000 hours of clinical rotations in various medical settings. The program also incorporates service-learning into the curriculum, providing students with opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills to address community health needs.
Careers:
Graduates of the program are eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) and obtain licensure to practice as Physician Assistants (PAs). PAs work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices. They provide a wide range of medical services, including diagnosing and treating illnesses, prescribing medications, and performing minor surgeries.