PROGRAM OVERVIEW | Master of Physician Assistant Studies

Lecture/lab course covering tissue, organ, and body systems structure, including dissection of human cadavers with an emphasis on structure and function. 

Synchronous and asynchronous lecture course covering the normal physiology of cell, tissue, organ, and body systems with emphasis on physiological changes associated with select pathological conditions

Lecture/lab/independent study course providing in-depth instruction in taking a medical history. Learners will practice soliciting, organizing, and interpreting a comprehensive medical history of patients from varying demographics. 

Online study course providing an introduction to the Physician Assistant concept, its history, development, and future trends and a review of basic principles in healthcare including social determinants of health. 

This lab course introduces students to the fundamentals of critical thinking and the application of medical knowledge and skills. Emphasis is placed on developing a focused medical history and formulating differential diagnoses across diverse patient populations. The course incorporates case-based learning to enhance problem-solving abilities and prepares students for advanced clinical decision-making.

Lecture/lab/independent study course that provides instruction on diagnostic testing to include ordering, interpreting, and performing of many diagnostic modalities. 

Lecture/lab/independent study course that provides students with the foundational knowledge needed to evaluate patients in a clinical role. The course reinforces medical interviewing and patient communication skills. It also teaches general physical exam techniques to perform on an age-appropriate and diverse population. 

Lecture/lab/independent study course that covers the principles of evaluation of general medical conditions in a systems-based approach. Includes discussion of the study of diseases (pathophysiology), causes, mechanisms and effects on the body with emphasis on how disease manifests clinically. Includes an introduction to pharmacology. Discussions incorporate prerequisite and co-requisite knowledge of anatomy, physiology, history and physical exam skills, and diagnostic modalities in order to reach appropriate patient assessments.

Building upon the foundations established in Clinical Reasoning I, this lab course focuses on the integration of critical thinking skills with physical examination technique and diagnostic tests. The course utilizes simulated patient encounters to reinforce physical exam and diagnostic reasoning and prepare students for clinical rotations.

Lecture/lab/independent study course providing a continuation of Clinical Medicine 1. The principles of  evaluation and management of general medical conditions are studied in a systems-based approach. Discussions incorporate prerequisite and co-requisite knowledge of pathophysiology, history taking and physical exam skills, and diagnostic medicine.  

Lecture based course that presents basic pharmacology principles with emphasis on drug classification, mechanism of action, utilization, medication selection, and side effects in the treatment of disease processes. Lectures focus on the clinical pharmacologic treatment of disease processes.

Lecture/independent study course covering common and/or important information needed for clinical practice in addition to medical knowledge, clinical skills, and clinical reasoning, e.g. billing and coding, rules and laws, and provider wellness.

This lab course advances students’ application of critical thinking to the treatment and management of diseases. Emphasis is placed on developing evidence-based therapeutic plans, considering pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. The course utilizes simulated patient encounters to reinforce diagnostic and therapeutic reasoning. Students will engage in case discussions and collaborative learning to enhance their ability to formulate comprehensive management strategies tailored to individual patient needs.

Students will complete 12 clinical rotations, each lasting four weeks, for a total of 36 credit hours during the clinical year. These externships are designed to reinforce and integrate the didactic curriculum from year one, helping students develop the clinical competencies expected of program graduates.

Externships provide experience across a variety of clinical settings and disciplines, including:

• Primary Care (3 rotations to include family medicine and internal medicine)

• Pediatrics

• Women’s Health/Obstetrics & Gynecology

• General Surgery

• Emergency Medicine

• Psychiatry/Behavioral Medicine

• Radiology

• Three Electives (allowing students to explore subspecialty areas of interest)

• One Wellness Rotation, which promotes the PA profession, encourages community service, and fosters physical and mental wellness.

Students will gain hands-on experience in ambulatory care, inpatient settings, emergency departments, and operating rooms. Additionally, the curriculum emphasizes healthcare finance, medico-legal issues, professionalism, and effective interpersonal communication.

The program arranges all clinical rotation sites. While students may express interest in specific sites, they are not responsible for securing their own rotations. Clinical sites are located throughout Louisiana, with most in North Louisiana. Students are placed in areas where housing is either available or provided; however, they may be required to commute up to 60 miles one way to attend certain rotations.

One seminar course is taken each semester of the clinical (second) year of PA school. This discussion-based course meets one day each month when students return from clinical externships. Students present clinical cases, reflect on clinical experiences, and prepare for the next clinical experience.

This is an in-depth discussion-based course covering medical ethical principles and issues.

Research Methods I is a 1-credit hour course designed to increase student proficiency in searching and interpreting medical literature in preparation for Research II, III, and Masters Project.

Research Methods II is a 2-credit hour course for learners to become proficient at analyzing literature and developing an evidence-based practice for the evaluation and management of disease processes.

Research Methods III is a 2-credit hour course for learners to become proficient at analyzing literature, formulating conclusions and recommendations for the evidence-based practice of evaluation and management of disease processes, and effectively communicating that information to other healthcare providers.

This course provides opportunity for completion of the capstone project that was initiated in Research Methods I and II. The conclusion of the project will evaluate the sum of the literature to make recommendations regarding the application and utility of the information in an evidence-based practice. The project must be presented to the class and faculty orally and must be submitted in a written form of publishable quality.

A clinical externship intended to be completed in the practice setting of a prospective physician employer. The preceptorship may be fulfilled in a discipline of the student's choosing after approval by the program. Duties may include extended clinical care hours, emergency and hospital call, and community responsibilities as deemed appropriate by the supervising physician.