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Physician Assistant Studies - MPAS

Program Codes: MPAS
Masters of Physician Assistant Studies

Availability: campus

Introduction
The graduate program in Physician Assistant Studies (PA) is a 24-month program that offers 12 months of didactic and 12 months of clinical training with didactic components. The program has been developed for students who have a bachelor’s degree and meet prerequisites including coursework and healthcare experience. Mercyhurst prepares PA graduates with the highest quality academic and clinical training to be leaders in the profession, proficient in meeting the challenges of healthcare, while providing compassionate, quality care to the diverse communities in which they serve. Physician assistants provide high quality, cost-effective healthcare as productive members of the health care team and employment opportunities for PAs are predicted to be excellent. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2018 Occupational Outlook Handbook estimates an increase of 37 percent from 2016 to 2026, which is much higher than the average for most professions.

Mission Statement
The mission of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies (DPAS) is to prepare students with the highest quality academic and clinical training. The program will prepare physician assistants to be leaders in the profession, proficient in meeting the challenges of health care, while providing compassionate, quality care to the diverse communities in which they serve.

The department’s mission, vision and core goals were developed to align with the university’s mission, vision and core values. Emphasis has been placed on the Mercy tradition and healthcare core values to stay true to the basic principles set forth by our founders.

Accreditation
The curriculum has been developed to meet Standards set forth by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA).

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Mercyhurst University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Mercyhurst University. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.

Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be June 2029. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy. The program's accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-mercyhurst-university/.

Admission Requirements
The Mercyhurst University Physician Assistant Program participates with the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). Individuals whose applications are viewed positively will be invited for an interview. Candidates will be selected for entry into the program based upon the completion of prerequisites, the interview process and space availability. Candidates with higher overall GPAs, prerequisite GPAs, GREs and direct patient healthcare experience are more competitive for earning admission. Preference will be given to equally qualified Mercyhurst graduates.

  • Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. or a provincially accredited Canadian college or university or evidence of expected completion of a bachelor’s degree at the time of application. The undergraduate degree must be completed before matriculation.
  • Applicants must have an overall GPA of 3.2 or higher (on a 4.0 scale).
  • Applicants must have a GPA of 3.2 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) in prerequisite courses.
  • Applicants must have 200 hours of health care experience (paid or volunteer).
  • GRE verbal and quantitative reasoning scores will be used in the evaluation of the applicant. GREs must be completed within the five years prior to application.
  • Applicants are required to supply three letters of recommendation.
  • Applicants must submit a succinct personal statement that discusses professional goals in reference to the physician assistant profession.
  • International or non-native speaking students must submit official, notarized scores from the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam and must meet the minimum score requirement of 550 for the paper based test and 79-80 for the internet-based test.
  • A completed Student Health Record, which includes the Pre-Admission Immunization Record and the Cohen Health Center Student Health Record, is required for matriculating into the program, participating in patient care at clinical sites and progressing through the program. Students are required to provide current immunization and serologic immunity verification in accordance with CDC guidelines and must have proof of health insurance throughout the program of study.
  • Criminal background checks, including finger printing, child abuse clearance and drug screening are required for matriculating into the program, participating in patient care at clinical sites and progressing through the program. Students are financially responsible for this process which may need to be repeated annually or more frequently as required by clinical sites. Adverse results at any time can prevent a student from matriculating into the program, being promoted within the program, placed at clinical training sites or recommended for graduation. Adverse results, including felony and misdemeanor convictions, can limit the ability for clinical training experiences, national certification or state licensure. The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, www.NCCPA. net, is a good resource for guidance for concerns with background findings.

Physician Assistant Prerequisite Courses

  • Applicants must complete all prerequisite courses listed below with a grade of “C” or better prior to matriculation. Courses, other than Medical Terminology, taken as pass/fail or for noncredit will not be accepted. One credit of Medical Terminology is preferred; a certificate may be accepted due to limited course offerings.
  • A minimum of 12 credits, including physiology and microbiology, must be completed within the five years prior to matriculation.
  • The Anatomy and Physiology requirements may be met by taking either one semester of Anatomy and one semester of Physiology, or two semesters of Anatomy and Physiology combined.
  • All PA program coursework must be taken in sequence. Transfer/AP/life experience credit are not offered.
Total Credits Course Requirement
8 Biology with labs
12 Chemistry with labs (General and Organic)
3 Biochemistry
4 Anatomy with lab
3 Physiology
4 Microbiology with lab
3 Genetics
3 Statistics
3 Psychology
1 Medical Terminology

Physician Assistant Curriculum
The graduate program in PA Studies operates on a semester calendar. Summer, fall and spring semester are completed in a predetermined sequence. All PA program coursework must be taken in sequence. Advanced placement, transfer or life experience credit are not offered.

Program Outcomes:

Upon completion of the Mercyhurst Department of Physician Assistant Studies, the graduate will possess knowledge, skills and abilities in the following competencies:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of established and evolving biomedical, clinical and social-behavioral sciences and application to patient care across the lifespan for medical conditions, including preventative, emergent, acute and chronic.
  • Elicit a medical history that is relevant and accurate of patient information across the lifespan and adjusts to the health care setting.
  • Perform a physical examination that adjusts accordingly to the reason for the visit, patient demographics and condition.
  • Analyze patient data to develop a differential diagnosis (clinical reasoning/problem solving) that applies the principles of epidemiology across the lifespan and evidence-based medicine for medical conditions, including preventative, emergent, acute and chronic.
  • Develop a diagnostic management plan (clinical reasoning/problem solving) for common medical conditions, including preventative, emergent, acute and chronic, across the lifespan taking into consideration cost, sensitivity/specificity, invasiveness and appropriate sequencing.
  • Develop a therapeutic management plan (clinical reasoning/problem solving) for medical conditions, including preventative, emergent, acute and chronic, across the lifespan that applies principals of pharmacotherapeutics and non-pharmacotherapeutics while taking into consideration the patient’s condition, psychosocial context and socioeconomic factors. Make certain the plan is practical for implementation and ensures follow up care.
  • Provide accurate patient education (interpersonal skills) regarding medical conditions, including preventative, emergent, acute and chronic, to patients across the lifespan inclusive of health promotion and disease prevention in oral and written forms taking into consideration literacy, diversity, inclusiveness of family/caregivers and utilization of other healthcare professionals and community resources/services.
  • Communicate clearly and effectively (interpersonal skills) in oral and written forms with patients across the lifespan, their family/caregivers and members of the healthcare team to provide competent comprehensive patient-centered care for medical conditions, including preventative, emergent, acute and chronic.
  • Perform medical and surgical procedures (clinical and technical skills) common across the lifespan in primary care for preventative, emergent, acute and chronic conditions to include: venipuncture, intravenous access, injections, EKG, urinalysis, strep screen, stool occult blood, wound management, casting, splinting, urinary catheterization, and CPR.
  • Demonstrate professionalism with high ethical standards sensitive to patients across the lifespan, their family/caregiver and members of the health care team. Continually promote the Mercy values of compassion, justice, dignity, excellence, hospitality and stewardship in practice and service to the community.
  • Maintain practice-based and lifelong learning skills with continued critical analysis of medical literature to evaluate, manage and improve patient-centered care.
  • Demonstrate responsiveness to systems-based practice by practicing cost effective care and resource allocation that does not compromise the quality of care.

Didactic Year - First Year
Students must begin the program during the summer semester. The curriculum sequencing commences with basic science review, introductory course work and the beginning of clinical skills education. The didactic year fall and spring semesters present the health care sciences in a medical model. Classes and labs typically meet during the day, with some evening classes. During the didactic year students also have intermittent exposure to patient experiences in health care settings in the community

Summer

GENETICS
Course Code:
BIO 514
Active Term:
Summer
/ All
Course Description:

This course is designed for the health professional and focuses on topics required to understand the genetic basis of human disease. This includes an overview of basic genetic principals, basis of disease and clinical genetic disorders.

Credit:
1
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
BIO 514
GENETICS
1
MICROBIOLOGY
Course Code:
BIO 524
Active Term:
Summer
/ All
Course Description:
This course is designed for the health professional and focuses on topics required to understand microbiology as it relates to human disease. This includes a general overview of microbial infection, diagnosis, and the host response, types of bacterial infections, types of viral infections, types of fungal infections, and types of parasitic infections.
Credit:
2
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
BIO 524
MICROBIOLOGY
2
HUMAN ANATOMY
Course Code:
BIO 534
Active Term:
Summer
/ All
Course Description:

This course in human anatomy is designed to present an extensive and fairly intensive consideration of the regions and systems of the human body. This information will be presented formally in lecture from both regional and systemic perspectives. This body of anatomical knowledge will be supplemented and reinforced by audiovisual materials and direct examination of anatomical models, human skeletal materials, and human cadavers.

Credit:
4
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Corequisites:

BIO-537

x
BIO 534
HUMAN ANATOMY
4
HUMAN ANATOMY LAB
Course Code:
BIO 537
Active Term:
Summer
/ All
Course Description:

The Human Anatomy Lab is taught concurrently with BIO 534. The student will build upon information gained in the Human Anatomy course with clinical lab application corresponding to the lecture material. This lab includes cadaver dissection and students are encouraged to use a hands-on approach when examining the structures of the human body.

Credit:
1
Instruction methods:
Lab
Corequisites:

BIO 534

x
BIO 537
HUMAN ANATOMY LAB
1
HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY
Course Code:
BIO 544
Active Term:
Summer
/ All
Course Description:

This course is presented to correlate the basic sciences to the study of clinical medicine. It is presented in the first semester as a foundation for the clinical medicine courses to follow. The course will focus on an in-depth study of the mechanisms by which the human body functions. The main focus of the course is on the various strategies used to maintain homeostasis and the ways in which the activities of tissues, organs, and organ systems are regulated by neural inputs, endocrine secretions and cellular-level events.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
BIO 544
HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY
3
PA PROFESSION
Course Code:
PA 502
Active Term:
Summer
/ All
Course Description:

This is an introductory course to the physician assistant profession and the program curriculum. The course will focus on the history of the profession, professional organizations, PA-Physician and inter-professional team, professionalism, leadership skills, basic ethical principles, social issues in health care, advocacy in healthcare and basic skills in communication.

Credit:
1
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
PA 502
PA PROFESSION
1
CLINICAL SKILLS
Course Code:
PA 510
Active Term:
Summer
/ All
Course Description:

This course is designed to teach medical interviewing techniques, patient history gathering, communication skills and physical examination techniques to include normal and variant physical findings and examination techniques across the lifespan. Instruction will introduce patient education in reference to health promotion, prevention and patient counseling for diverse populations.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
PA 510
CLINICAL SKILLS
3
CLINICAL SKILLS LAB
Course Code:
PA 512
Active Term:
Summer
/ All
Course Description:

This lab experience will focus on the application of theory presented in Clinical Skills to include communication and interviewing techniques in the gathering of historical patient data and the performance of physical exam techniques in simulated diverse patient experiences.

Credit:
1
Instruction methods:
Lab
x
PA 512
CLINICAL SKILLS LAB
1
RESEARCH METHODS HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Course Code:
PUBH 520
Active Term:
Summer
/ All
Course Description:
This course introduces students to experimental and observational study designs commonly used in health research. Students will learn about research design, conduct, analysis and dissemination. Research designs discussed will include randomized clinical trials, cohort studies (prospective and retrospective) and case control studies. Students will learn to search the medical literature and find sources and information using PubMed and they will learn how to interpret and understand contemporary medical research.
Credit:
2
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
PUBH 520
RESEARCH METHODS HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
2

TOTAL CREDITS - 18

Fall

CLINICAL SKILLS LAB II
Course Code:
PA 514
Active Term:
Fall
/ All
Course Description:

This course will focus on the development of communication and interviewing techniques in the gathering of historical patient data, performance of physical exam techniques, development of differential diagnosis, diagnostic and therapeutic management plans via patient experiences in the lab and health care settings. Students will be introduced to inter-professional team based practice to enhance collaboration and improve patient safety.

Credit:
1
Instruction methods:
Lab
x
PA 514
CLINICAL SKILLS LAB II
1
CLINICAL MEDICINE
Course Code:
PA 520
Active Term:
Fall
/ All
Course Description:

This course will follow a systems approach to introduce common diseases and syndromes focusing on etiology, epidemiology, underlying pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, differential diagnosis, patient evaluation with the selection, use and interpretation of results of laboratory and diagnostic studies and basic therapeutic concepts. The comparison of the clinical presentation and management of disease states in diverse patient-centered acute and longitudinal care across the lifespan will be included. Appropriate preventive health care, patient education and health maintenance recommendations will be presented. The application of the principles of evidence based clinical practice will also be utilized.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
PA 520
CLINICAL MEDICINE
3

MINI 1

CLINICAL MEDICINE
Course Code:
PA 521
Active Term:
Fall
/ All
Course Description:

This course will follow a systems approach to introduce common diseases and syndromes focusing on etiology, epidemiology, underlying pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, differential diagnosis, patient evaluation with the selection, use and interpretation of results of laboratory and diagnostic studies and basic therapeutic concepts. The comparison of the clinical presentation and management of disease states in diverse patient-centered acute and longitudinal care across the lifespan will be included. Appropriate preventive health care, patient education and health maintenance recommendations will be presented. The application of the principles of evidence based clinical practice will also be utilized.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
PA 521
CLINICAL MEDICINE
3

MINI 2

PHARMACOTHERAPEUTICS I
Course Code:
PA 530
Active Term:
Fall
/ All
Course Description:

This course will concentrate on patient-centered Pharmacotherapeutics of pharmacokinetics, drug metabolism, drug interactions and adverse reactions, applications of drug for various body systems integrated with the Clinical Medicine course.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
PA 530
PHARMACOTHERAPEUTICS I
3
WOMEN'S HEALTH
Course Code:
PA 540
Active Term:
Fall
/ All
Course Description:
This course will focus on the reproductive system of female patients and common conditions associated within gynecology and obstetrics. The course will include instruction in the evaluation and management of emergent, acute and chronic patient presentations in the areas of women's health across the life span. This will include breast diseases, human sexuality, domestic violence, birth control, infertility, pregnancy, pre and post-natal care, labor and delivery and menopause. The course will address diverse patient-centered care, education, prevention and referral sources.
Credit:
2
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
PA 540
WOMEN'S HEALTH
2

MINI 1

PEDIATRICS
Course Code:
PA 545
Active Term:
Fall
/ All
Course Description:

This course will focus on diverse patient-centered care from birth to age 18. Normal and abnormal growth and development from infancy through childhood and adolescence will be presented. The course will include instruction in the evaluation and management of emergent, acute and chronic pediatric presentations; there will be instruction on routine health maintenance, anticipatory guidance, preventative care and family dynamics.

Credit:
2
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
PA 545
PEDIATRICS
2

MINI 2

SPECIAL TOPICS IN MEDICINE
Course Code:
PA 550
Active Term:
Fall
/ All
Course Description:

This course will focus on an overview of current topics in healthcare inclusive of public health, cultural competency, integrative medicine, service learning, health care literacy, death, dying and loss, ethical dilemmas and processes relevant to clinical practice in relationship to patient-centered care.

Credit:
1
x
PA 550
SPECIAL TOPICS IN MEDICINE
1
PSYCHOLOGY IN HEALTHCARE
Course Code:
PSYC 525
Active Term:
Fall
/ All
Course Description:

This course prepares the Physician Assistant student for the mental health rotation by providing a foundation of the major psychological disorders as they present across the lifespan. Students develop knowledge of clinical presentations, use of the DSM-5, pathophysiology, potential medical complications and pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapeutic interventions inclusive of cultural perspectives for the psychological disorders. The psychosocial and behavioral processes in health, illness and health care are introduced and resources presented for the patient, caregiver/family and provider for health promotion.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
PSYC 525
PSYCHOLOGY IN HEALTHCARE
3

TOTAL CREDITS - 18

Spring

CLINICAL MEDICINE II
Course Code:
PA 522
Active Term:
Spring
/ All
Course Description:

This course is a continuation of PA 520 and PA 521. It will follow a systems approach to introduce common diseases and syndromes focusing on etiology, epidemiology, underlying pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, differential diagnosis, patient evaluation with the selection, use and interpretation of results of laboratory and diagnostic studies and basic therapeutic concepts. The comparison of the clinical presentation and management of disease states in diverse patient-centered acute and longitudinal care across the lifespan will be included. Appropriate preventive health care, patient education and health maintenance recommendations will be presented. The application of the principles of evidence based clinical practice will also be utilized.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
PA 522
CLINICAL MEDICINE II
3

MINI 3

CLINICAL MEDICINE II
Course Code:
PA 523
Active Term:
Spring
/ All
Course Description:

This course is a continuation of PA 520, PA 521, and PA 522.. It will follow a systems approach to introduce common diseases and syndromes focusing on etiology, epidemiology, underlying pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, differential diagnosis, patient evaluation with the selection, use and interpretation of results of laboratory and diagnostic studies and basic therapeutic concepts. The comparison of the clinical presentation and management of disease states in diverse patient-centered acute and longitudinal care across the lifespan will be included. Appropriate preventive health care, patient education and health maintenance recommendations will be presented. The application of the principles of evidence based clinical practice will also be utilized.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
PA 523
CLINICAL MEDICINE II
3

MINI 4

PHARMACOTHERAPEUTICS II
Course Code:
PA 532
Active Term:
Spring
/ All
Course Description:

This course is a continuation course and will concentrate on patient-centered Pharmacotherapeutics of pharmacokinetics, drug metabolism, drug interactions and adverse reactions, applications of drug for various body systems integrated with the Clinical Medicine course.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
PA 532
PHARMACOTHERAPEUTICS II
3
EVIDENCE BASED MEDICINE
Course Code:
PA 565
Active Term:
Spring
/ All
Course Description:

This course will introduce students to the principals of evidence based medicine (EBM) including using a problem based learning style with case scenarios of typical patient problems supported by relevant primary studies. Students will develop skills in evidence based medicine including asking focused questions, searching for good answers, critiquing literature and applying conclusions in clinical scenarios. Students will demonstrate skills in identification and prioritization of problems, formulation of questions, consideration of clinical decision options and critical appraisal in the context of the patient scenario. This method will guide students to become skilled users of medical evidence that has already been appraised.

Credit:
1
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
PA 565
EVIDENCE BASED MEDICINE
1
HEALTHCARE POLICY
Course Code:
PA 570
Active Term:
Spring
/ All
Course Description:
This course will introduce systems-based practice and health care management to include health care policy, health care delivery systems and the role of providers in disease prevention and maintenance of public health. Topics include reimbursement, documentation of care, coding and billing, quality improvement, risk management, patient safety and prevention of medical errors. It will also focus on professional and legal issues encountered in practice, as well as current trends and political issues that affect PA practice. Communication with patients will be developed through exposure to educational activities in leadership,cultural diversity, health literacy, prevention, and spirituality.
Credit:
2
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
PA 570
HEALTHCARE POLICY
2
EMERGENCY MEDICINE&SURGERY
Course Code:
PA 575
Active Term:
Spring
/ All
Course Description:

This course will focus on the management of emergency medical and surgical presentations, with an emphasis on working collaboratively in interprofessional patient centered teams while providing care across the lifespan to varying patient populations. Students will learn triage, stabilization, diagnostic and therapeutic management plans, referrals and the appropriate specialty consultations. The fundamentals of surgical practices will be presented to include pre, intra and postoperative patient care. Students will also have instruction in basic life support and advanced cardiac life support.

Credit:
4
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
PA 575
EMERGENCY MEDICINE&SURGERY
4
PROCEDURES IN MEDICINE
Course Code:
PA 580
Active Term:
Spring
/ All
Course Description:

This course will present theory and/or hands on experience in procedures in office, emergency and surgical settings. Principles of sterile technique,injections, intravenous catheterizations, phlebotomy, urethral catheterizations, gowning and gloving, knot tying, suturing, casting and splinting are examples of the course content.

Credit:
1
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
PA 580
PROCEDURES IN MEDICINE
1

TOTAL CREDITS - 17

Clinical Year - Second Year
The 2-week Thesis Guidance course takes place on campus prior to the start of rotations. The clinical year consists of healthcare experiences in internal medicine, family practice, pediatrics, women’s health, surgery, emergency medicine, mental health and two elective rotations. Rotations will be five weeks in length, which includes a 4-week elective rotation combined with a 1-week mental health rotation. Rotation I-IX assignments will vary among all the various rotational types of experiences. Not all students will be assigned internal medicine on rotation I and may be assigned to any of the required rotations or electives.
Recall Days occur the last two days of each rotation, at which time students will be required to be on campus for debriefing of the experience, clinical and written testing, case presentations and didactic instruction in current medical topics.

Summer

ROTATION I - INTERNAL MEDICINE
Course Code:
PA 602
Active Term:
All Terms
/ All
Course Description:

This is a 5 week rotation in an ambulatory, in/outpatient hospital or office-based primary care facility under the direction of a preceptor. The student will perform comprehensive history and physical exams, develop differential diagnoses, diagnostic and therapeutic management plans for patients with acute and chronic medical problems. The student will provide preventative care and patient education on health maintenance and promotion sensitive to diverse populations across the adult life span. The student will recognize the need for consultation, referral or transfer to an emergency or acute care setting. The student's experiences can include behavioral and long term health care.

Credit:
5
Instruction methods:
Field
x
PA 602
ROTATION I - INTERNAL MEDICINE
5
ROTATION II - FAMILY PRACTICE
Course Code:
PA 610
Active Term:
All Terms
/ All
Course Description:

This is a 5 week rotation in an ambulatory, in/outpatient hospital or office-based primary care facility under the direction of a preceptor. The student will perform comprehensive history and physical exams, develop differential diagnoses, diagnostic and therapeutic management plans for patients with acute and chronic medical problems. The student will provide preventative care and patient education on health maintenance and promotion sensitive to diverse populations across the life span. The student will recognize the need for consultation, referral or transfer to an emergency or acute care setting. The student's experiences can include behavioral and long term health care.

Credit:
5
Instruction methods:
Field
x
PA 610
ROTATION II - FAMILY PRACTICE
5
THESIS GUIDANCE
Course Code:
PA 620
Active Term:
Summer
/ All
Course Description:
This is a 2-week course to assist the student in developing the master portfolio project that includes active learning and the application of learning to improve the practice of medicine, a current standard in health care. This project will be done with guidance from the student's advisor and in partnership with a preceptor/office practice. The project will include comparison of some aspect of practice to national benchmarks, performance guidelines or other established evidence-based metric or standard. Based on the comparison, the student will develop a plan for improvement in that area. The course will also incorporate didactic and clinical experiences in preparation for rotations.
Credit:
2
Instruction methods:
Project
x
PA 620
THESIS GUIDANCE
2

TOTAL CREDITS - 12

Fall

ROTATION III - WOMEN'S HEALTH
Course Code:
PA 630
Active Term:
All Terms
/ All
Course Description:

This is a 5 week rotation in an ambulatory, in/outpatient hospital or office-based facility under the direction of a preceptor. The student will perform comprehensive history and physical exams, develop differential diagnoses, diagnostic and therapeutic management plans for patients with women's health medical conditions to include acute, chronic, prenatal and gynecologic care. The student will provide preventative care and patient education on health maintenance and promotion sensitive to diverse populations across the female reproductive lifespan. The student will recognize the need for consultation, referral or transfer to an emergency or acute care setting.

Credit:
5
Instruction methods:
Field
x
PA 630
ROTATION III - WOMEN'S HEALTH
5
ROTATION IV - PEDIATRICS
Course Code:
PA 640
Active Term:
All Terms
/ All
Course Description:

This is a 5 week rotation in an ambulatory, in/outpatient hospital or office-based facility under the direction of a preceptor. Students will perform comprehensive history and physical exams; develop differential diagnoses, diagnostic and therapeutic management plans for common acute and chronic conditions in infants, children and adolescents. The student will recognize normal growth and development and be able to differentiate common abnormalities of growth and development. The student will provide preventative care and patient education on health maintenance and promotion sensitive to diverse pediatric populations. The student will recognize the need for consultation, referral or transfer to an emergency or acute care setting.

Credit:
5
Instruction methods:
Field
x
PA 640
ROTATION IV - PEDIATRICS
5
ROTATION V - EMERGENCY MEDICINE
Course Code:
PA 650
Active Term:
All Terms
/ All
Course Description:

This is a 5 week rotation in an emergency department facility under the direction of a preceptor. Students will perform focused history and physical exams, develop differential diagnoses, diagnostic and therapeutic management plans for patients with emergent, acute and chronic conditions. This will include common procedures in the emergency room and preventative care. Emphasis will be placed on the evaluation and management of emergent and acute conditions, psychological emergencies and surgical conditions unique to the clinical practice of emergency medicine. Students will experience working collaboratively in interprofessional patient-centered teams while providing care across the life span to diverse patient populations.

Credit:
5
Instruction methods:
Field
x
PA 650
ROTATION V - EMERGENCY MEDICINE
5

TOTAL CREDITS - 15

Spring

ROTATION VI - SURGERY
Course Code:
PA 660
Active Term:
All Terms
/ All
Course Description:

This is a 5 week rotation in an in/outpatient setting under the direction of a preceptor. Students will perform comprehensive history and physical exams, develop differential diagnoses, diagnostic and therapeutic management plans for emergent, acute and chronic conditions. This will include participation in common outpatient and intraoperative procedures, as well as preventative care. Emphasis will be placed on the evaluation and management of pre, intra and postoperative care, systemic diseases and surgical conditions unique to the clinical practice of surgery. Students will experience working collaboratively in inter-professional patient-centered teams while providing care across the life span to diverse patient populations.

Credit:
5
Instruction methods:
Field
x
PA 660
ROTATION VI - SURGERY
5
ROTATION VII - ELECTIVE
Course Code:
PA 670
Active Term:
All Terms
/ All
Course Description:

This is a 5 week rotation in an ambulatory, in/outpatient hospital or office-based facility under the direction of a preceptor in a health care area of choice for the student with preapproval of the clinical director. The rotation will emphasize the pathophysiology, evaluation, diagnostic and therapeutic management of diseases and conditions unique to the clinical practice. This rotation will fulfill the student's clinical area of interest and allow preparation for employment opportunities.

Credit:
5
Instruction methods:
Field
x
PA 670
ROTATION VII - ELECTIVE
5
ROTATION VIII - ELECTIVE
Course Code:
PA 680
Active Term:
All Terms
/ All
Course Description:

This is a 4 week rotation in an ambulatory, in/outpatient hospital or office-based facility under the direction of a preceptor in a health care area of choice for the student with preapproval of the clinical director. The rotation will emphasize the pathophysiology, evaluation, diagnostic and therapeutic management of diseases and conditions unique to the clinical practice. This rotation will fulfill the student's clinical area of interest and allow preparation for employment opportunities.

Credit:
4
Instruction methods:
Field
x
PA 680
ROTATION VIII - ELECTIVE
4
ROTATION IX - MENTAL HEALTH
Course Code:
PA 690
Active Term:
All Terms
/ All
Course Description:

This is a one week rotation in an ambulatory, in/outpatient hospital or office-based mental health facility under the direction of a preceptor. The student will perform mental status examinations, develop differential diagnoses, pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapeutic treatment plans for patients with emergent, acute and chronic mental health conditions. The student will recognize the need for prevention, consultation, referral and ancillary services for mental health conditions.

Credit:
1
Instruction methods:
Field
x
PA 690
ROTATION IX - MENTAL HEALTH
1
SUMMATIVE EVALUATION EXPERIENCE
Course Code:
PA 695
Active Term:
Spring
/ All
Course Description:
This course will serve as a capstone experience to prepare the student for the physician assistant profession. There will be a focus on curricular review of topics in medicine, PA licensure, credentialing, laws and regulations of practice. Students will complete their master portfolio to include a performance improvement project, a case presentation, a literature review, service learning and professional growth experiences. Students must successfully complete all components of the Summative Evaluation Experience to be certified for graduation. This testing will be conducted within the final 4 months of the program and includes a final summative evaluation examination, summative clinical scenarios and summative clinical skills testing.
Credit:
2
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
PA 695
SUMMATIVE EVALUATION EXPERIENCE
2

TOTAL CREDITS - 17

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

To obtain the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree students must successfully complete all required didactic and clinical courses while maintaining a minimum 3.0 overall grade point average throughout the program of study. Students must also successfully complete all components of the master’s portfolio and the Summative Evaluation Experience for completion of the program.

Physician Assistant students are responsible for developing a master’s portfolio under the advisement of a faculty member. This portfolio includes written works in case presentations, service learning, professional growth experiences and a project in performance improvement. The performance improvement project includes active learning and the application of learning to improve the practice of medicine, a current standard in health care. This project will be done with guidance from the student’s advisor and in partnership with a preceptor/ office practice. The project will include comparison of some aspect of practice to national benchmarks, performance guidelines or other established evidence-based metric or standard. Based on the comparison, the student will develop a plan for improvement in that area.

The Summative Evaluation Experience will take place on campus the last two weeks of the second year spring semester prior to graduation to further prepare the student for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) and entering the workforce.

A total of 97 credits are required to complete the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program. Mercyhurst students who are successful in the completion of all the requirements of the program of study will earn a Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree and he/she will be eligible to sit for the PANCE exam. This examination must be passed in order to practice in all states.

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