School of Health Professions 2024 - 2025 Catalog

Master of Physician Assistant Studies (PA)

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Health Professions Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. 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remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards.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 March 2033. 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-texas-tech-university/.


The PA Profession

The Master of Physician Assistant Studies program prepares students for a career in one of the fastest-growing and rewarding health care fields. Physician Assistants (PAs) are educated through academic and clinical training as medical providers who are licensed to practice medicine as part of the healthcare team. PAs take medical histories, perform physical examinations, order and interpret diagnostic tests, diagnose and treat illnesses, write prescriptions, counsel patients on preventative care, and assist in surgery.

A PA exercises considerable autonomy in medical decision-making, but the supervising physician and state laws determine the full scope of a PA’s practice. PAs deliver health care to diverse patients of all ages in the full spectrum of medical specialties.

Program Description

Based in Midland, Texas, and located on the campus of Midland College, the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center PA Program is one of the programs in the Department of Laboratory Sciences and Primary Care in the School of Health Professions and offers a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree. The curriculum is an intensive 27-month medical education program with a focus on primary care and family medicine and consists of academic and clinical components.

Mission

The mission of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Health Professions Physician Assistant Program is to provide comprehensive medical education to physician assistant students. Through an environment of academic excellence and the promotion of life-long learning and professionalism, graduates will be prepared to practice patient-centered primary care, increasing access to healthcare for communities of West Texas and beyond.

Technical Standards

A student admitted into the TTUHSC Physician Assistant Program must meet basic and essential requirements that are necessary for obtaining employment and performing as a Physician Assistant. The technical standards each student must master include cognitive, physical, and behavioral characteristics that are identified in the following:

  1. Observation: The applicant/student must possess the ability to observe required demonstrations, visual presentations in lectures and laboratories, and written and audiovisual presentations. Examples of perceptual abilities include but are not limited to gross and microscopic studies of organisms, cadaver dissections, and various diagnostic tests such as interpretation of echocardiograms, digital and wavelength readings, and graphic or radiographic images. The applicant/student must be able to observe patients accurately and completely, both at distance and closely using functional visual, hearing, and somatic sensation.

  2. Communication: The applicant/student must possess the ability to communicate effectively with patients to elicit information, including nonverbal communications, and describe changes in mood, activity, and posture with immediate assessment of the information provided. Individuals must possess the ability to communicate effectively with clinical preceptors and other members of the healthcare team, didactic and clinical faculty, and colleagues. The applicant/student must possess the ability to effectively and sensitively communicate in oral, written, and electronic form with patients and members of the health care team in order to provide safe and effective patient care.

  3. Motor: The applicant/student must possess sufficient gross and fine motor function, equilibrium, and sensation to elicit information from patients through customary techniques for physical assessment such as visual observation/inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation as well as carry out diagnostic maneuvers and technical procedures involved in the practice of medicine and surgery. Examples reasonably required of physician assistants include cardiopulmonary resuscitation, application of pressure to stop bleeding, venous and arterial punctures, suturing, pelvic and rectal exams, obstetrical maneuvers, and opening of obstructed airways.

  4. Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative abilities: The applicant/student must possess the ability to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and spatial relationships of structures; and be able to collect, organize, prioritize, analyze and synthesize large amounts of detailed and complex information to apply in problem-solving and decision-making in clinical and educational settings including lectures, laboratories, small group discussions, and clinical settings.

  5. Behavioral and Social Attributes: The applicant/student must be able to tolerate physical and mental taxing workloads, function effectively under stress, adapt to changing environments, display flexibility, and function in the face of uncertainty inherent in the evaluation and treatment of patients. The applicant/student must have the emotional health to fully use his/her intellectual ability, exercise good judgment, and complete all responsibilities necessary to the diagnosis and care of patients. The applicant/student must possess integrity, compassion, and effective interpersonal skills to interact with patients and members of the health care team with sensitivity to cultural differences. The applicant/student must be able to understand and apply the concepts of medical ethics and demonstrate ethical behavior.

Admission to the Program

The PA Program begins in late May each year. The application cycle will open in late April each year. The application deadline for all materials to be received by the TTUHSC School of Health Professions Admissions Office is October 1. Additional information is available on the program website at: http://www.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions. Priority in applications review is given to those applicants with all materials received by August 1.

Application Process

Applicants must complete both a CASPA application and a supplemental application.
The CASPA application can be accessed through the following link: https://caspa.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login 
The supplemental application can be accessed through the following link: http://www.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions
Applications are considered on a rolling basis for acceptance into the professional program. Individual applications are reviewed once materials have been received; therefore, it is in the applicant’s best interest to complete their application, including submission of required documentation, as early as possible. Fulfillment of the basic requirements does not guarantee admission. All official transcripts need to be submitted to CASPA. You will only need to send updated transcripts to our office. Transcripts must be in a sealed envelope from the institution and must have been printed within the last year. The following is required for an individual to be considered for the MPAS program:

  • Baccalaureate Degree
  • Official GRE scores (code 3652)
  • A minimum overall and science GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required. The CASPA calculated GPA will be utilized.
  • Completed (or plan to complete) prerequisite coursework (see table below) with a grade of “C” or higher. Applicants with more than 9 hours of prerequisite courses in progress will not be reviewed.
  • CASPA application with three letters of recommendation
  • AP and CLEP credit will not be accepted for any science prerequisite courses.


Holistic Admissions Process

Applications are considered on a rolling basis for acceptance into the professional PA program. Individual applications are reviewed once all required materials have been received; therefore, it is in the applicant's best interest to complete their application, including submission of required documentation, as early as possible. Fulfillment of the basic requirements does not guarantee admission. An ideal candidate has a strong work ethic and exemplifies the program mission with a commitment to academic excellence, primary care, and increasing access for diverse and underserved communities of West Texas and Beyond. They will have a combination of life, work, and academic experience that demonstrates their ability to perform under the demands of a rigorous, challenging academic and professional program.

The selection process for the TTUHSC PA Program is highly competitive. Applicants must meet the minimum prerequisite requirements. Each year, a large number of completed applications are received for a limited number of class positions. The Admissions Committee takes a broad range of factors into consideration as we select candidates who will best exemplify the mission of the PA Program, including: 

  • Quality and quantity of academic preparation and evidence of strong performance
  • Promotion of activities improving the health of communities similar to those of West Texas
  • Evidence of community service, leadership, or other nonacademic and extracurricular activities; including awards and honors
  • Overcoming barriers to education
  • Background experiences contributing to and promoting diversity in organizations and community
  • Strength of letters of recommendation
  • Strength of personal statement
  • Superior interpersonal communication skills evaluated by the application submission and required interview process

Special consideration may be given to the following applicants: Residents from the 108 counties in the service are of TTUHSC; Veterans or Military; Residents from underserved populations; or Residents from economically or environmentally disadvantaged backgrounds.

Admission offers are effective for matriculation only in the year of the application cycle and will not be transferred to subsequent years. Re-application is required if a candidate intends to matriculate within a cycle year that differs from their application year. Deferrals to another class year are not granted except in cases of required military duty. Offers of admission are contingent on candidate's intent to complete the program within the matriculation year in a continuous fashion without planned periods of leave for any reason.

Interviews are offered to the most competitive applicants based on a holistic review process. Applicants may not be accepted without a personal interview.


Prerequisite Course Requirements

Required Course
Semester Hours
Genetics
3
Microbiology
4
Anatomy (human preferred)
4
Physiology (human preferred)
4
Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry
4
Psychology
3
Statistics
3
*A&P I and II may fulfill Anatomy and Physiology requirement.

*All required science courses must be intended for science majors. Required prerequisite courses must be taken at a regionally accredited US or Canadian college or university. Transfer credit from a school outside of the US or Canada will not apply to the required prerequisite courses. Prerequisite courses completed in the last 7 years are preferred. AP and CLEP credit will not be accepted for any science prerequisite courses.

PA Curriculum

FIRST-YEAR
First Summer Semester Courses
Credit Hours

HPPA 5191      Professional Development I

1 

HPPA 1002      Interprofessional Collaborative Practice

0

HPPA 5306      Pharmacology I

3

HPPA 5406      Basic Sciences I

4

HPPA 5401      Human Anatomy I   

4

HPPA 5361      Clinical Skills I 3


Total Hours = 15



First Fall Semester Courses

Credit Hours

HPPA 5392      Professional Development II


3

HPPA 5307      Pharmacology II


3

HPPA 5308      Basic Sciences II


3

HPPA 5120      Clinical Medicine: Dermatology


1

HPPA 5121      Clinical Medicine: Ophthalmology


0.5

HPPA 5122      Clinical Medicine: Ears, Nose, and Throat


1

HPPA 5223      Clinical Medicine: Gastroenterology/Nutrition


2.5

HPPA 5124      Clinical Medicine: Hematology/Oncology


1

HPPA 5125      Clinical Medicine: Infectious Disease


1

HPPA 5326      Clinical Medicine: Psychiatry/Behavioral Science


3

HPPA 5362      Clinical Skills II


3

HPPA 5102      Human Anatomy II 
1



Total Hours = 23



First Spring Semester Courses
Credit Hours        

HPPA 5193      Professional Development III

1

HPPA 5427      Clinical Medicine: Cardiovascular

4

HPPA 5128      Clinical Medicine: Endocrinology

1

HPPA 5329      Clinical Medicine: Musculoskeletal

3

HPPA 5130      Clinical Medicine: Neurology

1.5

HPPA 5331      Clinical Medicine: Pulmonary

3

HPPA 5132      Clinical Medicine: Renal

1.5

HPPA 5333      Clinical Medicine: Essentials of Pediatrics                                        

3

HPPA 5363     Clinical Skills III3

Total Hours = 21



SECOND-YEAR
Second Summer Semester Courses
Credit Hours

HPPA 6302      Patient-Centered Care 

3

HPPA 5194      Professional Development IV

1

HPPA 5134      Clinical Medicine: Genitourinary

0.5

HPPA 5235      Clinical Medicine: Reproductive

2

HPPA 5136     Clinical Medicine: Essentials of Geriatrics

0.5

HPPA 5237     Clinical Medicine: Essentials of Surgery

2.5

HPPA 5238     Clinical Medicine: Essentials of Emergency Medicine

2.5

HPPA 5364      Clinical Skills IV

3


Total Hours = 15    



Second Fall                             
Credit Hours

HPPA 6194      Evidence-Based Medicine I

1

Second Spring

HPPA 6195     Evidence-Based Medicine II

1
Third Summer

HPPA 6196      Professional Development IV1



Clinical Year (Second Fall, Second Spring, & Third Summer Courses)
Credit Hours       

HPPA 6601      Family Medicine Clerkship

6

HPPA 6602      Internal Medicine Clerkship

6

HPPA 6603      Prenatal Care & Gynecology Clerkship

6

HPPA 6604      Pediatric Clerkship

6

HPPA 6605      Emergency Medicine Clerkship 

6

HPPA 6606      Selective Clerkship 

6

HPPA 6607      Psychiatry Clerkship

6

HPPA 6608      Surgery Clerkship

6


Total Hours = 125





  • HPPA 1002 Foundations for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (0:0:0,O)

    An introduction to broad concepts related to interprofessional core competencies for healthcare providers.

  • HPPA 5000 Audit (0:0:0,F)

    Audit

  • HPPA 5102 Anatomy II (1:2:2,F)

    This lecture/laboratory course series encompasses a regional study of the gross morphological features of the human body, emphasizing functional anatomy. The course lays the foundation for understanding the principles of clinical medicine.

  • HPPA 5120 Clinical Medicine: Dermatology (1:1:0,F)

    This course is designed to cover foundational principles of Clinical Medicine related to the dermatology. Instruction will cover the application of basic science, clinical presentation, evaluation, diagnosis, management of common conditions, and preventative medicine. Content is accomplished through lectures, case discussions, and laboratories as appropriate.

  • HPPA 5121 Clinical Medicine: Opthalmology (.5:.5:0,F)

    This course is designed to cover foundational principles of Clinical Medicine related to ophthalmology. Instruction will cover the application of basic science, clinical presentation, evaluation, diagnosis, management of common conditions, and preventative medicine. Content is accomplished through lectures, case discussions, and laboratories as appropriate.

  • HPPA 5122 Clinical Medicine: Ears, Nose, and Throat (1:1:0,F)

    This course is designed to cover foundational principles of Clinical Medicine related to the ears, nose, and throat. Instruction will cover the application of basic science, clinical presentation, evaluation, diagnosis, management of common conditions, and preventative medicine. Content is accomplished through lectures, case discussions, and laboratories as appropriate.

  • HPPA 5123 Clinical Medicine: Gastroenterology/Nutrition (1.5:1.5:0,F)

    This course is designed to cover foundational principles of Clinical Medicine related to gastroenterology and nutrition. Instruction will cover the application of basic science, clinical presentation, evaluation, diagnosis, management of common conditions, and preventative medicine. Content is accomplished through lectures, case discussions, and laboratories as appropriate.

  • HPPA 5124 Clinical Medicine: Hematology/Oncology (1:1:0,F)

    This course is designed to cover foundational principles of Clinical Medicine related to hematology and oncology. Instruction will cover the application of basic science, clinical presentation, evaluation, diagnosis, management of common conditions, and preventative medicine. Content is accomplished through lectures, case discussions, and laboratories as appropriate.

  • HPPA 5125 Clinical Medicine: Infectious Disease (1:1:0,F)

    This course is designed to cover foundational principles of Clinical Medicine related to infectious disease. Instruction will cover the application of basic science, clinical presentation, evaluation, diagnosis, and management of common conditions. Content is accomplished through lectures, case discussions, and laboratories as appropriate.

  • HPPA 5128 Clinical Medicine: Endocrinology (1:1:0,F)

    This course is designed to cover foundational principles of Clinical Medicine related to endocrinology. Instruction will cover the application of basic science, clinical presentation, evaluation, diagnosis, management of common conditions, and preventative medicine. Content is accomplished through lectures, case discussions, and laboratories as appropriate.

  • HPPA 5130 Clinical Medicine: Neurology (1.5:1.5:0,O)

    This course is designed to cover foundational principles of Clinical Medicine related to the neurologic system. Instruction will cover the application of basic science, clinical presentation, evaluation, diagnosis, management of common conditions, and preventative medicine. Content is accomplished through lectures, case discussions, and laboratories as appropriate.

  • HPPA 5132 Clinical Medicine: Renal (1.5:1.5:0,F)

    This course is designed to cover foundational principles of Clinical Medicine related to the renal system. Instruction will cover the application of basic science, clinical presentation, evaluation, diagnosis, management of common conditions, and preventative medicine. Content is accomplished through lectures, case discussions, and laboratories as appropriate.

  • HPPA 5134 Clinical Medicine: Genitourinary (.5:.5:0,F)

    This course is designed to cover foundational principles of Clinical Medicine related to the female genitourinary and male genitourinary and reproductive systems. Instruction will cover the application of basic science, clinical presentation, evaluation, diagnosis, management of common conditions, and preventative medicine. Content is accomplished through lectures, case discussions, and laboratories as appropriate.

  • HPPA 5136 Clinical Medicine: Essentials of Geriatrics (.5:.5:0,F)

    This course is designed to cover foundational principles of Clinical Medicine related to the geriatric population. Instructions will cover the application of basic science, clinical presentation, evaluation, diagnosis, and management of common conditions. End of life care and functional abilities will be included. Content is accomplished through lectures, case discussions, and laboratories as appropriate.

  • HPPA 5191 Professional Development I (1:1:0,H)

    The professional development sequence of courses spans the entire didactic program curriculum and is intended to provide a foundation for clerkships and professional practice. Topics include: PA Profession issues, history of the profession, business of healthcare, concepts of public health (such as: patient safety, quality improvement, and prevention of medical errors), medical ethics, risk management, rules/regulations, personal wellness and professionalism.

  • HPPA 5193 Professional Development III (1:1:0,F)

    The professional development sequence of courses spans the entire didactic program curriculum and is intended to provide a foundation for clerkships and professional practice. Topics include: PA Profession issues, history of the profession, business of healthcare, concepts of public health such as: patient safety, quality improvement, and prevention of medical errors, medical ethics, risk management, rules/regulations, personal wellness and professionalism.

  • HPPA 5194 Professional Development IV (1:1:0,F)

    The professional development sequence of courses spans the entire didactic program curriculum and is intended to provide a foundation for clerkships and professional practice. Topics include: PA Profession issues, history of the profession, business of healthcare, concepts of public health such as: patient safety, quality improvement, and prevention of medical errors, medical ethics, risk management, rules/regulations, personal wellness and professionalism.

  • HPPA 5223 Clinical Medicine: Gastroenterology/Nutrition (2.5:2.5:0,F)

    This course is designed to cover foundational principles of Clinical Medicine related to gastroenterology and nutrition. Instruction will cover the application of basic science, clinical presentation, evaluation, diagnosis, management of common conditions, and prevention medicine. Content is accomplished through lectures, case discussions, and laboratories as appropriate.

  • HPPA 5231 Clinical Medicine: Pulmonary (2:2:1,F)

    This course is designed to cover foundational principles of Clinical Medicine related to the pulmonary system. Instruction will cover the application of basic science, clinical presentation, evaluation, diagnosis, management of common conditions and preventative medicine. Content is accomplished through lectures, case discussions, and laboratories as appropriate.

  • HPPA 5235 Clinical Medicine: Reproductive (2:2:0,F)

    This course is designed to cover foundational principles of Clinical Medicine related to female reproductive system including gynecology and obstetrics. Instruction will cover the application of basic science, clinical presentation, evaluation, diagnosis, management of common conditions and preventative medicine. Content is accomplished through lectures, case discussions, and laboratories as appropriate.

  • HPPA 5237 Clinical Medicine: Essentials of Surgery (2.5:2.5:1,F)

    This lecture series explores specialized and tertiary health care in the area of surgery and surgical subspecialties. Discussions address protocols, behavior and dress. Workshops enable students to learn and perform procedures essential for clinical practice and the approach to conditions requiring surgical interventions. Content is delivered through lectures, laboratories as appropriate. Case studies and patient education are incorporated into the teaching process.

  • HPPA 5238 Clinical Medicine: Essentials of Emergency Medicine (2.5:2.5:1,H)

    This lecture series explores specialized and tertiary health care in the area of emergency medicine. Discussions address protocols, behavior and dress. Workshops enable students to learn and perform procedures essential for clinical practice and the approach to acute conditions requiring emergency interventions. Content is delivered through lectures, laboratories as appropriate. Case studies and patient education are incorporated into the teaching process.

  • HPPA 5261 Clinical Skills I (2:2:2,F)

    The Clinical Skills course series encompass all semesters of the didactic year, and it is designed to provide students necessary skills and experiences needed to care for diverse patient populations throughout the lifespan. The course primarily focuses on evidenced-based techniques for patient interviewing, physical examination, ordering and interpreting diagnostics, and documentation. A combination of lectures, clinical vignettes, performance skills laboratories and simulated patient encounters will be employed to foster the learner’s problem solving and medical decision-making skills within a collaborative patient-centered team-based model.

  • HPPA 5306 Pharmacology I (3:3:0,F)

    This lecture series introduces the actions of basic pharmacologic agents in the human. The mechanism of action, principal actions and adverse reactions of conventional classes of drugs is examined. A review of fundamental pharmacology calculations, measurements and symbols are performed.

  • HPPA 5307 Pharmacology II (3:3:0,F)

    This lecture series builds on Pharmacology I. The action and interaction of pharmacological agents is discussed. Therapeutic applications, adverse reactions and contraindications to familiar drugs are considered.

  • HPPA 5308 Basic Sciences II (3:3:0,O)

    This course is a continuation of Basic Sciences I. This course series is designed to develop an understanding of normal physiology, neuroscience, genetics, and their relation to disease states. The physiology component covers normal physiology of organ systems. The genetics component reviews the patterns of inheritance. The neuroscience component covers neuroanatomical arrangement, neurophysiology, and concepts of neurochemistry. Students are challenged to apply this knowledge towards problem-solving of scenarios and predictions regarding disease states.

  • HPPA 5326 Clinical Medicine: Psychiatry/Behavioral Science (3:3:0,F)

    This course is designed to cover foundational principles of Clinical Medicine related to the dermatological system. Instruction will cover the application of basic science, clinical presentation, evaluation, diagnosis, management of common conditions. Addiction treatment and rehabilitation and violence recognition and prevention will be included. Content is accomplished through lectures, case discussions, and laboratories as appropriate.

  • HPPA 5329 Clinical Medicine:Musculoskeletal (3:3:1,F)

    This course is designed to cover foundational principles of Clinical Medicine related to orthopedics and rheumatology. Instruction will cover the application of basic science, clinical presentation, evaluation, diagnosis, management of common conditions including rehabilitation, and preventative medicine. Content is accomplished through lectures, case discussions, and laboratories as appropriate.

  • HPPA 5331 Clinical Medicine: Pulmonary (3:3:3,F)

    This course is designed to cover foundational principles of Clinical Medicine related to the pulmonology. Instruction will cover the application of basic science, clinical presentation, evaluation, diagnosis, management of common conditions and preventative medicine. Content is accomplished through lectures, case discussions, and laboratories as appropriate.

  • HPPA 5333 Clinical Medicine: Essentials of Pediatrics (3:3:0,H)

    This course is designed to cover foundational principles of Clinical Medicine related to the practice of pediatrics. Instruction will cover the application of basic science, clinical presentation, evaluation, diagnosis, and management of common conditions presenting in infants, toddlers, children and adolescents. Prevention and normal development will be discussed. Content is accomplished through lectures, case discussions, and laboratories as appropriate.

  • HPPA 5361 Clinical Skills I (3:3:3,F)

    The Clinical Skills course series encompasses all semesters of the didactic year, and it is designed to provide students with the necessary skills and experiences needed to care for diverse patient populations throughout the lifespan. The course primarily focuses on evidenced-based techniques for patient interviewing, physical examination, ordering and interpreting diagnostics, and documentation. A combination of lectures, clinical vignettes, performance skills laboratories, and simulated patient encounters will foster the learner’s problem-solving and medical decision-making skills within a collaborative, patient-centered, team-based model.

  • HPPA 5362 Clinical Skills II (3:3:3,F)

    The Clinical Skills course series encompasses all semesters of the didactic year, and it is designed to provide students with the necessary skills and experiences needed to care for diverse patient populations throughout the lifespan. The course primarily focuses on evidenced-based techniques for patient interviewing, physical examination, ordering and interpreting diagnostics, and documentation. A combination of lectures, clinical vignettes, performance skills laboratories, and simulated patient encounters will foster the learner’s problem-solving and medical decision-making skills within a collaborative, patient-centered, team-based model.

  • HPPA 5363 Clinical Skills III (3:3:3,F)

    The Clinical Skills course series encompass all semesters of the didactic year, and it is designed to provide students necessary skills and experiences needed to care for diverse patient populations throughout the lifespan. The course primarily focuses on evidenced-based techniques for patient interviewing, physical examination, ordering and interpreting diagnostics, and documentation. A combination of lectures, clinical vignettes, performance skills laboratories and simulated patient encounters will be employed to foster the learner’s problem solving and medical decision-making skills within a collaborative patient-centered team-based model.

  • HPPA 5364 Clinical Skills IV (3:3:3,F)

    The Clinical Skills course series encompass all semesters of the didactic year, and it is designed to provide students necessary skills and experiences needed to care for diverse patient populations throughout the lifespan. The course primarily focuses on evidenced-based techniques for patient interviewing, physical examination, ordering and interpreting diagnostics, and documentation. A combination of lectures, clinical vignettes, performance skills laboratories and simulated patient encounters will be employed to foster the learner’s problem solving and medical decision-making skills within a collaborative patient-centered team-based model.

  • HPPA 5392 Professional Development II (3:3:0,F)

    The professional development sequence of courses spans the entire didactic program curriculum and is intended to provide a foundation for clerkships and professional practice. Topics include: PA Profession issues, history of the profession, business of healthcare, concepts of public health such as: patient safety, quality improvement, and prevention of medical errors, medical ethics, risk management, rules/regulations, personal wellness and professionalism.

  • HPPA 5401 Anatomy I (4:6:6,F)

    This lecture/laboratory course series encompasses a regional study of the gross morphological features of the human body, emphasizing functional anatomy. The course lays the foundation for understanding the principles of clinical medicine.

  • HPPA 5406 Basic Sciences I (4:4:0,O)

    This course series is designed to develop an understanding of normal physiology, neuroscience, genetics, and their relation to disease states. The physiology component covers normal physiology of organ systems. The genetics component reviews the patterns of inheritance. The neuroscience component covers neuroanatomical arrangement, neurophysiology, and concepts of neurochemistry. Students are challenged to apply this knowledge towards problem-solving of scenarios and predictions regarding disease states.

  • HPPA 5427 Clinical Medicine: Cardiovascular (4:3:1,H)

    This course is designed to cover foundational principles of Clinical Medicine related to cardiology. Instruction will cover the application of basic science, clinical presentation, evaluation, diagnosis, management of common conditions including rehabilitation, and preventative medicine. Content is accomplished through lectures, case discussions, and laboratories as appropriate.

  • HPPA 5429 Clinical Medicine: Musculoskeletal (4:3:1,F)

    This course is designed to cover foundational principles of Clinical Medicine related to orthopedics and rheumatology. Instruction will cover the application of basic science, clinical presentation, evaluation, diagnosis, management of common conditions including rehabilitation, and preventative medicine. Content is accomplished through lectures, case discussions, and laboratories as appropriate.

  • HPPA 5462 Clinical Skills II (4:4:4,F)

    The Clinical Skills course series encompass all semesters of the didactic year, and it is designed to provide students necessary skills and experiences needed to care for diverse patient populations throughout the lifespan. The course primarily focuses on evidenced-based techniques for patient interviewing, physical examination, ordering and interpreting diagnostics, and documentation. A combination of lectures, clinical vignettes, performance skills laboratories and simulated patient encounters will be employed to foster the learner’s problem solving and medical decision-making skills within a collaborative patient-centered team-based model.

  • HPPA 5501 Human Anatomy (5:6:10,F)

    This lecture/laboratory series encompasses a regional study of the gross morphological features of the human body emphasizing functional anatomy. The course lays the foundation for understanding the principles of clinical medicine.

  • HPPA 6000 Rural Track Seminar (0:0:0,O)

    This course runs through the clinical year for students on the PA Program Rural Track. Through a variety of learning opportunities, students will augment their learning to better prepare them for rural practice and lifestyle.

  • HPPA 6194 Evidence-Based Medicine I (1:1:0,F)

    This course is the first in the series to prepare students to search, interpret, and evaluate the medical literature and its application to patient care. Students learn how to frame research questions, interpret basic biostatistical methods, limits of medical research, types of sampling methods, and the use of common databases.

  • HPPA 6195 Evidence Based Medicine II (1:1:0,O)

    This course is the second in the series to prepare students to search, interpret, and evaluate the medical literature and its application to patient care. Students learn how to frame research questions, interpret basic biostatistical methods, limits of medical research, types of sampling methods, and the use of common databases.

  • HPPA 6196 Professional Development V (1:1:0,F)

    This course completes the course series of the foundations of professional practice. Topics include licensing and credentialing. Student complete the program summative examination and evaluation requirements.

  • HPPA 6294 Evidence Based Medicine I (2:2:0,O)

    This course is the first in the series to prepare student to search, interpret, and evaluate the medical literature and its application to patient care. Students learn how to frame research questions, interpret basic biostatistical methods, limits of medical research, types of sampling methods, and the use of common databases. The student will develop an evidenced-based research question as a basis for continued inquiry in the next semester.

  • HPPA 6302 Patient-Centered Care (3:3:0,H)

    This course is intended to provide knowledge, skill and attitude competencies in cultural competence. It is intended to build on interviewing skills and will consist of a series of case discussions and readings relevant to socio-cultural factors that may affect the delivery of care to individual patients in a diverse population. Self-awareness will be emphasized as a basis on which clinicians develop the competencies necessary for current and evolving clinical practice in a variety of settings.

  • HPPA 6601 Family Medicine Clerkship (6:0:40,F)

    This clerkship provides experience with common diseases and chronic illnesses in the family practice setting. The learning experience includes the family medicine approach to direct care, initial care, comprehensive care and continuity of care. The student participates in the promotion and application of the preventive medicine and wellness maintenance techniques as an important aspect of family practice.

  • HPPA 6602 Internal Medicine Clerkship (6:0:40,F)

    This clerkship provides clinical experience with acute and chronic illnesses seen in the general internal medicine practice. Thie student experiences the traditional approach to the comprehensive care of adult patients to include continuity of care. Clinical experience in preventive medicine, health and wellness maintenance techniques, especially in secondary and tertiary settings, is provided.

  • HPPA 6603 Prenatal Care and Gynecology Clerkship (6:0:40,F)

    This clerkship provides clinical experience in the care of prenatal and gynecologic patients. This rotation will emphasize the examination of the female patient with focus on the most common gynecologic and prenatal problems and their diagnostic assessment, the formulation of appropriate treatment plans, the utilization of preventive medicine modalities and the evaluation and education of the gynecological and prenatal patient.

  • HPPA 6604 Pediatric Clerkship (6:0:40,F)

    The Pediatric clerkship is designed to provide PA students with experience in the specialty of pediatric medicine. This clerkship provides the opportunity for students to gain general pediatric knowledge and to apply that clinical knowledge to the development of the necessary proficiency for a PA to function in a primary care pediatric setting.

  • HPPA 6605 Emergency Medicine Clerkship (6:0:40,F)

    The Emergency Medicine clerkship will provide the PA student with experience in the emergency department with urgent and emergent medical problems and with trauma and surgical cases. It includes the emergency approach to direct initial and comprehensive care for patients in the acute care setting.

  • HPPA 6606 Selective Clerkship (6:0:40,F)

    The selective clinical clerkship provides the student with an opportunity to choose a clinical experience from the available fields of medicine offered by the program. The rotation allows the student to create an additional knowledge base and to gain clinical experience in a medical sub-specialty or core competency.

  • HPPA 6607 Psychiatry Clerkship (6:0:40,F)

    The Psychiatry clerkship provides experience with common acute and chronic psychiatric mental/behavioral health and the approach to assessment and management of mental health conditions.

  • HPPA 6608 Surgery Clerkship (6:0:40,F)

    The surgery clerkship provides experience in the presentation and treatment of surgical management of disease and illness. This rotation allows the PA student to experience the approach to and the management of the surgical patient in the preoperative, intra-operative, and postoperative phase of care.