Program Completion

The USA Physician Assistant (PA) studies program consists of preclinical and clinical
components. The preclinical component is designed to provide a solid foundation for
the clinical component. During the clinical component the student refines the medical
knowledge and clinical skills needed for professional practice as a Physician Assistant.
Successful completion of the Physician Assistant (PA) Studies program requires that
the student be able to:
- Complete 121 hours of graduate course work consisting of 73 credit hours of didactic course work and 48 credit hours of clinical course work.
- Obtain an accurate and detailed patient history.
- Perform complete and focused physical examinations
- Establish working and differential diagnosis, order and interpret diagnostic evaluations to include: laboratory tests (blood, urine, spinal fluids, cultures); imaging studies (plain film radiography, radiographic contrast studies, ultrasound studies, computerized tomography studies, MRI studies & electrocardiogram.
- Develop and manage a treatment plan. Record patient data: (a) Written notes and charting, and (b) Electronic medical record.
- Order and/or administer therapeutic medications (a) in hospitals and clinics and (b) via written or electronic prescription.
- Perform therapeutic medical interventions and procedures.
- Council and educate patients regarding medical, therapeutic, and behavioral problems.
- Interact with patients and the medical community in a professional manner.
- Make appropriate referrals.