PRE-PROFESSIONAL PHASE (YEARS 1-3)

Admission and course requirements may be subject to change at the discretion of  King's College.

The pre-professional phase Courses consist of:

  • Liberal arts and PA Classes
  • Preparatory science prerequisites for the later professional phase

Students fulfill all of the core requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree, and the following courses:

  • Evolution and Diversity with Laboratory (4 credits)
  • Organisms and Their Ecosystems with Laboratory (4 credits)
  • Cell and Molecular Biology with Laboratory (4 credits)
  • Microbiology with Laboratory (4 credits)
  • Immunology and Clinical Microbiology with Laboratory (4 Credits)
  • Anatomy and Physiology with Laboratory (8 credits)
  • Biochemistry for Medical Studies with Laboratory (4 credits)
  • Topic In Biochemistry/Physiology/Genetics (3 Credits)
  • General Chemistry I and II with Laboratory (8 credits)
  • Organic Chemistry I with Laboratory (4 credits)
  • Neuroscience I (3 credits)
  • Drugs and Behavior (3 credits)
  • Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis (3 credits)

PA 100  Introduction to PA Essentials

This one credit course is designed to introduce students in the Five-Year BS/MSPAS Major to fundamental information about the PA profession. The course will discuss the role of the PA within the healthcare system in relation to other healthcare professionals. The course will require students to contemplate their own self-awareness and allow them to develop study skills which will assist in their personal and professional development. This course will also address topics of professionalism, communication and introduce students to scientific research.

PA 200  Fundamental PA Skills 

This one credit course builds upon the information and instruction from PA 100. It is designed for sophomore PA students to expand upon the role of a PA and the importance of communication and professionalism. The course will focus on patient care topics, in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. It will also introduce the student to medical skills that the student can apply as a future healthcare professional.

PA 201  PA Career Foundations 

This one credit course continues to build upon PA 100 and PA 200, reinforcing the professionalism, communication and research required to be an effective PA. The course will discuss the concepts of grit and resiliency and help the student apply these concepts to be successful as a PA student and ultimately a practicing PA. Students will learn to develop their professional brand based on their strengths, character traits and professional goals. The course will advance critical thinking skills and introduce the concept of differential diagnosis.

PA 300 Nutrition for Medical Studies- pending college approval

PA 300 Nutrition for Medical Studies is a 3-credit course for students in a variety of health science majors [including Physician Assistant, exercise science, nursing, athletic training, pre-medicine, and science] to provide a broad understanding of the science of nutrition and its applications to health. Concepts covered include the essential nutrients, digestion, absorption, metabolism, transport, and nutrient composition of foods. Additionally, major health issues related to some nutrients that are of public health concern in the United States are discussed in more detail giving insight into the cause, treatment, and prevention (with the intent on applying this information to future clinical interventions). Of major importance to students' lives are health and nutrition implications of overweight and obesity, heart disease, diabetes, bone health, cancer, and energy balance as affected by diet and physical activity. Lastly, understanding of nutritional needs throughout the lifespan is introduced, with emphasis on pregnancy, lactation, and infant nutrition. Students will be encouraged to utilize critical thinking skills concerning the foundational concepts of nutrition as applied to the overall health of individuals as well as the US population. The concepts presented in PA 300 provide the foundation for the higher-level information presented in the graduate-level courses in our MS Nutrition Sciences program. 

**All courses must be completed by the end of the spring semester of the junior year, and documentation must be forwarded by the end of May.

Students must also complete all Core requirements by the end of the spring semester of their junior year before entering the professional phase of the program.

PROFESSIONAL (DIDACTIC) PHASE (YEAR 4)

PA 475C Medical Terminology (summer Self-Study included in grading for Basic Medical Sciences I)

Fall Semester

PA 450 – Diagnostic Methods I (4 credits)

Physical Diagnosis I
Physical Diagnosis lab I
Diagnostic Imaging I
Laboratory Medicine

PA 554- Clinical Medicine I (4.5 credits)

Eyes, Ears, Nose and Throat (EENT)
Pediatrics
Endocrinology

PA 556 Clinical Medicine II (4 credits)

Dermatology
Infectious Disease
Behavioral Health

PA 475 - Basic Medical Sciences I (5 .5 credits)

Pharmacology I
Anatomy and Physiology and Gross Anatomy Lab I
Medical Terminology (summer self-study)
Medical Interviewing and Documentation
Seminar

Spring

PA 455 Diagnostic Methods II (4 credits)

Basic EKG
Physical Diagnosis II
Physical Diagnosis Laboratory II
Diagnostic Imaging II

PA 557 Clinical Medicine III (5 credits)

Gastroenterology
Neurology
Cardiology I

PA 558 Clinical Medicine IV (5 credits)

Pulmonology
Urology
Gynecology/Obstetrics

PA 476 Basic Medical Sciences II (4 credits)

Pharmacology II
Anatomy and Physiology II and Gross Anatomy Lab II
Medical Anthropology
Seminar/OSCE's

Summer

PA 559 Clinical Medicine V (6 credits)

Emergency Medicine
General Surgery
Cardiology II
Orthopedics
Rheumatology
Seminar/OSCE/Observations

PA 565 Clinical Medicine VI (3 credits)

Clinical Reasoning
Hospital Based Practice
Patient Centered Care Plans

PA 510 - Foundations of Clinical Practice (3 credits)

Research Methods
Health Care Policies/PA Practice
Medical Ethics
Medical Genetics

PROFESSIONAL (CLINICAL) PHASE (YEAR 5)

PA 515 Emergency Medicine (6 credits)
PA 520 Internal Medicine (6 credits)
PA 525 Obstetrics and Gynecology (6 credits)
PA 530 Pediatrics (6 credits)
PA 535 Psychiatry (6 credits)
PA 540 General Surgery (6 credits)
PA 545 Family Practice (6 credits)
PA 555 Elective Rotation (6 credits)
PA 560 Capstone Course (4 credits)

The Clinical Phase of the Program provides clinical experiences for 6 weeks in the following areas:

  • Emergency Medicine
  • Family Medicine
  • Internal Medicine
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Pediatrics
  • Psychiatry
  • General Surgery

As part of the Capstone Course students will complete a master’s project using up-to-date medical research. They must also pass a computer-based and practical summative examinations.

100 total credits for the professional phase of the program

Requirements to Graduate

  • Pass all modules of the didactic portion of the program in sequence with an 80% or better, pass all pass/fail modules and maintain a minimum professional phase cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Exhibit consistent professional behavior
  • Complete and pass the Capstone Course with a 3.0 or better
  • Pass all components of summative evaluation as outlined in the Clinical Manual (computer based and practical summative examinations)
  • Pass all clinical rotations with a 3.0 or better
  • Meet or exceed minimum requirements for clinical experiences and competencies as outlined in the clinical manual


WIthdrawal Policy

If a student requires significant time off for any reason (greater than 5 school days), it may be inadvisable for him or her to continue given the nature and intensity of the program. The student may withdraw from the program by written request to the Program Director. Any student considering withdrawal from the program should consult with his or her advisor and/or the Program Director before initiating the withdrawal process. Matriculation back into the PA Program may occasionally be possible and is not a guarantee. This will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Any cost as a result of withdrawal are the responsibility of the student. A student who can no longer fulfill the Technical Standards set by the program will not be allowed to matriculate in the program.