Saint Francis University

Courses Required
(for a student entering prior to the professional phase)

The curriculum for the Master of Physician Assistant Science is based on a liberal arts foundation with students completing core and collateral courses during the pre-professional phase of the program (the first three years). Prior to the beginning of the professional phase, students are required to complete 100 hours of health care experience (volunteer or paid); 40 of the 100 hours must be spent working with a PA. Documentation must be provided. The professional phase begins in the fourth year (didactic year) and combines the required courses work with clinical experience. Students will be required to obtain Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification during the professional phase. During the clinical year, all students are required to complete the following clerkships: eight credits of Family Practice or four credits of Family Practice and four credits of Primary Care, with approval by Department, and four credits each of Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Women's Health, Pediatrics, Surgery, Behavioral Medicine, and a four-credit elective that will allow further investigation of an area of medicine that personally interests or assists the student in furthering his/her educational goals. Any site/specialty choices for elective rotations must be approved by the clinical coordinator prior to registration. Also during the clinical year, each student will complete the Transition to Clinical Practice course. This course is designed to provide bridge experience for the student who is completing clinical rotations by addressing issues germane to everyday PA practice. Included within this course is a capstone experience and summative evaluation which must be completed at a satisfactory level.

Major Requirements

• All Physician Assistant courses including PHYA 110, 111, 112, 210, 211, 440, 441, 442, 450, 451, 460, 461, 462, 470, 471, 472, 480, 481, 490, 491, 492, 493, 494, 495, 496, 503, 505

• MPAS 501, 510, 520, 521 or 523, 530, 540, 550, 560, 590, four credits of MPAS elective

• Biology 205*, 206*, 214*

• Chemistry 103*, 104*

• Three credits in Mathematics (at least MATH 110 or higher) or Statistics 101*

• Psychology 101*

• Six credits of electives above and/or beyond core/collateral requirements as approved by the Department of Physician Assistant Sciences

*Collateral Requirements