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Curricular Components
Physician Assistant Program
The Physician Assistant Program at Rowan-Virtua SOM is designed to provide a comprehensive, rigorous and well-rounded education over a 24-month period, culminating in the preparation of skilled and compassionate physician assistants. This innovative curriculum is structured into two distinct phases: the didactic phase and the clinical phase, each meticulously crafted to ensure that students gain the foundational knowledge and hands-on experience necessary for success.
Academic credit offered by the program and required for graduation: 105 credits
Required Curricular Components
| Course # | Course | Credits |
| Semester 1 - Fall | ||
| PAST 60100 | Advanced Human Anatomy | 5 |
| PAST 60101 | Advanced Human Physiology/Pathophysiology | 4 |
| PAST 60102 | Foundations in Medical Sciences (genetics, microbiology, molecular mechanisms of health and disease, pharmacokinetics/dynamics) | 3 |
| PAST 60103 | History Taking and Physical Examination | 5 |
| PAST 60104 | Introduction to PA Practice | 1 |
| PAST 60105 | Introduction to Research and EBM | 1 |
| Total credits | 19 | |
| Semester 2 - Spring | ||
| PAST 60106 | Clinical Medicine 1 | 4 |
| PAST 60107 | Clinical Seminar 1 | 3 |
| PAST 60108 | Patient Assessment 1 | 2 |
| PAST 60109 | Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics 1 | 3 |
| PAST 60110 | Professional Practice 1 | 1 |
| PAST 60111 | Research Methods 1 | 1 |
| PAST 60112 | Foundations of Obstetrics and Gynecology | 2 |
| Total credits | 16 | |
| Semester 3 - Summer | ||
| PAST 60113 | Clinical Medicine 2 | 4 |
| PAST 60114 | Clinical Seminar 2 | 3 |
| PAST 60115 | Patient Assessment 2 | 2 |
| PAST 60116 | Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics 2 | 3 |
| PAST 60117 | Professional Practice 2 | 1 |
| PAST 60118 | Foundations of Medical Care Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| PAST 60119 | Foundations of Surgery and Emergency Medicine | 3 |
| PAST 60120 | Research Methods 2 | 1 |
| Total credits | 20 | |
| Semester 4** - Fall | ||
| PAST 70200 | Family Medicine SCPE* (5 weeks) | 5 |
| PAST 70201 | Internal Medicine SCPE (5 weeks) | 5 |
| PAST 70202 | Pediatrics SCPE (5 weeks) | 5 |
| Total credits | 15 | |
| Semester 5** - Spring | ||
| PAST 70203 | Emergency Medicine SCPE (5weeks) | 5 |
| PAST 70204 | Surgery SCPE (5 weeks) | 5 |
| PAST 70205 | Women's Health SCPE (5 weeks) | 5 |
| Total credits | 15 | |
| Semester 6* - Summer | ||
| PAST 70206 | Behavioral Health SCPE (5 weeks) | 5 |
| PAST 70207 | Elective 1 SCPE (5weeks) | 5 |
| PAST 70208 | Elective 2 SCPE (5 weeks) | 5 |
| PAST 70209 | PA Capstone course | 5 |
| Total credits | 20 | |
| Total | 105 | |
*SCPE: Supervised clinical practice experiences
**All SCPEs will be scheduled as sites/preceptors are available. Each student will have a different order of completion.
Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences
The clinical phase will comprise three semesters of SCPEs, i.e. clinical clerkships/rotations, with students assigned to clinical preceptors at various inpatient and outpatient facilities. SCPEs will be scheduled as available through preceptor and site availability, not all students will be taking the same SCPE at the same time. Registration and scheduling for SCPEs during the clinical year will vary from student to student. There are nine SCPEs and all SCPEs are five weeks long. The Rowan-Virtua PA program SCPEs will include:
- Family Medicine
- Internal Medicine
- Emergency Medicine
- Pediatrics
- Surgery
- Women's Health
- Behavioral Health
- Elective #1
- Elective #2
The clinical year will conclude with the Capstone Course.
Prospective and enrolled students are never required to provide or solicit clinical sites or preceptors. It is the responsibility of the program to ensure that all students have access to all required clinical rotations and to have the ability to meet all Clinical Phase learning outcomes. See full Clinical Rotation Site Procurement Policy and Procedures A3.03
PA Program Competencies
PA Admissions Requirements and Application
