The PA program at Trevecca is 27 months in length beginning the 3rd week of May each year. The first 15 months are didactic and the last 12 months are clinical rotations with didactic education continuing at the end of each rotation in seminar format.
The curriculum is:
Didactic Phase
Summer Semester I
PAS 5020 Research Methods and Design in Medicine (4)
This course introduces physician assistant students to the sic principles of experimental design in medicine. Development of a research design is required.
PAS 5030 Introduction to the Physician Assistant (PA) Profession (2)
This course introduces physician assistant students to the historical perspectives of the profession as well as the PA role in health care delivery, political and legal factors affecting PA practice, and inter-professional issues.
PAS 5040 Clinical Human Physiology (4)
This advanced course in human physiology is designed for physician assistants. It details the principles that are necessary for understanding the overall, integrated physiologic functions of the human. Each organ system organization under normal conditions will be addressed using the cellular knowledge of function and control mechanisms. Requires a prior course in human physiology. Courses in animal physiology are considered on an individual basis.
PAS 5060 Medical Law and Ethics (2)
Designed to prepare the student entering a health care field to utilize personal, social, moral, and spiritual values in the conduct of his/her future professional life.
PAS 5070 Applied Anatomy (4)
This advanced course in human anatomy is designed to relate anatomical structures to function and clinical application. Lab sessions with prosected cadavers are included.
Fall Semester
PAS 5080 Clinical Medicine I (4)
An advanced course in pathophysiologic processes of disease, it places emphasis on the mechanisms of disease processes, the human body’s response to disease and the corresponding clinical manifestations.
PAS 5090 Introduction to Psychiatry (3)
Designed to provide students a basic understanding of human growth and development as it relates to psychosocial aspects of the life span. Emphasis is given to common psychiatric disorders, their diagnosis, treatment, and influence on the care of clients during other medical disorders.
PAS 5100 Medical Communications (2)
This course introduces physician assistant students to the techniques of medical interviewing and recording and presentation of clinical information. Aspects of patient education and counseling are covered. An introduction to medical Spanish and sign language is also included.
PAS 5110 Introduction to ECG and X-ray Interpretation (2)
This course introduces physician assistant students to the fundamentals of electrocardiography and clinical radiology and prepares them to discriminate between normal, variations of normal, and abnormal ECG and radiographic studies.
PAS 5120 Laboratory Medicine I (4)
This course introduces physician assistant students to diagnostic tests obtained through Hematology, Chemistry, Immunology, Urinalysis, Tissue Pathology, toxicology, and Endocrinology. Students will also be acquainted with common microbial pathogens. The focus will be on epidemiology, epidemiology, pathogenicity, clinical presentations, and treatment. The laboratory portion will expose the student to those tests that can be performed in the clinical office setting.
PAS 5050 Clinical Procedures (2)
This Course develops skills in performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures that a physician assistant will use in clinical practice. Emphasis is placed on the indications, contra-indications, and risks/side-effects as well as technical proficiency.
Spring Semester
PAS 5140 Clinical Medicine II (4 )
Designed to acquaint the student with the diagnostic process this course presents the etiology, pathophysiology, clinical findings, laboratory findings, diagnostic criteria, and current treatment of the more common diseases affecting the human organism.
PAS 5150 Pharmacology (4)
This course is designed to introduce PA students to concepts related to Pharmacology, i.e., the properties, mechanisms of action and effects of drugs. Content areas include the mechanisms of basic chemical reactions in the body, external chemical regulation of physiologic pathways, and clinical interventions with biological systems at the cellular level.
PAS 5160 Clinical Practicum I
This course is designed to introduce the student to the process of documentation of medical information in the medical record in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
PAS 5170 Introduction to Surgery (3)
This course is designed to acquaint physician assistant students with the knowledge and skills required to manage surgical diseases. Emphasis is placed on differentiating between surgical and non-surgical conditions.
PAS 5180 Physical Assessment (4)
This course is designed to develop physical examination skills. Techniques are presented for performing physical assessment of all organ systems. Physical exams are performed on a variety of patients under faculty supervision.
Summer Semester II
PAS 5200 Introduction to Pediatrics (2)
This course prepares the physician assistant student to recognize and manage common clinical problems associated with the pediatric patient.
PAS 5230 Introduction to Obstetrics and Gynecology (3)
This course prepares the physician assistant student to assess normal and abnormal clinical situations involving the female genital tract.
PAS 5240 Clinical Medicine III (4 )
Designed to acquaint the student with the diagnostic process, this course presents the etiology, pathophysiology, clinical findings, laboratory findings, diagnostic criteria, and current treatment of the more common diseases affecting the human organism.
PAS 5250 Introduction to Emergency Medicine (3)
This course prepares the physician assistant student to diagnose and manage medical and surgical emergencies due to illness or trauma. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training and certification are included.
PAS 5260 Clinical Practicum II
To integrate knowledge and newly acquired skills related to interviewing and physical assessment with practical application and documentation
PAS 5155 Clinical Therapeutics (4)
This course is designed to introduce PA students to concepts related to Clinical Therapeutics as an extension of Pharmacology content areas, include side effects, drug toxicity, and allergy, drug selection, monitoring in specific disease states, prescription writing, and the relationship between the practitioner and pharmacist.
Clinical Rotations
PAS 5280 Seminar: Research Methods and Design (1)
This seminar is designed for physician assistant students to develop their ability to formulate relevant clinical questions, evaluate primary resources and draw appropriate conclusions applicable to clinical practice. This project will culminate in an oral presentation to the Program faculty and students. Seminar culminates in the formal presentation of a clinical literature review.
PAS 6000
6020 Primary Care I & II (12)
This clinical practicum is designed for physician assistant students to develop the ability to link basic medical science knowledge to clinical medicine, improve data collection, refine interpretive and communication skills, and gain confidence in the performance of essential examination techniques within the clinical setting.
6030 Emergency Medicine (6)
This clinical practicum based in a hospital emergency room provides physician assistant students the opportunity to link basic medical science knowledge to clinical medicine and develop the skills necessary to recognize and manage patients presenting with trauma and or other life threatening/emergent problems.
PAS 6050 Internal Medicine (6)
This clinical practicum provides physician assistant students an opportunity to link basic medical science knowledge to clinical medicine and develop the skills necessary to evaluate and manage patients with internal medicine problems.
PAS 6070 Pediatrics (6)
This clinical practicum based in a pediatric office or clinic setting provides the physician assistant student an opportunity to link basic medical science knowledge to clinical medicine and develop the skills necessary to evaluate and manage clinical problems associated with pediatric patients.
PAS 6090 Surgery (6)
This clinical practicum provides the physician assistant student an opportunity to link basic medical science knowledge to clinical medicine and develop skills necessary to differentiate surgical from non-surgical problems and appropriately manage or refer patients presenting with surgical problems.
PAS 6110 Psychiatry (6)
This clinical practicum provides the physician assistant student an opportunity to link basic medical science knowledge to clinical medicine and develop the skills necessary to recognize and manage common mental health disorders.
Elective Rotations (6)
| Primary Care |
Cardiovascular Surgery |
| Surgery |
Geriatrics |
| Obstetrics & Gynecology |
Sports Medicine |
| Emergency Medicine |
Dermatology |
| Otorhinolaryngology |
Psychiatry |
| Pediatrics |
Orthopedics |
| Internal Medicine |
Cardiology |
| Ophthalmology |
Radiology |
Elective rotations are six weeks in duration and are available in a variety of medical and surgical disciplines.
