PHYA 5010 Introduction to PA Profession

[1 credit hour]

The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of the physician assistant (PA) profession, including its history, development, and current role within the U.S. healthcare system. Students will be introduced to the philosophy of team-based, patient-centered care and the scope of practice of the PA. Core topics include the evolution of the profession, professional organizations, certification and licensure, and emerging trends shaping the future of healthcare delivery. Learning activities and evaluation methods will include lectures, case-based discussions, student presentations, and a final exam.

Term Offered: Fall

PHYA 5100 Principle Interview/Medical History

[2 credit hours]

An introduction to the art of patient/practitioner communication and effective interviewing for the purpose of establishing a health database and follow-up care.

Term Offered: Fall

PHYA 5130 Patient Evaluation

[4 credit hours]

Students will develop the knowledge and skills to perform a complete physical examination competently, recognizing normal and abnormal findings and communicating their findings verbally and in written form.

Term Offered: Spring

PHYA 5140 Health Care Teams and Systems

[2 credit hours]

Introduction to issues and systems related to the delivery of health care in the U.S. to include settings, costs, and reimbursement issues and the evaluation of health care quality.

Term Offered: Fall

PHYA 5210 Diagnostic and Therapeutic Skills I

[2 credit hours]

Introduction to the use and interpretation of commonly used diagnostic and therapeutic tools, including laboratory studies, radiographic studies, and electrocardiography.

Term Offered: Spring

PHYA 5220 Diagnostic and Therapeutic Skills II

[4 credit hours]

Introduction to the use and interpretation of commonly used diagnostic and therapeutic tools, with practical experience in radiology, including laboratory studies, radiographic studies, and electrocardiography.

Term Offered: Summer

PHYA 5230 Diagnostic and Therapeutic Skills III

[5 credit hours]

This is the third module of this 3-semester course and will combine lecture and laboratory experiences. Lectures will typically be given by the course instructor or a clinical expert on that topic. In-class / online learning (lecture) will be supplemented by laboratory skills work, Blackboard, self-study topics, supplemental required reading, and proficiency testing in this course. Among other topics, this course will focus on phlebotomy, intravenous catheterization, injection techniques, urinary catheterization, nasogastric intubation, suturing and knot tying, arterial puncture, endotracheal intubation, chest catheter, gowning and gloving, Ultrasound FAST Examination, and immobilization techniques.

Term Offered: Fall

PHYA 5310 Clinical Medicine I

[5 credit hours]

An intensive, three semester sequence of study which examines human diseases and disorders from the perspectives of etiology, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, management, potential complications and prognosis.

Term Offered: Spring

PHYA 5330 Clinical Medicine III

[6 credit hours]

An intensive, three semester sequence of study which examines human diseases and disorders from the perspectives of etiology, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, management, potential complications, and prognosis.

Term Offered: Fall

PHYA 5340 Clinical Medicine II

[5 credit hours]

Part 2 of an intensive, three semester sequence of study which examines human diseases and disorders from the perspectives of etiology, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, management, potential complication and prognosis.

Term Offered: Summer

PHYA 5400 Pathophysiology I

[4 credit hours]

This is the first semester of a three-semester course series. It will provide an overview of the pathologic processes that influence the development of diseases in humans. The course will include a discussion of normal function, pathophysiological processes in the development of diseases, and the impact of disease on patient health. Lectures will be delivered by the course instructor and may include in-class presentations, guest lecturers, and recorded instructional content, with built-in opportunities for questions and discussion.

Term Offered: Spring

PHYA 5410 Pathophysiology II

[4 credit hours]

This is the second module of this three-semester course series. It will provide an overview of the pathologic processes that influence the development of diseases in humans at the cellular, organ, and systemic levels. The course will include a discussion of normal function, pathophysiological processes in the development of diseases, and the impact of disease on patient health.

Term Offered: Summer

PHYA 5430 Pathophysiology III

[2 credit hours]

This is the third module of this three-semester course series. It will provide an overview of the pathologic processes that influence the development of diseases in humans at the cellular, organ, and systemic levels. The course will include a discussion of normal function, pathophysiological processes in the development of diseases, and the impact of disease on patient health.

Term Offered: Fall

PHYA 5510 Fundamentals of Pharmacology I

[4 credit hours]

A study of the general principles of pharmacotherapeutics and the rational use of drugs for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases.

Term Offered: Spring

PHYA 5520 Fundamentals of Pharmacology II

[3 credit hours]

A study of the general principles of pharmacotherapeutics and the rational use of drugs for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases.

Term Offered: Summer

PHYA 5530 Fundamentals of Pharmacology III

[1 credit hour]

A study of the general principles of pharmacotherapeutics and the rational use of drugs for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases. This course aims to introduce the physician assistant student to the use of drugs in the treatment of human diseases and to provide the student with a foundational knowledge base of drug properties and uses. The approach is to review the key features of the physiology and pathophysiology of a disease or “problem” that are amenable to drug modification. The pharmacology of individual drugs is then discussed with particular emphasis on the prototypes and most frequently prescribed drugs, followed by any newer drugs that have become available. Basic principles are emphasized so that the student will learn what questions they should ask about any new drug that becomes available. A second purpose is to introduce the student to the legal requirements for a PA to prescribe drugs in Ohio, the legal requirements of the drug prescription format, and ways by which prescribing errors can be minimized. Finally, the student will be introduced to the role of the FDA in regulating drug development and marketing. As a Physician Assistant, you will always learn about new drug treatments. Understanding the pharmacotherapeutic principles applied to currently available drugs is crucial because it will lead you to ask appropriate questions about new drug classes as they become available during your career as a lifelong learner and healthcare provider.

Term Offered: Fall

PHYA 6010 Clinical Genetics

[1 credit hour]

Clinical Genetics, a 1 credit hour course, is offered in the fall semester. The course describes the application of genetics to medical care and the application of these principles in the Primary Care Physician Assistant clinical practice. The discussions include: the basic structures and behavior of genes, the human genome, the role of genetics in medicine, genetic basics of human disease, application of genetics, and ethical considerations.

Term Offered: Fall

PHYA 6050 Ethics for PA Profession

[1 credit hour]

This course provides the foundation for ethics in the primary care clinical setting. Analyze common bioethical issues confronting physician assistants, and give the student the opportunity to share their experiences with peers.

Term Offered: Spring

PHYA 6110 Population and Lifestyle Medicine

[3 credit hours]

An introduction to basic concepts of health promotion and disease prevention, analysis of risk factors for disease, and an emphasis on strategies to modify lifestyles to promote health in the individual and community.

Term Offered: Summer

PHYA 6130 Evidence Based Medicine

[3 credit hours]

This course presents methods of research and their application to clinical research and practice. It emphasizes use of current research evidence in healthcare decision-making, an activity known as evidence-based practice. Topics include biostatistics, introduction to research methods, clinical analysis of the health-related information, and application of EBP to healthcare. Students develop a focused research question for their scholarly project and develop an introductory literature review on the topic. Scholarly project advisors will be identified.

Term Offered: Fall

PHYA 6150 Behavioral Science

[2 credit hours]

Study of concepts and practices related to evaluation and management of psychiatric diseases and conditions as well as behavioral issues which impact upon the health and well-being of patients.

Term Offered: Fall

PHYA 6310 Clinical Rotation - Psychiatric and Behavioral Health

[5 credit hours]

This supervised clinical practice experience (SCPE) is designed to support the achievement of program-defined learning outcomes in behavioral and mental health. This clinical rotation provides physician assistant students with immersive training in the evaluation and management of patients presenting with acute and chronic behavioral and mental health conditions. The patient population may include children, adolescents, adults, and elderly patients. Under the supervision of qualified licensed preceptors in behavioral and mental health settings, students engage in patient assessment and management, including obtaining focused medical and psychiatric histories, performing focused mental status examinations and relevant physical examinations, formulating and prioritizing differential diagnoses, selecting and interpreting diagnostic studies, and participating in evidence-based treatment plans. Emphasis is placed on patient safety, risk assessment, therapeutic communication, interprofessional collaboration, effective communication, and the development of clinical reasoning and professional behaviors in behavioral and mental health care environments.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

PHYA 6320 Clinical Rotation - Elective

[5 credit hours]

This supervised clinical practice experience (SCPE) is an elective rotation designed to support the achievement of program-defined learning outcomes and to supplement the required supervised clinical practice experiences within the physician assistant program. The rotation provides physician assistant students with immersive clinical training in a medical or surgical elective setting, with patient care experiences appropriate to the clinical specialty and within the physician assistant scope of practice. The patient population may include individuals across the lifespan, including infants, children, adolescents, adults, and elderly patients, as available within the elective setting. Under the supervision of licensed preceptors, students participate in patient evaluation and management, including eliciting medical histories, performing physical examinations, formulating differential diagnoses, ordering and interpreting diagnostic studies, and developing evidence-based care plans appropriate to the elective clinical environment. Clinical settings vary by specialty and may include emergency department, inpatient, outpatient, or operating room environments. Emphasis is placed on developing competency in preventive care (as appropriate to the setting), acute and chronic disease management, patient education, and collaborative, patient-centered care within interprofessional healthcare teams. Students are evaluated on their progress toward program-defined learning outcomes.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

PHYA 6330 Clinical Rotation - Emergency Medicine

[5 credit hours]

This supervised clinical practice experience (SCPE) is designed to support the achievement of program-defined learning outcomes in emergency medicine. This clinical rotation provides physician assistant students with immersive training in the evaluation and management of patients presenting with emergent and acute conditions. The patient population includes patients across the lifespan, infants, children, adolescents, adults, and elderly patients. Under the supervision of qualified licensed preceptors in the emergency department, students engage in rapid patient assessment and management, including obtaining focused histories, performing targeted physical examinations, formulating and prioritizing differential diagnoses, selecting and interpreting diagnostic studies, and participating in evidence-based treatment plans. Emphasis is placed on acute care, resuscitation principles, procedural skills, patient safety, interprofessional collaboration, effective communication, and the development of clinical reasoning and professional behaviors in fast-paced clinical environments.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

PHYA 6340 Clinical Rotation - Family Medicine

[5 credit hours]

This supervised clinical practice experience (SCPE) is designed to support the achievement of program-defined learning outcomes in family medicine patient care. This clinical rotation provides physician assistant students with immersive training in the principles and practice of family medicine across the lifespan. The patient population includes patients across the lifespan, infants, children, adolescents, adults, and elderly patients. Under the supervision of licensed preceptors, students will engage in patient evaluation and management, including eliciting medical histories, performing physical examinations, formulating differential diagnoses, ordering and interpreting diagnostic studies, and developing evidence-based care plans in primarily outpatient family medicine settings. Emphasis is placed on building competency in preventive care, acute and chronic disease management, patient education, and interprofessional collaboration. Students are evaluated on their progress toward program-defined learning outcomes.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

PHYA 6350 Clinical Rotation - Internal Medicine

[5 credit hours]

This supervised clinical practice experience (SCPE) is designed to support the achievement of program-defined learning outcomes in internal medicine patient care. This clinical rotation provides physician assistant students with immersive training in the evaluation and management of adult and elderly patients with acute and chronic medical conditions commonly encountered in internal medicine settings. Under the supervision of licensed preceptors, students engage in comprehensive patient assessment and management, including eliciting medical histories, performing physical examinations, formulating differential diagnoses, ordering and interpreting diagnostic studies, and developing evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic care plans in inpatient and outpatient care. Emphasis is placed on the management of complex medical conditions, chronic disease management, preventive care, patient education, and interprofessional collaboration. Students are evaluated on their progress toward program-defined learning outcomes.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

PHYA 6360 Clinical Rotation - Pediatrics

[5 credit hours]

This supervised clinical practice experience (SCPE) is designed to support the achievement of program-defined learning outcomes in pediatric patient care. This clinical rotation provides physician assistant students with immersive training structured in the principles and practice of pediatrics. The patient population includes neonates, infants, children, and adolescent patients across a range of developmental stages. Under the supervision of licensed preceptors, students will engage in pediatric patient evaluation and management, including obtaining age-appropriate medical histories, performing developmentally appropriate physical examinations, formulating differential diagnoses, ordering and interpreting diagnostic studies, and developing evidence-based care plans in outpatient pediatric settings. Emphasis is placed on preventive and well-child care, growth and developmental assessment, management of acute and chronic pediatric conditions, patient and family education, and interprofessional collaboration. Students are evaluated on their progress toward program-defined learning outcomes.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

PHYA 6370 Clinical Rotation - Surgery

[5 credit hours]

This supervised clinical practice experience (SCPE) is designed to support the achievement of program-defined learning outcomes in surgical patient care. This clinical rotation provides physician assistant students with immersive training in the principles and practice of surgery. The patient population includes adult and elderly patients, and may include adolescent patients, presenting with conditions requiring surgical evaluation and management. Under the supervision of licensed preceptors, students will engage in preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative patient evaluation and management, including obtaining medical histories, performing focused physical examinations, formulating differential diagnoses, ordering and interpreting diagnostic studies, and developing evidence-based surgical and perioperative care plans in inpatient and outpatient surgical settings. Emphasis is placed on building competency in surgical patient assessment, perioperative care, procedural skills appropriate to the physician assistant student role, patient education, and interprofessional collaboration. Students are evaluated on their progress toward program-defined learning outcomes.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

PHYA 6380 Clinical Rotation - Gynecologic, Sexual, and Reproductive Health

[5 credit hours]

This supervised clinical practice experience (SCPE) is designed to support the achievement of program-defined learning outcomes in women’s health care, including prenatal and gynecologic care. This clinical rotation is in the women’s health medical specialty, providing physician assistant students with immersive training in the principles and practice of comprehensive gynecologic and reproductive medicine. The patient population includes adolescents, adults, and elderly patients presenting for routine, preventive, and problem-focused gynecologic and reproductive care in inpatient and outpatient settings. Under the supervision of qualified, licensed preceptors, students engage in patient evaluation and management, including obtaining focused gynecologic and sexual health histories, performing age-appropriate physical and pelvic examinations, formulating differential diagnoses, selecting and interpreting diagnostic studies, and contributing to evidence-based care plans in primarily outpatient clinical settings. Emphasis is placed on preventive care, contraception and family planning, management of gynecologic conditions, sexual health counseling, patient education, and interprofessional collaboration. Students are evaluated on their progress toward program-defined learning outcomes.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

PHYA 6500 Introduction to Clinical Practice

[4 credit hours]

This course prepares physician assistant students for the clinical phase of the program by reinforcing and integrating didactic knowledge with hands-on clinical skills, including history taking, physical examination, clinical documentation, and oral patient presentation. Emphasis is placed on clinical reasoning, professional behaviors, patient safety, and readiness for supervised clinical practice experiences through active, team-based learning and faculty mentorship. Students refine foundational competencies in patient interviewing, physical examination techniques, clinical documentation, and presentation of patient cases. The course incorporates review of clinical medicine, expectations outlined in the clinical manual, and essential professional, legal, and safety requirements, including mandatory training in bloodborne pathogens and clinical site preparedness. Instructional methods emphasize critical thinking, clinical problem-solving, and collaborative learning, supporting students’ transition from didactic instruction to clinical application.

Term Offered: Spring

PHYA 6610 Scholarly Project I

[1 credit hour]

This first course in the three-part Scholarly Project series guides Physician Assistant (PA) students through the continued development of a graduate-level research paper with the goal of producing work suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed journal. Emphasis is placed on synthesizing research findings into a comprehensive literature review and preparing a professional poster presentation that meets the PA program's and graduate education's academic standards. This course builds on the work completed in Evidence-Based Medicine, PHYA 6130, and is part of the program’s summative evaluation process. In Scholarly Project I, learners will create an initial outline, develop a research proposal, conduct a literature review, and complete the introduction and methods section with guidance from faculty.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

PHYA 6620 Scholarly Project II

[1 credit hour]

This second course in the three-part Scholarly Project series guides Physician Assistant (PA) students through the continued development of a graduate-level research paper with the goal of producing work suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed journal. Emphasis is placed on synthesizing research findings into a comprehensive literature review and preparing a professional poster presentation that meets the PA program's and graduate education's academic standards. This course builds on the work completed in Scholarly Project I, PHYA 6610, and is part of the program’s summative evaluation process. In Scholarly Project II, the learner will complete the results section, also called the literature review section, with guidance from faculty.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

PHYA 6630 Scholarly Project III

[1 credit hour]

This third course in the three-part Scholarly Project series guides Physician Assistant (PA) students through the continued development of a graduate-level research paper with the goal of producing work suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed journal. Emphasis is placed on synthesizing research findings into a comprehensive literature review and preparing a professional poster presentation that meets the PA program's and graduate education's academic standards. This course builds on the work completed in Scholarly Project II, PHYA 6620, and is part of the program’s summative evaluation process. In Scholarly Project III, the discussion, abstract, manuscript, and poster are completed and serve as the foundation for the project presentation with guidance from faculty.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall