Physician Associate Studies Curriculum

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The Master of Science (MS) in PA Studies is a 131-credit course of study that includes a didactic (classroom) phase followed by a clinical phase (rotations). The degree requirements and course description are listed in the academic catalog

The didactic phase is delivered in person, on campus. The didactic curriculum is delivered in a modular format: rather than semester-long courses, modules are anywhere from one to four weeks, focusing on specific organ systems and the medicine related to their care.  

The clinical phase occurs over the last 12 months of the program. During this phase, students will travel to rotations to learn with preceptors in the field.

  • Travel is required for all students. 
  • As with other health professions programs, students are expected to adhere to CDC recommendations and immunization requirements set forth by the State of Oregon and clinical placement sites. 
  • Students are not required to provide or solicit clinical sites or preceptors. 
  • Complete policies and procedures describing student requirements can be found in the student handbook.

The program is designed to be completed with full-time study for 27 months. Students are strongly encouraged not to work while enrolled in the school. Any student who chooses to work is required to attend all program related activities and will not be granted an excused absence for work obligations. 

Curriculum AY 25-26 & 26-27 for the Class of 2027

This professional program is 27 months divided into two phases over seven consecutive semesters. Total credits:131 (does not include elective courses)

The curriculum presented here and the policies and procedures in the student handbook are up-to-date. The academic catalog is edited centrally by the university–updates will be published in the near future. The curriculum information below may be amended or altered.

Phase I – Didactic Phase – (79 credits)

  • Summer Semester (11 weeks, 14.5 credits)
    • PA 510 Core Concepts of Medical Practice, 1 credit
    • PA 511 Professional Identity Formation I, 0.5 credits
    • PA 516 Clinical Procedures I, 0.5 credits
    • PA 530 Intro to Clinical Encounters, 3 credits
    • PA 553 Intro to Clinical Medicine, 4 credits
    • PA 554 Intro to Human Anatomy, 1 credit
    • PA 556 Genetics, 0.5 credits
    • PA 581 CM Infectious Disease, 3 credits
    • PA 595 Evidence Based Healthcare, 1 credit
  • Fall Semester (17 weeks, 24.5 credits)
    • PA 512 Professional Identity Formation, II 0.5 credits
    • PA 517 Clinical Procedures II, 0.5 credits
    • PA 522 Simulated Clinical Encounters I, 0.5 credits
    • PA 558 Human Anatomy I, 1 credit
    • PA 571 CM Nephrology, 3 credits
    • PA 576 CM Hematology & Oncology, 3 credits
    • PA 577 CM Endocrinology, 3 credits
    • PA 582 CM Dermatology, Eyes & ENT, 3 credits
    • PA 583 CM Pulmonology, 3 credits
    • PA 585 CM Cardiology, 4 credits
    • PA 586 CM Gastroenterology, 3 credits
  • Spring Semester (18 weeks, 26.5 credits)
    • CHP 550 Foundations for Interprofessional Practice, 1 credit
    • PA 513 Professional Identity Formation III, 0.5 credits
    • PA 518 Clinical Procedures III, 0.5 credits
    • PA 520 CM Behavioral Medicine, 3 credits
    • PA 523 Simulated Clinical Encounters II, 0.5 credits
    • PA 557 CM Geriatrics, 1 credit
    • PA 559 Human Anatomy II, 1 credit
    • PA 589 CM Genitourinary & Sexual Health, 5 credits
    • PA 590 CM Neurology, 4 credits
    • PA 591 CM Orthopedics & Rheumatology, 4 credits
    • PA 593 CM Pediatrics, 3 credits
    • PA 596 CM Emergency Medicine, 3 credits
  • Summer Semester (9 weeks, 10.5 credits)
    • PA 519 Clinical Procedures IV, 0.5 credits
    • PA 696 Clinical Graduate Project, 6 credits
    • PA 597 CM Surgery & Hospital Care, 4 credits

Phase II Clinical Phase – (52 credits)

  • Summer Semester II (2 weeks, 3 credits)
    • PA 599 Transition to Clinical Phase, 3 credits
  • Fall Semester II (20 weeks, 18 credits)
    • Rotation 1*, 5 credits
    • Rotation 2*, 5 credits
    • Rotation 3*, 5 credits
    • PA 665 Professional Practice Seminar I, 1 credit
    • PA 666 Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) in Healthcare, 2 credits
  • Spring Semester II (20 weeks, 22 credits)
    • Rotation 4*, 5 credits
    • Rotation 5*, 5 credits
    • Rotation 6*, 5 credits
    • Rotation 7*, 5 credits
    • PA 669 PANCE Preparation, 2 credits
  • Summer Semester III (12 weeks, 12 credits)
    • PA 667 Professional Practice Seminar II, 1 credit
    • Rotation 8*, 5 credits
    • Rotation 9*, 5 credits
    • PA 668 Professional Practice Seminar III, 1 credit
    • *Each student must complete the following clinical rotations.
    • PA 630 Family Medicine SCPE, 5 credits
    • PA 631 Internal Medicine SCPE, 5 credits
    • PA 634 Surgical Medicine SCPE, 5 credits
    • PA 636 Emergency Medicine SCPE, 5 credits
    • PA 644 Behavioral and Mental Health SCPE, 5 credits
    • PA 642 Gynecologic and Repro Medicine SCPE, 5 credits
    • PA 643 Pediatric Medicine SCPE, 5 credits
    • PA 639 Elective SPCE, 5 credits
    • PA 641 Selective SCPE, 5 credits

The Rural & Underserved Service Track (TRUST)

Pacific University graduates are more than twice as likely to work in rural areas or medically underserved communities than their counterparts nationally. In support of its students and in the spirit of its mission to provide primary healthcare to underserved and global communities, the Pacific University School of PA Studies has developed the The Rural and Underserved Service Track (TRUST).

During their first year, PA students will be invited to apply to be a member of TRUST. This program is designed to better prepare students who plan to work in rural and/or underserved and global communities, in Oregon, Hawai‘i and internationally. TRUST students will be selected through a separate admission process which will include an application to evaluate the applicant's commitment to practicing in an underserved community.

TRUST students' interest in underserved medicine will be nurtured through several structured opportunities during their PA education. During the didactic phase of the curriculum, the TRUST cohort will participate in additional small group sessions to better prepare them to work with a broad variety of medically underserved communities. In the clinical phase, TRUST students will complete a minimum of one to two 6-week rotations in a medically underserved community. Additionally, students with a focus on global health will have the option to complete an international rotation and priority access to our International rotation options. On these rotations, students live in and are encouraged to be actively involved in the community. TRUST students will also complete a graduate project which focuses on underserved communities. If you are interested in practicing in rural and medically underserved communities, we hope you will apply to be part of this exciting program at Pacific University.