Curriculum Overview
Pre-Professional Phase
Designed to provide a solid foundation in the basic clinical sciences.
Provides the students with the knowledge base required to be successful in the professional phase of the Program.
The arrangement of the introductory PA courses allows for role concept and knowledge base development, while providing a bridge to the professional phase of the curriculum.
Requires completion of 100 hours of health care experience (volunteer or paid) prior to entry into the professional phase. This experience will help to develop a role concept by providing a clinical PA role model to emulate; 40 of the 100 hours must be spent working with a PA.
For the first six semesters, Saint Francis University Physician Assistant students prepare for the professional phase of their training. This pre-professional phase involves preparatory science courses and all the components for a liberal arts education.
Professional Phase
The professional phase consists of three didactic semesters and three clinical semesters.
The didactic portion commences in the summer semester (late May, early June)and proceeds through the following spring.
The clinical portion begins with the subsequent summer semester and includes 45 weeks of clinical rotations.
A continually evolving curriculum that provide students with new modes of learning experiences that supplement the traditional lecture format. Among these are:
small-group critical-thinking sessions
simulated patient encounters
stress management seminars
student/faculty feedback sessions
Alternative/Complementary Medicine lectures
Various components of the didactic curriculum are integrated to develop a holistic approach to the delivery of primary patient care.
Utilizes new technologies in medical education including computer-based learning modules, video tele-conferences, and on-line testing.
Students must have a negative urine drug screen and have been cleared by Student Health in order to attend clinical experiences. Not attending clinical experiences may affect your progression in the PA Program and prevent or delay graduation.
A criminal background check and pediatric abuse clearance will be required prior to entrance into the professional phase of the Program. Failure to complete the process in a timely manner may delay your progression in the PA Program and prevent or delay graduation.