Program Requirements
General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required to Earn the Degree: 117, divided into a preclinical curriculum of 69 credits over 14 months and a clinical curriculum of 48 credits over 12 months
Required Courses:
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer I | Credit Hours | |
| PA 8101 | Physician Assistant Practice I | 1 |
| PA 8102 | Patient Assessment I | 1 |
| PA 8103 | Human Gross Anatomy | 5 |
| PA 8104 | Introduction to Scientific Inquiry | 1 |
| PA 8105 | Foundations of Medical Sciences I | 4 |
| PA 8106 | Introduction to Epidemiology and Biostatistics | 2 |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Fall | ||
| PA 8201 | Physician Assistant Practice II | 1 |
| PA 8202 | Patient Assessment II | 1 |
| PA 8203 | Foundations of Medical Sciences II | 4 |
| PA 8204 | Fundamentals of Hematology | 3 |
| PA 8205 | Fundamentals of Cardiology | 4 |
| PA 8206 | Fundamentals of Pulmonology | 4 |
| PA 8305 | Fundamentals of Ears/Eyes/Nose/Throat (EENT) | 2 |
| PA 8308 | Fundamentals of Dermatology | 2 |
| Credit Hours | 21 | |
| Spring | ||
| PA 8207 | Fundamentals of Gastroenterology | 3 |
| PA 8301 | Physician Assistant Practice III | 1 |
| PA 8302 | Patient Assessment III | 1 |
| PA 8303 | Fundamentals of Nephrology | 2 |
| PA 8304 | Fundamentals of Endocrinology | 3 |
| PA 8306 | Fundamentals of Neurology | 2 |
| PA 8307 | Fundamentals of Rheumatology and Orthopedics | 3 |
| PA 8309 | Essentials of Psychiatry | 2 |
| PA 8403 | Bioethics | 2 |
| Credit Hours | 19 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Summer | ||
| PA 8401 | Physician Assistant Practice IV | 1 |
| PA 8402 | Patient Assessment IV | 1 |
| PA 8404 | Essentials of Reproductive Health | 4 |
| PA 8405 | Essentials Across the Lifespan | 4 |
| PA 8406 | Essentials of Surgery and Emergency Medicine | 4 |
| PA 9991 | Scholarly Clinical Research I | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 69 | |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Year 2 Fall and Spring / Year 3 Summer 1 | ||
| Behavioral Medicine Clerkship | 5 | |
| Emergency Medicine Clerkship | 5 | |
| Family Medicine Clerkship | 5 | |
| General Surgery Clerkship | 5 | |
| Internal Medicine Clerkship | 5 | |
| Obstetrics/Gynecology Clerkship | 5 | |
| Pediatrics Clerkship | 5 | |
| Elective I Clerkship | 5 | |
| Elective II Clerkship | 5 | |
| Scholarly Clinical Research II | 1 | |
| Comprehensive Review | 2 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 48 | |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Total Credit Hours of Preclinical Coursework: | 69 | |
| Total Credit Hours of Clinical Clerkship, Research, and Review: | 48 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 117 | |
- 1
Students spend the last 12 months of the program rotating through clerkships in seven assigned medical disciplines and two elective rotations at Temple University Hospital System locations. Students are under the direct supervision of a physician or physician assistant, although they interact with numerous other healthcare providers, including residents, interns, medical students, nurses, and others. Students are expected to work the preceptor’s work schedule, which may include nights/weekends.
Culminating Event:
Technical Standards:
The technical standards for the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University Physician Assistant Program have been established to ensure that students have the ability to demonstrate academic mastery and competence when performing clinical skills and the ability to communicate clinical information. These technical standards are intended to ensure that each student has the academic and physical ability to acquire competencies, as defined by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), and the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA). The technical standards are consistent with the technical standards set forth by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
The candidate for successful completion of the Physician Assistant Program must be able to perform the following skills:
- Observation: Observe demonstrations and experiments in the basic sciences, including but not limited to physiologic and pharmacologic demonstrations, microbiologic cultures, and microscopic studies of microorganisms and tissues in normal and pathologic states; observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand, necessitating the functional use of vision, which is enhanced by the functional use of the sense of smell.
- Communication: Speak to, hear and observe patients in order to elicit both verbal and nonverbal information; communicate effectively and sensitively with and about patients; communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and written form with the patient, the patient’s family, and all members of the healthcare team, including referral sources such as agencies and other physicians. Speech, reading and writing are essential.
- Motor: Exhibit sufficient motor function to carry out basic laboratory techniques and to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion and other diagnostic maneuvers; perform anatomical dissections and use a microscope; perform basic laboratory tests (e.g., urinalysis, gram stain, preparation of a blood smear), diagnostic procedures (e.g., proctoscopy, paracentesis); perform/read EKGs and read X-rays; execute motor movements reasonably required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients (e.g., cardiopulmonary resuscitation, administration of intravenous medication, application of pressure to stop bleeding, opening obstructed airways, suturing simple wounds, and performing simple, general gynecologic procedures). Coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, and functional use of the senses of touch and vision are essential.
- Intellectual, i.e., Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities: Possess abilities to measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize, which are required when engaging in problem solving, the critical skill demanded of physician assistants; comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand the spatial relationships of structures.
- Behavioral and Social Attributes: Possess the physical and emotional health required for full utilization of intellectual abilities, exercise of good judgment, prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients, and development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients; adapt to changing environments, display flexibility, and learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of many patients. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest and motivation are all personal qualities assessed during the admission and education process.
The faculty of Temple University’s Physician Assistant Program recognizes its responsibility to present candidates for the Physician Assistant degree who have the knowledge, attitudes and skills to function in a broad variety of clinical situations and to render a broad spectrum of patient care.