The Center for Physician Assistant Studies offers a Master of Science degree that includes 28 consecutive months of didactic instruction, clinical rotations, and research. The curriculum prepares each student to practice as a PA and to engage in post-graduate research.
During the first four didactic terms, students complete coursework in basic medical sciences, behavioral and social sciences, health policy, clinical preparatory science, and research methods. The subsequent clinical terms include rotations in medicine, surgery, and medical and surgical specialties. Students must also compile a portfolio of their work and pass periodic clinical and comprehensive exams.
Program Competencies
The program adheres to the competencies outlined in the Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession. This document outlines knowledge, interpersonal skills, patient care standards, and professionalism that physician assistants should demonstrate throughout their careers. These competencies were developed collaboratively by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for Physician Assistants (ARC-PA), the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), and the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA).
Academic Calendar
Students begin the 28-month program in January and complete the first four didactic terms during the first 17 months. Clinical rotations begin in the summer of a student’s second year of study and span about 11 months. Individual student rotation schedules will vary.
| Course | Course ID | Length | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orientation | PAP 500 | 2 days | - |
| History & Professional Ethics | PAP 505 | 15 weeks | 2 |
| Advanced Anatomy | PAP 550 | 15 weeks | 4 |
| Immunology and Microbial Disease | PAP 565 | 15 weeks | 3 |
| Medical Informatics | PAP 575 | 15 weeks | 2 |
| Physical Assessment | PAP 580 | 15 weeks | 6 |
| Course | Course ID | Length | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Behavioral Aspects of Medicine | PAP 528 | 13 weeks | 3 |
| Applied Pathology/Pathophysiology I | PAP 900 | 13 weeks | 1 |
| Diagnostic Methods I | PAP 910 | 13 weeks | 2 |
| Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine I | PAP 930 | 13 weeks | 6 |
| Pharmacology/Pharmotherapeutics | PAP 940 | 13 weeks | 1 |
| Formative Clinical Competency Exam I | PAP 720 | 13 weeks | - |
| Course | Course ID | Length | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Policy | PAP 530 | 14 weeks | 3 |
| Research Methods | PAP 600 | 14 weeks | 3 |
| Applied Pathology/Pathophysiology II | PAP 901 | 14 weeks | 2 |
| Diagnostic Methods II | PAP 911 | 14 weeks | 2 |
| Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine II | PAP 931 | 14 weeks | 6 |
| Pharmacology/Pharmotherapeutics | PAP 941 | 14 weeks | 2 |
| Formative Clinical Competency Exam II | PAP 721 | - | - |
| Course | Course ID | Length | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community Health | PAP 535 | 15 weeks | 3 |
| Counseling for Preventive Medicine | PAP 540 | 15 weeks | 3 |
| Clinical and Technical Skill Laboratory | PAP 595 | 15 weeks | 2 |
| Applied Pathology/Pathophysiology III | PAP 902 | 15 weeks | 1 |
| Diagnostic Methods III | PAP 912 | 15 weeks | 1 |
| Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine III | PAP 932 | 15 weeks | 6 |
| Pharmacology/Pharmotherapeutics | PAP 942 | 15 weeks | 1 |
| Formative Clinical Competency Exam III | PAP 722 | - | - |
| Course | Course ID | Length | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio Preparation I | PAP 750 | All terms | - |
| Portfolio Preparation II | PAP 751 | All terms | - |
| Portfolio Preparation III | PAP 752 | All terms | - |
| Senior Seminar | PAP 640 | - | - |
| Course | Course ID | Length | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical Rotation: Medicine | PAP 650 | Rotations vary | 4 |
| Clinical Rotation: Emergency Medicine | PAP 655 | Rotations vary | 4 |
| Clinical Rotation: Family Practice/Geriatrics | PAP 661 | Rotations vary | 4 |
| Clinical Rotation: Comprehensive Interprofessional Care | PAP 691 | Rotations vary | 2 |
| Clinical Rotation: Obstetrics/Gynecology | PAP 665 | Rotations vary | 4 |
| Clinical Rotation: Elective I | PAP 670 | Rotations vary | 4 |
| Clinical Rotation: Elective II | PAP 674 | Rotations vary | 4 |
| Clinical Rotation: Pediatrics | PAP 675 | Rotations vary | 4 |
| Clinical Rotation: Psychiatry | PAP 680 | Rotations vary | 4 |
| Clinical Rotation: Surgery | PAP 685 | Rotations vary | 4 |
| Clinical Rotation: Orthopedics | PAP 690 | Rotations vary | 4 |
| Clinical Rotation: Community Practice Preceptorship | PAP 697 | Rotations vary | 5 |
| Course Names | Course ID | Length | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive Final Examination | PAP 723 | - | - |
| Clinical Competency Exam | PAP 724 | - | - |
Didactic Term One
Course ID: PAP 500
An orientation to Albany Medical College, the Graduate Studies Program, and the Center for Physician Assistant Studies. Students review policies, procedures, rules, and regulations for didactic and clinical phases of instruction. Sessions include a professionalism seminar, mandatory safety training, and inter-professional awareness, as well as an introduction to clinical rotations.
Course ID: PAP 505
Explores the historical development PA training and practice in the U.S. Covers the role of PAs play in care delivery and their relationship with other health care professionals. Legal requirements for training, certification, licensure, registration, and conditions of practice are also covered. Current ethical and medical-legal issues in clinical medicine are discussed and debated, as are current trends in PA practice.
Course ID: PAP 550
A comprehensive study of human anatomy including gross anatomy, and neuroanatomy with the relationship of organs and aspects of clinical significance explored in lecture and lab dissection.
Course ID: PAP 565
The principles of microbiology and immunology are covered as students learn about infectious diseases.
Course ID: PAP 580
Students learn the basic skills for gathering a patient history and performing a physical examination including interviewing methods, examination techniques, and documentation requirements.
Course ID: PAP 575
Students learn to maintain a critical, current, and operational knowledge of medical information. Course covers skills required to search, assess, and apply medical literature to patient care and document findings.
Didactic Term Two
Course ID: PAP 528
Covers biological, psychological, and sociological factors that can influence behavior and mental health. Includes an overview of psychiatric evaluation and common psychiatric problems, along with the basics of differential diagnosis and treatments for major disorders. Topics include anxiety; obsessive-compulsive and trauma-related disorders; mood disorders; schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders; substance-use disorders; somatic symptom and related disorders; and psychiatric disorders in children.
Course ID: PAP 900
This course includes instruction in physiology and pathophysiology, including the application of the material to clinical practice related to the development of clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities. The course material includes the presentation and discussion of the disruptions in function and homeostasis that characterize pathological and pathophysiological processes in the selected topics in the integrated schedule.
Course ID: PAP 910
First of a three-course series on ordering and interpreting diagnostic studies. This course covers laboratory medicine, point-of-care testing, radiology, and diagnostic methods for testing organ systems.
Course ID: PAP 930
First of a three-course series focusing on the study of health and disease that serves as an introduction to clinical medicine. Designed to lay the foundation for patient care, emphasis is on the integration of essential anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, microbiology, pharmacology, and medical terminology relevant to medical problems encountered in the primary care setting. The three-course series covers a range of common medical subspecialties involved in primary care, including an emphasis on clinical presentation, evaluation, differential diagnoses, management, and patient education.
Course ID: PAP 940
First of a three-course series that serves as an introduction to pharmacology and pharmacotherapy. Course units cover the fundamental concepts pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and the clinical use of pharmacotherapy.
Course ID: PAP 720
First of a three-course series designed to prepare students for clinical encounters. During this sequence, students develop their problem-solving skills and fluency in physical examinations and recording patient histories. An interactive and supportive environment with faculty guidance facilitates the transfer of learning from the classroom to the real world. Students prepare for and perform a comprehensive adult physical examination with a simulated patient.
Didactic Term Three
Course ID: PAP 530
Familiarizes students with the health care system and insurance payer services. Health policy and reform, patient safety and quality improvement, and the interdisciplinary team will be examined through problem-based learning and small group discussions.
Course ID: PAP 600
An introduction to research methods used in medicine including literature search and critical review, evidence-based medicine, and statistical methods. Students will identify and critically assess an individual evidence-based medicine question.
Course ID: PAP 901
This course includes instruction in physiology and pathophysiology, including the application of the material to clinical practice related to the development of clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities. The course material includes the presentation and discussion of the disruptions in function and homeostasis that characterize pathological and pathophysiological processes in the selected topics in the integrated schedule.
Course ID: PAP 911
Second of a three-course series on ordering and interpreting diagnostic studies. This course expands on diagnostic methods for testing organ systems.
Course ID: PAP 931
Second of a three-course series focusing on the study of health and disease that serves as an introduction to clinical medicine. Designed to lay the foundation for patient care, emphasis is on the integration of essential anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, microbiology, pharmacology, and medical terminology relevant to medical problems encountered in the primary care setting. The three-course series covers a range of common medical subspecialties involved in primary care, including an emphasis on clinical presentation, evaluation, differential diagnoses, management, and patient education.
Course ID: PAP 941
Second of a three-course series that serves as an introduction to pharmacology and pharmacotherapy. It serves as a parallel course to PAP 901, PAP 911, and PAP 931. Course units cover the clinical use of pharmacotherapy.
Course ID: PAP 721
Second of a three-course series designed to prepare students for clinical encounters. During this sequence, students develop their problem-solving skills and fluency in physical examinations and recording patient histories. An interactive and supportive environment with faculty guidance facilitates the transfer of learning from the classroom to the real world. Students will obtain a focused medical history and perform an appropriate physical examination on a standardized patient with a multiple-system clinical problem.
Didactic Term Four
Course ID: PAP 535
Covers the occurrence of disease and its relationship to the public health system, community, and cultural environment. Covers skills needed for PAs to address community-based health problems, including cultural humility and health inequities.
Course ID: PAP 540
Introduces students to knowledge, attitudes, and skills needed to counsel patients and their families in the following areas: health promotion and counseling for patients at any age; genetic inheritance of disease; end-of-life issues; response to illness, injury, and stress; and principles of violence identification and prevention.
Course ID: PAP 595
This course includes instruction in and practice of the utilization of a patient’s medical record, performing a history and physical examination in a telehealth setting for a simulated well patient visit and in an in-person simulated clinic setting for problem-based complaint visits, oral presentation, aseptic technique, suturing, splinting, injections, venous and arterial phlebotomy, intravenous access, endotracheal intubation, ultrasound, urethral catheterization, and advanced cardiac life support.
Course ID: PAP 902
This course includes instruction in physiology and pathophysiology, including the application of the material to clinical practice related to the development of clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities. The course material includes the presentation and discussion of the disruptions in function and homeostasis that characterize pathological and pathophysiological processes in the selected topics in the integrated schedule.
Course ID: PAP 912
Third of a three-course series on ordering and interpreting diagnostic studies. This course expands on diagnostic methods covered in the first two courses.
Course ID: PAP 932
Third of a three-course series focusing on the study of health and disease that serves as an introduction to clinical medicine. Designed to lay the foundation for patient care, emphasis is on the integration of essential anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, microbiology, pharmacology, and medical terminology relevant to medical problems encountered in the primary care setting. The three-course series covers a range of common medical subspecialties involved in primary care, including an emphasis on clinical presentation, evaluation, differential diagnoses, management, and patient education.
Course ID: PAP 942
Third of a three-course series that serves as an introduction to pharmacology and pharmacotherapy. It serves as a parallel course to PAP 902, PAP 912, and PAP 932. Course units cover the clinical use of pharmacotherapy.
Course ID: PAP 722
Third of a three-course series designed to prepare students for clinical encounters. During this sequence, students develop their problem-solving skills and fluency in physical examinations and recording patient histories. An interactive and supportive environment with faculty guidance facilitates the transfer of learning from the classroom to the real world. Students will obtain a focused medical history and perform an appropriate physical examination on a standardized patient with a single-system clinical problem.
Portfolio Preparation and Senior Seminar
Course ID: PAP 750
Assists in the preparation of an individual portfolio that summarizes professional and personal achievements including activities, notable accomplishments, educational competencies, and outcomes achieved. Course includes periodic self-assessments including reflections upon their educational and professional journey.
Course ID: PAP 751
Assists in the preparation of an individual portfolio that summarizes professional and personal achievements including activities, notable accomplishments, educational competencies, and outcomes achieved. Course includes periodic self-assessments including reflections upon their educational and professional journey.
Course ID: PAP 752
Assists in the preparation of an individual portfolio that summarizes professional and personal achievements including activities, notable accomplishments, educational competencies, and outcomes achieved. Course includes periodic self-assessments including reflections upon their educational and professional journey.
Course ID: PAP 640
Senior seminars address professional development topics such as licensing and credentialing, scope of practice, medical coding and billing, medical malpractice, appropriate medical communications, the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), and career pathways.
Clinical Terms
Course ID: PAP 650
The hospitalist service covered in Medicine clinical rotation includes general inpatient medical care provided at regional hospitals. Under the supervision of physicians and hospitalist mid-levels, students will participate in a wide variety of inpatient care activities, including physical examination, medical history review, diagnostic testing, and management within the limitations imposed by education and experience. Students will formally present clinical topics, attend grand rounds, participate in routine and patient handoff communications, and other clinical conferences.
Course ID: PAP 655
During the Emergency Medicine clinical rotation, students will be assigned to an emergency medicine site under the supervision of physicians and physician assistants or nurse practitioners. Students will help treat patients on an acute, outpatient basis. Depending on the location, students will also attend medical rounds and clinical conferences.
Course ID: PAP 661
The family practice and geriatrics clinical rotation will allow students to participate in a variety of outpatient, primary care related activities. Students will interact with patients of all ages as a primary care provider and with family members. Interactions include medical history review, physical examination, and diagnostic testing in preparation for therapeutic management. The team approach to medicine and the importance of continuity of care are emphasized.
Course ID: PAP 691
Working with multiple caregivers in a variety of settings, students will participate with formal interdisciplinary teams in the evaluation and treatment of neurological and musculoskeletal disabilities ranging from routine to acute or chronic diseases and injuries.
Course ID: PAP 665
Students see patients in outpatient women’s care clinics and inpatient or surgical care sites. Under supervision, students see patients for routine gynecologic care, urgent complaints, and for normal and complicated pregnancies. Students will be assigned patients for medical history review, physical examination, and diagnostic testing in preparation for a supportive role during labor and delivery or gynecological surgery. Students will also attend special clinical conferences, daily rounds, OB/GYN Grand Rounds, and participate in the discussions of diagnostic problems and management plans.
Course ID: PAP 670
The four-week elective clinical rotation allows students to choose any area of medicine or surgery such as family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, dermatology, infectious disease (including HIV positive/AIDS patients), cardiology or hematology/oncology. Students and preceptors work together to develop individual objectives based on the student’s area of interest.
Course ID: PAP 674
The four-week elective clinical rotation allows students to choose any area of medicine or surgery such as family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, dermatology, infectious disease (including HIV positive/AIDS patients), cardiology or hematology/oncology. Students and preceptors work together to develop individual objectives based on the student’s area of interest.
Course ID: PAP 675
Students on the Pediatrics clinical rotation will be assigned to private practice offices, community-based care centers, or hospital-based facilities where they will participate in the care of pediatric patients under supervision of a board-certified pediatrician.
Course ID: PAP 680
Students will work with psychiatrists within the Albany Med Health System’s consultation liaison psychiatric service. Students will perform in-depth psychological interviews and interact with family members to assess the nature of a patient’s psychological burden.
Course ID: PAP 685
Students will be assigned to a surgical service where they will participate in a wide variety of surgical activities under physician supervision. Students are involved in a variety of major and minor surgical procedures; attend daily rounds and special clinical conferences; and participate in pre-operative, intra-operative, and postsurgical care.
Course ID: PAP 690
Students will participate in a variety of activities related to clinical orthopedics, physical medicine, and rehabilitation. Students will be assigned patients for medical history review, physical examination with emphasis on joints and spine, and diagnostic testing, in preparation for a supportive role during surgical management of orthopedic procedures or physical rehabilitation.
Course ID: PAP 697
The Community Practice Preceptorship clinical rotation will consolidate the roles and functions that PAs may assume in outpatient health care delivery and is the last rotation of the clinical phase for primary care. Students must complete this rotation as part of these areas of practice: family practice, internal medicine, pediatric, women’s health, urgent care, or emergency medicine.
Exams
Students complete a comprehensive, multiple-choice examination prepared by the faculty as a graduation requirement.
Students complete a series of encounters with simulated patients and other care-giving exercises as prepared by the faculty. The Clinical Competency Exam is a graduation requirement.