The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Presbyterian College Physician Assistant Studies Program sponsored by Presbyterian College. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.
Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be September 2033. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-presbyterian-college/.

MPAS 5000, Introduction to the PA Profession (2)

This course will expose students to the physician assistant field. It will cover a number of introductory topics such as the history, development, current status, and the projected future of the physician assistant profession. Other topics include scope of practice, interpersonal communication and the patient-centered medical interview, medical decision making, licensing and certification, prescriptive authority, interprofessional education, and employment issues. Lecture.

MPAS 5003, Concepts in Anatomy and Physiology (2)

This course will provide a review and overview of anatomical and physiological concepts that will serve as the foundation of Anatomy and Physiology I, II, and III. Students will review anatomical terms, homeostasis, organic compounds, DNA/RNA, and cell energy. Students will review cell and tissue structure and function. In addition, nutrition, metabolism, and energy balance will also be discussed. Lecture.

MPAS 5005, Biomedical Ethics (2)

This course will explore historical and current ethical and legal issues pertaining to the health care industry with a focus on those issues pertinent to the role of physician assistants. Students will examine various topics and relate them to “Guidelines for Ethical Conduct for the PA Profession”.  Topics include, but are not limited to: historical perspective of biomedical ethics, intellectual honesty, academic and professional conduct, practical principles of biomedical ethics, patient self-determination, cultural and religious beliefs related to ethical issues in diverse populations, communicating biomedical ethical issues with patients and colleagues, informed consent and clinical trials. Lecture.

MPAS 5010, Research Methods and Evidence Based Medicine (2)

This course will provide an overview of the research process, research methods, and evidence-based practices (EBP). Problem analysis and evaluation techniques are presented. Students will learn methods for defining, researching, analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating problems. In addition, students will be exposed to EBP methods including critical appraisal of quantitative and qualitative studies and methods to apply EBP to clinical medicine and individualized patient care. Lecture.

MPAS 5015, Public Health and Disease Prevention (2)

Public Health and Disease Prevention is designed to provide students with an overview of public health topics as they relate to the role of the practicing PA. Topics will include components of the United States public health system, disease surveillance and reporting, and disease prevention and population health. Students will become familiar with health care delivery systems and health policy and understand how these effect patient care. Students will learn about providing medical care to diverse patient populations, and evaluate the impact of racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic health disparities on healthcare delivery. Evaluation of personal values will prepare students to avoid stereotyping. Lecture

MPAS 5020, Anatomy & Physiology I Lecture (2)

This lecture-based course is part 2 in a 4-part series for anatomy & physiology.  This course will provide detailed and advanced curriculum of anatomical and physiological concepts that will serve as a foundation for the Physician Assistant to effectively practice clinical medicine.  Students will gain an in-depth understanding of the following systems: dermatology; infectious disease; eyes, ears, nose, and throat; and pulmonology. Separate labs will accompany and supplement the lectures. Lecture. 

MPAS 5021, Anatomy & Physiology I Lab (1)

This lab-based course is part 2 in a 4-part series designed to provide students with the knowledge of human anatomy & physiology that is essential for Physician Assistants. Course content is subdivided into regional anatomy and medical physiology. While anatomy and physiology are separate disciplines, they integrate within the concept of body homeostasis and the maintenance of health. This course will provide students background in the following systems: dermatology; infectious disease; eyes, ears, nose, and throat; and pulmonology.  Separate labs will accompany and supplement the lectures. Lab.

MPAS 5030, Anatomy & Physiology II Lecture (2)

This lecture-based course is part 3 in a 4-part series for anatomy & physiology.  This course will provide detailed and advanced curriculum of anatomical and physiological concepts that will serve as a foundation for the Physician Assistant to effectively practice clinical medicine.  Students will gain an in-depth understanding of the following systems: cardiovascular, hematologic, gastrointestinal / nutrition, genitourinary / renal, musculoskeletal, and neurologic systems. Lecture. 

MPAS 5031, Anatomy & Physiology II Lab (1)

This lab-based course is part 3 in a 4-part series designed to provide students with the knowledge of human anatomy & physiology that is essential for Physician Assistants. Course content is subdivided into regional anatomy and medical physiology. While anatomy and physiology are separate disciplines, they integrate within the concept of body homeostasis and the maintenance of health. This course will provide students background in the following systems: cardiovascular, hematologic, gastrointestinal / nutrition, genitourinary / renal, musculoskeletal, and neurologic systems. Separate labs will accompany and supplement the lectures. Lab.

MPAS 5040, Anatomy & Physiology III Lecture (2)

This lecture-based course is part 4 in a 4-part series for anatomy & physiology.  This course will provide detailed and advanced curriculum of anatomical and physiological concepts that will serve as a foundation for the Physician Assistant to effectively practice clinical medicine.  Students will gain an in-depth understanding of the following systems: endocrine, ob/gyn and reproduction, psychiatry, pediatrics, geriatrics, critical care and surgery, and genetics. Lecture. 

MPAS 5041, Anatomy & Physiology III Lab (1)

This lab-based course is part 4 in a 4-part series designed to provide students with the knowledge of human anatomy & physiology that is essential for Physician Assistants. Course content is subdivided into regional anatomy and medical physiology. While anatomy and physiology are separate disciplines, they integrate within the concept of body homeostasis and the maintenance of health. This course will provide students background in the following systems: endocrine, ob/gyn and reproduction, psychiatry, pediatrics, geriatrics, critical care and surgery, and genetics Separate labs will accompany and supplement the lectures. Lab.

MPAS 5050, Clinical Medicine I (5)

The Clinical Medicine Series (I, II, III) presents anatomy, physiology, public health issues, epidemiology, pathophysiology, signs, symptoms, differential diagnosis, diagnostic studies, diagnostic criteria, staging, prognosis, treatment, management, and use of evidence-based medicine in a wide range of disease states.  Clinical Medicine I is taught to didactic year Physician Assistant students.  The Clinical Medicine Series is the cornerstone of the curriculum providing the foundation for other courses within the curriculum. Other courses, such as Patient Evaluation, Pharmacology, Clinical Laboratory and Diagnostic Medicine will further enhance and develop the student’s knowledge of the disorders covered. Lecture.

MPAS 5051, Clinical Medicine II (6)

The Clinical Medicine Series (I, II, III) presents anatomy, physiology, public health issues, epidemiology, pathophysiology, signs, symptoms, differential diagnosis, diagnostic studies, diagnostic criteria, staging, prognosis, treatment, management, and use of evidence-based medicine in a wide range of disease states.  Clinical Medicine II is taught to didactic year Physician Assistant students.  The Clinical Medicine Series is the cornerstone of the curriculum providing the foundation for other courses within the curriculum. Other courses, such as Patient Evaluation, Pharmacology, Clinical Laboratory and Diagnostic Medicine will further enhance and develop the student’s knowledge of the disorders covered. Lecture.

MPAS 5052, Clinical Medicine III (6)

The Clinical Medicine Series (I, II, III) presents anatomy, physiology, public health issues, epidemiology, pathophysiology, signs, symptoms, differential diagnosis, diagnostic studies, diagnostic criteria, staging, prognosis, treatment, management, and use of evidence-based medicine in a wide range of disease states.  Clinical Medicine III is taught to didactic year Physician Assistant students. The Clinical Medicine Series is the cornerstone of the curriculum providing the foundation for other courses within the curriculum. Other courses, such as Patient Evaluation, Pharmacology, Clinical Laboratory and Diagnostic Medicine will further enhance and develop the student’s knowledge of the disorders covered. Lecture.

MPAS 5060, Pharmacology I (3)

This course is designed to provide information regarding the pharmacology of commonly used therapeutic options coupled with clinical information in a practical and systemic way so that the most appropriate drug therapy may be selected for a particular patient. The major focus includes general therapeutic principles (E.g. pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics) and a review of recommended drug therapy for common medical disorders. Students will be instructed to develop a systematic approach to prescribing which will include identification of disease state, reviewing available therapeutic options for the state including the most current evidenced-based medicine, and developing individualized therapeutic treatment plans. Students will also be instructed on contraindications, adverse reactions, safety, efficacy, therapeutic monitoring, and toxicity. Pharmacology lectures will be coordinated with the content delivered in the Clinical Medicine series so students can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology of conditions as they relate to therapeutic options. Lecture.

MPAS 5061, Pharmacology II (4)

This course is designed to provide information regarding the pharmacology of commonly used therapeutic options coupled with clinical information in a practical and systemic way so that the most appropriate drug therapy may be selected for a particular patient. The major focus includes general therapeutic principles (E.g. pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics) and a review of recommended drug therapy for common medical disorders. Students will be instructed to develop a systematic approach to prescribing which will include identification of disease state, reviewing available therapeutic options for the state including the most current evidenced-based medicine, and developing individualized therapeutic treatment plans. Students will also be instructed on contraindications, adverse reactions, safety, efficacy, therapeutic monitoring, and toxicity. Pharmacology lectures will be coordinated with the content delivered in the Clinical Medicine series so students can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology of conditions as they relate to therapeutic options. Lecture.

MPAS 5062, Pharmacology III (4)

The course is designed to provide information regarding the pharmacology of commonly used therapeutic options coupled with clinical information in a practical and systemic way so that the most appropriate drug therapy may be selected for a particular patient.The major focus includes general therapeutic principles (E.g. pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics) and a review of recommended drug therapy for common medical disorders. Students will be instructed to develop a systematic approach to prescribing which will include identification of disease state, reviewing available therapeutic options for the state including the most current evidenced-based medicine, and developing individualized therapeutic treatment plans. Students will also be instructed on contraindications, adverse reactions, safety, efficacy, therapeutic monitoring, toxicity, and interprofessional activities. Pharmacology lectures will be coordinated with the content delivered in the Clinical Medicine series so students can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology of conditions as they relate to therapeutic options. Lecture.

MPAS 5070, Patient Evaluation & Counseling I (2)

The Patient Evaluation I course prepares students to perform comprehensive and focused medical histories, physical examinations, and medical/surgical procedures in a simulated environment. The course emphasizes patient-centered interviewing, performing comprehensive physical examinations, accurately documenting and presenting findings, developing a differential diagnosis, and developing care plans centered around patient education. Lectures, reading assignments, hands-on labs, and supplemental assignments emphasize core concepts. Patient interaction and communication are essential skills that will be developed during the course. Over the entire semester, close interaction will occur between students, faculty, instructors, and simulated patients. As part of the Patient Evaluation and Counseling course series (MPAS 5070-5072) all students will participate in mandatory lab exercises that include instruction in hands on techniques, patient education, informed consent, and documentation. Skills lab instruction and activities will follow didactic instruction and the details of each activity will be provided by the course director at the time of the lab. Lab.

MPAS 5071, Patient Evaluation & Counseling II (3)

The Patient Evaluation II course prepares students to perform comprehensive and focused medical histories, physical examinations, and medical/surgical procedures in a simulated environment. The course emphasizes patient-centered interviewing, performing comprehensive physical examinations, accurately documenting and presenting findings, developing a differential diagnosis, and developing care plans centered around patient education. Lectures, reading assignments, hands-on labs, and supplemental assignments emphasize core concepts. Patient interaction and communication are essential skills that will be developed during the course. Over the entire semester, close interaction will occur between students, faculty, instructors, and simulated patients. As part of the Patient Evaluation and Counseling course series (MPAS 5070-5072) all students will participate in mandatory lab exercises that include instruction in hands on techniques, patient education, informed consent, and documentation. Skills lab instruction and activities will follow didactic instruction and the details of each activity will be provided by the course director at the time of the lab. Lab.

MPAS 5072, Patient Evaluation & Counseling III (3)

The Patient Evaluation III course prepares students to perform comprehensive and focused medical histories, physical examinations, and medical/surgical procedures in a simulated environment. The course emphasizes patient-centered interviewing, performing comprehensive physical examinations, accurately documenting and presenting findings, developing a differential diagnosis, and developing care plans centered around patient education. Lectures, reading assignments, hands-on labs, and supplemental assignments emphasize core concepts. Patient interaction and communication are essential skills that will be developed during the course. Over the entire semester, close interaction will occur between students, faculty, instructors, and simulated patients. As part of the Patient Evaluation and Counseling course series (MPAS 5070-5072) all students will participate in mandatory lab exercises that include instruction in hands on techniques, patient education, informed consent, and documentation. Skills lab instruction and activities will follow didactic instruction and the details of each activity will be provided by the course director at the time of the lab. Lab.

MPAS 5080, Clinical Laboratory & Diagnostic Medicine I (2)

This course is designed as one of a three-part series to provide didactic physician assistant students with depth and breadth of knowledge regarding laboratory and diagnostic testing involved in the evaluation of common disease processes. Emphasis is place on the appropriate selection and interpretation of laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging, and other tests for diagnostic purposes. Lectures correlate with the Clinical Medicine series courses and other courses within the Physician Assistant didactic curriculum.  Topics in this course include dermatology, infectious disease, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, and pulmonology.  Clinical Laboratory and Diagnostic Medicine I is taught in correlation to the Clinical Medicine I and Patient Evaluation I courses. Instruction will be provided in the form of lecture, discussion, formative assessment in class, group activities, and other methods. Lecture.

MPAS 5081, Clinical Laboratory & Diagnostic Medicine II (4)

This course is designed as one of a three-part series to provide didactic physician assistant students with depth and breadth of knowledge regarding laboratory and diagnostic testing involved in the evaluation of common disease processes. Emphasis is place on the appropriate selection and interpretation of laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging, and other tests for diagnostic purposes. Lectures correlate with the Clinical Medicine series courses and other courses within the Physician Assistant didactic curriculum.  Topics in this course include cardiology, hematology, oncology, gastroenterology, urology, orthopedics, rheumatology, and neurology.  Clinical Laboratory and Diagnostic Medicine II is taught in correlation to the Clinical Medicine II and Patient Evaluation II courses. Instruction will be provided in the form of lecture, discussion, formative assessment in class, group activities, and other methods. Lecture.

MPAS 5082, Clinical Laboratory & Diagnostic Medicine III (4)

This course is designed as one of a three-part series to provide didactic physician assistant students with depth and breadth of knowledge regarding laboratory and diagnostic testing involved in the evaluation of common disease processes. Emphasis is place on the appropriate selection and interpretation of laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging, and other tests for diagnostic purposes. Lectures correlate with the Clinical Medicine series courses and other courses within the Physician Assistant didactic curriculum.  Topics in this course include endocrinology, obstetrics, gynecology, psychiatry, pediatrics, geriatrics, critical care medicine, surgery, and emergency medicine.  Within this course, there will also be intensive instruction delivered via case studies and clinical vignettes in the areas of electrocardiography (EKG) and plain radiography. This course also includes instruction and discussion of patient safety, quality improvement, and prevention of medical errors, which will be incorporated throughout the last several modules. Clinical Laboratory and Diagnostic Medicine III is taught in correlation to the Clinical Medicine III and Patient Evaluation III courses. Instruction will be provided in the form of lecture, discussion, formative assessment in class, group activities, and other methods. Lecture.

MPAS 5100, Didactic Seminar (1)

The Didactic Seminar is a week-long session designed as a review and refresher period to provide students with a chance to prepare for their clinical rotations. During the didactic seminar students will take the Physician Assistant Clinical Knowledge and Assessment Tool (PACKRAT), a non-graded standardized exam that provides feedback at the subject level for self-assessment of their medical knowledge. Students will also have the opportunity to review some of the most common clinical diagnoses, work on clinical case studies, and practice clinical skills with assistance from faculty and guests. The didactic seminar is a non-credit seminar with no graded formal assessments. Its goal is to assist students in the transition to clinical rotations. This course is graded PASS/FAIL. Lecture.

MPAS 6000, Clinical Rotation – Family Medicine (5)

The family medicine clinical rotation is part the PA Program supervised clinical experience. This course is intended to give the student outpatient clinical experiences in the practice of family medicine. The student will collect historical, physical, and laboratory data and develop an understanding of the patient evaluation and treatment principles of primary care for patients of all age ranges and backgrounds. This clinical rotation will emphasize the wide range of care provided in family medicine.

MPAS 6010, Clinical Rotation – Internal Medicine (5)

The Internal Medicine clinical rotation is part the PA Program supervised clinical experience. This course is intended to give the student inpatient clinical experiences in the practice of internal medicine. The student will collect historical, physical, and laboratory data and develop an understanding of the patient evaluation and treatment principles of acute, chronic, emergent, or preventative internal medicine encounters for adult patients of all backgrounds. This clinical rotation will emphasize the wide range of care provided in internal medicine.

MPAS 6020, Clinical Rotation – Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine (5)

The Psychiatry/Behavioral Medicine rotation is part of the PA Program supervised clinical experience. This course is intended to give the student outpatient or inpatient clinical experiences in the practice of behavioral medicine and mental health. The student will collect historical, physical, and laboratory data and develop an understanding of the patient evaluation and treatment principles of acute, chronic, emergent, or preventative mental health encounters for patients of all age ranges and backgrounds. This clinical rotation will emphasize the wide range of care provided in psychiatric medicine.

MPAS 6030, Clinical Rotation – Women’s Health (5)

The Women’s Health clinical rotation is part the PA Program supervised clinical experience. This course is intended to give the student clinical experiences in the practice of obstetrics and gynecology. The student will collect historical, physical, and laboratory data and develop an understanding of the patient evaluation and treatment principles of acute, chronic, emergent, or preventative women’s health encounters for patients of all age ranges and backgrounds. This clinical rotation will emphasize the wide range of care provided in the Women’s Health setting.

MPAS 6040, Clinical Rotation – Pediatric Medicine (5)

The Pediatrics Clinical Rotation is part the PA Program supervised clinical experience. This course is intended to give the student outpatient clinical experiences in the practice of pediatrics. The student will collect historical, physical, and laboratory data and develop an understanding of the patient evaluation and treatment principles of acute, chronic, emergent, or preventative pediatric encounters for patients ages infant through adolescent from all backgrounds. This clinical rotation will emphasize the wide range of care provided in pediatrics.

MPAS 6050, Clinical Rotation – General Surgery (5)

The General Surgery clinical rotation is intended to give the student surgical clinical experiences in the practice of general surgery. The student will collect historical, physical, and laboratory data and develop an understanding of the patient evaluation and treatment principles of acute, chronic, emergent, or preventative general surgery encounters. This clinical rotation will emphasize the wide range of care provided in general surgery. Students will also participate in pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative care of patients.

MPAS 6060, Clinical Rotation – Emergency Medicine (5)

The Emergency Medicine rotation is designed to give students clinical experiences in the practice of emergency medicine under the supervision of a physician or physician assistant preceptor. Students will collect historical, physical, and laboratory data and develop an understanding of the patient evaluation and treatment principles of emergency medicine encounters for patients of all age ranges and backgrounds. This rotation will emphasize the wide range of care provided in emergency medicine.

MPAS 6070, Clinical Rotation – Elective (5)

The Elective clinical rotation is a student selected elective that is part of the PA Program supervised clinical practice experience. This course is intended to give the student a wide variety of clinical experiences, in a field of their choosing, in specialties of medicine beyond required core rotations. The student will collect historical, physical, and laboratory data and develop an understanding of the patient evaluation and treatment principles of acute, chronic, emergent, or preventative patient care encounters for patients of all ages and backgrounds pursuant upon the elected specialty or subspecialty. This rotation also allows the student to reinforce skills learned throughout the didactic phase with additional required reading in key topics learned throughout the curriculum.

MPAS 6100, Clinical Summative (6)

The Clinical Summative is intended as a comprehensive evaluation of students’ preparedness to enter clinical practice.  Students will be evaluated on their ability to assess and manage patients of varying ages (prenatal, infants, children, adolescents, adults and elderly), in varying care environments (preventative, emergent, acute, chronic, rehabilitative, palliative, and end-of-life).  Students will also be evaluated on their performance of clinical/procedural skills in a lab setting.  Students will be expected to exhibit the proficiencies, judgement, and character expected of an entry-level certified physician assistant. Students will also participate in a professional board review course.  This will allow for a comprehensive review for the summative exam, as well as the PANCE.