Curriculum Overview
Our Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPA) program takes 27 months to complete. The first 15 months of the program are dedicated to didactic education and participation in a clinical mentorship program. The latter 12 months are spent in clinical rotations which give students a full range of hands-on experiences in medicine and primary care. Clinical rotations may take place anywhere in the state of Michigan, although an effort is made to place students in one region of the state for the entire clinical year.
Didactic Learning Experiences
For a listing of courses, click on Course Listing.
Clinical Mentorship Internship Program
Unlike any other Physician Assistant Program in the state of Michigan, Central Michigan University's PA Program offers the benefit of a mentorship internship for all first-year students. Through the fall, spring, and summer sessions of the 15-month didactic year, each student undertakes a one-day-per-week mentorship in which he or she shadows a local family practice physician and performs hands-on patient care work as assigned.
Our unique mentorship program allows students to:
- Improve patient evaluation skills
- Practice effective communication skills in establishing a productive provider-patient relationship
- Establish a professional student-mentor relationship and provides the opportunity to interact with future colleagues
- Present selected cases to mentor for critique
- Develop an appreciation of the complexities of the medical profession
- Observe administrative activities and aspects of office practices
- Build confidence and become comfortable in a clinical setting
Clinical Rotation Experiences
Students spend the last 12 months of the program completing eight core clinical rotations with an end-of-rotation exam coinciding with each rotation. Students are required to return to campus periodically to participate in various evaluation exercises and to present a capstone project influenced by a significant case experienced during the clinical year . Core Rotations are:
The student is introduced to triage and stabilization of patients with life threatening conditions and procedures performed in the emergency department. Emphasis is placed on skills required to perform and document a problem oriented history and physical; formulate a differential diagnosis; order and interpret the tests necessary to confirm or rule out a primary diagnosis; and give appropriate patient education. The student will also learn strategies for interacting with patients and/or families in various levels of stress.
Family Medicine I, II, III, IV
Students practice the evaluation, documentation, diagnosis, and treatment of the wide range of problems common in primary care/family medicine. The student will develop proficiency in office procedures commonly performed in a family medicine office.
General Surgery
Students will develop the skills necessary to evaluate and manage patients with a variety of surgical problems. The rotation will provide students the opportunity to develop an understanding of the role of the surgeon, anesthesiologist, assistant surgeon, circulating nurse, scrub nurse, scrub tech, recovery room, and surgery floor nurses, aids, and techs in the care of the surgical patient.
Internal Medicine
The focus is on in-depth evaluation and ongoing treatment of patients with complex problems and/or chronic illness. Students learn the skills necessary to evaluate and manage the effects of chronic disease on multiple body systems and to perform or assist in procedures commonly done in internal medicine.
Elective Rotation
The elective rotation is designed to reinforce education in an area requiring additional training, enhance clinical education in a specialized area, or to further a student's education in an area of particular interest.