MS in Physician Assistant Studies Curriculum

The first four semesters of ODU's PA Program consist of didactic and laboratory coursework in the basic and clinical sciences, including a full semester’s course in anatomy with cadaver dissection.

Additionally, students receive instruction in basic sciences useful to better understanding of clinical medicine such as pathophysiology, genetics, microbiology and immunology.

• For more information on Program Learning Outcomes and Competencies, please see PA Program Policy and Procedures Student Handbook.

Note that the curriculum is subject to change at the discretion of faculty.

• View didactic course descriptions.

Didactic students are also introduced into clinical settings through shadowing and hospital experiences throughout the didactic year. Additionally, students will receive instruction in risk management and the electronic medical record (EMR) to better prepare for actual practice in a changing healthcare environment.

In the final semester of the didactic phase, students receive further hands-on training in clinical skills such as suturing, surgical knot‐tying, IV administration and access, casting/splinting, sterile technique including surgical scrubbing and gowning, advanced cardiac life support, and other clinical skills.

Students will also participate in Objective Standardized Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) as part of the physical diagnosis course and are expected to successfully pass these in order to progress to the clinical phase. 

The clinical phase of the program lasts 12 months and consists of seven core rotations and four non-core rotations, plus a Transition to Practice course.

• For more information, please see PA Program Policy and Procedures Student Handbook.

• View clinical course/rotation descriptions.

During clinical rotations, students are visited by a faculty member in order to assess the clinical learning experience. These visits are designed to ensure each student receives an appropriate clinical learning experience.

Additionally, students are required to return to campus for end of rotation examinations and/or professional practice activities.

Students are required to complete appropriate logging and evaluation forms as delineated in each syllabus and written assignments as assigned.

Additionally, near the end of the clinical phase, students will participate in an intensive board review course to better prepare for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) and clinical practice.

Students are required to complete all 11 clinical rotations. Students will be expected to travel to various rotation sites. While the majority of the clinical sites are in state, some may require travel out of state. Students are responsible for all travel expenses (e.g., housing , travel and food) to and from their assigned clinical rotation site. All rotation assignments are determined by the program. Students are not required to provide or solicit clinical sites or preceptors.