The immersive RMC PA curriculum is uniquely designed to prepare today's learners for tomorrow's medical practice environment. Our experienced team of medical educators actively apply guidance from ARC-PA, AAPA, PAEA, and NCCPA, translating the evolving requirements of medical practice proficiency into four primary learning themes that define RMC PA's 24-month learning experience: Think. Feel. Know. Do.
Each theme serves as a guidepost, signaling our commitment to holistically preparing each PA learner for current and evolving areas of practice, leadership, and community involvement. These practical descriptions of our central educational pillars provide prospective students, faculty, potential employers and accrediting bodies with clear and measurable performance qualities for each RMC PA graduate.
Think.
The modern medical provider must be a critical thinker, able to consistently apply evidence-informed, patient-centered clinical decisions across evolving medical information and diverse patient populations. The core of such readiness is established by immersing RMC learners within increasingly complex clinical problem-solving activities and metacognitive practice - facilitated by experienced medical educators and clinicians.
Feel.
Patient-centered medical practice requires cultural humility, empathy, curiosity about the burdens, fears, beliefs, and expectations of others, alongside self-reflection and the practical skill to develop therapeutic connections with patients across the lifespan. In addition, medical trainees and providers are reporting increasing rates of near-burnout or burnout, which can be reduced via attention to self-care practice. We will support each RMC learner in developing patient engagement and self-care strategies that can be translated into sustainable, flexible approaches to clinical practice environments.
Know.
Safe and effective patient care requires the ongoing acquisition and application of biomedical, regulatory, and health system knowledge in order to address the current and emerging challenges faced by patients, their families, and the medical landscape. Through self-directed learning, synchronous and asynchronous learning environments, practical training sessions, and immersive clinical rotations, each RMC PA graduate will demonstrate mastery of core knowledge consistent with readiness for entry into clinical practice and ongoing knowledge acquisition.
Do.
PAs are and have always been people who do: going above and beyond the minimum to support high-quality patient care, community engagement, health system effectiveness, and forward evolution of medical care models. The expanding role of the PA means that each RMC PA graduate will be equipped with a wide set of procedural skills, commensurate with projected employment environments. In addition, practical action within community service, leadership spaces, and within each opportunity for provision of equitable health care requires a developed self-awareness and skillset applicable to a variety of medical and professional situations.
PA Program Admission
The requirements for admission to the PA Program, including the general requirements, required prerequisite coursework, preferred coursework, clinical experience, and letters of reference are available in the PA Student Handbook, which is accessible via the PA Program site.
The RMC PA Program utilizes a holistic and rolling admissions process. Completed applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis by the PA Admissions Committee. Based on our program goals and outcomes, required prerequisites and preferred factors, selected applicants will be invited to interview for admission. Interviewees will be invited to visit the PA Program to participate in additional non-cognitive assessments that aid in final admissions decisions.
Transfer credits are not accepted. Additionally, there are no advanced placement opportunities or accelerated tracks. All enrolled students must complete each required component of the PA program.
Specific questions regarding the application requirements or process can be directed to the Admissions team at paadmissions@rmc.edu.
PA Program Polices
The academic policies and related procedures that apply to the graduate program in Physician Assistant Studies are available in the PA Student Handbook, which is accessible via the PA Program site.
Degree Requirements
To graduate from the PA Program and earn a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree, the candidate must:
- Achieve a final grade of “Competent” or better in all PA Program courses.
- Successfully complete the Summative Evaluation.
- Be in “good standing” at the time of graduation, as determined by the Committee on Student Development and Progress.
Students who do not meet each of the above requirements may not be eligible for graduation or may graduate late. Contained within the first bullet above are defined aspects of cognitive and non-cognitive growth expected of each student graduating from the PA Program. Syllabi contain specific elements that guide student attainment and demonstration of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for entry into practice. Demonstration of professional behavior is key to the overall development of each PA graduate and is highlighted within each course syllabus.
Graduation from the PA Program does not guarantee successful state licensure, hospital credentialing, or employment. Some state licensing and hospital credentialing boards require documentation to support the applicant’s written explanation for a delay in graduation and may decline to grant licensure / credentialing to graduates with a history of disciplinary action, including academic / professional probation, while enrolled in a professional training program.
The PA Program holds one graduation ceremony each year, in December, and most degrees will be conferred at this time. The program also confers degrees at the end of each term to accommodate those students who complete requirements on a delayed schedule.
Required PA Program Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PASD 601 | Anatomy with Lab I | 2 |
| PASD 602 | Anatomy with Lab II | 2 |
| PASD 603 | Anatomy with Lab III | 2 |
| PASD 604 | Anatomy with Lab IV | 2 |
| PASD 611 | Clinical Science I | 2 |
| PASD 612 | Clinical Science II | 2 |
| PASD 613 | Clinical Science III | 2 |
| PASD 614 | Clinical Science IV | 2 |
| PASD 621 | Physical Assessment with Lab I | 2 |
| PASD 622 | Physical Assessment with Lab II | 2 |
| PASD 623 | Physical Assessment with Lab III | 2 |
| PASD 624 | Physical Assessment with Lab IV | 2 |
| PASD 631 | Clinical Medicine I | 8 |
| PASD 632 | Clinical Medicine II | 8 |
| PASD 633 | Clinical Medicine III | 8 |
| PASD 634 | Clinical Medicine IV | 8 |
| PASD 641 | Diagnostic Studies I | 1 |
| PASD 642 | Diagnostic Studies II | 1 |
| PASD 643 | Diagnostic Studies III | 1 |
| PASD 644 | Diagnostic Studies IV | 1 |
| PASD 651 | Differential Diagnosis I | 1 |
| PASD 652 | Differential Diagnosis II | 1 |
| PASD 653 | Differential Diagnosis III | 1 |
| PASD 654 | Differential Diagnosis IV | 1 |
| PASD 661 | Pharmacotherapeutics & Clinical Interventions I | 2 |
| PASD 662 | Pharmacotherapeutics & Clinical Interventions II | 2 |
| PASD 663 | Pharmacotherapeutics & Clinical Interventions III | 2 |
| PASD 664 | Pharmacotherapeutics & Clinical Interventions IV | 2 |
| PASD 671 | Evidence-Based Medicine & Professional Practice I | 1 |
| PASD 672 | Evidence-Based Medicine & Professional Practice II | 1 |
| PASD 673 | Evidence-Based Medicine & Professional Practice III | 1 |
| PASD 674 | Evidence-Based Medicine & Professional Practice IV | 1 |
| PASD 700 | Family Medicine Clerkship | 6 |
| PASD 701 | Internal Medicine Clerkship | 6 |
| PASD 702 | Behavioral Medicine Clerkship | 6 |
| PASD 703 | Emergency Medicine Clerkship | 6 |
| PASD 704 | Pediatrics Clerkship | 6 |
| PASD 705 | Women's Health Clerkship | 6 |
| PASD 706 | Surgery Clerkship | 6 |
| PASD 707 | Graduate Seminar | 6 |
| Total Hours | 124 | |
PASD 601 - Anatomy with Lab I (2 Hours)
This is a 2-credit hour course offered in tandem with the Clinical Medicine course series by organ system. It is the first in a series of four anatomy with lab courses. The lectures are linked with virtual dissection modules in a laboratory experience and completed by group and individual work. This course examines human embryology and organ systems that correlate with topics in the other courses during this term which include the integumentary system, head, eyes, ears, nose, throat system, hematologic system, pulmonary system, and cardiac system.
PASD 602 - Anatomy with Lab II (2 Hours)
This is a 2-credit hour course offered in tandem with clinical medicine by organ system. It is the second in a series of four anatomy with lab courses. The lectures are linked with virtual dissection modules in a laboratory experience and completed by group and individual work. This course examines human embryology and organ systems that correlate with topics in the other courses during this term which include the gastrointestinal system, genitourinary system, renal system, endocrinology system, and the neurologic system.
PASD 603 - Anatomy with Lab III (2 Hours)
This is a 2-credit hour course offered in tandem with the clinical medicine course series by organ system. It is the third in a series of four anatomy with lab courses. The lectures are linked with virtual dissection modules in a laboratory experience and completed by group and individual work. This course examines human embryology and organ systems that correlate with topics in the other courses during this term which include the musculoskeletal system, psychiatry/behavioral health, surgery, and emergency medicine.
PASD 604 - Anatomy with Lab IV (2 Hours)
This is a 2-credit hour course offered in tandem with clinical medicine by organ system. It is the fourth in a series of four anatomy with lab courses. The lectures are linked with virtual dissection modules in a laboratory experience and completed by group and individual work. This course examines human embryology and organ systems that correlate with topics in the other courses during this term which include pediatrics, geriatrics, the reproductive system, and infectious disease.
PASD 611 - Clinical Science I (2 Hours)
This is a 2-credit hour course offered in tandem with the Clinical Medicine course series by organ system. It is the first in a series of four clinical science courses. The lectures are given in a face-to-face and asynchronous platform and emphasize the physiology, pathophysiology, microbiology, and genetic basis of health and disease associated with the integumentary system, head, eyes, ears, nose, throat, oral health, hematologic system, pulmonary system, and cardiac system.
PASD 612 - Clinical Science II (2 Hours)
This is a 2-credit hour course offered in tandem with the Clinical Medicine course series by organ system. It is the second in a series of four clinical science courses. The lectures are given in a face-to-face and asynchronous platform and emphasize the physiology, pathophysiology, microbiology, and genetic basis of health and disease associated with the gastrointestinal system, genitourinary system, renal system, endocrinology system, and the neurologic system.
PASD 613 - Clinical Science III (2 Hours)
This is a 2-credit hour course offered in tandem with the Clinical Medicine course series by organ system. It is the third in a series of four clinical science courses. The lectures are given in a face-to-face and asynchronous platform and emphasize the physiology, pathophysiology, microbiology, and genetic basis of health and disease associated with the musculoskeletal system, psychiatry/behavioral health, surgery, and emergency medicine.
PASD 614 - Clinical Science IV (2 Hours)
This is a 2-credit hour course offered in tandem with the Clinical Medicine course series by organ system. It is the fourth in a series of four clinical science courses. The lectures are given in a face-to-face and asynchronous platform and emphasize the physiology, pathophysiology, microbiology, and genetic basis of health and disease associated with pediatrics, geriatrics, the reproductive system, and infectious disease.
PASD 621 - Physical Assessment with Lab I (2 Hours)
This a 2-credit hour course offered in tandem with the Clinical Medicine course series by organ system. It is the first in a series of four physical assessment courses. The lectures are given prior to the lab and emphasize the history and physical examination findings associated with the health and disease of the integumentary system, head, eyes, ears, nose, throat, oral health, hematological system, pulmonary system, and the cardiovascular system.
PASD 622 - Physical Assessment with Lab II (2 Hours)
This is a 2-credit hour course offered in tandem with the Clinical Medicine course series by organ system. It is the second in a series of four physical assessment courses. The lectures are given prior to the lab and emphasize the history and physical examination findings associated with the health and disease of the gastrointestinal system, genitourinary system, renal system, endocrinology system and neurologic system.
PASD 623 - Physical Assessment with Lab III (2 Hours)
This is a 2-credit hour course offered in tandem with the Clinical Medicine course series by organ system. It is the third in a series of four physical assessment courses. The lectures are given prior to the lab and emphasize the history and physical examination findings associated with the health and disease of the musculoskeletal system, psychiatry/behavioral health, surgery, and emergency medicine.
PASD 624 - Physical Assessment with Lab IV (2 Hours)
This is a 2-credit hour course offered in tandem with the Clinical Medicine course series by organ system. It is the fourth in a series of four physical assessment courses. The lectures are given prior to the lab and emphasize the history and physical examination findings associated with the health and disease of pediatrics, geriatrics, the reproductive system, and infectious disease.
PASD 631 - Clinical Medicine I (8 Hours)
This is an 8-credit hour course and the first in a series of four. This course includes lectures and small-group problem-based learning. Lectures are given in a face-to-face format and emphasize the patient presentation, physical examination findings, risk factors, laboratory and diagnostic studies, differential diagnosis, therapeutic approaches, public health, and patient education related to health and disease of the integumentary system, head, eyes, ears, nose, throat, oral health, hematology system, pulmonary system and cardiovascular system.
PASD 632 - Clinical Medicine II (8 Hours)
This is an 8-credit hour course and the second in a series of four. This course includes lectures and small-group problem-based learning. Lectures are given in a face-to-face format and emphasize the patient presentation, physical examination findings, risk factors, laboratory and diagnostic studies, differential diagnosis, therapeutic approaches, public health, and patient education related to health and disease of the gastrointestinal system, genitourinary system, renal system, endocrinology system and neurologic system.
PASD 633 - Clinical Medicine III (8 Hours)
This is an 8-credit hour course and the third in a series of four. This course includes lectures and small-group problem-based learning. Lectures are given in a face-to-face format and emphasize the patient presentation, physical examination findings, risk factors, laboratory and diagnostic studies, differential diagnosis, therapeutic approaches, public health, and patient education related to health and disease of the musculoskeletal system, psychiatry/behavioral health, surgery, and emergency medicine.
PASD 634 - Clinical Medicine IV (8 Hours)
This is an 8-credit hour course and the fourth in a series of four. This course includes lectures and small-group problem-based learning. Lectures are given in a face-to-face format and emphasize the patient presentation, physical examination findings, risk factors, laboratory and diagnostic studies, differential diagnosis, therapeutic approaches, public health, and patient education related to health and disease of pediatrics, geriatrics, the reproductive system, and infectious disease.
PASD 641 - Diagnostic Studies I (1 Hour)
This is the first in a series of four Diagnostic Studies courses. Through lectures and case-based application, this course correlates laboratory studies, radiologic studies and other diagnostic modalities to the health and diseases states of the following organ systems: integumentary system, head, eyes, ears, nose, throat, oral health, hematologic system, pulmonary system, and cardiovascular system.
PASD 642 - Diagnostic Studies II (1 Hour)
This is the second in a series of four Diagnostic Studies courses. Through lectures and case-based application, this course correlates laboratory studies, radiologic studies and other diagnostic modalities to the health and diseases states of the following organ systems: gastrointestinal system, genitourinary system, renal system, endocrinology system and neurologic system.
PASD 643 - Diagnostic Studies III (1 Hour)
This is the third in a series of four Diagnostic Studies courses. Through lectures and case-based application, this course correlates laboratory studies, radiologic studies and other diagnostic modalities to the health and diseases states of the following organ systems: musculoskeletal system, psychiatry/behavioral health, surgery, and emergency medicine.
PASD 644 - Diagnostic Studies IV (1 Hour)
This is the fourth in a series of four Diagnostic Studies courses. Through lectures and case-based application, this course correlates laboratory studies, radiologic studies and other diagnostic modalities to the health and diseases states of the following organ systems: pediatrics, geriatrics, the reproductive system, and infectious disease.
PASD 651 - Differential Diagnosis I (1 Hour)
This is the first in a series of four Differential Diagnosis courses. Through case-based presentations, this course encourages the development of a list of disorders that present with similar clinical features. This course will cover chief complaints related to the organ systems in the Clinical Medicine course series which include the integumentary system, head, eyes, ears, nose, throat, hematologic system, pulmonary system, and cardiac system.
PASD 652 - Differential Diagnosis II (1 Hour)
This is the second in a series of four Differential Diagnosis courses. Through case-based presentations, this course encourages the development of a list of disorders that present with similar clinical features. This course will cover chief complaints related to the organ systems in the Clinical Medicine course series which include the gastrointestinal system, genitourinary system, renal system, endocrinology system and neurologic system.
PASD 653 - Differential Diagnosis III (1 Hour)
This is the third in a series of four Differential Diagnosis courses. Through case-based presentations, this course encourages the development of a list of disorders that present with similar clinical features. This course will cover chief complaints related to the organ systems in the Clinical Medicine course series which include the musculoskeletal system, psychiatry/behavioral health, surgery, and emergency medicine.
PASD 654 - Differential Diagnosis IV (1 Hour)
This is the fourth in a series of four Differential Diagnosis courses. Through case-based presentations, this course encourages the development of a list of disorders that present with similar clinical features. This course will cover chief complaints related to the organ systems in the Clinical Medicine course series which include the pediatrics, geriatrics, the reproductive system, and infectious disease.
PASD 661 - Pharmacotherapeutics & Clinical Interventions I (2 Hours)
This is the first in a series of four courses that correlates pharmacology and other clinical interventions to the application of disease and injury of the organ systems and special populations of the integumentary system, head, eyes, ears, nose, throat, hematologic system, pulmonary system, and cardiovascular system.
PASD 662 - Pharmacotherapeutics & Clinical Interventions II (2 Hours)
This is the first in a series of four courses that correlates pharmacology and other clinical interventions to the application of disease and injury of the organ systems and special populations of the gastrointestinal system, genitourinary system, renal system, endocrinology system and neurologic system.
PASD 663 - Pharmacotherapeutics & Clinical Interventions III (2 Hours)
This is the first in a series of four courses that correlates pharmacology and other clinical interventions to the application of disease and injury of the organ systems and special populations of the musculoskeletal system, psychiatry/behavioral health, surgery, and emergency medicine.
PASD 664 - Pharmacotherapeutics & Clinical Interventions IV (2 Hours)
This is the first in a series of four courses that correlates pharmacology and other clinical interventions to the application of disease and injury of the organ systems and special populations of pediatrics, geriatrics, the reproductive system, and infectious disease.
PASD 671 - Evidence-Based Medicine & Professional Practice I (1 Hour)
This is the first in a series of four courses that applies evidence-based medicine and clinical practice guidelines to clinical decision making. The course uses electronic databases to assist in clinical decision making, explores legal and ethical decision making in clinical practice, and provides a framework for using medical literature. Professional practice topics such as the history of the profession, the PA role in clinical practice, health care teams, and public health are covered in this first course.
PASD 672 - Evidence-Based Medicine & Professional Practice II (1 Hour)
This is the second in a series of four courses that applies evidence-based medicine and clinical practice guidelines to clinical decision making. The course uses electronic databases to assist in clinical decision making, explores legal and ethical decision making in clinical practice, and provides a framework for using medical literature. Professional practice topics such as medical ethics, laws, regulations, provider wellness, provider burnout, and the impaired provider are covered in this course.
PASD 673 - Evidence-Based Medicine & Professional Practice III (1 Hour)
This is the third in a series of four courses that applies evidence-based medicine and clinical practice guidelines to clinical decision making. The course uses electronic databases to assist in clinical decision making, explores legal and ethical decision making in clinical practice, and provides a framework for using medical literature. Professional practice topics such as public health, patient advocacy, interprofessional patient-centered teams, and the business of health care are covered in this course.
PASD 674 - Evidence-Based Medicine & Professional Practice IV (1 Hour)
Evidence-Based Medicine and Professional Practice IV is the fourth in a series of four courses that applies evidence-based medicine and clinical practice guidelines to clinical decision making. The course uses electronic databases to assist in clinical decision making, explores legal and ethical decision making in clinical practice, and provides a framework for using medical literature. Professional practice issues such as palliative care, hospice, electronic medical record, quality improvement, coding, billing, licensing, credentialing, and the business of medicine are covered in this course.
PASD 700 - Family Medicine Clerkship (6 Hours)
This rotation is a 6-week experience in the management of common and/or important conditions and chief complaints in the Primary Care setting. The student may be required to travel to the clinic and /or hospital during this rotation. The student should expect to be involved in patient care, including taking call, making rounds and other associated opportunities. The average time spent will be between 60-80 hours per week (this includes time spent in the clinical setting and additional time for studying, case logging, and assignment completion outside of the clinical setting). Specific schedules are to be determined by the rotation/site preceptor. Students will be expected to log their patient encounters that are included in the time expectation.
PASD 701 - Internal Medicine Clerkship (6 Hours)
This rotation is a 6-week experience in the management of common and/or important conditions and chief complaints in the inpatient or outpatient general medicine setting. The student may be required to travel to the clinic and /or hospital during this rotation. The student should expect to be involved in patient care, including taking call, making rounds and other associated opportunities. The average time spent will be between 60-80 hours per week (this includes time spent in the clinical setting and additional time for studying, case logging, and assignment completion outside of the clinical setting). Specific schedules are to be determined by the rotation/site preceptor. Students will be expected to log their patient encounters that are included in the time expectation.
PASD 702 - Behavioral Medicine Clerkship (6 Hours)
This rotation is a 6-week experience in the management of common and/or important conditions and chief complaints in the behavioral medicine setting. The student may be required to travel to the clinic and /or hospital during this rotation. The student should expect to be involved in patient care, including taking call, making rounds and other associated opportunities. The average time spent will be between 60-80 hours per week (this includes time spent in the clinical setting and additional time for studying, case logging, and assignment completion outside of the clinical setting). Specific schedules are to be determined by the rotation/site preceptor. Students will be expected to log their patient encounters that are included in the time expectation.
PASD 703 - Emergency Medicine Clerkship (6 Hours)
This rotation is a 6-week experience in the management of common and/or important conditions and chief complaints in the Emergency Medicine setting. The student may be required to travel to the clinic and /or hospital during this rotation. The student should expect to be involved in patient care, including taking call, making rounds and other associated opportunities. The average time spent will be between 60-80 hours per week (this includes time spent in the clinical setting and additional time for studying, case logging, and assignment completion outside of the clinical setting). Specific schedules are to be determined by the rotation/site preceptor. Students will be expected to log their patient encounters that are included in the time expectation.
PASD 704 - Pediatrics Clerkship (6 Hours)
This rotation is a 6-week experience in the management of common and/or important conditions and chief complaints in the Pediatric setting. The student may be required to travel to the clinic and /or hospital during this rotation. The student should expect to be involved in patient care, including taking call, making rounds and other associated opportunities. The average time spent will be between 60-80 hours per week (this includes time spent in the clinical setting and additional time for studying, case logging, and assignment completion outside of the clinical setting). Specific schedules are to be determined by the rotation/site preceptor. Students will be expected to log their patient encounters that are included in the time expectation.
PASD 705 - Women's Health Clerkship (6 Hours)
This rotation is a 6-week experience in the management of common and/or important conditions and chief complaints in the Women's Health setting. The student may be required to travel to the clinic and /or hospital during this rotation. The student should expect to be involved in patient care, including taking call, making rounds and other associated opportunities. The average time spent will be between 60-80 hours per week (this includes time spent in the clinical setting and additional time for studying, case logging, and assignment completion outside of the clinical setting). Specific schedules are to be determined by the rotation/site preceptor. Students will be expected to log their patient encounters that are included in the time expectation.
PASD 706 - Surgery Clerkship (6 Hours)
This rotation is a 6-week experience in the management of common and/or important conditions and chief complaints in the surgery setting to include pre-operative care, intra-operative care, and post- operative care. The student may be required to travel to clinic and/or hospital during this rotation. The student should expect to be involved in patient care, including taking calls, making rounds and other associated opportunities. The average time spent will be between 60-80 hours per week (this includes time spent in the clinical setting and additional time for studying, case logging, and assignment completion outside of the clinical setting). Specific schedules are to be determined by the rotation / site preceptor. Students will be expected to log their patient encounters that are included in the time expectation.
PASD 707 - Graduate Seminar (6 Hours)
This rotation is a 6-week call-back that involves on-campus board review as well as the presentation of the graduate project. Students will present a patient case from their clinical year experiences to the faculty and peers in a formal lecture-based format. The faculty will also provide board review based on organ systems according to the NCCPA Blueprint for the PANCE exam. Students will utilize self-assessments to individualize a study plan that will be reviewed and approved by their academic advisor.