Academic Course Descriptions (A3.11)
(*The academic course of study is 15 months in duration)
Semester 1 – Fall Session
PA 509 Introduction to Pharmacology: Introduction Pharmacology course is the first in a series of four courses (Introduction to Pharmacology, Pharmacotherapy I, II, and III) designed specifically for physician assistant students. This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts of pharmacology and therapeutics, emphasizing the integration of pharmacological knowledge with clinical decision-making. Students will explore the intricate relationships between drugs and the human body, focusing on pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and the principles of evidence-based pharmacotherapeutic interventions.(1)
PA 500 Anatomy: This comprehensive systems-based course provides Physician Assistant students with a robust foundation in human anatomy and physiology essential for clinical practice. The curriculum integrates fundamental concepts of human structure-function relationships across multiple levels of organization—from cellular to organ systems—with an emphasis on clinical application. (4:3,3)
PA 506 Health Systems and Risk Management: This course addresses quality assurance methodology and the legal responsibilities of healthcare practice. Reporting systems, issues that affect the practice, financing, coding, and credentialing criteria will be discussed. Best practice protocols, the use of benchmarking, and safe work environments will be emphasized to ensure risk reduction for patients, families, and populations. (3 )
PA 507 Physiology: This comprehensive course explores the fundamental physical and chemical processes that govern human body function, with emphasis on homeostatic mechanisms across all major organ systems. Students will examine physiological processes from the cellular level to complex multi-system interactions, developing a thorough understanding of normal human physiology and pathophysiological alterations. (3:2,3)
PA 511 Introduction to the PA Profession: This comprehensive course provides a thorough exploration of the Physician Assistant (PA) profession, its historical development, and its pivotal role in today’s healthcare landscape. The course covers the evolution and current state of the PA profession, including professional credentials, scope of practice, and impact on healthcare delivery. Students will explore legal, ethical, and safety considerations in PA practice, as well as evidence-based decision-making and error prevention strategies. (1 Credit)
PA 512 Fundamentals of Medical Science: This comprehensive course integrates key concepts in genetics, genomics, nutrition, and evidence-based medicine to provide a strong foundation for clinical practice. Students will develop proficiency in genetic risk assessment, nutritional evaluation, and the application of evidence-based guidelines across diverse patient populations. Legal and ethical considerations related to the delivery of care to diverse populations across the life span will be discussed. (2 credits)
PA 513 Interpersonal Communication and History Taking: This course provides an introduction to medical history taking and offers practical strategies for effective, patient-centered interpersonal communication. The curriculum emphasizes cultural competence, empathy, and strategies for overcoming communication barriers in diverse healthcare settings. Students gain proficiency in synthesizing patient information, documenting medical histories, and developing patient education skills. (2 credits)
Semester 2 – Spring Session
PA 520 Clinical Medicine I: Foundations of Clinical Medicine is the inaugural course in the Clinical Medicine Series (I, II, III) tailored specifically for the didactic year. The Clinical Medicine Series adopts a holistic and integrated approach to understanding various disease states, encompassing a broad spectrum of topics. These include anatomy, physiology, public health issues, epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, diagnostic studies, staging, prognosis, treatment strategies, and the application of evidence-based medicine. (5 credits)
PA 522 Physical Exam I: This foundational course is the first in the Physical Exam Series (I, II, III) for Physician Assistant students. This course is designed to provide fundamental knowledge, introduce practical skills, develop professional attitudes and behaviors relevant to the clinical assessment of a patient. This course emphasizes professionalism, sensitivity to gender, age and sociocultural background. This will be accomplished by learning how to obtain a relevant medical history and physical exam. Instruction in the art of assessment is complemented by topics in evidenced-based medicine, and clinical problem solving. The course emphasizes developing skills which allow for the recognition of normal findings as well as abnormal presentations. 4(2,6)
PA 524 Clinical Skills and Procedures I: This course is the first of a three part series. This foundational course is designed to equip you with essential knowledge and skills in clinical and diagnostic procedures, preparing you for your future responsibilities in clinical medicine and patient care. This systems-based course covers advancing concepts across various organ systems, including but not limited to eyes, ears, nose, throat, gastrointestinal, and dermatology systems. Our primary goal is to help you develop the foundational knowledge, practical skills, and professional attitudes necessary for clinical and diagnostic assessment and treatment of patients. 2(1,3)
PA 528 Pediatrics: This comprehensive course prepares students to deliver evidence-based pediatric care across the developmental spectrum from birth through adolescence. Students will master the fundamentals of pediatric growth, development, and physiology while building clinical competence in age-appropriate assessment, diagnosis, and treatment strategies.(2 credits)
PA 530 Surgery: This comprehensive course equips physician assistant students with essential surgical knowledge and skills, preparing them for clinical rotations and future practice. The course studies major and minor surgical conditions, emphasizing indications for surgical intervention and pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative management in both ambulatory and inpatient settings. This foundational course emphasizes patient-centered care while providing the knowledge and clinical skills necessary for delivering exceptional surgical care across diverse healthcare settings. (1 credit)
PA 626 Pharmacotherapy I (Spring): This course is the first in a three-part Pharmacotherapy series. The courses provide a foundational understanding of pharmacological principles and their clinical applications. This course discusses evidence-based pharmacotherapeutic principles for specific pathophysiologic conditions. This course will cover pharmacotherapy of infectious disease, psychiatry, dermatology, ear, nose and throat and gastrointestinal pathophysiology. This course establishes the groundwork for Pharmacotherapy II and III, which will continue to explore organ system-specific treatments and advanced therapeutic management. (2 credits)
Semester 3 – Summer Session:
PA 636 Pharmacotherapy II: Pharmacotherapy II is the second in a three-course series. This course builds upon Pharmacotherapy I, advancing students’ understanding of pharmacological principles and their clinical applications. Students will study pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and evidence-based therapeutic interventions of Cardiology, Musculoskeletal, Neurological, and Hematology medical treatment while developing critical thinking skills for clinical decision-making. The course emphasizes the analysis of complex patient cases, considering factors such as comorbidities, polypharmacy, and individual patient characteristics. This foundation prepares students for advanced therapeutic management in Pharmacotherapy III. (2 credits)
PA 630 Clinical Medicine II: Clinical Medicine II is the second installment in the foundational three-part Clinical Medicine Series. This course advances students’ understanding of disease processes and clinical practice through an integrated approach. The course will be presented in a systems-based format and will include instruction on pathophysiology, evaluation of clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of primary care diseases. (5 credits)
PA 632 Physical Exam II: This course is the second of a three-part series. This is a systems-based course covering advancing concepts with different organ systems. This course is designed to provide fundamental knowledge, introduce practical skills, develop professional attitudes and behaviors relevant to the clinical assessment of a patient. This course emphasizes professionalism, sensitivity to gender, age and sociocultural background. This will be accomplished by learning how to obtain a relevant medical history and physical exam. Instruction in the art of assessment is complemented by topics in evidenced-based medicine, and clinical problem solving. The course emphasizes developing skills which allow for the recognition of normal findings as well as abnormal presentations. Credits 4(2,6)
PA 634 Clinical Skills and Procedures II: This course is the second of a 3-part series, this is a systems based course covering advancing concepts with different organ systems. The course provides foundational knowledge in clinical and diagnostic skills that prepare the student for required responsibilities in clinical medicine and patient care. Through a systems-based approach covering cardiology, musculoskeletal, neurology, and hematology the course content includes clinical, laboratory, and basic surgical procedures and techniques in primary care, appropriate utilization, and selection in being able to diagnose and manage disease states of patients across a wide spectrum of medical conditions in various settings. Students learn best practices for approaching patients with illness or health maintenance goals, reinforce clinical reasoning skills, recognize, and use guidelines for preventive care, and disease screening. Credits 2(1,3)
PA 638 Emergency Medicine: This course explores various types of urgent and emergent conditions across the lifespan that present in an emergency medicine setting and prepares the student to triage, stabilize, evaluate, treat, and monitor such conditions. The resources needed for management of patients presenting to an emergency medicine setting are discussed as they relate to the hospital setting and include referrals and specialty consultations. The course emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, effective communication, and cultural competence in emergency settings. (2 Credits)
PA 639 Geriatrics: Geriatrics prepares students to deliver exceptional care to elderly patients. Students master comprehensive geriatric assessment techniques, evidence-based practices, and complex case management while developing crucial communication skills to work effectively with patients, families, and caregivers. This is a population-based course that will include instruction on pathophysiology, evaluation of clinical presentation and conditions, diagnosis, and management of diseases as they relate to geriatrics. Appropriate evaluation, treatment, counseling, and referral of the elderly is presented. The process of death and dying is discussed. (1 Credit)
Semester 4 – Fall Session
PA 646 Pharmacotherapy III: Pharmacotherapy III is the culminating course in the Pharmacotherapy series for physician assistant students, focusing on the pharmacological management of pulmonary, renal, reproductive, and endocrine disorders. This comprehensive course integrates fundamental pharmacological principles with clinical decision-making in these specialized areas. Students will explore pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and evidence-based therapeutic interventions specific to respiratory conditions, kidney and genitourinary disorders, reproductive health, and endocrine system diseases. (2 Credits)
PA 640 Clinical Medicine III: This final course in the Clinical Skills and Procedures series advances students’ competencies in clinical and diagnostic procedures across major organ systems, including pulmonology, nephrology, reproductive, and endocrinology systems. The course will be presented in a systems-based format and will include instruction on pathophysiology, evaluation of clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of primary care diseases. (5 Credits)
PA 642 Physical Exam III: Physical Examination III is the culminating course in the Physical Exam Series at Francis Marion University’s Physician Assistant program. This advanced course focuses on comprehensive physical examination techniques with particular emphasis on the pulmonary, renal, genitourinary, endocrine, and reproductive systems. Students will develop clinical skills in conducting system-specific examinations and emphasizes professionalism, sensitivity to gender, age and sociocultural background. The course integrates surface anatomy, physiology, and evidence-based examination techniques, with special attention to the interpretation of normal and abnormal findings across these vital organ systems. Credits 4(2,6)
PA 644 Clinical Skills and Procedures III: This final course in the Clinical Skills and Procedures series advances students’ competencies in clinical and diagnostic procedures across major organ systems, including pulmonology, nephrology, reproductive, and endocrinology systems. The course provides foundational knowledge in clinical and diagnostic skills that prepare the student for required responsibilities in clinical medicine and patient care. Course content includes clinical, laboratory, and basic surgical procedures and techniques in primary care, appropriate utilization, and selection in being able to diagnose and manage disease states of patients across a wide spectrum of medical conditions in various settings. (2:1-3)
PA 648 Research: This course is designed to cover basic medical literature review, research methods, ethical standards, and relate how this information may affect the delivery of patient care when addressing diverse patient populations. The course will emphasize accessing and utilizing different medical databases using informatics in reviewing medical decision-making, problem-solving, and critical research needed in improving practice delivery, and patient outcomes through use of evidence-based medicine. (3 Credits)
Clinical Course Descriptions (A3.11)
(* The clinical year of the program consists of nine required rotations. All clerkships are four weeks in length. (There will be periodic interval call back days required for students to attend at the FMU facility for evaluations and other activities.) The following are the clinical courses:
- 710 Family Medicine Clerkship (4) (Prerequisite: Completion of the didactic curriculum) Under the supervision of experienced family medicine preceptors, this clerkship provides students with experience, primarily in the outpatient evaluation of pediatric and adult patients in a community setting, which emphasizes prevention, health maintenance, and the management of acute and chronic illnesses.
- 711 Women’s Health Clerkship (4) (Prerequisite: Completion of the didactic curriculum) F, S, SU. During this clerkship students will immerse themselves in the care of female patients, addressing a wide range of health issues from routine preventive care to complex gynecological and prenatal conditions. Students will apply the medical knowledge and clinical expertise gained during their didactic training to real-world scenarios, refining their skills under the guidance of experienced women’s health professionals. with experience in managing common gynecologic issues and disorders as well as prenatal care.
- 712 Pediatrics Clerkship (4) (Prerequisite: Completion of the didactic curriculums) This clerkship provides students with extensive clinical exposure to aspects of pediatrics under the supervision of experienced pediatric preceptors. Students will explore the unique aspects of pediatric medicine, including growth and development, preventive care, and the diagnosis and management of common and complex pediatric conditions. The course emphasizes the importance of family-centered care, developmental considerations in medical decision-making, and the role of the PA in promoting child health and well-being.
- 713 Behavioral Health Clerkship (4) (Prerequisite: Completion of the didactic curriculum) This clerkship provides students with extensive clinical exposure to the major aspects of behavioral health care under the supervision of experienced preceptors. Students will explore the biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to mental health and illness. The course covers a wide range of psychiatric conditions, from mood disorders and anxiety to psychotic disorders and substance use disorders. Emphasis is placed on developing strong clinical reasoning skills, utilizing evidence-based practices, and understanding the importance of interprofessional collaboration in mental health care.
- 714 Emergency Medicine Clerkship (4) (Prerequisite: Completion of the didactic curriculum) This clerkship provides students with experience in triage, evaluation, and management of patients in the emergency department under the supervision of experienced preceptors. The curriculum integrates foundational medical knowledge of pathophysiology with hands-on clinical skills, including emergency procedures such as airway management, cardioversion, and trauma care. Special emphasis is placed on developing critical interprofessional communication skills, triage capabilities, and the ability to function effectively in high-stress emergency environments.
- 715 Internal Medicine Clerkship (4) (Prerequisite: Completion of the didactic curriculum) This clerkship provides students with extensive clinical exposure to the major aspects of internal medicine care under the supervision of experienced preceptors. Students will immerse themselves in the care of adult patients with a wide range of medical conditions, from common ailments to complex multisystem disorders. They will apply the medical knowledge and clinical expertise gained during their didactic training to real-world scenarios, refining their skills under the guidance of experienced internal medicine professionals. The rotation emphasizes the development of critical thinking, diagnostic reasoning, and the ability to manage both acute and chronic medical conditions.
- 717 General Surgery Clerkship (4) (Prerequisite: Completion of the didactic curriculum) This clerkship provides students with hands-on experience in general surgery through exposure to the operating room, to pre- and post-operative management, and to out-patient surgical management and follow-up under the supervision of experienced preceptors. Students will immerse themselves in the care of surgical patients, addressing a wide range of conditions requiring operative management. They will apply the medical knowledge and clinical expertise gained during their didactic training to real-world scenarios, refining their skills under the guidance of experienced surgeons and surgical teams. The rotation emphasizes the development of surgical knowledge, perioperative care, and the ability to assist in surgical procedures.
- 718 Elective Clerkship I (4) (Prerequisite: Completion of the didactic curriculum) Under the supervision of experienced preceptors, this clerkship provides students with extensive clinical exposure to the major aspects of an area of medicine selected in consultation with the clinical coordinator. Students will immerse themselves in their chosen specialty, working alongside experienced healthcare providers to develop a deeper understanding of the field. Students will engage in both outpatient and inpatient care as applicable to the specialty, participating in diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient management.
- 719 Elective Clerkship II (4) (Prerequisite: Completion of the didactic curriculum) This clerkship provides students with extensive clinical exposure to the major aspects of an area of primary care medicine selected in consultation with the clinical coordinator, under the supervision of experienced preceptors. Students will immerse themselves in their chosen specialty, working alongside experienced healthcare providers to develop a deeper understanding of the field. Students will engage in both outpatient and inpatient care as applicable to the specialty, participating in diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient management.
- 720 Physician Assistant Capstone (1) (Prerequisite: Completion of six clerkships) F. This course will emphasize test-taking skills, testing practice, and critical thinking. Emphasis will be placed on prioritization and delegation. Learners will review critical medical concepts and content needed for their success as professional Physician Assistants.