Our curriculum builds industry-specific knowledge and skills. Below are the course requirements for the Physician Assistant program, and an example of what your academic experience might look like.
The table below is updated annually in May to best reflect the plan of study for the newest matriculating cohort of students entering the MHS in Physician Assistant program.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer Semester | Credits | |
| PY 503 | Principles of Interviewing | 3 |
| PY 507 | Principles of Electrocardiography | 1 |
| PY 508 | Diagnostic Methods I | 2 |
| PY 521 | Human Anatomy | 3 |
| PY 521L | Human Anatomy Lab | 2 |
| PY 522 | PA Success Skills | 1 |
| PY 550 | Physiology and Pathophysiology for PA | 5 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Fall Semester | ||
| PY 505 | Clinical Pharmacology I | 2 |
| PY 506 | Principles of Medicine | 6 |
| PY 514 | Diagnostic Methods II | 1 |
| PY 518 | Physical Diagnosis | 3 |
| PY 518L | Physical Diagnosis Lab | 1 |
| PY 520L | Clinical Decision Making | 1 |
| PY 572 | Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases | 3 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| PY 504 | History, Roles and Responsibilities of the PA | 1 |
| PY 509 | Principles of Obstetrics and Gynecology | 3 |
| PY 510 | Principles of Pediatrics | 3 |
| PY 511 | Principles of Surgery and Emergency Medicine | 4 |
| PY 512 | Psychosocial Issues in Healthcare,Psychosocial Issues in Health Care | 2 |
| PY 513 | Behavioral Medicine | 3 |
| PY 516 | Clinical Pharmacology II | 2 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Summer Semester | ||
| PY 526 | Principles of Epidemiology | 3 |
| PY 548 | Ethics in Healthcare Delivery 1 | 2 |
| PY 553 | Transition to the Clinical Year | 1 |
| PY 652 | Medical Writing & Biostatistics for PA | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Clinical Rotations | ||
| PY 611 | Clinical Residency I | 3 |
| PY 612 | Clinical Residency II | 3 |
| PY 613 | Clinical Residency III | 3 |
| PY 614 | Clinical Residency IV | 3 |
| PY 615 | Clinical Residency V | 3 |
| PY 616 | Clinical Residency VI | 3 |
| PY 617 | Clinical Residency VII | 3 |
| PY 618 | Clinical Residency VIII | 3 |
| PY 619 | Clinical Residency IX | 3 |
| Credits | 27 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Summer Semester | ||
| PY 608 | Graduate Seminar | 3 |
| PY 676 | Comprehensive Examination | 2 |
| PY 648 | Ethics in Health Care Delivery II | 1 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 94 | |
*The curriculum for the Physician Assistant program is subject to modification as deemed necessary to maintain a high-quality educational experience and keep current with best practices in the profession.
In addition to the intensive classroom study during the first year, students are introduced to the clinical application of their training by being paired with a licensed healthcare professional one half day a week. This is designed to facilitate application of the skills and knowledge acquired in the classroom setting to the care of the patient.
PY 611 - PY 619 : All students must complete seven core rotations (clinical residencies) and two elective rotations. The core rotations are: emergency medicine, general surgery, inpatient internal medicine, primary care (family medicine and outpatient internal medicine), pediatrics, psychiatry, and women's health. Supplemental electives include a wide variety of medical, surgical and pediatric subspecialties. Students should expect that clinical rotations will often occur at facilities more than an hour travel distance from the university and may include out-of-state placement, requiring them to obtain temporary housing closer to the clinical site.
Upon successful completion of the 27-month Quinnipiac University Physician Assistant program, students are granted a Master of Health Science and a certificate of completion as a physician assistant. Students are expected to complete all requirements in 27 months. Students must meet all of the following requirements: