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Courses & Curriculum

Coursework for the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies will be completed in twenty-seven months over seven semesters. Students will have a predetermined schedule with a range from 10-23 credit hours each semester, for a total of 116 credit hours.

Course Descriptions

Full course descriptions can be found in the MUSC Bulletin. All course descriptions for the program begin with the prefix "PA*."

Curriculum

Year 1, Summer A, Header (5/1/25-8/14/25)

PA644 Human Anatomy 4
PA631 Bioethics & Research Methodology 1
PA657 Introduction to Clinical Medicine 2
PA607 Introduction to the PA Profession 1
PA649 Human Physiology & Basic Pathophysiology 3
PA656 Public Health 1
Semester Total 12

Year 1, Fall A (8/18/25-12/19/25)

PA658 Hematologic System 2
PA617 Clinical Problem-Solving I 2
PA659 Cardiovascular System 6
PA664 Pulmonary System 3
PA666 Renal System 2
PA662 Pathophysiology I 3
PA700 Care of Underserved & Vulnerable Populations 2
PA668 Clinical Skills I 1
PA669 Evidence-based Medicine I 1
IP711 IP Foundations & Teamstepps 1
Semester Total 23

Year 1, Spring (1/5/26-5/1/26)

PA671 Gastrointestinal System 4
PA618 Clinical Problem-Solving II 2
PA673 Endocrine System 2
PA675 Neurologic System 3
PA681 Reproductive System 3
PA663 Pathophysiology II 3
PA677 Musculoskeletal System 3
PA686 Clinical Skills II 2
PA687 Evidence-based Medicine II 1
IP### IP Concentration Course of Choice 1
Semester Total 24

Year 2, Summer A, Header (5/1/25-8/14/25)

PA 689 Genitourinary System 2
PA619 Clinical Problem-Solving III 1
PA693 Dermatologic System 2
PA694 Eyes, Ears, Nose, & Throat 2
PA697 Psychiatry & Behavioral Science 3
PA698 Clinical Skills III 1
PA699 Clinical Year Orientation 1
Semester Total 12

Year 2, Fall A (8/18/25-12/19/25)

PA670 Clinical Rotation I* 5
PA672 Clinical Rotation II* 5
PA674 Clinical Rotation III* 5
Semester Total 15

Year 2, Spring (1/5/26-5/1/26)

PA676 Clinical Rotation IV* 5
PA678 Clinical Rotation V* 5
PA679 Clinical Rotation VI* 5
PA680 Clinical Rotation VII* 5
Semester Total 20

Year 3, Summer A, Header (5/1/25-8/14/25)

PA682 Clinical Rotation VIII* 5
PA685 Clinical Rotation Elective* 5
Semester Total 10
Curriculum Total 116

* Students are scheduled in the following disciplines for clinical rotations 1-8; Emergency medicine, Family medicine, Internal medicine, Mental health, Pediatrics, Surgery, Women's Health, and Adjunct Clinical Experience (ACE). In addition the students are required to complete an elective in a specialty of their choice.

A Summative Evaluation is required by the Accreditation Review Commission for Physician Assistant Education (ARC-PA) within the last 4 months of the program. Each student must successfully pass all components of the Summative Evaluation to be eligible for completion of the program and graduation. The components of the Summative Evaluation include the following:

  1. PAEA End of Curriculum Exam
  2. Summative Professionalism Evaluation
  3. Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)