Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies - Hybrid

Curriculum

* Course requires brief in-person immersion sessions

Clinical Education

The clinical education of PAs is at the heart of our program with active clinical experiences each semester. There is a total of eight clinical rotations that commonly occur in a variety of geographic and clinical settings in order to maximize each student’s clinical year experience.

During clinical rotations, students gain real-world experience working as part of health care team and hone their skills and knowledge learned in didactic year classes.

The clinical year supervised clinical experiences (also known commonly as “rotations”) occur in seven core fields of medicine, including pediatrics, women’s health, mental health, surgery, emergency, internal medicine and family medicine. Each student’s participation in clinical activities is carefully organized by the clinical coordinators. The instructional objectives, learning outcomes and technical skills requirements incorporated within the clinical rotation curriculum ensure students attain the clinical competencies required for graduation and their future clinical practice.

In addition to online learning, students attend three mandatory on-campus sessions. These immersive, in-person experiences are designed to help you refine your clinical techniques, ensuring you're well-prepared for your role as a PA.

While on campus you’ll engage in practical, hands-on skill building including:

• Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs)
• Physical Examination Evaluations
• Clinical Skills Labs
• Patient Communication and Diagnostic Techniques

For Clinical Preceptors

You can help prepare future PAs and impact patient care. The Division of Physician Assistant Studies – Hybrid is always looking for new opportunities to expand its resources and to provide unique clinical opportunities for our students. We are currently seeking MDs, DOs, PAs or NPs to serve as clinical preceptors in the areas of women’s health, mental health, surgery, pediatrics, internal medicine and family medicine.

Prerequisites

All applicants must complete 31 hours of prerequisite coursework at a regionally accredited institution with a minimum of 27 hours having been completed by the application deadline. The remaining four hours must be completed by the time of matriculation. (A3.13d)

* Combined Anatomy and Physiology courses are accepted; however, you must take Anatomy and Physiology I and II to fulfill the separate Human Anatomy and Human Physiology requirements, including labs.

** Medical Terminology cannot be a continuing education course (ex. certificate courses, Continuing Education Units (CEUs). You must receive a letter grade of B or higher for this course.

† We do not accept combined Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry. The course should solely be either Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry.

Additional Notes

• All prerequisite coursework must be fulfilled by separate individual courses and be completed within 10 years of application submission. (A3.13d)
• Courses may be completed in-person or online. (A3.13d)
• Courses can only be applied towards the prerequisite requirement if a grade of "B" or higher was earned. A prerequisite course may be retaken, and the highest grade will be used to calculate the prerequisite GPA. Note: Both grades will be reflected in the cumulative GPA.
• Dual enrollment courses are accepted for prerequisite courses so long as the course appears on your college transcripts
• The program does not accept advanced placement, transfer of credit or credit for experiential learning. Applicants do not receive credit for previous coursework and/or experience. (A3.13c)
• Survey courses or courses for which a letter or number grade is not awarded (e.g., Pass/Fail, CLEP credit, AP credit, Satisfactory/Not Satisfactory, etc.) will not meet prerequisite requirements.
• If admitted to the program on a conditional basis, the student must earn a minimum of 3.0 in the outstanding prerequisites and earn the minimum GPA requirements for entry into the program. If both requirements are not met, the conditional applicant will forfeit their acceptance and not be permitted to matriculate. The student may reapply during the next cycle. The program will confirm with a transcript review before enrollment. (A3.13d)

To speak with an admissions specialist about your coursework, please email oesadmis@musc.edu or call 843-792-2536.

Technical Standards (A3.13e)

The MUSC Division of Physician Assistant Studies will consider for admission and/or continuation any applicant who meets its academic and nonacademic criteria and who demonstrates the ability to perform skills and meet the Technical Standards listed below, with or without reasonable accommodations, consistent with the American with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. If you have any questions about these criteria or whether you meet the standards described below, please contact the MUSC Office of EEO and University Accessibility Services.

• Observation: Observe materials presented in the learning environment including audiovisual presentations in lectures and laboratories, microscopic examination of microorganisms, gross organs and tissues in normal and pathologic states. Observe patients, both at a distance and closely. This ability requires functional vision, hearing and somatic sensation.
• Communication: Elicit information from patients, including the ability to speak, hear and observe patients and perceive nonverbal communications. Describe changes in mood, activity and posture. Communicate with patients and their families and the health care team through oral, written and electronic forms. Convey sensitivity and respect in all communications with patients and their families as well as all members of the health care team.
• Motor: Elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion and other components of the physical examination. Execute movements reasonably required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients. Such skills require coordination of gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium and sensation. Manipulate equipment and instruments to perform basic laboratory tests and medical procedures required to attain curricular goals (e.g., needles, stethoscope, ophthalmoscope, tongue blades, intravenous equipment, gynecologic speculum and scalpel).
• Laptop/Computer Requirements: Ability to complete computer-based assignments and use the computer for searching, recording, storing and retrieving information. Ability to complete assessment examinations via computer-based software.
• Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: Apply knowledge and reasoning to solve problems as outlined by the curriculum. Comprehend three dimensional relationships and the spatial relationships of structures. Collect, organize, prioritize, analyze and assimilate large amounts of technically detailed and complex information within a limited period. This information will be presented in a variety of educational settings, including lectures, small group discussions and individual clinical settings. The candidate should be able to analyze, integrate and apply this information appropriately for problem solving and decision-making.
• Behavioral and Social Attributes: Use intellectual ability, exercise good judgment and complete all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients. Develop appropriate professional relationships with patients and colleagues. Tolerate physical, mental and emotional stress in training and patient care. Adaptable, flexible and able to function in the face of uncertainty within the health care team. Display a high level of compassion for others, motivation to serve, integrity and a consciousness of social values. Possess sufficient interpersonal skills to interact positively with people from all levels of society, all ethnic backgrounds and all belief systems. Accept criticism and respond by appropriate modification of behavior.

Frequently Approved Prerequisites

Before applying, it's essential to ensure that any prior coursework meets the admissions requirements. MUSC provides a helpful reference list of frequently approved prerequisite courses to guide you in understanding which classes may satisfy your program's requirements. To explore the list, visit our Frequently Approved Prerequisites page.

Application Process

The following process outlines how and when your materials will be reviewed.

1. Submit the Centralized Application Service Physician Assistant (CASPA) application as early as possible. The application must be verified by the application deadline to be eligible for review.
2. Complete the MUSC Supplemental Application.
3. Once both applications are complete and the CASPA application has been verified, your application will be reviewed for consideration for an interview.
4. Interview Process: Selected applicants will be contacted for an interview, which will be held between August and September each year and be conducted on Zoom. If selected for an interview the applicant will be notified of the interview process as the dates approach.
5. Student Selection: There are no admission preferences. Admission to the program is competitive and based on objective criteria. The primary factors for selection include a strong academic record, with an emphasis on GPA. The program does not grant preferential consideration to specific categories of applicants. All candidates are evaluated equally based on their qualifications, academic preparedness and ability to meet the demands of a rigorous graduate-level medical education. (A3.13a)
6. Program Acceptance: Admissions offers are made on a rolling basis, meaning applications will be reviewed and evaluated as they are received, rather than waiting until a specific deadline to assess all applications at once.

Application Requirements

1. CASPA Application: All applicants must submit the CASPA application. The following items should be submitted via CASPA and do not need to be sent directly to MUSC.
   
   1. Letters of Reference: All applicants must provide three letters of reference from individuals who know them and their abilities. Ideally, the references should come from a health care provider (M.D., NP, PA), science professor and/or someone who has seen the applicant interact with patients (e.g., manager). No personal references will be accepted.
   2. Official transcripts from all institutions attended for all college credit courses
   3. Resume: Applicants must provide an updated resume detailing relevant academic and professional experiences. It is highly recommended that applicants have work or volunteer experience in a health care setting.
2. MUSC Supplemental Application: All applicants must submit an MUSC Supplemental Application.

All information above must be received and verified on or before August 1 to be considered for admission to the program. Without all required materials, an application will be considered incomplete. It is the applicant's responsibility to review the progress of their application to ensure that all application materials, including official reference forms and official transcripts, have been received. Applicants are responsible for reviewing the progress of their CASPA application on the CASPA website.

International Applicants

MUSC’s PAS degree program only accepts applications from U.S. citizens, permanent residents or those holding other valid nonimmigrant visa classifications that allow participation in lawful study while in the United States. We are unable to accept international students that require I-20 issuance.

Cost of Attendance

Disclaimer: The Estimated Total listed above reflects an approximation of educational costs for planning purposes only. Actual expenses may vary based on individual circumstances, program requirements and annual changes in tuition, fees and other costs. The Medical University of South Carolina reserves the right to adjust tuition, fees and other charges at any time without prior notice.

Scholarships

MUSC offers scholarships for which you may be eligible. Some are awarded based on academic achievement; others are awarded based on community service, for example. However, the majority of scholarships awarded at MUSC are based on financial need. This means that these scholarships are only awarded to students who need some financial assistance to cover the cost of tuition and fees. If you would like to be considered for a financial need-based scholarship, you must have an up-to-date Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file. Make sure you list the Medical University of South Carolina on your FAFSA form, along with MUSC's code: 003438. We encourage you to submit your FAFSA as early as possible. It is recommended to submit your FAFSA in January if you plan to enroll in the fall.

Click here to visit our scholarship application system to view a complete listing of MUSC scholarships.

Attrition Rates

Graduated Classes

Outcomes

Program Outcomes/Competencies (B4.03)

• Medical Knowledge (MK)
• Clinical and technical skills (CTS)
• Clinical reasoning and Problem Solving (CRPS)
• Interpersonal skills (IS)
• Professional behaviors (PB)

Medical Knowledge (MK)

• MK1 Students will demonstrate a strong fund of knowledge of pathophysiology, pharmacology, clinical and behavioral manifestations of disease and apply these to the care of infant, children, adolescent, adult or elderly patients
• MK2 Student will demonstrate an understanding of medical research and evidence-based medicine as it applies to the clinical practice.
• MK3 Students will understand the epidemiology, anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, presentation, diagnosis, management and prognosis of disease processes listed in the PAEA EOR Exam topic list.

Clinical and Technical Skills (CTS)

• CTS1 Students will be able to utilize a range of communication and interpersonal skills to elicit an accurate and relevant medical history of infant, children, adolescent, adult or elderly patients.
• CTS2 Students will be able to perform an accurate, focused physical exam on infants, children, adolescent, adult or elderly patients, recognizing normal and abnormal findings.
• CTS3 With direct preceptor supervision, students will perform and/or assist in the performance of common medical procedures.

Clinical Reasoning and Problem Solving (CRPS)

• CRPS1 Student will be able to organize information from the interview, diagnostic tests and physical examination to formulate a differential diagnosis and assessment for patients presenting for acute, chronic, preventive or emergent care
• CRPS2 Students will have the ability to choose appropriate diagnostic studies and interpret the results for the purpose of diagnosis and disease management for patients presenting for acute, chronic, preventive or emergent care
• CRPS 3 Student will be able to develop, initiate and follow-through on appropriate management plans that are consistent with the patient’s needs and preferences for common problems in acute, chronic, preventive and emergent encounters.

Interpersonal Skills (IS)

• IS1 Student will be able to present clinical information in a concise and coherent manner to the preceptor and other members of the health care team.
• IS2 Student will be able to document clinical information in an accurate and concise manner.
• IS3 Student will provide appropriate health education and counseling to infant, children, adolescent, adult or elderly patients and their families, if appropriate.
• IS4 Student will interact with patients and their families with respect, trust, positive affect and cultural sensitivity.

Professional Behaviors (PB)

• PB1 Student will work with other members of the health care team, showing respect for peers, preceptors and staff.
• PB2 Student will demonstrate self-directed learning, take initiative to participate in patient care and be an active member of the health care team.
• PB3 Student will be punctual, be available when needed and follow through on assigned work.
• PB4 Student will demonstrate behavior that is ethical, compassionate, patient centered and acknowledges limitations and mistakes.
• PB5 Student will always demonstrate professionalism and comply with the MUSC College of Health Professions Handbook, Hybrid PA Program Handbook and Policy and Procedure Manual.

Vision

To inspire and empower a vibrant community of physician assistants who are not only skilled and knowledgeable but also deeply compassionate in their approach to patient care. Our hybrid program is designed to blend the best of traditional education with the dynamic needs of today's health care landscape, creating trailblazers who will redefine excellence in the medical field. By fostering innovation and a commitment to lifelong learning, we aim to shape health care leaders who are ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow and make a meaningful impact on the lives of their patients and communities.

Mission

To graduate skilled and compassionate physician assistants who are attuned to the primary health care needs of their communities. Graduates will deliver exceptional, evidence-based, patient-centered care and collaborate within interdisciplinary health care teams. They will advocate for the physician assistant profession with professionalism, integrity and dedication, while addressing the health care needs of their communities through education, research and service initiatives.

Values

At the core of our program, we are guided by a commitment to the following values that drive our mission:

• Excellence: Striving for the highest standards in education, clinical practice and professional development to ensure the best outcomes for our patients and communities.
• Collaboration: Fostering teamwork and interprofessional relationships that enhance learning experiences and improve patient care.
• Compassion: Promoting empathy and understanding in all interactions, ensuring that patient care remains at the heart of our mission.
• Integrity: Upholding ethical principles and accountability in every aspect of our program and practice.
• Professionalism: Embracing the responsibilities and ethical standards of the medical profession, demonstrating respect and commitment in all endeavors.
• Innovation: Embracing innovative technologies and methodologies to enhance learning and improve health care delivery, preparing our graduates for the future of medicine.