Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies - Residential

The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies – Residential (MSPAS) puts you inside a comprehensive academic health sciences system with interprofessional training, cutting-edge simulation and service guided by faculty invested in your success. The program blends on-campus didactic learning with nine diverse clinical rotations extending across South Carolina and beyond nationwide. The physician assistant (PA) plays a critical role in delivering high-quality, affordable health care and helping to meet the health care needs of our nation and the world. Graduates are practice-ready and ready to join a fast-growing profession.

Curriculum

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

Course ID	Course Title	Credits
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)

Course ID	Course Title	Credits
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)

Course ID	Course Title	Credits
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)

Course ID	Course Title	Credits
PA689	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)

Course ID	Course Title	Credits
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)

Course ID	Course Title	Credits
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)

Course ID	Course Title	Credits
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:

PAEA End of Curriculum Exam
Summative Professionalism Evaluation
Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)