Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies - Residential

Clint C. Blankenship, PharmD, PA-C, RPh, DFAAPA, Interim Division Director

The physician assistant is a licensed health professional qualified by specialized academic and clinical education to perform medical tasks traditionally undertaken by physicians, while practicing under the supervision and responsibility of a licensed physician. Physician Assistants (PA) play a critical role delivering high-quality, affordable health care, and more than ever before, are helping to meet the health care needs of our nation and the world. PAs provide essential diagnostic, therapeutic, preventative, and health maintenance services in primary and specialty care settings. The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (PAS) program is the perfect place to gain the skills, knowledge, and experience to prepare student to practice in this exciting, ever evolving profession.

The PAS program begins at the end of May each year and is approximately seven semesters in length. The first four semesters are devoted to classroom study. They take place on campus and comprise the fifteen-month didactic portion of the program. During the last three semesters, which comprise the twelve-month long clinical year, students complete nine individual clinical rotations at sites predominately located in South Carolina. The clinical rotations include internal medicine, family medicine, women's health, pediatrics, mental health, emergency medicine, surgery, an adjunct clinical experience as well as an elective of the student's choosing.

Accreditation

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Medical University of South Carolina Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Medical University of South Carolina. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards. Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be March 2033. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy. More information regarding Accreditation Standards can be found here: http://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-medical-university-of-sc/

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:

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