Physician Assistant, MPA

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Admission

This program maintains an admission process unique to the program. Prospective students are encouraged to review the admission requirements in order to best prepare themselves for a successful future at EVMS.

Academic Calendar

This program maintains an academic calendar unique to the program that includes exam schedules. All students are encouraged to review the academic calendar in order to be successful future at EVMS.

Tuition Schedule

This program maintains an admission process unique to the program. All students are encouraged to review the tuition schedule in order to best prepare themselves for a successful future at EVMS.

Curriculum

The PA program is divided into two phases, spanning 28 consecutive months over seven semesters.

Phase I, the 16-month pre-clinical year, spans four consecutive semesters (68 credit hours) and incorporates traditional classroom interaction with clinical skills development and simulated patient interaction through the Sentara Center for Simulation and Immersive Learning.

In Phase II (26 credit hours), students complete 8 clinical field experiences with supervised, direct patient care in various medical and surgical disciplines, which form the basis of the professional socialization process and adaptation to the role and functions of a physician assistant.

Most of the clinical sites are located throughout Hampton Roads. Opportunities exist for clinical placements outside the region and for students to initiate new rotation sites. However, international clinical placements are not an option.

Graduates are required to pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) and meet state-specific regulations in order to practice clinically.

Course Sequence

PA students are expected to complete the program curriculum in the order specified below. Each semester’s coursework is to be considered prerequisite to the next semester. Students may not enter the program with advanced standing, regardless of educational or work experience, and no accelerated curriculum or course waivers are offered.

Semester One - January to April

Pre-Clinical

Semester Two - April to August

Pre-Clinical

MPA 5112 - Clinical Pharmacology I
MPA 5005 - Medical Diagnostics I
MPA 5314 - Patient Counseling and Education
MPA 5162 - Introduction to Clinical Medicine I
MPA 5091 - Clinical Assessment and Reasoning I
MPA 5800 - Foundations of Interprofessional Practice

Semester Three - August to December

Pre-Clinical

Semester Four - January to April

Pre-Clinical

Semester Five, Six, and Seven

Each semester is approximately four months in duration. The sequence of clinical rotations is subject to change based on the number, specialty and location of preceptor sites, and will vary from student to student.

Supervised Clinical Practice (SCP)

*Clinical electives include Orthopedics, Neonatology, Neurology, Dermatology, Cardiothoracic Medicine, Cardiology, Neonatology, Plastic Surgery, Trauma, Endocrinology, Pediatric Neurology, Gastroenterology, Pediatric Gastroenterology, and Nephrology. Additional electives can be pre-arranged with proper planning on the part of the student.

**MPA 5807 is not a traditional course but is a graduation requirement in order to accumulate 40hours of community service.

MPA 5465 - Introduction to Clinical Practice - Seminar (Weeks 11-15)
MPA 5705 - Supervised Clinical Practice: Family Medicine (5 weeks)
MPA 5715 - Supervised Clinical Practice: Pediatric Medicine (5 weeks)
MPA 5725 - Supervised Clinical Practice: General Internal Medicine I (5 weeks)
MPA 5735 - Supervised Clinical Practice: Emergency Medicine (5 weeks)
MPA 5745 - Supervised Clinical Practice: General Surgery (5 weeks)
MPA 5755 - Supervised Clinical Practice: Women’s Health (5 weeks)
MPA 5785 - Supervised Clinical Practice: Psychiatry and Behavioral Health (5 weeks)
MPA 5790 - Supervised Clinical Practice: Elective I * This may consist of one 5-week elective in a chosen area of medicine.
MPA 5795 - Supervised Clinical Practice: Elective II * This may consist of one 5-week elective in a chosen area of medicine.
MPA 5807 - Service Learning Practicum **
MPA 5900 - Senior Seminar
MPA 5802 - Interprofessional Practice