Curriculum and Competencies

Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies

Program Overview

The Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant (PA) Studies Program at Frostburg State University (FSU) is a professional degree program intended to prepare students academically and professionally for responsibilities, services, and leadership as a Physician Assistant. This graduate education program consists of two phases spanning 24 months to include intersessions and summers with a total of 117 credits.

Phase I (didactic phase) represents the pre-clinical year and spans the first 12 months, representing 68 program credits. Categorical learning domains include basic medical sciences, clinical medical sciences, physical exam techniques, interpersonal communication skills, performing basic diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and professional practice including population health and health research.

Phase II (clinical field education phase) represents 49 program credits a period of 12 months, including intensive specialty-based coursework, ten diverse supervised clinical field experiences (SCPEs) and a four credit summative capstone course.   

The program reserves the right to modify the curriculum sequence as deemed appropriate. The program additionally reserves the right to add additional courses after obtaining the approval of the University's curriculum change process committees.

Supervised Clinical Education Experiences (SCPEs)

Each of the Supervised Clinical Placement Experiences (SCPE) spans a 4-week period, with the exception of SCPE 7 which will be three (3) weeks.  All PA students advance through seven required SCPEs (4 credits each) and three elective SCPEs (one worth 3 credits, two worth 4 credits) during the second phase of the program.  Elective SCPEs are selected for students by the clinical team. 

Whenever possible, students are placed at clinical sites within a 150-mile radius of Hagerstown with a preference for settings that are rural or medically underserved in accordance with the program's mission. 

It is the responsibility of the PA Program and not the students to identify and schedule sites used for the SCPEs. (ARC-PA Standard A3.03). Students may not contact sites or preceptors except as directed by the clinical team. Failure to follow this protocol can result in dismissal from the program. 

Students are required to have reliable transportation to reach any SCPE site to which they are assigned at the dates and times when they are scheduled.  Students are responsible for the costs of transportation and housing during all SCPEs.

Curriculum Course Sequence

Semester 1 Summer

Semester 2 Fall

Winter Intersession Year I

Semester 3 Spring

Phase II: May of Year 2 through May of Year 3, 3 semesters plus Winter Intersession

Semester 4 Summer

*All students are enrolled in a 3 credit version of DPAM 707 during the Winter Intersession, which is an elective course. 

Semester 6 Spring

Program Competencies

Upon completion of the FSU PA Program, graduates are expected to be competent in the following areas with an emphasis on rural and medically underserved populations:

Medical Knowledge 

MK         Demonstrate an understanding for the medical, behavioral and social knowledge necessary to evaluate and manage patients across all ages and patient populations in both primary care and specialty settings. 

Interpersonal Skills and Communication: 

IPS 1      Elicit an accurate medical history from patients. 

IPS 2      Perform a detailed physical exam relevant to the medical history. 

IPS 3      Document a clinical encounter in the patient record. 

IPS 4      Deliver accurate patient education that encompasses verbal, non-verbal and  written forms of information to the patient and their care team that considers disease prevention and health awareness. 

IPS 5      Provide an oral presentation of a clinical encounter. 

IPS 6      Give or receive a patient handover to transition care responsibly. 

Clinical Problem Solving: 

CPS 1    Demonstrate an ability to formulate a differential diagnosis following a clinical encounter. 

CPS 2    Demonstrate an ability to recommend and interpret appropriate diagnostic studies to assist in the evaluation and treatment of the patient. 

CPS 3    Demonstrate the ability to develop and implement an appropriate therapeutic management plan, either pharmacological or non-pharmacological, based on the patient's medical history, physical exam and diagnostic study findings. 

CPS 4    Recognize a patient requiring urgent or emergent care, and initiate evaluation and management. 

CPS 5    Demonstrate an ability to make informed decisions about the care of patients consistent with up-to-date scientific evidence, patient preferences, and sound clinical judgment. 

CPS 6    Identify system failures and contribute to a culture of safety and improvement. 

Technical Skills: 

TS  Demonstrate the ability to obtain informed consent and perform the following clinical procedures: 

• Peripheral intravenous access
• Injection of medications or immunizations
• Simple laceration repair including wound care, and local anesthesia
• Establishment and maintenance of a sterile field
• Pelvic speculum exams with specimen collection
• Splinting
• Joint injection and aspiration
• Incision and drainage of abscess

Professionalism: 

PROF Demonstrate professionalism with high ethical principles, sensitivity, and responsiveness to all patients, their care teams, and members of the healthcare team.