Physician Assistant Studies

Melissa Murfin, Clinical Assistant Professor and Program Director

The Ithaca College MS-PAS program is a 27-month continuous residential program; committed to creating academic excellence in physician assistant education, through integration of medical knowledge, clinical practice, and exemplary professional performance.

The program has a strong emphasis on respect and care for all human beings, a culture of physical and emotional wellness and adopting an equity framework of inclusion to meet the needs of patients from a diversity of backgrounds in our community, including socio-economic, religious, cultural, sexual orientation and gender identity while practicing good stewardship. Learners receive instruction in leadership, advocacy, ethics, health policy, social justice, population, and community health in an interprofessional environment to serve their communities and narrow the health disparity gap.

Interprofessional education is a foundational practice in Ithaca College School of Health Sciences and Human Performance. Learners actively participate in interprofessional learning activities based in population and community health with emphasis on continuous quality improvement to narrow the healthcare disparities gap. Learners identify a specific patient-centered project within the community, design and defend a quality improvement project that addresses a health disparity and empowers the community. Through these activities, learners will gain real life experience in clinical practice and learn leadership and advocacy skills.

The 27-month physician assistant program awards an M.S. degree in physician assistant studies. The program includes 15 months of didactic classroom work and 12 months of supervised clinical experiences in healthcare facilities. The didactic phase includes education in the basic science understanding of each organ system, exposure to patients in clinical settings, and simulated practice in the Clinical Learning Center and Simulation Lab. The clinical phase includes seven required rotations, two electives rotations, and a transition to clinical practice course.

Admissions Requirements

To be eligible for admission in the PA program, a baccalaureate degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university is required. Please refer to the admissions requirements section for more detailed information regarding admission into the program.

Technical Standards

The Ithaca College MS-PAS Program evaluates the following technical standards in all candidates for admission and graduation. The Program is committed to complying with Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and ascertains that all candidates must meet these minimal technical standards reasonably independently, regardless of whether or not they receive accommodations for documented disabilities. Any learner who has a question about whether they can meet these standards should contact the Program Director about their concerns.

The Dictionary of Occupational Titles defines the role of PAs in the healthcare delivery model and learners should be able to perform the listed tasks.

In addition, The O*NET Program is a national resource for occupational information including physician assistant profession. O*NET Program has specific tasks, technology skills and work activities.

All PA learners are expected to meet certain non-academic criteria in their training to become PAs.

Observation. Use visual, auditory, and somatic skills to demonstrate comprehension of patients’ conditions. {Clinical Assessment I and II, IPE I and II, Clinical Skills and Procedures}
Communication. Communicate to gather information, assess non-verbal communication, and share culturally sensitive information with patients and others. Communication skills include speaking, reading, and writing. {All didactic and clinical courses}
Motor. Gather information, palpate, auscultate, percuss, and perform other diagnostic maneuvers to provide care to patients. {Clinical Assessment I and II, IPE I and II, Clinical Skills and Procedures}
Intellectual. Measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and synthesize information to problem solve in a timely manner to respond to clinical situations. {Clinical Assessment I and II, IPE I and II, Pharmacology I and II, Clinical Skills and Procedures}
Behavioral and Social. Emotional health to make sound judgments. Utilize emotional intelligence during stressful situations. Engage in active learning. Tolerate workloads and changing environments. {All didactic and clinical courses}

Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies

PASG 60000 Medical Interviewing, Documentation & Counseling (NLA)

Equip the learner with the fundamentals of patient-centered communication skills, patient education and basic counseling techniques as well as the components of the medical interview. Develop competency in behavioral change counseling strategies such as motivational interviewing. Reinforce these concepts through the introduction to medical documentation. (B,F,Y)
3 Credits

PASG 60100 Foundations of Medical Sciences: Genetics, Microbiology & Infectious Disease (NLA)

Introduce topics in Genetics, Microbiology, and Infectious Disease in the context of clinical practice. Review chromosomes, transcription, translation, inheritance patterns, and associated diseases and disorders. Discuss diagnostic techniques and provide an overview of embryonic development and teratogens. Explore a selection of genetic diseases, including what is known about the genetics involved, the signs and symptoms of the disease, and prevention and treatment options available. Introduce concepts regarding the role of genetic counseling, the ethical and legal issues related to genetic screening and genetic testing and review basic microbiology concepts, including microbial structure and basic laboratory techniques. Introduce the role of the human body’s typical microflora and the mechanisms by which pathogens (including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites) cause disease in the human body. (B,F,Y)
3 Credits

PASG 60200 Foundations of Medical Sciences: Physiology (NLA)

Describes the normal physiologic function of the cell and organ systems from a clinical perspective. Describes and explains selected disease states in preparation for Clinical Medicine lecture series, Pathophysiology I and Pathophysiology II. (B,F,Y)
3 Credits

PASG 60300 Diagnostic Imaging (NLA)

Integrate human anatomy and physiology into the most common modalities of diagnostic imaging used in clinical medicine to identify normal variant anatomy. (B,F,Y)
2 Credits

PASG 60400 Human and Radiographic Anatomy and Lab (NLA)

Examine the gross anatomical components of the human body through the use of lecture and cadaver dissection to understand the structure and function, and aid in the performance of physical examination and clinical procedures. (B,F,Y)
6 Credits

PASG 60500 Physician Assistant Professional Practice (NLA)

Provide learners with the history of the Physician Assistant (PA) profession, social, regulatory, economic, and political aspects of becoming a PA. Discuss the professional organizations that represent PAs. Utilize the knowledge gained to advocate for the PA profession. Engage with other health professionals to advance clinical practice to meet the needs of patients. Recognize and consider ethical responsibilities in patient care. Identify and assess risk of stress and burnout as a healthcare professional. (B,F,Y)
1 Credit

PASG 60610 Clinical Assessment I (NLA)

Develop patient-centered communication skills through history taking and interviewing. Use medical diagnostic equipment in conjunction with patient-centered history taking and interview to develop skills for performing physical exams. Examine lab partners and/or standardized patients to gain the skills and knowledge to perform thorough histories and physical examinations. Prerequisites: PASG 60000. (S,Y)
4 Credits

PASG 60620 Clinical Assessment II (NLA)

Develop proficiency in patient-centered communication skills through history taking and interviewing. Use medical diagnostic equipment in conjunction with patient-centered history taking and interview to develop skills for performing a complete physical examination from head-to-toe. Examine lab partners and standardized patients to gain the skills and knowledge to perform a thorough history and physical examination. Examine peers and standardized patients to advance the skills and knowledge to perform focused histories and physical examinations. Prerequisites: PASG 60610. (U,Y)
4 Credits

PASG 60710 Clinical Laboratory and Diagnostics I (NLA)

Select, utilize and interpret clinical laboratory, imaging and other diagnostic test to evaluate each system’s principal functions. The topics are synchronized with and correlate to topics in Clinical Medicine I, Pathophysiology of Disease I, Clinical Assessment I and Pharmacology and Therapeutics I. The first of a two part series, where the learner receives instruction in medical laboratory and radiographic studies used in the diagnosis and management of common disorders of the major body systems. (S,Y)
2 Credits

PASG 60720 Clinical Laboratory and Diagnostics II (NLA)

Select, utilize and interpret clinical laboratory, imaging and other diagnostic tests to evaluate each system’s principal functions. The topics are synchronized with and correlate to topics in Clinical Medicine II, Pathophysiology of Disease II, Clinical Assessment II and Pharmacology and Therapeutics II. The second of a two part series, where the learner receives instruction in medical laboratory and radiographic studies used in the diagnosis and management of common disorders of the major body systems. Prerequisites: PASG 60710. (U,Y)
2 Credits

PASG 60810 Clinical Medicine I (NLA)

Integrates epidemiology, risk factors (including genetics, as applicable), pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, history and physical findings, laboratory and diagnostic tests, differential diagnosis, therapeutic management, possible complications, prognosis, prevention measures, patient education and follow up of disorders encountered in a primary care setting across the lifespan. Applies a system approach delivered through a combination of traditional lecture and Team Based Learning (TBL) sessions. The topics synchronized with and correlative to topics in Pathophysiology of Disease I, Pharmacology & Therapeutics I, Clinical Assessment I and Clinical Laboratory Medicine I. Organ systems covered in Clinical Medicine I include: Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology (ENT), Cardiology, Electrocardiography (ECG), Pulmonology Medicine, and Hematology/Oncology (Liquid Malignancies). Prerequisites: PASG 60100, PASG 60200, PASG 60400. (S,Y)
6 Credits

PASG 60820 Clinical Medicine II (NLA)

Integrates the epidemiology, risk factors (including genetics, as applicable), pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, history and physical findings, laboratory and diagnostic tests, differential diagnosis, therapeutic management, possible complications, prognosis, prevention measures, patient education, referral, and follow up of disorders encountered in a primary care setting across the lifespan. Applies a system approach delivered through a combination of traditional lecture and Team Based Learning (TBL) sessions. The topics synchronized with and correlative to topics in Pathophysiology of Disease II, Pharmacology & Therapeutics II, Clinical Assessment II and Clinical Laboratory Medicine II. Organ systems covered in Clinical Medicine II include: Gastroenterology, Nephrology/Urology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, Orthopedics, Neurology, and Oncology. Prerequisites: PASG 60610, PASG 60710, PASG 60810, PASG 61010, PASG 61310. (U,Y)
6 Credits

PASG 60830 Clinical Medicine III (NLA)

Integrates the epidemiology, risk factors (including genetics, as applicable), pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, history and physical findings, laboratory and diagnostic tests, differential diagnosis, therapeutic management, possible complications, prevention measures, prognosis, patient education, referral, and follow-up of emergent and non-emergent disorders encountered across the lifespan in primary care. Apply knowledge obtained in Clinical Medicine I and II to specific populations and clinical situations. It is delivered through a combination of traditional lectures and Team Based Learning (TBL) sessions. Topics covered in Clinical Medicine III: Emergency Medicine, General Surgery, Geriatrics, Pediatrics, and Women’s Health. Throughout each module, learners will engage in critical thinking and integration of clinical concepts exercises through TBL. Prerequisites: PASG 60620, PASG 60720, PASG 60820, PASG 61020, PASG 61320. (F,Y)
6 Credits

PASG 60910 Evidenced Based Medicine I: Introduction & Research Methodology (NLA)

Describe the foundational principles and terms related to evidenced-based medicine and practice. Identify typical research design models and methodology. Explain basic statistical principles. Learn methods to appraise the quality of clinical research. Explain how to use evidenced-based medicine to communicate with and inform patients about clinical practice. First in a series of three courses. (B,S,Y)
2 Credits

PASG 60920 Evidenced Based Medicine II: Critical Appraisal (NLA)

Apply the principles of Evidenced-Based Medicine and Practice (EBM and EBP) to an answerable clinical question. Analyze and appraise the medical and pharmaceutical literature. The second in a series of three courses. Prerequisites: PASG 60910. (B,S,Y)
2 Credits

PASG 60930 Evidenced Based Medicine III: Effective Communication in Health Care (NLA)

Formulate a clinical question and search the medical literature to answer that clinical question. Gain knowledge on how to effectively search various medical databases and identify research in support of the clinical question. Draw upon the principles and concepts acquired in Evidenced-Based Medicine (EBM) I and II to evaluate the strength of evidence that will justify the answer to their clinical question. Learn to write and present the topic in a scholarly format. This is the third in a series of three courses. Prerequisites: PASG 60920. (F,Y)
2 Credits

PASG 61010 Pharmacology and Therapeutics I (NLA)

Describe and explain the general principles of the effects of drugs on different organ systems and disease processes. Describe and explain the mechanism by which drugs produce their therapeutic and toxic effects, and the factors influencing their absorption, distribution and biological actions. Topics are synchronized with and correlative to topics in Clinical Medicine I, Pathophysiology of Disease I, Clinical Assessment I and Clinical Laboratory Medicine I. The first in a series of two courses. Prerequisites: PASG 60100, PASG 60200. (S,Y)
2 Credits

PASG 61020 Pharmacology and Therapeutics II (NLA)

Describe and explain the general principles of the effects of drugs on different organ systems and disease processes. Describe and explain the mechanism by which drugs produce their therapeutic and toxic effects, and the factors influencing their absorption, distribution and biological actions. Topics are synchronized with and correlative to topics in Clinical Medicine II, Pathophysiology of Disease II, Clinical Assessment II and Clinical Laboratory Medicine II. The second in a series of two courses. Prerequisites: PASG 61010. (U,Y)
2 Credits

PASG 61100 Leadership and Advocacy (NLA)

Define and describe the attributes of a leader. Explain the roles of Physician Assistant (PA) leaders. Prepare PA learners to take a leadership role in the delivery of patient-centered care. Recognize and appropriately address gaps in medical knowledge and physical and mental limitations in self and others. Learn to advocate for patients through involvement in quality improvement initiatives. Learn to advocate for the PA profession by developing leadership skills and an understanding of the importance of quality improvement in patient safety. Discuss the importance of commitment to excellence and ongoing professional development. (F,Y)
1 Credit

PASG 61310 Pathophysiology I (NLA)

Apply knowledge from the basic medical sciences to clinical medicine. Expand on the overview of medical physiology and introduce underlying pathological basis for specific disease processes common to primary care. Explore congenital and acquired diseases with an emphasis on providing understanding of pathologic physiology in conjunction with information regarding medical history and laboratory data to solve case based clinical problems during small group discussions. Examine how pathophysiology translates into patient signs, symptoms and laboratory test results. Identify the thought processes leading to development of differential diagnoses. The first of a two-semester series. Synchronized with appropriate and correlative lectures in Clinical Assessment I, Clinical Medicine I, Clinical Laboratory Medicine I and Pharmacology & Therapeutics I. Prerequisites: PASG 60200. (S,Y)
2 Credits

PASG 61320 Pathophysiology II (NLA)

Apply knowledge from the basic medical sciences to clinical medicine. Expand on the overview of medical physiology and introduce underlying pathological basis for specific disease processes common to primary care. Explore congenital and acquired diseases with an emphasis on providing understanding of pathologic physiology in conjunction with information regarding medical history and laboratory data to solve case based clinical problems during small group discussions. Examine how pathophysiology translates into patient signs, symptoms and laboratory test results. Identify the thought processes leading to development of differential diagnoses. The second of a two-semester series. Synchronized with appropriate and correlative lectures in Clinical Assessment II, Clinical Medicine II, Clinical Laboratory Medicine II and Pharmacology & Therapeutics II. Prerequisites: PASG 61310. (U,Y)
2 Credits

PASG 61400 Behavioral and Mental Health Care (NLA)

PASG 61500 Clinical Skills and Procedures (NLA)

Perform comprehensive population specific and focused physical examinations. Examine peers and standardized patients to advance the skills and knowledge to perform focused history and physical examinations. Introduce learners to essential procedures and skills necessary for primary care practice. Prerequisites: PASG 60620, PASG 60820. (F,Y)
4 Credits

PASG 61600 Ethics, Law, and Social Justice in Healthcare (NLA)

Describe and define principles of ethics and laws in healthcare. Apply understanding of principles of healthcare ethics and the laws to cases that illustrate where social determinants of health (i.e. access to justice), ethics and the law intersect. Explore roles and responsibilities as healthcare providers and discover how interdisciplinary collaboration is key for effective advocacy and changes in health policy that address health disparities and social injustice. Prerequisites: PASG 61100. (F,Y)
1 Credit

PASG 61700 Population and Community Health (NLA)

Describe how to plan, deliver, and evaluate patient/population-centered care and population health programs to ensure policies are safe, timely, efficient, effective, and equitable. Apply relationship-building values and the principles of team dynamics to perform effectively in different team roles. Evaluate local community health needs and design a process improvement project to address one of those needs. Attain effective leadership skills needed to advocate for patients and quality improvement in patient safety. (F,Y)
2 Credits

PASG 70000 Supervised Clinical Practice Experience - Family Medicine (NLA)

Supervised clinical experience for five weeks in Family Medicine with opportunities to practice and apply knowledge and skills acquired during the didactic phase. Learners will utilize medical knowledge and clinical skills to evaluate, treat and educate patients with a focus on managing chronic conditions and preventative care. Prerequisites: PASG 61400, PASG 60830, PASG 61500, PASG 61600, PASG 60930, PASG 61700. (F,S,U,Y,B)
4 Credits

PASG 70100 Supervised Clinical Practice Experience - Internal Medicine (NLA)

Supervised clinical experience for five weeks in Internal Medicine with opportunities to practice and apply knowledge and skills acquired during the didactic phase. Learners will utilize medical knowledge and clinical skills to evaluate, treat and educate patients with a focus on inpatient management of acute and chronic conditions. Prerequisites: PASG 61400, PASG 60830, PASG 61500, PASG 61600, PASG 60930, PASG 61700. (B,F,S,U,Y)
4 Credits

PASG 70200 Supervised Clinical Practice Experience - Surgery (NLA)

Supervised clinical experience for five weeks in Surgery with opportunities to practice and apply knowledge and skills acquired during the didactic phase. Learners will utilize medical knowledge and clinical skills to evaluate, treat and educate patients in pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative settings. Prerequisites: PASG 61400, PASG 60830, PASG 61500, PASG 61600, PASG 60930, PASG 61700. (B,F,S,U,Y)
4 Credits

PASG 70300 Supervised Clinical Practice Experience - Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine (NLA)

Supervised clinical experience for five weeks in Pediatrics with opportunities to practice and apply knowledge and skills acquired during the didactic phase. Learners will utilize medical knowledge and clinical skills to evaluate, treat and educate patients and their families with a focus on acute and preventative care. Prerequisites: PASG 61400, PASG 60830, PASG 61500, PASG 61600, PASG 60930, PASG 61700. (B,F,S,U,Y)
4 Credits

PASG 70400 Supervised Clinical Practice Experience - Women's Health (NLA)

Supervised clinical experience for five weeks in Women's Health with opportunities to practice and apply knowledge and skills acquired during the didactic phase. Learners will utilize medical knowledge and clinical skills to evaluate, treat and educate patients with a focus on preventative gynecological care, acute gynecological care, and preventative prenatal care. Prerequisites: PASG 61400, PASG 60830, PASG 61500, PASG 61600, PASG 60930, PASG 61700. (B,Y,F,S,U)
4 Credits

PASG 70500 Supervised Clinical Practice Experience - Behavioral and Mental Health Care (NLA)

Supervised clinical experience for five weeks in Behavioral and Mental Health with opportunities to practice and apply knowledge and skills acquired during the didactic phase. Learners will utilize medical knowledge and clinical skills to evaluate, treat and educate patients with a focus on acute and chronic behavioral and mental health concerns. Prerequisites: PASG 61400, PASG 60830, PASG 61500, PASG 61600, PASG 60930, PASG 61700. (B,F,S,U,Y)
4 Credits

PASG 70600 Supervised Clinical Practice Experience - Emergency Medicine (NLA)

Supervised clinical experience for five weeks in Emergency Medicine with opportunities to practice and apply knowledge and skills acquired during the didactic phase. Learners will utilize medical knowledge and clinical skills to evaluate, treat and educate patients with a focus on patients presenting with acute and emergent concerns. Prerequisites: PASG 61400, PASG 60830, PASG 61500, PASG 61600, PASG 60930, PASG 61700. (B,Y,F,S,U)
4 Credits

PASG 70700 Supervised Clinical Practice Experience - General Elective Rotation I (NLA)

Supervised clinical experience for five weeks with opportunities to practice and apply knowledge and skills acquired during the didactic phase. Learners will utilize medical knowledge and clinical skills to evaluate, treat and educate patients with a focus on acute and chronic conditions related to the practice area. Prerequisites: PASG 61400, PASG 60830, PASG 61500, PASG 61600, PASG 60930, PASG 61700. (B,Y,F,S,U)
4 Credits

PASG 70800 Supervised Clinical Practice Experience - General Elective Rotation II (NLA)

PASG 70900 Transition to Clinical Practice (NLA)

Practice clinical procedures and skills learned during nine clinical rotations. Provide education in special populations and special topics not encountered commonly in clinical rotations but required for the delivery of inclusive care. Prepare for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). Improve areas of weakness or knowledge gaps in preparation for the PANCE exam and clinical practice as a PA. Prerequisites: PASG 70000, PASG 70100, PASG 70200, PASG 70300, PASG 70400, PASG 70500, PASG 70600, PASG 70700, PASG 70800. (B,F,Y)
3 Credits

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Physician Assistant Studies

Admissions Requirements

Technical Standards

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