NSU's Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences - PA Jacksonville

Nova Southeastern University | 7 COURSE OF STUDY The curriculum for the Physician Assistant Program—Jacksonville is comprehensive and completed in a consecutive manner. It is oriented to primary care and prepares the student to practice in a wide variety of clinical settings. Due to the highly integrated and compact curriculum, the department requires matriculants to complete the entire program at the regional campus in Jacksonville. There are two parts to the program. Didactic period (first 15 months) • 15 months of study consisting of basic sciences and clinically related didactic courses • curriculum content organized using a systems approach • lecture-format course delivery • classes Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. with occasional evenings and weekends hours All didactic courses are required and must be successfully completed before advancing to the clinical year. Clinical year (last 12 months) • only begins after successful completion of all didactic courses • devoted to 12 months of clinical training • requires six-week clinical rotations, one elective, and one preceptorship coordinated by the clinical team • core rotations are in ♦ family medicine ♦ emergency medicine ♦ pediatrics ♦ prenatal care/gynecology ♦ general surgery ♦ internal medicine ♦ behavioral medicine • four-week preceptorship, coordinated and scheduled by the clinical team, follows completion of all core rotations ROTATION DETAILS All clinical rotations are assigned by the clinical team. Clinical rotation sites are mainly in the Jacksonville area; however, students will also be required to travel to sites outside the area. Each required rotation has assigned readings and learning objectives. At the end of each one, a written comprehensive subject examination is administered and must be passed. During rotations, students will be supervised by licensed practitioners and will actively participate in patient assessments, perform common laboratory procedures, participate in surgeries, interpret common diagnostic examinations, and help manage common medical problems. Attendance hours during clinical rotations are set by the preceptor and can include evening and weekend hours. Students are required to work up to 40 hours per week. Rotation sites may require more than 40 hours per week, as hours are set by preceptors. DEGREE Upon completion of the course of study, students will have earned a Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant (M.M.S.) degree. Did You Know? The PA Department also offers an M.M.S./M.P.H. concurrent degree program providing an opportunity for students to attain a Master of Public Health degree in addition to the entry-level Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant degree. Information about this opportunity can be reviewed at nova.edu/publications/pamph.