HPD Physician Assistant Program - Jacksonville

6 | Nova Southeastern University COURSE OF STUDY THE CURRICULUM for the Physician Assistant Program— Jacksonville is comprehensive and completed in a consec- utive 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. The first 15 months are considered the didactic year and the last 12 months are considered the clinical year. The first 15 months of study consist of basic sciences and clinically related didactic courses. The course delivery is taught utilizing a lecture for- mat. The curriculum content is organized using a systems approach. All didactic courses are required and must be successfully completed before advancing to the clinical year. Students are generally in class from Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., although, there are occasional evening and/or weekend hours. The clinical year is devoted to 12 months of clinical training with required, six-week clinical rotations in family medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics, prenatal care/gynecology, general surgery, internal medicine, behavioral medicine, and one elective. Following the completion of all rotations, there is a four-week preceptorship coordinated and scheduled by the clinical team as the students’ last clinical rotation. 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 of the Jacksonville area. Each required rotation has assigned readings and learning objectives. At the end of each required rotation, a written comprehensive subject examination is administered and must be passed. During rotations, students will be supervised by licensed practitioners and will actively partici- pate in patient assessments, perform common laboratory proce dures, 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 a minimum of 40 hours per week. Many rotation sites require students to work more hours per week. Upon completion of the course of study, students will have earned a Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant (M.M.S.) degree. The PA Department is also pleased to offer 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 regarding this opportunity can be reviewed at the following website: http://healthsciences.nova.edu/pa/pamph.html. The Physician Assistant Program • Jacksonville