Department website: http://www.cuaa.edu/pa

Mission Statement

The mission of the Concordia University Ann Arbor Physician Assistant Program is to educate Physician Assistant students in primary medicine with a focus on rural and underserved patient populations and communities.

Vision Statement

The vision of the Concordia University Ann Arbor Physician Assistant Program  is to provide the local and global community with competent medical providers who will improve lives and influence communities through clinical service and leadership, and do so in a compassionate and respectful manner that changes the lives of all patients who seek our care.

Program Basics

The Concordia University Ann Arbor Physician Assistant Program is a 27-month professional program that will confer the Master of Science in PA studies (MSPAS) degree after successful completion of all required components of the program. 

Accreditation

The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the Concordia University Ann Arbor Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Concordia University Ann Arbor. Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students. Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class.

The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at: http://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-concordia-university-ann-arbor/

Credential Awarded

The proposed Physician Assistant Program will grant the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) degree. The graduate is then eligible to take the PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination) administered by the NCCPA (National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants).

Program Goals

The goals of this program are to:
1) Matriculate and graduate students from the following areas of diversity: rural and/or medically underserved areas
2) Expose PA students to healthcare provided by PAs in rural and/or medically underserved communities
3) Our graduates will demonstrate competency in all aspects of entry level clinical practice in primary care

Program Learning Outcomes (Competencies)

1. Demonstrate the requisite knowledge necessary in primary medicine to evaluate and provide non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic management of medical concerns of an acute, emergent, chronic, and preventive nature in patients of any age.
2. Obtain a medical history, engaging patient-centered communication skills in an attentive and respectful manner.
3. Perform an appropriate and accurate physical examination based on the clinical presentation for patients of all ages in primary medicine.
4. Determine appropriate labs & diagnostic testing based on a differential diagnosis, and interpret testing to narrow or identify the diagnosis.
5. Perform common diagnostic and therapeutic procedures within the scope of Physician Assistants in primary medicine.
6. Apply evidence-based medical decision making to develop a diagnosis or presumptive diagnosis from a broad differential utilizing all aspects of patient evaluation findings.
7. Efficiently and effectively provide oral presentations of a clinical encounter in a coherent manner.
8. Proficiently and accurately document patient encounters in written, oral and electronic forms.
9. Conduct themselves in a professional and courteous manner with all members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team.
10. Appreciate and respect Christian values, attitudes, and behaviors in clinical practice.

Student Performance Requirements

• The CUAA PA program has specific academic and technical standards that apply to all candidates for admission and those selected to enter the program.
• Students selected must be able to complete the entire curriculum to achieve the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree.
• Accommodation may be possible for some disabilities, but the Physician Assistant’s role in providing healthcare requires the ability to perform all the duties independently without compromising patient care.
• To perform the functions required of a Physician Assistant in various clinical settings and deliver competent patient care, as stipulated by the faculty, accreditation agencies, and PA practice standards, all candidates/students for the program must independently meet the following Academic and Technical Standards. Candidates/students are prohibited from using aid from trained intermediaries.
• The PA program at Concordia University Ann Arbor retains the authority and responsibility for the selection and evaluation of students. Admitted candidates will be required to certify in writing that they understand and meet the academic and technical standards of the program. Accommodations for disabilities may be available and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Concordia University will make every effort to develop mechanisms to accommodate otherwise qualified candidates; however, the integrity of the curriculum and the need to provide optimal patient care must be preserved to ensure that all aspects of PA education are effectively delivered to all students.
• Observational Standards
• PA students must have sufficient sensory capacity to independently observe in lecture halls, laboratories, outpatient settings, and at the patient’s bedside. Required sensory skills include functional vision, hearing, olfaction, and tactile sensation. These skills must be adequate to observe a patient’s condition and gather information through common physical examination procedures such as inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation.
• Communication Standards
• PA students must communicate effectively and efficiently with all individuals they encounter, including patients, their families, healthcare workers, faculty, staff, and classmates. Students must be able to obtain medical histories promptly, interpret non-verbal communication, and establish professional relationships with patients. Additionally, students must accurately and clearly record information and present data in a concise and logical manner.
• Motor Standards
• PA students must have the endurance to tolerate physically demanding workloads and be able to transport themselves promptly from one location to another. After a reasonable training period, students must independently perform physical examinations and diagnostic maneuvers, such as palpation, auscultation, percussion, and other diagnostic techniques. Students must be able to respond promptly to clinical problems and provide direct general and emergency treatment to patients in various circumstances. Examples include, but are not limited to, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the administration of intravenous medication, the application of pressure to stop bleeding, the opening of obstructed airways, the suturing of simple wounds, and the performance of basic obstetrical maneuvers. These activities require physical mobility, gross and fine neuromuscular coordination, and equilibrium. Additionally, students must adhere to safety standards appropriate for clinical settings and follow universal precautions, including wearing complete sets of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for extended hours.
• Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Standards
• Students must be able to assimilate and engage with detailed and complex information presented through both the didactic and clinical curriculum. They are expected to estimate, measure, calculate, analyze, synthesize, and outline information quickly and efficiently. Additionally, students must comprehend three-dimensional and spatial relationships of structures, interpret connections, and make accurate, fact-based conclusions based on the patient’s history, clinical presentation, physical examination results, and laboratory studies. They must also adapt to various learning environments and effectively learn, participate, collaborate, and contribute as part of a team.
• Behavioral, Social, and Professional Standards
• Students must exhibit sufficient maturity and emotional stability to fully utilize their intellectual abilities. This includes exercising good judgment and promptly completing all responsibilities associated with patient diagnosis and care. Understanding the legal and ethical aspects of medical practice and functioning within these standards is essential. Students must demonstrate integrity, honesty, professionalism, and compassion, and show a spirit of cooperation and teamwork at all times.
• Students are expected to interact courteously, professionally, and respectfully with patients, their families, healthcare professionals, colleagues, faculty, and staff. They should demonstrate empathy and compassion for all patients while accommodating varying levels of health literacy. Additionally, students must take responsibility for their learning and implement positive changes in response to constructive feedback.
• Students must also demonstrate the physical and emotional endurance necessary to handle demanding workloads. They should perform competently and professionally in high-stress, fast-paced situations, adapt to changing environments, display flexibility, and manage the inherent uncertainties of patient care and the healthcare system.

Successful Completion of the Didactic Year:

In order to successfully complete the didactic year and advance to the clinical rotation year, the student MUST:

• Comply with all policies and procedures published by CUAA and those of the Physician Assistant Program.
• Achieve a grade of 79% or higher at the end of each didactic course or have successfully completed a single term of academic probation throughout the entirety of the program. For further details see the didactic student handbook.
• Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher at the end of each term.
• Successfully complete any required remediations. Processes for remediation are outlined in both the Didactic and Clinical Student Handbooks.
• Submit timely documentation of immunization and physical exam requirements.
• Obtain and maintain BLS and ACLS certification (provided by the PA program) Certifications must remain valid through graduation from the program.
• Comply with professionalism expectations and demonstrate academic integrity throughout the didactic year
• Successfully complete the didactic year summative assessment

Successful Completion of the Clinical Year:

• Comply with all policies and procedures published by CUAA and those of the Physician Assistant Program.
• Comply with professionalism expectations and demonstrate academic integrity throughout the clinical year

• Achieve a grade of 79% or higher at the end of each clinical course. For further details see the clinical student handbook.

• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at the end of each term
• Successfully complete all written, practical and oral summative evaluations with a grade of 79% or higher

Requirements for Graduation

• Successful completion of all components of the program (didactic, clinical and summative) within 40 months.
• Compliance with all CUAA and PA program policies and procedures
• Fulfillment of all financial obligations to Concordia University Ann Arbor

Dismissal from the Program:

The CUAA PA Program reserves the right to dismiss any PA student at any time prior to graduation. Circumstances warranting such action may be of an academic, legal or professional nature. Additional information regarding appeal of dismissal and withdrawal from the program is available in the student handbooks.

Deceleration

The CUAA PA program does not decelerate students for failing to meet the program’s academic and/or professionalism requirements.

Students may request a temporary stop-out leave of absence in writing to the Program Director, and will be required to provide written evidence of the personal or medical issue related to the request. If this request is approved, prior to the student’s return to the program, the Program Director will provide the student with a specific deceleration plan.  This plan will be developed on a case-by-case basis after review and with input from the student’s advisor, the Student Progress Committee and the Program Director.

• The student must provide a letter from their treating physician which releases them back to full function in the PA program before they may rejoin the program. If restrictions are required, the Program Director must be notified in order to request from the ARC (academic resource center) for necessary accommodations.
• During the didactic year, the deceleration plan may require the student to repeat or audit those courses on a case-by-case basis. Students who are granted extended leave during their didactic year may be required to re-matriculate into the next academic year. 
• During the clinical year, the student may be required to repeat one or more clinical rotations. Note that deceleration will result in delay of graduation.
• Please note that the program’s policy is that students must successfully complete all components of the program within 40 months.
• It is the responsibility of the student to contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss the financial consequences of deceleration and repetition of courses, which may result in additional tuition and fee expenses.

Curriculum

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
PHAS 5100	Primary Medicine I	3
PHAS 5110	Patient Care I	2
PHAS 5235	Anatomy	5
PHAS 5135	Molecular Basis of Disease	2
PHAS 5105	Labs & Diagnostics I	2
PHAS 5115	Pharmacotherapy I	2
PHAS 5120	Skills for Primary Practice I	1
PHAS 5125	PA Professional Practice I	1
PHAS 5200	Primary Medicine II	3
PHAS 5205	Labs & Diagnostics II	2
PHAS 5210	Patient Care II	1
PHAS 5215	Pharmacotherapy II	2
PHAS 5220	Skills for Primary Practice II	1
PHAS 5130	Medical Decision Making I	1
PHAS 5225	PA Professional Practice II	1
PHAS 5300	Primary Medicine III	4
PHAS 5305	Labs & Diagnostics III	3
PHAS 5310	Patient Care III	2
PHAS 5315	Pharmacotherapy III	3
PHAS 5320	Skills for Primary Practice III	2
PHAS 5230	Medical Decision Making II	2
PHAS 5325	PA Professional Practice III	1
PHAS 5240	Behavioral Medicine	2
PHAS 5425	PA Professional Practice IV	1
PHAS 5400	Primary Medicine IV	3
PHAS 5405	Labs & Diagnostics IV	2
PHAS 5410	Patient Care IV	2
PHAS 5415	Pharmacotherapy IV	2
PHAS 5420	Skills for Primary Practice IV	1
PHAS 5330	Medical Decision Making III	2
PHAS 5435	Emergency Medicine for Primary Care	3
PHAS 5440	Surgical Medicine	3
PHAS 6000	Family Medicine Clinical Rotation I	4
PHAS 6005	Family Medicine Clinical Rotation II	4
PHAS 6010	Internal Medicine Clinical Rotation I	4
PHAS 6015	Internal Medicine Clinical Rotation II	4
PHAS 6020	Women's Health Clinical Rotation	4
PHAS 6025	Pediatric Clinical Rotation	4
PHAS 6030	Behavioral Medicine Clinical Rotation	4
PHAS 6035	Surgical Medicine Clinical Rotation	4
PHAS 6040	Emergency Medicine Clinical Rotation	4
PHAS 6045	Elective Clinical Rotation I	4
PHAS 6050	Elective Clinical Rotation II	4
PHAS 6100	Summative Assessment	2
Total Hours		113

Plan

Plan of Study Grid

Semester 1		Hours
PHAS 5100	Primary Medicine I	3
PHAS 5105	Labs & Diagnostics I	2
PHAS 5110	Patient Care I	2
PHAS 5115	Pharmacotherapy I	2
PHAS 5120	Skills for Primary Practice I	1
PHAS 5125	PA Professional Practice I	1
PHAS 5130	Medical Decision Making I	1
PHAS 5135	Molecular Basis of Disease	2
	Hours	14
Semester 2
PHAS 5200	Primary Medicine II	3
PHAS 5205	Labs & Diagnostics II	2
PHAS 5210	Patient Care II	1
PHAS 5215	Pharmacotherapy II	2
PHAS 5220	Skills for Primary Practice II	1
PHAS 5225	PA Professional Practice II	1
PHAS 5230	Medical Decision Making II	2
PHAS 5235	Anatomy	5
PHAS 5240	Behavioral Medicine	2
	Hours	19
Semester 3
PHAS 5300	Primary Medicine III	4
PHAS 5305	Labs & Diagnostics III	3
PHAS 5310	Patient Care III	2
PHAS 5315	Pharmacotherapy III	3
PHAS 5320	Skills for Primary Practice III	2
PHAS 5325	PA Professional Practice III	1
PHAS 5330	Medical Decision Making III	2
	Hours	17
Semester 4
PHAS 5400	Primary Medicine IV	3
PHAS 5405	Labs & Diagnostics IV	2
PHAS 5410	Patient Care IV	2
PHAS 5415	Pharmacotherapy IV	2
PHAS 5420	Skills for Primary Practice IV	1
PHAS 5425	PA Professional Practice IV	1
PHAS 5435	Emergency Medicine for Primary Care	3
PHAS 5440	Surgical Medicine	3
	Hours	17
Semester 5
PHAS 6000	Family Medicine Clinical Rotation I	4
PHAS 6005	Family Medicine Clinical Rotation II	4
PHAS 6010	Internal Medicine Clinical Rotation I	4
PHAS 6015	Internal Medicine Clinical Rotation II	4
	Hours	16
Semester 6
PHAS 6020	Women's Health Clinical Rotation	4
PHAS 6025	Pediatric Clinical Rotation	4
PHAS 6030	Behavioral Medicine Clinical Rotation	4
PHAS 6035	Surgical Medicine Clinical Rotation	4
	Hours	16
Semester 7
PHAS 6040	Emergency Medicine Clinical Rotation	4
PHAS 6045	Elective Clinical Rotation I	4
PHAS 6050	Elective Clinical Rotation II	4
PHAS 6100	Summative Assessment	2
	Hours	14
	Total Hours	113

Course options and schedule are subject to change.