Drexel University Online

Drexel Online. A Better U.

Physician Assistant Post-Professional Master's Program

Curriculum

All students in the program complete a total of 45 quarter credits for graduation. The program requires completion of 5 core courses or 25 quarter credits. The cognate courses, 15 quarter credits, are courses in a student’s area of interest, and 5 quarter credits for the Capstone project that deepen a student’s understanding of chosen areas. For the exceptional graduate student with significant, professional credentials achieved as a physician assistant, preparation and presentation of the professional portfolio to a university-based multidisciplinary committee may substitute for all or portions of the credits required for the two graduate project courses.

Required Core Courses (25 Credits)
PA 581Research Methods and Designs5.00 credits
PA 582Principles of Evidence-Based Practice5.00 credits
PA 583Clinical Application of Epidemiology5.00 credits
PA 584Health Policy5.00 credits
PA 585Leadership and Stewardship5.00 credits

Study Concentration Courses (20 Credits)
PA 698Capstone Project5.00 credits

Alternate Pathway for Study Concentration Courses
PA 695Portfolio Preparation1.00 credits
PA 696Portfolio Review5.00 to 10.00 credits
*Students may select two courses related to their areas of interest from within the University or, with approval, they may transfer six graduate-level credits to meet the cognate requirements.

Course Descriptions

PA 581 Research Methods and Designs - 5.00 credits

The course introduces the knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate published research for clinical practice. Topics in this web-based course are research concepts, hypotheses and questions; literature searches and reviews; ethics in research; qualitative and quantitative research methods and designs including sampling, data collection and interpretation; and levels of scientific evidence.

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PA 582 Principles of Evidence-Based Practice - 5.00 credits

With an emphasis on developing skills for clinicians to critically appraise the validity of medial literature, this online course offers a critical analysis of several types of research studies for use in clinical practice. The course requires knowledge and application of basic research and statistical concepts, and online searching skills.

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PA 583 Clinical Application of Epidemiology - 5.00 credits

This online course introduces basic terminology and concepts in epidemiology and develops knowledge for application of evidence-based health promotion strategies to clinical practice. The leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States are discussed in conjunction with recommendations for health promotion across the lifespan and population groups.

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PA 584 Health Policy - 5.00 credits

This web-based course explores health policy issues relating to the cost of health care and disparities in access and quality of care, and strategies to address the deficiencies in the US health care system. Each student critiques a health policy imperative and proposes solutions to remedy the issues identified in the critique.

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PA 585 Leadership and Stewardship - 5.00 credits

Key concepts of leadership with a focus on servant and visionary leadership are discussed in this online course. Stewardship and strategies for effecting change as a leader are explored through cases applicable to professional settings. Synthesis of course content is evidenced in the compilation of a professional leadership portfolio.

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PA 698 Capstone Project - 5.00 credits

Working with an assigned advisor, the student develops, implements, and evaluates the literature-based capstone project designed within the cognate courses. Continued critical analysis of the literature related to the project is required to fulfill the goals of the project to advance dissemination of medical knowledge and quality of care.

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PA 695 Portfolio Preparation - 1.00 credits

Working with an assigned advisor, this course assists the student document significant professional experience as a clinician, researcher, leader, and/or advocate in the preparation of a professional portfolio. Approval of the Program Director is required for course registration.

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PA 696 Portfolio Review - 5.00 to 10.00 credits

The Portfolio Review is conducted by a multi-disciplinary Portfolio Review Committee to award 5-10 academic credits for learning substantiated in the professional portfolio and matched to the educational competencies and outcomes of the Program. The portfolio must demonstrate analysis, synthesis, and interpretation of the professional experiential learning and be substantiated by documentation.

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