{"id":1818,"date":"2017-02-15T21:55:07","date_gmt":"2017-02-15T21:55:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/pa\/?page_id=1818"},"modified":"2026-02-16T16:55:31","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T16:55:31","slug":"courses","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/pa\/courses\/","title":{"rendered":"Curriculum and Policies"},"content":{"rendered":"

Augsburg PA Curriculum<\/h2>\n

The Physician Associate Program at Augsburg is approximately 27 months long with studies beginning each year in the summer semester. The program accepts up to 33 students for each new class. Graduates will receive a Master of Science in Physician Associate Studies.<\/p>\n

Didactic Phase: Integrated, Hands-on Community PA Medicine (15 months)<\/h3>\n

Beginning each May, the 15 month didactic phase combines immersive community health experiences with rigorous, systems based coursework. The curriculum is intentionally aligned by organ system, allowing students to integrate pathophysiology, clinical medicine, physical examination, diagnostic reasoning, and clinical management in a cohesive and clinically relevant way.<\/p>\n

Students complete foundational and advanced coursework in human gross anatomy with cadaver lab, pathophysiology, clinical medicine, pharmacotherapy, history and physical examination, and evidence based professional practice. The Clinical Practice Seminar series anchors the curriculum through small group, case based learning that integrates content across courses and applies it to real world patient scenarios.<\/p>\n

Throughout the didactic year, disease processes are examined not only from a biomedical perspective, but also through the lens of social and political determinants of health, preparing students to deliver equitable, community responsive care to all populations. Hands on training is woven throughout the year and includes high fidelity simulation, live standardized patients, technical skills workshops, Point of Care Ultrasound training, interprofessional training through the School of Health and procedural labs.<\/p>\n

The result is a deeply integrated learning experience designed to build clinical competence, confidence, and professional identity from day one.<\/p>\n

DIDACTIC PHASE COURSE SEQUENCE<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Summer 1 (14 credits)
\n<\/strong>PA 500 \u2013 Community Health and Evidence-Based Professional Practice I (1 credit)
\nPA 501 \u2013 Human Anatomy and Neuroanatomy (8 credits)
\nPA 503 \u2013 Human Pathophysiology (5 credits)<\/p>\n

Fall (23 credits)
\n<\/strong>PA 510 \u2013 Community Health and Evidence-Based Professional Practice II (1 credit)
\nPA 511 \u2013 History and Physical Exam Skills I (6 credits)
\nPA 521 \u2013 Pharmacotherapy I (4 credits)
\nPA 531 \u2013 Clinical Medicine I (9 credits)
\nPA 546 \u2013 Clinical Practice Seminar I (3 credits)<\/p>\n

Spring (23 credits)
\n<\/strong>PA 512 \u2013 History and Physical Exam Skills II (6 credits)
\nPA 520 \u2013 Community Health and Evidence-Based Professional Practice III (1 credit)
\nPA 522 \u2013 Pharmacotherapy II (4 credits)
\nPA 532 \u2013 Clinical Medicine II (9 credits)
\nPA 547 \u2013 Clinical Practice Seminar II (3 credits)<\/p>\n

Summer 2 (11-12 credits)
\n<\/strong>PA 530 \u2013 Community Health and Evidence-Based Professional Practice IV (1 credit)
\nPA 533 \u2013 Clinical Medicine III (5 credits)
\nPA 545 \u2013 Clinical Phase Transition (2 credits)
\nPA 599 \u2013 Master\u2019s Project Self-Directed Study\u00a0or <\/span>Global Experience Course<\/span><\/a> (3-4 credits)<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Clinical Phase: Broad, Immersive, and Practice Ready (12 months)<\/h3>\n

The clinical phase spans approximately 12 months and is designed to prepare students for confident, independent practice through immersive, supervised clinical training across multiple specialties and practice settings.<\/p>\n

Students complete required rotations in family medicine, internal medicine, behavioral health, surgery, emergency medicine, reproductive health, pediatrics, and elective specialties. Clinical placements are coordinated by the Augsburg University PA Program to ensure high quality educational experiences and strong preceptor support. Students do not arrange their own clinical sites.<\/p>\n

Training occurs throughout Minnesota, the Upper Midwest, and select national locations. To ensure a well rounded experience, each student completes rotations outside the Minneapolis Saint Paul metropolitan area and gains exposure to both urban and rural healthcare environments.<\/p>\n

By the completion of the clinical phase, students have developed the diagnostic reasoning, procedural competence, and professional adaptability required to serve diverse communities across practice settings.<\/p>\n

CLINICAL PHASE COURSE SEQUENCE<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Fall 2 (12 credits)
\n<\/strong>3 Clinical Rotations (~5 weeks each)<\/p>\n

Spring 2 (12 credits)
\n<\/strong>3 Clinical Rotations (~5 weeks each)<\/p>\n

Summer 3 (16 credits)
\n<\/strong>3 Clinical Rotations (~5 weeks each)
\n<\/strong>PA 690 \u2013 Capstone Course\u00a0(4 credits)<\/em><\/p>\n

Over the course of the clinical year, every student is required to successfully complete 7 core clinical experiences, 2 additional electives, and a capstone course that all align with our primary care-focused curriculum. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n