Curriculum Delivery Model

The curriculum is a 24-month program that engages students through an innovative, systems-organized educational path, employing large and small group discussion, hands-on clinical skills labs, simulated patient experiences, lecture, and patient scenario discussions. Over the course of the academic year, the patient scenarios and simulated patient experiences will increase in complexity. These will culminate in an Advanced Clinical Reasoning course in the fall that builds on existing, learner-centered models by guiding students to reapply knowledge and build competence in all areas of the NCCPA Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession. Additionally, students will have a Clinical Phase Preparation course in the fall of the academic year to prepare them for their transition to supervised clinical education experiences. In the clinical education phase, the Clinical Year seminar courses will further prepare students for the rigors of the clinical learning experiences and give them an opportunity to strengthen their fund of medical knowledge through self-directed learning activities.