This program trains qualified individuals to be highly skilled members of the health care team who, working under the supervision of a physician, provide diagnostic and therapeutic patient care. Currently there is tremendous demand for this sought after professional who works in a number of health care facilities ranging from private practices to tertiary care hospitals. Graduates of this program are able to do the following:

1. Elicit a detailed and accurate history and perform the appropriate physical examination; record and present pertinent data, including interpretive recommendations, in a manner meaningful to the physician.

2. Perform and/or interpret routine diagnostic studies such as common radiologic studies, routine laboratory procedures and electrocardiographic studies.

3. Perform such routine procedures as injections, suturing, wound management, incision and drainage of superficial infections, cast application and simple fracture follow-up.

4. Assist the physician by performing patient rounds, recording patient progress notes and pertinent case summaries, determining and implementing diagnostic procedures and therapeutic plans at the direction of the physician-supervisor.

5. Instruct, counsel and prescribe for patients regarding physical and mental health, including proper diet, disease prevention, therapy, normal growth and development, family planning, lifestyle risks, situational adjustment reactions and other health care matters.

6. Deliver or assist in the delivery of services to patients requiring continuing care in homes, nursing homes and extended care facilities, including reviewing and monitoring treatment and therapy plans.

7. Perform independent evaluation and initiate therapeutic procedures in life-threatening events.

8. Facilitate referral to community resources, health facilities and agencies and arrange appropriate patient follow-up.

9. Is prepared to critically evaluate medical literature, policies and systems to enhance their leadership qualities in community and professional endeavors.

Quinnipiac is a member of the Association of Physician Assistant Programs and accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA).

First Year
Summer Session
PY 517	Human Anatomy	4
PY 515	Clinical Pathology	3
PY 501	Human Physiology	4
PY 508	Diagnostic Methods I	2
PY 503	Principles of Interviewing	3
PY 507	Principles of Electrocardiography	1
		17 cr.
Fall Session
PY 502	Physical Diagnosis	4
PY 572	Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases	4
PY 506	Principles of Medicine	6
PY 505	Clinical Pharmacology I	2
PY 514	Diagnostic Methods II	1
		17 cr.
Spring Session
PY 509	Principles of Obstetrics and Gynecology	3
PY 510	Principles of Pediatrics	3
PY 511	Principles of Surgical and Emergency Management	4
PY 512	Psychosocial Issues in Health Care	2
PY 513	Behavioral Medicine	3
PY 516	Clinical Pharmacology II	2
PY 504	History, Roles and Responsibilities of the Physician Assistant	1
		18 cr.
Second Year
PY 611	Clinical Residency I	3
PY 612	Clinical Residency II	3
PY 613	Clinical Residency III	3
PY 614	Clinical Residency IV	3
PY 615	Clinical Residency V	3
PY 616	Clinical Residency VI	3
PY 617	Clinical Residency VII	3
PY 618	Clinical Residency VIII	3
PY 619	Clinical Residency IX	3
		27 cr.
Third Year
Summer Session
PY 526	Principles of Epidemiology	3
PY 536	Biostatistics	3
PY 546	Ethics in Health Care Delivery	3
PY 608	Graduate Seminar	4
PY 676	Comprehensive Examination	2
		15 cr.

In addition to the intensive classroom study during the first year, students are introduced to the clinical application of their training by being paired with a graduate physician assistant or physician one day a week. This is designed to facilitate application of the skills and knowledge acquired in the classroom setting to the care of the patient.