Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
Academic Programs
The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies curriculum is an innovative 24-month period of intense study to prepare the graduate for an entry level position in health care as a certified physician assistant. The program provides instruction with the use of cutting-edge technology, a cadre of medical professionals in their field of practice and collaboration with community health care partners. This multi-faceted training will prepare the graduate for success on the National Commission for the Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) board exam.
Mission
Bay Path University's Physician Assistant Program helps its students to provide compassionate, culturally aware healthcare providers who advocate for their patients, provide their communities with the highest quality and ethical standards of care, and fosters the advancement of and leadership in the physician assistant profession.
Vision
Bay Path University strives to empower physician assistant students to take ownership of their learning by engaging them in a transformative, highly personalized educational experience utilizing technology and innovative teaching strategies to provide PA students with the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to be team-based lifelong learners capable of adapting to the changing health care environment.
Program Requirements
All students must complete the outlined 116 hours of graduate coursework to earn a M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies.
Student Learning Outcomes
Medical Knowledge
1. Demonstrate the biomedical knowledge required to care for patients seeking services for preventive, emergent, acute, and chronic healthcare during any stage in a patient’s lifespan.
2. Apply evidenced based medicine concepts in an effort to improve patient outcomes and patient understanding of the care that they receive.
3. Recognize the impact of environment and structural disparities on health.
Interpersonal Skills
4. Demonstrate communication skills that support the delivery of sound patient education to diverse populations in such a manner that facilitates patient understanding.
5. Possess the skills necessary to develop and maintain medical records that will support inter-professional communication and minimize errors in care delivery.
Clinical and Technical Skills
6. Demonstrate an ability to elicit an appropriate and essential medical history from any patient, as based upon presenting complaint, co-morbid conditions, age, gender, race and socio-economic
position.
7. Demonstrate the psychomotor skills necessary to complete a full or problem focused physical examination, as may be required in preventive, emergent, acute, or chronic care settings.
8. Provide clinical procedures and testing in a safe and competent manner, as may be required in preventive, emergent, acute, and chronic care settings.
Professional Behaviors
9. Adhere to the “Guidelines for Ethical Conduct for the Physician Assistant Profession”, established by the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
10. Recognize their limits and work with other health professionals to provide care that is safe, timely, efficient, effective and equitable.
Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving Abilities
11. Demonstrate the ability to gather and analyze patient care data effectively, leading to the development of differential diagnoses and effective clinical decision-making.
12. Demonstrate the ability to develop appropriate and complete diagnostic evaluations.
13. Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to develop treatment management plans for patients seeking care in preventive, emergent, acute, and chronic care settings.