Curriculum

The Wayne State University Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies entry-level professional program is a Plan C graduate program. Prior to September of 2022, the two-year curriculum consisted of 54 credit hours. Evaluation and revamping of the clinical year curriculum resulted in the increase in credit hours beginning in September 2022 to comply with university policies. Beginning with the Class of 2024, students will be required to complete 75 credit hours of course work over two years — seven consecutive semesters. (As the curriculum change became effective mid-year, students in the Class of 2023 only will be required to complete 68 credit hours of course work.) 

Year I begins in May of each year and follows the WSU academic calendar. The first year consists of three semesters (Spring/Summer, Fall and Winter semesters) of didactic training.

Year II consists of four semesters in which students have clinical experiences in internal medicine, family practice, surgery, women's health, behavioral health, pediatrics, emergency medicine, two electives and a primary care–driven preceptorship. Due to clinical schedules and the needs of our patients, the second year does not follow the academic calendar.

To earn the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, each student must successfully complete all course requirements in the proper sequence as described in the curriculum below.

Two-year curriculum

Year I

Spring/Summer Term Year I

• PAS 7000................................. Anatomy for Physician Assistants I (2 credit hours)
• PAS 7001................................. Anatomy for Physician Assistants II (1 credit hour)
• PAS 7010................................. Clinical Medicine I (3 credit hours)
• PAS 7040................................. Patient Evaluation I (2 credit hours)
• PAS 7070..................................Health Care Issues I (1 credit hour)
• PAS 7100................................. Pharmacology for Physician Assistants I (2 credit hours)
• PAS 7500................................. Pathophysiology I (1 credit hour)

Fall Term Year I

• PAS 7020................................. Clinical Medicine II (3 credit hours)
• PAS 7050................................. Patient Evaluation II (2 credit hours)
• PAS 7080................................. Health Care Issues II (1 credit hour)
• PAS 7110................................Pharmacology for Physician Assistants II (2 credit hours)
• PAS 7510..................................Pathophysiology II (1 credit hour)

Winter Term Year I

• PAS 7030.................................Clinical Medicine III (4 credit hours)
• PAS 7060.................................Patient Evaluation III (3 credit hours)
• PAS 7090.................................Heath Care Issues III (1 credit hour)
• PAS 7520.................................Pathophysiology III (1 credit hour)

Year II

Spring Year II*

• PAS 8100.................................Clinical Practicum I (7 credits)

Summer Year II*

• PAS 8200………………………….Clinical Practicum II (7 credits)
• PAS8250…………………………...Physician Assistant Studies Senior Seminar I (1 credit)

Fall Term Year II*

• PAS 8300………………………….Clinical Practicum III (14 credits)
• PAS8350…………………………..Physician Assistant Studies Senior Seminar II (1 credit)

Winter Term Year II*

• PAS 8400…………………………Clinical Practicum IV (14 credits)
• PAS8450………………………….Physician Assistant Studies Senior Seminar III (1 credit)

View course descriptions in the WSU Graduate Bulletin