Coursework That Prepares You for Practice
The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences offers a rigorous 26-month curriculum designed to prepare you for real-world clinical practice. With many students entering the program with over 1,000 hours of direct patient care experience, you’ll be surrounded by peers who bring valuable insights and a strong foundation for advanced learning.
You’ll complete:
- 14 months of didactic study, covering foundational science, clinical medicine, clinical reasoning, research, professional topics and more
- 12 months of clinical coursework and supervised clinical practice experiences, totaling 112 academic credits
Throughout the program, you’ll also engage in interprofessional education with students from other health professions, preparing you to collaborate effectively in diverse clinical settings.
Get Hands On
When you learn with us, the community — and the world — is your classroom.
During your final year, you’ll complete clinical rotations with preceptors and site partners across the U.S., applying the knowledge gained in the didactic phase to real-world settings.
These experiences reinforce and expand your clinical skills while exposing you to a variety of teaching methods and practical learning opportunities.
Highlights include:
- Community-Based Learning
Participate in interprofessional education events like back-to-school physicals, the annual senior health fair, and the IMT Des Moines Marathon. - Global Health Opportunities
Through DMU’s Global Health Department, you may complete a rotation abroad in one of several locations.
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|
Summer Term (June - July) |
Fall Term (August - December) |
Spring Term (January - May) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Clinically Oriented Anatomy Physiology/Pathophysiology Clinical Skills A Foundations in Medical Science | Evidence-Based Practice Clinical Medicine I Wellness Physical Diagnosis^ Clinical Skills B Pharmacology/Therapeutics I Clinical Applications I PA Professional Practice A | Clinical Medicine II Clinical Skills C Pharmacology/Therapeutics II Clinical Applications II PA Professional Practice B |
| Year 2 | Clinical Medicine III Health System and Policy Clinical Skills D Clinical Applications III | Foundations of Clinical Practice^ | |
| Clinical Curriculum* (September – May) Family Medicine — 8 weeks Internal Medicine — 8 weeks Primary Care — 4 weeks Surgery — 4 weeks Emergency Medicine — 4 weeks Pediatrics — 2 weeks Behavioral and Mental Health — 4 weeks Women’s Health — 2 weeks Selectives — 8 weeks | |||
| Year 3 | Foundations of Clinical Practice | ||
| Clinical Curriculum** (See Year 2) | |||
* Clinical Rotations begin three weeks into Fall term.
** Clinical Rotations end one week before end of Year 3 Summer term.
^ Contains considerable asynchronous content delivery.
Program Competencies
Prior to graduation from DMU’s PA program, students will have shown the ability to:
- Demonstrate and apply knowledge of basic scientific principles as they relate to evidence-based clinical medicine. (Medical Knowledge)
- Take a comprehensive patient history and perform an appropriate physical exam to obtain information needed to formulate an appropriate differential diagnosis for patients across the lifespan, in varying encounter types and settings. (History and Physical Examination)
- Recognize the epidemiology, etiology, signs and symptoms and appropriate diagnostic studies necessary to provide an accurate diagnosis for patients across the lifespan, in varying encounter types and settings. (Diagnosis)
- Utilize preventive health measures and manage disease in patients across the lifespan, in varying encounter types and settings, using pharmaceutical therapeutics, clinical interventions and patient education. (Patient Management)
- Demonstrate effective communication skills when interacting with patients, families and other members of the health care team. (Communication)
- Demonstrate sensitivity to the patient’s race, culture, age, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, gender and physical and intellectual abilities. (Community and Culture)
- Self-evaluate behaviors and medical knowledge to recognize personal limitations. (Professionalism)
- Document adequate patient information regarding care provided, for medical, legal, quality assurance and financial purposes. (Health Care Systems)
- Analyze and utilize medical literature. (Evidence-based Practice)
- Exhibit professionalism, respect, compassion and integrity, with accountability to patients, society and the profession. (Interprofessional Collaborative Practice)