Aarti Pappu, PA-C, medical cardiology, physician assistant, thoracic surgery

The Center for Physician Assistant Studies offers a Master of Science degree that includes 28 consecutive months of didactic instruction, clinical rotations, and research. The curriculum prepares each student to practice as a PA and to engage in post-graduate research.

During the first four didactic terms, students complete coursework in basic medical sciences, behavioral and social sciences, health policy, clinical preparatory science, and research methods. The subsequent clinical terms include rotations in medicine, surgery, and medical and surgical specialties. Students must also compile a portfolio of their work and pass periodic clinical and comprehensive exams.

Program Competencies

The program adheres to the competencies outlined in the Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession. This document outlines knowledge, interpersonal skills, patient care standards, and professionalism that physician assistants should demonstrate throughout their careers. These competencies were developed collaboratively by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for Physician Assistants (ARC-PA), the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), and the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA).

Academic Calendar

Students begin the 28-month program in January and complete the first four didactic terms during the first 17 months. Clinical rotations begin in the summer of a student’s second year of study and span about 11 months. Individual student rotation schedules will vary.

Didactic Term One
CourseCourse IDLengthCredits
OrientationPAP 5002 days-
History & Professional EthicsPAP 50515 weeks2
Advanced AnatomyPAP 55015 weeks4
Immunology and Microbial DiseasePAP 56515 weeks3
Medical InformaticsPAP 57515 weeks2
Physical AssessmentPAP 58015 weeks6
Didactic Term Two
CourseCourse IDLengthCredits
Behavioral Aspects of MedicinePAP 52813 weeks3
Applied Pathology/Pathophysiology IPAP 90013 weeks1
Diagnostic Methods IPAP 91013 weeks2
Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine IPAP 93013 weeks6
Pharmacology/PharmotherapeuticsPAP 94013 weeks1
Formative Clinical Competency Exam IPAP 72013 weeks-
Didactic Term Three
CourseCourse IDLength Credits
Health PolicyPAP 53014 weeks3
Research MethodsPAP 60014 weeks3
Applied Pathology/Pathophysiology IIPAP 90114 weeks2
Diagnostic Methods IIPAP 91114 weeks2
Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine IIPAP 93114 weeks6
Pharmacology/PharmotherapeuticsPAP 94114 weeks2
Formative Clinical Competency Exam IIPAP 721--
Didactic Term Four
CourseCourse IDLengthCredits
Community HealthPAP 53515 weeks3
Counseling for Preventive MedicinePAP 54015 weeks3
Clinical Skills LaboratoryPAP 59515 weeks2
Applied Pathology/Pathophysiology IIIPAP 90215 weeks1
Diagnostic Methods IIIPAP 91215 weeks1
Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine IIIPAP 93215 weeks6
Pharmacology/PharmotherapeuticsPAP 94215 weeks1
Formative Clinical Competency Exam IIIPAP 722--
Portfolio Sequence and Senior Seminar
CourseCourse IDLength Credits
Portfolio Preparation IPAP 750All terms-
Portfolio Preparation IIPAP 751All terms-
Portfolio Preparation IIIPAP 752All terms-
Senior SeminarPAP 640--
Clinical Terms
CourseCourse IDLengthCredits
Clinical Rotation: MedicinePAP 650Rotations vary4
Clinical Rotation: Emergency MedicinePAP 655Rotations vary4
Clinical Rotation: Family Practice/GeriatricsPAP 661Rotations vary4
Clinical Rotation: Comprehensive Interprofessional CarePAP 691Rotations vary2
Clinical Rotation: Obstetrics/GynecologyPAP 665Rotations vary4
Clinical Rotation: Elective IPAP 670Rotations vary4
Clinical Rotation: Elective IIPAP 674Rotations vary4
Clinical Rotation: PediatricsPAP 675Rotations vary4
Clinical Rotation: PsychiatryPAP 680Rotations vary4
Clinical Rotation: SurgeryPAP 685Rotations vary4
Clinical Rotation: OrthopedicsPAP 690Rotations vary4
Clinical Rotation: Community Practice PreceptorshipPAP 697Rotations vary5
Exams
Course NamesCourse IDLengthCredits
Comprehensive Final ExaminationPAP 723--
Clinical Competency ExamPAP 724--

Didactic Term One

Course ID: PAP 500

An orientation to Albany Medical College, the Graduate Studies Program, and the Center for Physician Assistant Studies. Students review policies, procedures, rules, and regulations for didactic and clinical phases of instruction. Sessions include a professionalism seminar, mandatory safety training, and inter-professional awareness, as well as an introduction to clinical rotations.

Course ID: PAP 505

Explores the historical development PA training and practice in the U.S. Covers the role of PAs play in care delivery and their relationship with other health care professionals. Legal requirements for training, certification, licensure, registration, and conditions of practice are also covered. Current ethical and medical-legal issues in clinical medicine are discussed and debated, as are current trends in PA practice.

Course ID: PAP 550

A comprehensive study of human anatomy including gross anatomy, and neuroanatomy with the relationship of organs and aspects of clinical significance explored in lecture and lab dissection.

Course ID: PAP 565

The principles of microbiology and immunology are covered as students learn about infectious diseases.

Course ID: PAP 580

Students learn the basic skills for gathering a patient history and performing a physical examination including interviewing methods, examination techniques, and documentation requirements.

Course ID: PAP 575

Students learn to maintain a critical, current, and operational knowledge of medical information. Course covers skills required to search, assess, and apply medical literature to patient care and document findings.

Didactic Term Two

Course ID: PAP 528

Covers biological, psychological, and sociological factors that can influence behavior and mental health. Includes an overview of psychiatric evaluation and common psychiatric problems, along with the basics of differential diagnosis and treatments for major disorders. Topics include anxiety; obsessive-compulsive and trauma-related disorders; mood disorders; schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders; substance-use disorders; somatic symptom and related disorders; and psychiatric disorders in children.

Course ID: PAP 900

This course includes instruction in physiology and pathophysiology, including the application of the material to clinical practice related to the development of clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities. The course material includes the presentation and discussion of the disruptions in function and homeostasis that characterize pathological and pathophysiological processes in the selected topics in the integrated schedule.

Course ID: PAP 910

First of a three-course series on ordering and interpreting diagnostic studies. This course covers laboratory medicine, point-of-care testing, radiology, and diagnostic methods for testing organ systems.

Course ID: PAP 930

First of a three-course series focusing on the study of health and disease that serves as an introduction to clinical medicine. Designed to lay the foundation for patient care, emphasis is on the integration of essential anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, microbiology, pharmacology, and medical terminology relevant to medical problems encountered in the primary care setting. The three-course series covers a range of common medical subspecialties involved in primary care, including an emphasis on clinical presentation, evaluation, differential diagnoses, management, and patient education.

Course ID: PAP 940

First of a three-course series that serves as an introduction to pharmacology and pharmacotherapy. Course units cover the fundamental concepts pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and the clinical use of pharmacotherapy.

Course ID: PAP 720

First of a three-course series designed to prepare students for clinical encounters. During this sequence, students develop their problem-solving skills and fluency in physical examinations and recording patient histories. An interactive and supportive environment with faculty guidance facilitates the transfer of learning from the classroom to the real world. Students prepare for and perform a comprehensive adult physical examination with a simulated patient.

Didactic Term Three

Course ID: PAP 530

Familiarizes students with the health care system and insurance payer services. Health policy and reform, patient safety and quality improvement, and the interdisciplinary team will be examined through problem-based learning and small group discussions.

Course ID: PAP 600

An introduction to research methods used in medicine including literature search and critical review, evidence-based medicine, and statistical methods. Students will identify and critically assess an individual evidence-based medicine question.

Course ID: PAP 901

This course includes instruction in physiology and pathophysiology, including the application of the material to clinical practice related to the development of clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities. The course material includes the presentation and discussion of the disruptions in function and homeostasis that characterize pathological and pathophysiological processes in the selected topics in the integrated schedule.

Course ID: PAP 911

Second of a three-course series on ordering and interpreting diagnostic studies. This course expands on diagnostic methods for testing organ systems.

Course ID: PAP 931

Second of a three-course series focusing on the study of health and disease that serves as an introduction to clinical medicine. Designed to lay the foundation for patient care, emphasis is on the integration of essential anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, microbiology, pharmacology, and medical terminology relevant to medical problems encountered in the primary care setting. The three-course series covers a range of common medical subspecialties involved in primary care, including an emphasis on clinical presentation, evaluation, differential diagnoses, management, and patient education.

Course ID: PAP 941

Second of a three-course series that serves as an introduction to pharmacology and pharmacotherapy. It serves as a parallel course to PAP 901, PAP 911, and PAP 931. Course units cover the clinical use of pharmacotherapy.

Course ID: PAP 721

Second of a three-course series designed to prepare students for clinical encounters. During this sequence, students develop their problem-solving skills and fluency in physical examinations and recording patient histories. An interactive and supportive environment with faculty guidance facilitates the transfer of learning from the classroom to the real world. Students will obtain a focused medical history and perform an appropriate physical examination on a standardized patient with a multiple-system clinical problem.

Didactic Term Four

Course ID: PAP 535

Covers the occurrence of disease and its relationship to the public health system, community, and cultural environment. Covers skills needed for PAs to address community-based health problems, including cultural humility and health inequities.

Course ID: PAP 540

Introduces students to knowledge, attitudes, and skills needed to counsel patients and their families in the following areas: health promotion and counseling for patients at any age; genetic inheritance of disease; end-of-life issues; response to illness, injury, and stress; and principles of violence identification and prevention.

Course ID: PAP 595

This course includes instruction in and practice of the utilization of a patient’s medical record, performing a history and physical examination in a telehealth setting for a simulated well patient visit and in an in-person simulated clinic setting for problem-based complaint visits, oral presentation, aseptic technique, suturing, splinting, injections, venous and arterial phlebotomy, intravenous access, endotracheal intubation, ultrasound, urethral catheterization, and advanced cardiac life support.

Course ID: PAP 902

This course includes instruction in physiology and pathophysiology, including the application of the material to clinical practice related to the development of clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities. The course material includes the presentation and discussion of the disruptions in function and homeostasis that characterize pathological and pathophysiological processes in the selected topics in the integrated schedule.

Course ID: PAP 912

Third of a three-course series on ordering and interpreting diagnostic studies. This course expands on diagnostic methods covered in the first two courses.

Course ID: PAP 932

Third of a three-course series focusing on the study of health and disease that serves as an introduction to clinical medicine. Designed to lay the foundation for patient care, emphasis is on the integration of essential anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, microbiology, pharmacology, and medical terminology relevant to medical problems encountered in the primary care setting. The three-course series covers a range of common medical subspecialties involved in primary care, including an emphasis on clinical presentation, evaluation, differential diagnoses, management, and patient education.

Course ID: PAP 942

Third of a three-course series that serves as an introduction to pharmacology and pharmacotherapy. It serves as a parallel course to PAP 902, PAP 912, and PAP 932. Course units cover the clinical use of pharmacotherapy.

Course ID: PAP 722

Third of a three-course series designed to prepare students for clinical encounters. During this sequence, students develop their problem-solving skills and fluency in physical examinations and recording patient histories. An interactive and supportive environment with faculty guidance facilitates the transfer of learning from the classroom to the real world. Students will obtain a focused medical history and perform an appropriate physical examination on a standardized patient with a single-system clinical problem.

Portfolio Preparation and Senior Seminar

Course ID: PAP 750

Assists in the preparation of an individual portfolio that summarizes professional and personal achievements including activities, notable accomplishments, educational competencies, and outcomes achieved. Course includes periodic self-assessments including reflections upon their educational and professional journey.

Course ID: PAP 751

Assists in the preparation of an individual portfolio that summarizes professional and personal achievements including activities, notable accomplishments, educational competencies, and outcomes achieved. Course includes periodic self-assessments including reflections upon their educational and professional journey.

Course ID: PAP 752

Assists in the preparation of an individual portfolio that summarizes professional and personal achievements including activities, notable accomplishments, educational competencies, and outcomes achieved. Course includes periodic self-assessments including reflections upon their educational and professional journey.

Course ID: PAP 640

Senior seminars address professional development topics such as licensing and credentialing, scope of practice, medical coding and billing, medical malpractice, appropriate medical communications, the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), and career pathways.

Clinical Terms

Course ID: PAP 650

The hospitalist service covered in Medicine clinical rotation includes general inpatient medical care provided at regional hospitals. Under the supervision of physicians and hospitalist mid-levels, students will participate in a wide variety of inpatient care activities, including physical examination, medical history review, diagnostic testing, and management within the limitations imposed by education and experience. Students will formally present clinical topics, attend grand rounds, participate in routine and patient handoff communications, and other clinical conferences.

Course ID: PAP 655

During the Emergency Medicine clinical rotation, students will be assigned to an emergency medicine site under the supervision of physicians and physician assistants or nurse practitioners. Students will help treat patients on an acute, outpatient basis. Depending on the location, students will also attend medical rounds and clinical conferences.

Course ID: PAP 661

The family practice and geriatrics clinical rotation will allow students to participate in a variety of outpatient, primary care related activities. Students will interact with patients of all ages as a primary care provider and with family members. Interactions include medical history review, physical examination, and diagnostic testing in preparation for therapeutic management. The team approach to medicine and the importance of continuity of care are emphasized.

Course ID: PAP 691

Working with multiple caregivers in a variety of settings, students will participate with formal interdisciplinary teams in the evaluation and treatment of neurological and musculoskeletal disabilities ranging from routine to acute or chronic diseases and injuries.

Course ID: PAP 665

Students see patients in outpatient women’s care clinics and inpatient or surgical care sites. Under supervision, students see patients for routine gynecologic care, urgent complaints, and for normal and complicated pregnancies. Students will be assigned patients for medical history review, physical examination, and diagnostic testing in preparation for a supportive role during labor and delivery or gynecological surgery. Students will also attend special clinical conferences, daily rounds, OB/GYN Grand Rounds, and participate in the discussions of diagnostic problems and management plans.

Course ID: PAP 670

The four-week elective clinical rotation allows students to choose any area of medicine or surgery such as family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, dermatology, infectious disease (including HIV positive/AIDS patients), cardiology or hematology/oncology. Students and preceptors work together to develop individual objectives based on the student’s area of interest.

Course ID: PAP 674

The four-week elective clinical rotation allows students to choose any area of medicine or surgery such as family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, dermatology, infectious disease (including HIV positive/AIDS patients), cardiology or hematology/oncology. Students and preceptors work together to develop individual objectives based on the student’s area of interest.

Course ID: PAP 675

Students on the Pediatrics clinical rotation will be assigned to private practice offices, community-based care centers, or hospital-based facilities where they will participate in the care of pediatric patients under supervision of a board-certified pediatrician.

Course ID: PAP 680

Students will work with psychiatrists within the Albany Med Health System’s consultation liaison psychiatric service. Students will perform in-depth psychological interviews and interact with family members to assess the nature of a patient’s psychological burden.

Course ID: PAP 685

Students will be assigned to a surgical service where they will participate in a wide variety of surgical activities under physician supervision. Students are involved in a variety of major and minor surgical procedures; attend daily rounds and special clinical conferences; and participate in pre-operative, intra-operative, and postsurgical care.

Course ID: PAP 690

Students will participate in a variety of activities related to clinical orthopedics, physical medicine, and rehabilitation. Students will be assigned patients for medical history review, physical examination with emphasis on joints and spine, and diagnostic testing, in preparation for a supportive role during surgical management of orthopedic procedures or physical rehabilitation.

Course ID: PAP 697

The Community Practice Preceptorship clinical rotation will consolidate the roles and functions that PAs may assume in outpatient health care delivery and is the last rotation of the clinical phase for primary care. Students must complete this rotation as part of these areas of practice: family practice, internal medicine, pediatric, women’s health, urgent care, or emergency medicine.

Exams

Students complete a comprehensive, multiple-choice examination prepared by the faculty as a graduation requirement.

Students complete a series of encounters with simulated patients and other care-giving exercises as prepared by the faculty. The Clinical Competency Exam is a graduation requirement.