Program Overview

Curriculum Approach

This 24-month program engages students through an innovative systems-organized curriculum that employs large and small group discussion, hands-on clinical skills labs, simulated patient experiences, lecture and patient scenario discussions. Over the course of the academic year, the patient scenarios and simulated patient experiences will increase in complexity. These will culminate in an Advanced Clinical Reasoning course in the fall that builds on existing learner-centered models by guiding students to reapply knowledge and build towards satisfaction of program competencies (graduation outcomes).

The required Master’s Project supports and promotes professional development in the area of accessing, critically appraising and applying the best available evidence to address a research, patient care or policy question relevant to Physician Assistant practice or education. The clinical education phase consists of seven required rotations (Adult Primary Care, Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine, Inpatient Medicine, General Surgery, Women’s Health and Behavioral Medicine) and one elective. Clinical sites are located throughout the central area of North Carolina.

Program Information

  • Full-time 24-month program that enrolls each January
  • 113.5 credits must be successfully completed in order to graduate
  • Candidates must have an earned baccalaureate degree and have successfully completed all the prerequisite courses and admission requirements. Learn more about the Minimum Admission Requirements.

Mission

The Elon University Department of Physician Assistant Studies embraces the overall mission of the University and seeks to fulfill the Departmental vision of “Learning. Caring. Serving. Leading.” by acting upon these commitments:

Learning:

We foster a supportive, collaborative, and collegial community that engages students in a learner-centered environment, appropriately challenges them to capably demonstrate clinical competence, and supports professional development of students and faculty.

Caring:

To thrive as healthcare providers, we promote the well-being and resilience of students, faculty, and staff. We promote dialogue on personal and cultural attributes and are accepting of different values, beliefs, and perspectives as a valuable addition to our learning community.

We advance patient care by recognizing that our first responsibility is to our patients as we produce graduates who possess and demonstrate knowledge for clinical practice, clinical and technical skills for patient-centered care, interpersonal communication skills, critical reasoning and problem-solving skills, and professional behaviors for success and lifelong learning.

We embrace the healthcare team approach and believe interprofessional, patient-centered care is achieved through collaboration across health professions and integration of patient or family preferences with the best available healthcare practices.

Serving:

We encourage the development of engaged minds, inspired leaders, and global citizens through the investment of our talents and skills toward the betterment of communities locally and around the globe through connection and service.

Leading:

We are dedicated to the advancement of the PA profession and our communities as we continually seek to develop as professionals, equipped to rise to the needs of the evolving healthcare workforce. We seek to lead change within PA education and professional practice that improves patient care, addresses health equity, and adapts to meet the needs of the ever-changing healthcare environment.