Enrolled Students

Program Curriculum

The program offers a campus and a distance-based professional program consisting of didactic and clinical education. For campus-based students instruction occurs primarily in the classroom during the first fifteen months with some clinical learning experiences. Distance-based students receive instruction on a part-time basis over twenty-seven months of didactic study and clinical instruction in the student's home community through distance modalities. The clinical component for both campus and distance-based students consists of nine months of full-time community-based clinical instruction. Clinical instruction takes place during four eight-week preceptorships, one in internal medicine, one in surgery and two in primary care. One of the preceptorships must include a minimum four week experience in a medically underserved or culturally diverse area.

According to the PA Program Advanced Placement Policy, no advanced placement will be granted for matriculating students and all PA professional coursework must be completed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Transfer students are not accepted into the program with advanced placement, but must follow the standard admissions processes and must complete all professional program coursework at UW-Madison.

Students enrolled in the professional program should plan for a rigorous curriculum with significant time commitments. Employment while enrolled in the professional program is strongly discouraged. No PA student is required nor are they eligible for employment in the PA Program.

Click here to view our Program's Graduate Competencies and Goals

Campus Track Degree Plan

FIRST YEAR

Summer I (8 credits)
Anatomy 429
PA 419. History and Physical Examination for Physician Assistants.

Fall Semester (16 credits)
Pharmacy Practice 440
Pharmacology 401
Medical Microbiology 504
PA 348. Theories and Practice in Emergency Care
PA 400. Clinical Medicine for Physician Assistants I.
PA 420. Advanced Patient Evaluation in the Primary Care Setting I.
PA 430. Obstetrics and Gynecology for Physician Assistants.

Spring Semester (14 credits)
Pharmacy Practice 441
PA 401 Clinical Medicine for Physician Assistants II.
PA 416. Issues in Professional Practice for Physician Assistants.
PA 421. Advanced Patient Evaluation in the Primary Care Setting II.
PA 440. Laboratory Medicine for Physician Assistants.
PA 448. A Team Approach to Emergency Care.

SECOND YEAR

Summer Session II (5 credits)
PA 402-403 Pediatrics for Physician Assistants
PA 422. Field Experience in Patient Assessment.
PA 470. Surgical Principles and Procedures.

Fall and Spring Semesters (16 credits each)
PA 629 Surgery Preceptorship
PA 639 Primary Care Preceptorship I
PA 639 Primary Care Preceptorship II
PA 649 Internal Medicine Preceptorship

Distance Track Degree Plan

YEAR ONE

Summer I (in residence)

• Anatomy 429: Human Anatomy Laboratory
• PA 419: History & Physical Examination

Fall I

• MM 504: Infectious Disease of Human Beings
• Pharm 401: Survey of Pharmacology
• PA 430: Obstetrics and Gynecology for Physician Assistants
• PA 348: Theories & Practice in Emergency Care

Spring I

• PA 421: Advanced Patient Evaluation in Primary Care Setting II
• PA 448: A Team Approach to Emergency Care
• PA 416: Issues in Professional Practice for Physician Assistants

YEAR TWO

Summer II

• PA 470: Surgical Principles and Procedures
• PA 402: Pediatrics for Physician Assistants I
• PA 403: Pediatrics for Physician Assistants II

Fall II

• PA 400: Clinical Medicine for Physician Assistants
• PA 420: Advanced Patient Evaluation in the Primary Care Setting I
• Pharm 440: Therapeutics for Physician Assistants I

Spring II

• PA 401: Clinical Medicine for Physician Assistants II
• PA 440: Laboratory Medicine for Physician Assistants
• Pharm 441 Therapeutics for Physician Assistants II

YEAR THREE

Summer III

• PA 422: Field Experience in Patient Assessment

Fall III - Spring III

• Preceptorships: The senior year consists of 4 eight-week preceptorships, each worth 8 credits. Preceptorships are intensive clinical learning experiences under the direction of physician preceptors at off campus clinical settings. Each rotation requires 1-3 days on campus three times a semester for a total of 6 days.
• PA 629: Surgery Rotation
• PA 649: Internal Medicine Rotation
• PA 639: Primary Care Rotations (students take 2 Primary Care rotations).

Professional Curriculum Detailed

Anatomy 429. Human Anatomy Laboratory for Physician Assistants. 5 cr. Prosected specimens and some supervised dissection of human cadavers. P: Admission to PA professional program.

PA 419. History and Physical Examination for Physician Assistants. 3 cr. Designed to provide primary care physician assistants with the knowledge and physical exam skills to evaluate patients in a variety of settings. Normal and pathological physical findings are discussed. Students master interview skills and physical exam skills applicable to all patients. Selected physical exam techniques are emphasized. P: PA-3 or PA-4; or consent of instructor.

Pharmacy Practice 440. Therapeutics for Physician Assistants. 1 cr. Therapeutic and drug product selection, including issues of efficacy, potential toxicities, compliance, monitoring parameters, drug interactions, and cost. The focus of the course will be on chronic disease management, treatment of acute minor illness, and symptomatic therapies. P: Junior standing in PA Program.

Pharmacology 401. Survey of Pharmacology. 3 cr. Pharmacological and toxicological actions and therapeutic use of important drugs. P: Physiology 335; Biochemistry 201, 501, or Biomolecular Chemistry 314.

Medical Microbiology 504. Infectious Diseases of Human Beings. 3 cr. Pathogenesis, clinical descriptions, and prevention. Primarily for Physician Assistant, Pharmacy, and Nursing students. P: A course in Microbiology. Not for Med Micro Majors.

PA 348. Theories and Practice in Emergency Care. 1 cr. Knowledge and assessment skills needed to evaluate and initiate care for acutely ill and/or injured persons. P: Junior standing in PA Program or consent of instructor.

PA 400. Clinical Medicine for Physician Assistants I. 5 cr. Clinical medicine modules in psychiatry, hematology, ophthalmology, ENT, endocrinology, dermatology, prevention, and geriatrics. Pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, differential diagnosis, prevention, and management. Lectures by Medical School faculty, program staff, community physicians and physician assistants. Case studies utilized for development of clinical problem solving skills. P: Junior standing in PA Program or consent of the instructor.

PA 420. Advanced Patient Evaluation in the Primary Care Setting I. 1 cr. Advanced physical examination and patient evaluation techniques with an emphasis on the musculoskeletal system: selected physical exam procedures in the complete evaluation of patients: advanced medical interviewing skills. P: PA 419.

PA 430. Obstetrics and Gynecology for Physician Assistants. 2 cr. Presents the fundamentals of pre/postnatal care, normal/abnormal labor and delivery, and gynecological problems encountered in primary care. P: Junior standing in PA Program.

Pharmacy Practice 441. Therapeutics for Physician Assistants. 1 cr. Therapeutic and drug product selection, including issues of efficacy, potential toxicities, compliance, monitoring parameters, drug interactions, and cost. The focus of the course will be on chronic disease management, treatment of acute minor illness, and symptomatic therapies. P: Junior standing in PA Program.

PA 401. Clinical Medicine for Physician Assistants II. 5 cr. Continuation of 400. Clinical medicine modules in pulmonary medicine, cardiology, gastroenterology, nephrology, neurology, rheumatology, allergy and immunology. Pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, differential diagnosis, prevention and management. Lectures by Medical School faculty, program staff, and community physicians and physician assistants. Case Studies utilized for the development of clinical problem solving skills. P: Junior standing in PA program, Pharm D. majors.

PA 416. Issues in Professional Practice for Physician Assistants. 1 cr. Introduction to issues related to the physician assistant profession. Emphasis on developing an understanding of health care systems and the role of the physician assistant. P: Junior standing in the PA Program.

PA 421. Advanced Patient Evaluation in the Primary Care Setting II. 2 cr. Advanced physical examination and patient evaluation techniques; regional physical examinations; radiology; advanced evaluation of heart sounds. P: PA 420.

PA 440. Laboratory Medicine for Physician Assistants. 2 cr. Emphasizes the utilization of laboratory methods for the diagnosis and treatment of disease. The content focuses on those aspects pertinent to the provision of ambulatory, primary care. P: Junior standing in PA Program or consent of instructor.

PA 448. A Team Approach to Emergency Care. 3 cr. Concepts and skills related to the provision of emergency medical care and urgent ambulatory care.Includes laboratory in emergency medicine clinical skills: splinting, casting, suturing, venipuncture, injections, BLS and introduction to ACLS.P: Junior standing in PA Program or consent of instructor.

PA 402-403 Pediatrics for Physician Assistants. 2cr. An introductory pediatrics course which covers problems encountered in the general pediatric population and reinforces basic primary care clinical principles. P: Junior standing in PA Program or consent of instructor.

PA 422. Field Experience in Patient Assessment. 2 cr. Clinical experience in the evaluation of hospitalized medical and surgical patients. Students participate in team activities related to patient care. Refinement of skills in patient evaluation and case presentations to faculty and other students. P: PA 421.

The senior year of the Physician Assistant Program consists of four eight-week preceptorships. Preceptorships are intensive clinical learning experiences under the direction of physician preceptors at a variety of off-campus clinical settings.

Each student must take one rotation each in PA 629 Surgery and PA 649 Internal Medicine and two rotations in PA 639 Primary Care. These rotations include a minimum four-week experience in a medically underserved or culturally diverse area. The major consideration while assigning students to preceptorship sites is to provide the best clinical learning experience. Preference for specific facilities and geographical locations cannot be guaranteed. Students are not required to supply their own preceptors or clinical training sites.

PA 516. Contemporary Professional Issues-Physician Assistant. 1 cr. A course for senior physician assistant students that provides information about certification and registration, employment, economics, professional organizations and political/legislative topics. P: Senior standing in the PA Program.

Important Policies

APPEALS AND GRIEVANCES

Students who believe they have been treated unfairly have a right to a prompt hearing of the grievance.  Many grievances are resolved informally and students  may receive satisfaction while speaking with the person at whom the grievance is directed.  If the problem is not resolved at the individual level, and the grievance is directed at someone outside the health professions program in which the student is enrolled, the student should take the matter to the appropriate department chair. If the matter is still unresolved, the student may obtain advice about filing further appeals from the dean’s office for that department.  Depending on the nature of the grievance, students may wish to consult the Office of Equity and Diversity (Room 75, Bascom Hall, 608-263-5700 or http://www.oed.wisc.edu/) for assistance.

Procedures for students who have a grievance within one of the Health Professions Programs in the School of Medicine and Public Health:

Discuss the grievance with the person at whom the grievance is directed.  If the matter is not resolved to your satisfaction, make an appointment with the program director to discuss the issue.  The program director will present your grievance to the program faculty for discussion and possible resolution.  You will be informed in writing of the faculty decision regarding your grievance.  If you are not satisfied with the faculty decision, you may appeal to the Appeals Committee.  You may schedule a pre-appeal conference with the Assistant Dean for Student Services, RM 1140 Medical Sciences Center, (608/263-6800), for information about filing an appeal or to obtain printed information.  All Appeals Committee decisions are reviewed by the Dean of the School of Medicine and Public Health and are the final level of appeal within the School.

RETENTION POLICY

Effective fall 2000, the PA program reviews the progress, and makes decisions for promotion, for all professional students each semester.  Advancement to the next level of training is dependent upon satisfactory academic and clinical progress, and professional conduct, as determined by the faculty.  Students who do not earn a grade of C or better in all courses or do not meet other requirements and standards of the professional program may, at the discretion of the faculty, be placed on probation, required to complete additional requirements or course work, or be dismissed from the program.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE POLICY

Students who find it necessary to withdraw from the professional program and wish to request a leave of absence must submit a written request to the program director. A leave of absence may be granted at the discretion of the faculty within the following guidelines:

1. The student is in good standing (C or better in ALL professional coursework)
2. Completion of at least one semester
3. Leave of absence will not exceed one year.
4. Reentry requirements will be determined by the program faculty and may include repeating courses. Permission to reenter will be granted on a space-available and case by case basis.

UW-MADISON STUDENT ENROLLMENT INFORMATION (Including policies and procedures for student withdrawal)

Click here: http://registrar.em.wisc.edu/students/reg_enrlmnt/

Scholarships

PA Student Scholarships/Grants

The following scholarships are only for students enrolled in the UW-Madison Physician Assistant professional program and may change annually. Scholarships, grants and other forms of financial assistance offered through the university may be found at the UW-Madison Office of Student Financial Services.

I. Physician Assistant Program / Medical School Scholarships

The amounts of the following scholarships vary and will be awarded for the second semester of the second year of the professional program. Applications are available in room 1130 of the Medical Sciences Center or by calling (608) 263-6800 and are due in late October.

A. University League Scholarship

B. Chicago Alumnae Scholarship

C. Fannie P. Lewis Scholarship (2 awarded)

D. Jesse L. Shephard Scholarship

1. Must be enrolled full time in the senior (second) year of the professional program.
2. Must have at least a 3.0 grade point average.
3. Must demonstrate financial need for some scholarships.

E. Andy Stolper Memorial Scholarship

1. $250 awarded to a senior student in the professional program.
2. Applications available in July from the PA Program; scholarship awarded in August.
3. Potential recipients will ideally share some of Andy's attributes, including an enthusiasm for learning, interest in teaching, positive attitude, persistence in pursuit of goals, ability to overcome obstacles and commitment to community service.

II. Wisconsin Academy of Physician Assistants Foundation (WAPA Foundation)

Information on the following scholarships is available on the Wisconsin Academy of Physician Assistant website. All scholarships and awards from WAPA Foundation are available only to student members of the Wisconsin Academy of Physician Assistants.

A. Ben Lawton Scholarship

1. $1000 awarded to a student in the professional program after completion of the junior first year.
2. Award based on financial need, academic excellence, service, and commitment to provide health care to medically underserved populations.
3. Awarded at the annual Fall WAPA meeting.

B. Astra-Zeneca Leadership Award

1. $1000 awarded to a second year student in the professional program.
2. Award based on leadership in the community, the profession, and class.
3. Awarded at the annual Fall WAPA meeting.

C. Francis Lorenz, MD Scholarship

1. $500 awarded to a student in the second year of the professional program.
2. Award based on highest GPA in the professional program.
3. Awarded at the WAPA annual Spring meeting.

D. Preceptor Scholarship

1. $500 award available to second year students.
2. Intended to promote unique clinical experiences that the student might not have considered because of financial constraints.
3. The ideal setting would be in a medically underserved area or with an underserved population, but other unique experiences may be considered.

III. Other Scholarships/Traineeships/Grants

A. Physician Assistant Foundation (PAF) Scholarship Program. Further information on all scholarship and grant opportunities through the American Academy of Physician Assistant.

1. Awards start at $1000.
2. Applications are due by January 15.
3. Applicants are notified by the end of March and scholarship funds are distributed in May.

B. National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program.

1. Provides payment of tuition and fees, payment toward books, supplies, and equipment, and a monthly stipend.
2. For each year of support, recipients will serve one year in a health professional shortage area with a minimum service obligation of two years.
3. Contact NHSC Scholarship Programs Branch, 4350 East West Highway, 10th Floor, Bethesda, MD 20814. Phone: (301) 594-4985. Locally you may contact the Wisconsin Division of Public Health
   1 W. Wilson St. Rm 218, PO Box 2659
   Madison, WI 53701
   (608) 264-6528
   
4. Applications are usually due in March. Contact the above offices for current information.

Classes of 2010 & 2011

International Opportunities

Students enrolled at the UW Madison PA Program may participate in an expanding variety of opportunities in international health. The university's health profession's programs have recently formed an Office of Global Health Programs for coordination of health experiences available at UW-Madison. Information on these opportunities may be found at http://www.pophealth.wisc.edu/gh/.

As a founding partner of the Office of Global Health, the UW-Madison PA Program has an international preceptorship opportunity available each year to students who would like to travel to Belize and provide medical care to the inhabitants of the country's rainforest region. Traditionally available during the month of March for second year students, this opportunity provides a community health experience in a culturally diverse environment. The experience includes staffing a clinic in an East Indian township near the Garifuna city of Punta Gorda and mobile medical care to surrounding Mayan villages. Further information about the Belize experience is available from the following links:
International Student Preceptorship Opportunity in Belize