The Larkin University Physician Assistant Program is a full-time, intensive and rigorous educational program that spans over 28 months for a total of 128 semester hours and awards a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree. The program prepares students by integrating 15 months of classroom instructions followed by 12 months of supervised clinical practice experiences providing them with a solid foundation. This instruction is provided to the students from highly competent faculty who are experts in their respected field, state of the art simulation laboratory, and technology. The curriculum integrates problem-based learning in classroom instruction and clinical scenarios that enhance their clinical reasoning and prepares them to enter the medical field. Upon graduation, the student will have the knowledge and clinical skills required to practice medicine in urban, rural and underserved areas under the supervision of a licensed physician.

The Larkin PA Program is comprised of a Didactic phase and a Clinical phase.

• The didactic phase is divided into 4 semesters (15 months) of classroom, laboratory instructions in medical sciences and clinical skills. The instruction is conducted primarily on campus. Students are also afforded the opportunity to have limited patient interaction during their physical diagnosis lab where they are taken in small groups to a local community clinic to learn history taking skills.
• The clinical Phase of 12 months duration is divided into six 5 weeks rotation, one 10 weeks family medicine rotation and two elective rotations. The supervised clinical rotations are conducted in various medical settings including Hospitals, community centers, provide specialty medical offices, urgent care, ambulatory care centers, and long-term care facilities.

At the conclusion of the program, students complete and present their capstone project that integrates research, evidence-based practice and clinical experience. A final summative evaluation attests and certifies the students’ competencies for graduation and eligibility to sit for the national certification examination.

For complete listing of courses and course descriptions, see Larkin University Catalog.