Students entering Christian Brothers University who wish to pursue a career in a health related area may be interested in the opportunity to apply for entry into the MSPAS program after the conclusion of their third year of undergraduate studies. To be eligible to apply, certain courses must be completed. The paradigm below shows a normal three year schedule for taking these courses. This paradigm is similar to the paradigms for Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Science, Chemistry or Natural Science majors, and a degree in any of these majors can be pursued if early entry into the MSPAS program is not obtained. Upon successful completion of the MSPAS program, the student earns a joint B.S. in Natural Science and an MSPAS degree. Students wishing to pursue the joint B.S. in Natural Sciences/MSPAS degree must meet the following criteria:
Prior to admission into the remainder of the PA pathway the student must successfully complete an interview designed to determine the suitability of the candidate to continue to pursue the joint degree. Upon recommendation by the Admissions Committee, students will enter the summer term of the pre-PA pathway curriculum which consists of a six hour course entitled PAS 400, Introductory Clerkship I. This course consists of practical experience precepted by a certified Physician Assistant in a clinical setting. It includes shadowing experiences, specific assignments and weekly meetings with a PA faculty advisor. The purpose of the meetings would be to assess prior week’s activities and assignments, basic clinical observatory skills, critical thinking skills and level of maturity. Upon successful completion of PAS 400, the student would formally apply to the MSPAS Program and be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. The student would not be required to take the GRE as part of the application process but would do so for data analysis for the program. In addition they will complete a personal statement, interview and background check. If denied admission into the fourth year of the joint B.S./MAPAS curriculum, students would return to the Natural Sciences curricular paradigm for completion of the baccalaureate degree. The first four years of the joint B.S./MSPAS curriculum consists of the following:
| FRESHMAN YEAR SEMESTER I | FRESHMAN YEAR SEMESTER II | ||
| Biol 111 & 111L Prin. of Biology I & lab |
4 | Biol 112 & 112L Prin. of Biology II & lab |
4 |
| Chem 113 & 113L Prin. of Chem I & lab |
4 | Chem 114 & 114L Prin. of Chem II & lab |
4 |
| Eng 111 English Composition I |
3 | Eng 112 English Composition II |
3 |
| Math 117 PreCalc or Math 131 Calc I |
3 | Math 131 Calc I or Math 201 Applied Stats |
3 |
| Orin 100 Orientation |
0 | ||
| TOTAL | 14 |
TOTAL | 14 |
| SOPHOMORE YEAR SEMESTER I | SOPHOMORE YEAR SEMESTER II | ||
| Biol 217 & 217L Anatomy & Physiology I & lab |
4 | Biol 218 & 218L Anatomy & Physiology II & lab |
4 |
| Chem 211 & 211L Organic Chem I & Lab |
4 | Chem 212 & 212L Organic Chem II & Lab |
4 |
| Phys 201 & 201L Intro to Physics I & Lab |
4 | Phys 202 & 202L Intro to Physics II & Lab |
4 |
| Literature Elective | 3 | Elective or Math 201 Applied Stats |
3 |
| TOTAL |
15 | TOTAL | 15 |
| JUNIOR YEAR SEMESTER I | JUNIOR YEAR SEMESTER II | ||
| Biol 311 & 311L Genetics & Lab |
4 | Biol 362 Biology Seminar |
1 |
| Chem 315 & 315L Biochem I & Lab |
4 | Biol 321 & 321L Microbiology & Lab |
4 |
| Psyc 105 General Psychology |
3 | Chem 316 Biochem II |
3 |
| Religious Studies (200 level) | 3 | Religious Studies (300 level) |
3 |
| Spanish 101 | 3 | Spanish 102 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 17 | TOTAL | 14 |
| SUMMER SEMESTERS I & II | |||
| PAS 400 ** Introductory Clerkship I |
6 | ||
| FALL SEMESTER SENIOR YEAR | |||
| PAS 401 *** Introductory Clerkship II |
6 | ||
| PAS 402 **** Introduction to Health Professions |
2 | ||
| Biol 213 ***** Medical & Scientific Terminology |
1 | ||
| Moral Values and Ethics Elective | 3 | ||
| Social Science Elective | 3 | ||
| TOTAL | 15 |
*Upon successful completion of the spring semester of the MSPAS curriculum, the students will have attained a total of 127 credit hours and meet the requirements for the baccalaureate degree in Natural Sciences.
**In Clinical Clerkship I students will be assigned to shadow a practicing PA to develop greater insight into the role and practice of the Physician Assistant. Students will have set assignments that would be evaluated for the development of critical thinking skills required for education and practice.
***Introductory Clerkship II: A continuation of PAS 400.to the previous course wherein students will be assigned to shadow a practicing PA to develop greater insight into the role and practice of a Physician Assistant. They will continue to have set assignments that would be presented to the Course Instructor and evaluated for the development of critical thinking skills necessary for that of a PA. (6 semester hours)
****Health Professions Introduction: This will be a course that will introduce the undergraduate PA student to a variety of health and allied health professions and particularly how each inter-relates. It will build upon the exposure the student has experienced in the Introducotyr Clerkship I. (2 semester hours)
*****If course not available during fall term, PAS 403 Medical Terminology for the Physician Assistant will be developed.