The PA Medicine Program at University of Lynchburg is a professional degree program intended to prepare students academically and professionally for responsibilities and services as a PA. This entry level master’s degree program consists of 101 credit hours divided into three phases that span 27 consecutive months.
The Didactic Phase represents the preclinical year that spans 12 months. Students will attend classes Monday through Friday. A typical class day will begin at 8 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. Some Saturday instruction may also be required. The Didactic Phase will emphasize critical thinking skills and problem-based learning to build a foundation of medical knowledge. Opportunities for education outside the classroom will include student involvement in local community clinics to improve patient communication skills and facilitate expansion of differential diagnoses. Students will prepare for the Clinical Phase through hands-on experience in the program’s Simulation Lab as well as the Central Virginia Center for Simulation and Learning.
The Clinical Phase represents the clinical year and consists of 14 months of supervised clinical education and coursework. This phase will include instruction for Advanced Clinical Procedures during the first month followed by Clinical Rotations. Clinical Rotations are designed to provide medical experience and patient exposure and are referred to as Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPE). These experiences form the basis of the clinical and socialization processes for adaptation to the roles and functions of a PA. Students will also engage master’s research in this phase. The University of Lynchburg PA Medicine program has signed affiliation agreements with regional health care facilities including Centra. These agreements will enable our students to gain clinical experience through hospitals, clinics and other practices throughout the region. The program is also intently engaged in developing opportunities for international rotations through existing relationships with University of Lynchburg.
The Summative Phase is 1 month in duration and represents the final stage of the program. Students will complete the master’s research in this phase. The Summative Phase will include a cumulative medical knowledge exam and a cumulative practical skills exam. Students will also engage in preparation for the PANCE exam. This phase includes instruction for creating a Curriculum Vitae and preparation for job interviews.
Students will enroll as a cohort and complete each semester sequentially. Due to the sequential nature of the curriculum, students must successfully pass all courses for a given semester before becoming eligible to take courses in the subsequent semester. Advanced placement will not be granted under any circumstances. All students who are granted admission to the program must fulfill all program requirements.
Program Requirements
Total: 101 credits
Course and Scheduling Resources
- Academic Calendar: Familiarize yourself with our fall, spring, and summer sessions.
- Course Offerings: Search course offerings by term, department, instructor, and more.
- Graduate Catalog: Find additional course descriptions, academic regulations, and more.
- Graduate Course Descriptions: View course descriptions and prerequisites.
Additional Resources
- Alton L. Wilmer Writing Center
- Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources (CADR)
- Center for Global Education
- Knight-Capron Library
- Registrar’s Office
