Academics
The Department of Physician Assistant Studies is the sole Physician Assistant Program in the state of Minnesota. The Program's mission is to educate generalist physician assistants oriented toward service to underserved populations, both in the rural setting and urban areas.
A physician assistant is a dependent practitioner of medicine
who practices under the supervision of a licensed physician.
The PA can practice in a multitude of settings and specialties
of medicine. Common job responsibilities including taking
patient histories, performing physical exams, ordering and
interpreting laboratory tests and radiological studies, formulating
diagnoses, and administering treatment.
In the state of Minnesota, a physician assistant is registered
with the Board of Medical Practice. In Minnesota, and most
other states, the PA must be NCCPA (National Commission on
Certification of Physician Assistants) certified and hold
a supervisory agreement with a licensed physician. Minnesota-registered
PAs have prescriptive privileges under delegatory supervision
with their physician for prescriptive medications.
The Physician Assistant Program at Augsburg is 36 months
long with studies beginning each year in the summer semester
(late May). The program accepts 28 students for each new
class.
The first 19 months of study is didactic, or classroom work,
including courses in human gross anatomy, pathophysiology,
clinical medicine, pharmacotherapy, history and physical
exam skills, research, and ethics and legal issues in medicine.
The clinical phase is 17 months in length. Each student
is required to successfully complete clinical rotations in
family medicine, pediatrics, women's health, psychiatry,
emergency medicine, internal medicine, surgery and an elective
rotation by choosing from various specialties. The clinical
phase will culminate with a 12-week preceptor ship. The majority
of established clinical rotation sites are in Minnesota in
both rural and urban locations. Graduates will receive a
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies and a PA
certificate.
The PA Profession
If you would like additional information on the Physician
Assistant profession and programs offered around the country
check out the American Academy of Physician Assistants web
page or contact them at:
American Academy of Physician Assistants
(AAPA)
950 North Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-1552
Phone: (703) 836-2272
Fax: (703) 684-1924
The Physician Assistant Education
Association (PAEA) offers an on-line version of its Directory of PA
Programs. The directory is helpful in seeking profile information on the
various programs across the country. Check out the PAEA
web page for full information.
