Curriculum & Clinical Education
Contact Us
The University of Texas at Tyler – Longview University Center
Physician Assistant Studies Program
3201 N. Eastman Road
Longview, TX 75605
Office Hours:
Mon. – Fri. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
800 UT TYLER
Ph: 903.663.8100
Fx: 903.663.8104
UTTylerPhysicianAssistantProgram@uttyler.edu
The UT Tyler Physician Assistant Studies program curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for entry-level clinical practice through an integrated combination of classroom instruction, laboratory experiences, simulation, evidence-based learning, professional development, and supervised clinical education. Students progress through a structured 123-credit curriculum that builds foundational medical knowledge, develops clinical reasoning and technical skills, and culminates in required and elective clinical experiences.
Curriculum at a Glance
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
|---|---|---|
| 56 Credits | 51 Credits | 16 Credits |
| Didactic / Preclinical Phase | Clinical Phase | Clinical / Research Phase |
| Degree | Total Credits | Semesters | First Cohort |
|---|---|---|---|
| MPAS | 123 | 7 | September 2027* |
Curriculum Plan and Course Sequence
The didactic phase establishes the foundational biomedical, clinical, behavioral, research, and professional knowledge required before students enter supervised clinical practice. Instruction is reinforced through laboratory experiences, technical-skills training, evidence-based medicine, and integrated clinical reasoning.
Semester 1 - 17 Credits
| Course Number | Course Title | SCH |
|---|---|---|
| PHAS 5511 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 5 |
| PHAS 5420 | Basic Clinical-Technical Skills I | 4 |
| PHAS 5410 | Pathophysiology | 4 |
| PHAS 5401 | Mechanism of Disease I | 4 |
| Semester Total | 17 | |
Semester 2 - 19 Credits
| Course Number | Course Title | SCH |
|---|---|---|
| PHAS 5502 | Mechanism of Disease II | 5 |
| PHAS 5330 | Pharmacology & Therapeutics I | 3 |
| PHAS 5221 | Basic Clinical-Technical Skills II | 2 |
| PHAS 5340 | Concepts of Behavioral Health | 3 |
| PHAS 5412 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| PHAS 5250 | Evidence-Based Medicine & Research I | 2 |
| Semester Total | 19 | |
Semester 3 - 20 Credits
| Course Number | Course Title | SCH |
|---|---|---|
| PHAS 5303 | Mechanism of DIsease III | 3 |
| PHAS 5331 | Pharmacology & Therapeutics II | 3 |
| PHAS 5222 | Advanced Clinical-Technical Skills I | 2 |
| PHAS 5313 | Human Anatomy & Physiology III | 3 |
| PHAS 5251 | Evidence-Based Medicine & Research II | 2 |
| PHAS 5370 | Surgery & Emergency Medicine | 3 |
| PHAS 5290 | Pediatrics / Gerontology | 2 |
| PHAS 5260 | Social, Cultural, Behavioral Determinants of Health | 2 |
| Semester Total | 20 | |
Semester 4 - 17 Credits
| Course Number | Course Title | SCH |
|---|---|---|
| PHAS 5801 | Family Medicine | 8 |
| PHAS 5802 | Internal Medicine | 8 |
| PHAS 5123 | Advanced Clinical-Technical Skills II | 1 |
| Semester Total | 17 | |
Semester 5 - 17 Credits
| Course Number | Course Title | SCH |
|---|---|---|
| PHAS 5804 | General Surgery | 8 |
| PHAS 5805 | Emergency Medicine | 8 |
| PHAS 5124 | Advanced Clinical-Technical Skills III | 1 |
| Semester Total | 17 | |
Semester 6 - 17 Credits
| Course Number | Course Title | SCH |
|---|---|---|
| PHAS 5403 | Pediatrics | 4 |
| PHAS 5406 | Obstetrics & Gynecology | 4 |
| PHAS 5407 | Psychiatry | 4 |
| PHAS 5415 | Community Health | 4 |
| PHAS 5125 | Advanced Clinical-Technical Skills IV | 1 |
| Semester Total | 17 | |
Semester 7 - 16 Credits
| Course Number | Course Title | SCH |
|---|---|---|
| PHAS 5408 | Elective Rotation I | 4 |
| PHAS 5409 | Elective Rotation II | 4 |
| PHAS 5314 | Quality and Safety in Health Care & Professional Practice | 3 |
| PHAS 5230 | PA Professional Practice and Ethics | 2 |
| PHAS 5315 | Capstone | 3 |
| Semester Total | 16 | |
Total Program Credit: Master of Physician Assistant Studies curriculum includes 123 semester credit hours across the didactic, clinical, and clinical/research phases.
Building the Foundation for Clinical Practice
The didactic curriculum prepares students to integrate biomedical science, clinical medicine, patient assessment, pharmacology, evidence-based practice, behavioral health, technical skills, and professional responsibilities. Courses are intentionally sequenced so that students build on prior learning as they develop the knowledge and judgment required for supervised clinical practice.
Major Didactic Content Areas
- Human anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology
- Mechanisms of disease
- Pharmacology and therapeutics
- Basic and advanced clinical-technical skills
- Behavioral health and psychiatry concepts
- Evidence-based medicine and research
- Surgery and emergency medicine
- Pediatrics and gerontology
- Social, cultural, and behavioral determinants of health
- Clinical reasoning, patient assessment, communication, and professionalism
Clinical education is an essential component of the UT Tyler Physician Assistant Studies Program. Following successful completion of required didactic coursework and progression requirements, students participate in supervised clinical practice experiences with qualified preceptors. These experiences are designed to help students apply medical knowledge, strengthen clinical reasoning, develop patient-care skills, and demonstrate professional behaviors across healthcare settings.
Student placement responsibility: Students are not required to provide or solicit clinical sites or preceptors. The PA Program is responsible for securing and coordinating the clinical experiences necessary for students to meet program learning outcomes.
Required Rotation Disciplines
- Family Medicine
- Internal Medicine
- General Surgery
- Emergency Medicine
- Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Pediatrics
- Psychiatry
- Community Health
Clinical Learning Environments
- Outpatient clinics and ambulatory practices
- Inpatient hospital settings
- Emergency departments
- Operating rooms and surgical services
- Community health and rural healthcare settings
- Specialty and subspecialty practices, as appropriate
Elective Clinical Experiences
Elective Rotation I and Elective Rotation II provide opportunities for students to broaden their clinical exposure, explore areas of professional interest, and deepen knowledge in selected specialties, subject to program approval and site availability.
Our Clinical Training Network
The UT Tyler Physician Assistant Program partners with healthcare organizations and qualified clinical preceptors to provide supervised clinical experiences across East Texas and other approved regions. Clinical sites may include hospitals, outpatient clinics, specialty practices, community health organizations, and rural healthcare settings.
Disclosure: Clinical site availability and student assignments may vary by cohort, rotation discipline, preceptor availability, and program needs. Publication of a site does not guarantee assignment of every student to that location.
Preceptor Site Listing
| Clinical Partner / Site |
|---|
| Azalea Orthopedics (OrthoLoneStar) |
| UT Health East Texas |
| Longview Wellness Center (Point) |
| Longview Regional Medical Center |
Help educate the next generation of physician assistants.
The UT Tyler Physician Assistant Studies Program welcomes qualified physicians, physician assistants, and other licensed healthcare professionals who are interested in serving as clinical preceptors. Preceptors play a vital role in developing students clinical knowledge, patient-care skills, professional judgment, and commitment to high-quality healthcare.
Interested clinicians may submit a Preceptor Interest Form to share information about their professional background, clinical setting, specialty, and availability. A member of the PA Program's clinical education team will follow up regarding potential partnership opportunities.