General Catalog - Physician Assistant Studies (PAS)

PAS 243A — Professional Practice in Healthcare 1 (2 units)

Course Description: Role of the Physician Assistant in the context of healthcare system. Physician Assistant topics in practice of healthcare delivery within interprofessional team.

Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 2 hour(s).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to graduate students in School of Nursing programs, or consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Letter.

PAS 243B — Professional Practice in Healthcare 2 (2 units)

Course Description: Current trends for Physician Assistants in U.S. healthcare system; delivery of healthcare; health outcomes; and PA profession. Specific requirements for graduate PA entering professional clinical practice.

Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 2 hour(s).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to graduate students in School of Nursing programs, or consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Letter.

PAS 250 — Foundations of Primary Health Care (8 units)

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Foundational primary health care concepts essential to the care of common medical and surgical conditions. Foundational content in anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology and clinical reasoning organized by organ system.

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 8 hour(s).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to graduate students in School of Nursing programs, or consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Letter.

PAS 250 — Foundations of Clinical Medicine (8 units)
Course Description: Foundational concepts of clinical medicine, organized by body organ system. Human anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and genomics, and the application to clinical medicine.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.
Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 8 hour(s).
Enrollment Restrictions: Open to graduate students in School of Nursing programs, or consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Letter.
This course version is effective from, and including: Winter Quarter 2026.

PAS 251A — Primary Health Care (8 units)

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Introduction to primary health care concepts essential to the care of common medical and surgical conditions. Various organ systems and specialty areas each quarter: Ophthalmology, Pulmonology, Renal, Genitourinary and Hematology/Oncology.

Prerequisite(s): PAS 250 C or better; PAS 270 C or better; PAS 400 C or better; consent of instructor.

Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 8 hour(s).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to graduate students in School of Nursing programs, or consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Letter.

PAS 251A — Principles of Clinical Medicine (8 units)
Course Description: Clinical medicine concepts focused on diagnosis and management by organ system, integrating anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology. Emphasis on common medical conditions, using lectures, case studies, and problem-based learning to develop critical thinking and clinical decision-making for safe, effective patient care.
Prerequisite(s): PAS 250 C or better; PAS 270 C or better; PAS 400 C or better; consent of instructor.
Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 8 hour(s).
Enrollment Restrictions: Open to graduate students in School of Nursing programs, or consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Letter.
This course version is effective from, and including: Winter Quarter 2026.

PAS 251B — Primary Health Care (8 units)

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Introduction to primary health care concepts essential to the care of common medical and surgical conditions. Various organ systems and specialty areas each quarter: Cardiology, Ophthalmology, GI and Endocrinology.

Prerequisite(s): PAS 251A C or better; PAS 260 C or better; PAS 271A C or better; PAS 410A C or better; or consent of Instructor.

Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 8 hour(s).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to graduate students in School of Nursing programs, or consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Letter.

PAS 251B — Principles of Clinical Medicine (8 units)
Course Description: Clinical medicine concepts focused on diagnosis and management by organ system, integrating anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology. Emphasis on common medical conditions, using lectures, case studies, and problem-based learning to develop critical thinking and clinical decision-making for safe, effective patient care.
Prerequisite(s): PAS 251A C or better; PAS 260 C or better; PAS 271A C or better; PAS 410A C or better; or consent of Instructor.
Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 8 hour(s).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to graduate students in School of Nursing programs, or consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Letter.
This course version is effective from, and including: Winter Quarter 2026.

PAS 251C — Primary Health Care (7 units)

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Introduction to primary health care concepts essential to the care of common medical and surgical conditions. Various organ systems and specialty areas each quarter: Musculoskeletal medicine, Rheumatology, Neurology and Psychiatry.

Prerequisite(s): PAS 251B C or better; PAS 271B C or better; PAS 410B C or better; consent of instructor.

Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 7 hour(s).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to graduate students in School of Nursing programs, or consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Letter.

PAS 251C — Principles of Clinical Medicine (7 units)
Course Description: Clinical medicine concepts focused on diagnosis and management by organ system, integrating anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology. Emphasis on common medical conditions, using lectures, case studies, and problem-based learning to develop critical thinking and clinical decision-making for safe, effective patient care.
Prerequisite(s): PAS 251B C or better; PAS 271B C or better; PAS 410B C or better; consent of instructor.
Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 7 hour(s).
Enrollment Restrictions: Open to graduate students in School of Nursing programs, or consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Letter.
This course version is effective from, and including: Winter Quarter 2026.

PAS 251D — Gender and Transgender Health (4 units)

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Health care concepts specific and essential to the care of men, women, and transgender populations. Unique aspects of preventive care and treatment of conditions specific to these populations.

Prerequisite(s): PAS 251B C or better; PAS 271B C or better; PAS 410B C or better; consent of instructor.

Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 4 hour(s).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to graduate students in School of Nursing programs, or consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Letter.

PAS 251D — Gender, Sexual, & Reproductive Health (4 units)
Course Description: Health care concepts related to gender, reproductive and sexual health of men, women, and transgender populations. Unique aspects of preventive care and treatment of physiologic and infectious conditions specific to these populations.
Prerequisite(s): PAS 251B C or better; PAS 271B C or better; PAS 410B C or better; consent of instructor.
Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 4 hour(s).
Enrollment Restrictions: Open to graduate students in School of Nursing programs, or consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Letter.
This course version is effective from, and including: Spring Quarter 2026.

PAS 251E — Surgery & Emergency Medicine (4 units)

Starting Winter Quarter 2026, this course is no longer offered.

Course Description: Concepts essential to the care of common urgent and emergent medical conditions, as well as chronic, urgent, and emergent surgical conditions. Epidemiology, presentation, evaluation and management of these conditions.

Prerequisite(s): PAS 251D C or better; PAS 251C C or better; PAS 271C C or better; PAS 410C C or better; consent of instructor.

Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 4 hour(s).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to graduate students in School of Nursing programs, or consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Letter.

PAS 251EF — Special Populations & Clinical Settings (8 units)

Course Description: Clinical medicine concepts for managing special populations, focusing on the life span and key concepts in the care of common urgent and emergent medical and surgical conditions.

Prerequisite(s): PAS 251C C or better; PAS 251D C or better; PAS 271C C or better; PAS 410C C or better; consent of instructor.

Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 8 hour(s).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to graduate students in School of Nursing programs, or consent of instructor.
Credit Limitation(s): Not open for students who have completed PAS 251E or PAS 251F.
Grade Mode: Letter.
This course version is effective from, and including: Winter Quarter 2026.

PAS 251F — Pediatrics & Gerontology (Special Populations) (4 units)

Starting Winter Quarter 2026, this course is no longer offered.

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Health care concepts essential to care of special populations at earliest and latest stages of life. Unique aspects of both pediatric and geriatric patients.

Prerequisite(s): PAS 410C C or better; PAS 251C C or better; PAS 271C C or better; PAS 251D C or better; consent of instructor.

Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 4 hour(s).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to graduate students in School of Nursing programs, or consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Letter.

PAS 251F — Pediatrics & Gerontology (Special Populations) (4 units)
Course Description: Health care concepts essential to care of special populations at earliest and latest stages of life. Unique aspects of both pediatric and geriatric patients.
Prerequisite(s): PAS 410C C or better; PAS 251C C or better; PAS 271C C or better; PAS 251D C or better; consent of instructor.
Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 4 hour(s).
Enrollment Restrictions: Open to graduate students in School of Nursing programs, or consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Letter.
This course version is effective from, and including: Fall Quarter 2025.

PAS 260 — Foundations of Behavioral Health (2 units)

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Spectrum of normal psychological development over the lifespan for children, adults and elders. Theories of stress and coping mechanism as a framework for the assessment of individuals.

Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 2 hour(s).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to graduate students in School of Nursing programs, or consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Letter.

PAS 260 — Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine (2 units)
Course Description: Psychiatric and behavioral health disorders, with exploration of social, personal, and cultural perspectives. Deeper understanding of mental illness complexities and effective care strategies.
Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 2 hour(s).
Enrollment Restrictions: Current enrollment in the Nursing Science & Health-Care Leadership graduate program or consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Letter.
This course version is effective from, and including: Winter Quarter 2026.

PAS 270 — Foundations of Pharmacology (3 units)

Course Description: Introduction to major concepts in foundational pharmacology including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacogenetics, and other molecular mechanisms of health and disease.

Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 3 hour(s).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to graduate students in School of Nursing programs, or consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Letter.

PAS 271A — Advanced Pharmacology (2 units)

Course Description: Pharmacology series aligned with pathophysiology and physical exam skills courses. Variable content each quarter. Different organ systems and specialty areas across the lifespan.

Prerequisite(s): PAS 270 C or better; PAS 250 C or better; PAS 400 C or better; consent of instructor.

Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 1 hour(s), Clinical Activity 3 hour(s).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to graduate students in School of Nursing programs, or consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Letter.

PAS 271B — Advanced Pharmacology (2 units)

Course Description: Pharmacology series aligned with pathophysiology and physical exam skills courses. Variable content each quarter. Different organ systems and specialty areas across the lifespan.

Prerequisite(s): PAS 271A C or better; PAS 251A C or better; PAS 410A C or better; or consent of instructor.

Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 1 hour(s), Clinical Activity 3 hour(s).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to graduate students in School of Nursing programs, or consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Letter.

PAS 271C — Advanced Pharmacology (2 units)

Course Description: Pharmacology series aligned with pathophysiology and physical exam skills courses. Variable content each quarter. Different organ systems and specialty areas across the lifespan.

Prerequisite(s): PAS 271B C or better; PAS 251B C or better; PAS 410B C or better; consent of instructor.

Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 1 hour(s), Clinical Activity 3 hour(s).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to graduate students in School of Nursing programs, or consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Letter.

PAS 299 — Research & Writing (1-4 units)

Course Description: Nursing Science and Health-Care Leadership graduate program students conduct research and writing under the supervision of a faculty member.

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

Learning Activities: Extensive Writing/Discussion 3-12 hour(s).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to Graduate Students in the Nursing Science and Health-Care Leadership Graduate Degree programs, or by consent of instructor.
Repeat Credit: May be repeated in different quarters, depending on the length of their program of study to complete their Master's Degree.
Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.

PAS 400 — Basic Clinical Skills (5 units)

Course Description: Fundamental clinical skills for patient care. Principles of effective communication in establishing the therapeutic provider-patient relationship.

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

Learning Activities: Lecture/Lab 5 hour(s).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to graduate students in School of Nursing programs, or consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Letter.

PAS 401 — Basic Clinical Skills (1-4 units)

Starting Winter Quarter 2026, this course is no longer offered.

Course Description: Continuation of focus on history taking and physical examination skills with advanced/specialized content.

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 1-4 hour(s).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to graduate students in School of Nursing programs, or consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Letter.

PAS 410A — Advanced Clinical Skills (4 units)

Course Description: History taking and physical examination skills with advanced/specialized content. Organ system focus varies by quarter.

Prerequisite(s): PAS 400 C or better; PAS 250 C or better; PAS 270 C or better; consent of instructor.

Learning Activities: Lecture/Lab 4 hour(s).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to graduate students in School of Nursing programs, or consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Letter.

PAS 410B — Advanced Clinical Skills (3 units)

Course Description: History taking and physical examination skills with advanced/specialized content. Organ system focus varies by quarter.

Prerequisite(s): PAS 410A C or better; PAS 251A C or better; PAS 271A C or better; consent of instructor.

Learning Activities: Lecture/Lab 3 hour(s).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to graduate students in School of Nursing programs, or consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Letter.

PAS 410C — Advanced Clinical Skills (3 units)

Course Description: History taking and physical examination skills with advanced/specialized content. Organ system focus varies by quarter.

Prerequisite(s): PAS 410B C or better; PAS 251B C or better; PAS 271B C or better; consent of instructor.

Learning Activities: Lecture/Lab 3hour(s).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to graduate students in School of Nursing programs, or consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Letter.

PAS 410D — Advanced Clinical Skills (3 units)

Course Description: History taking and physical examination skills with advanced/specialized content. Organ system focus varies by quarter.

Prerequisite(s): PAS 410C C or better; PAS 251C C or better; PAS 271C C or better; PAS 251D C or better; consent of instructor.

Learning Activities: Lecture/Lab 3 hour(s).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to graduate students in School of Nursing programs, or consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Letter.

PAS 410E — Advanced Clinical Skills (1 unit)

Course Description: History taking and physical examination skills with advanced/specialized content. Organ system focus varies by quarter.

Prerequisite(s): PAS 410D C or better; PAS 251E C or better; PAS 251F C or better; consent of instructor.

Learning Activities: Lecture/Lab 1 hour(s).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to graduate students in School of Nursing programs, or consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Letter.

PAS 410F — Advanced Clinical Skills (1 unit)

Course Description: History taking and physical examination skills with advanced/specialized content. Organ system focus varies by quarter.

Prerequisite(s): PAS 410E C or better; consent of instructor.

Learning Activities: Lecture/Lab 1 hour(s).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to graduate students in School of Nursing programs, or consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Letter.

PAS 410G — Advanced Clinical Skills (1 unit)

Course Description: History taking and physical examination skills with advanced/specialized content. Organ system focus varies by quarter.

Prerequisite(s): PAS 410F C or better; consent of instructor.

Learning Activities: Lecture/Lab 1 hour(s).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to graduate students in School of Nursing programs, or consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Letter.

PAS 440 — Preparation for Clinical Practice (1-3 units)

Starting Winter Quarter 2026, this course is no longer offered.

Course Description: Students are placed in clinical settings and/or clinical simulation laboratories to observe and practice the integration of clinical skills with direct supervision by faculty.

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

Learning Activities: Clinical Activity 36 hour(s).
Enrollment Restriction(s): Open to graduate students in School of Nursing programs, or consent of instructor.
Grade Mode: Letter.

PAS 450 — Supervised Clinical Practice Experience - Family Medicine (1-16 units)

This version has ended; see updated course, below.
Course Description: Five-week clinical rotation under the supervision of an appropriate community-based family medicine provider per accreditation requirements.