{"id":4776,"date":"2020-05-14T14:43:32","date_gmt":"2020-05-14T18:43:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/healthsciences\/unc-pa\/?page_id=4776"},"modified":"2025-11-19T09:56:44","modified_gmt":"2025-11-19T14:56:44","slug":"clinical-phase","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/healthsciences\/unc-pa\/program-overview\/curriculum\/clinical-phase\/","title":{"rendered":"Clinical Phase Curriculum"},"content":{"rendered":"

The clinical phase of the UNC Physician Assistant program promotes and encourages student development in the areas of professionalism, evidence-based learning, skill mastery, and inter-professional teamwork. Building upon the twelve-month didactic curriculum in basic and clinical sciences, students will complete supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs), otherwise referred to as clinical rotations. In addition, students will participate in clinical seminars interspersed throughout the clinical year by returning to campus for \u201ccall back\u201d sessions to engage in interactive activities focusing on medical education, professionalism topics, healthcare leadership, and issues impacting current PA practice. The clinical phase builds upon the foundation required to empower students as they transition into professional practice following graduation.<\/p>\n

Requirements for student placement in clinical sites include, but are not limited to, a current criminal background check, urine drug screen, and required site immunizations. The UNC PA program is required to notify sites of any adverse findings, and the inability to place a student due to the same may delay or prevent graduation from the program.<\/p>\n

Schedule<\/h2>\n

Over the course of the twelve-month clinical phase students will complete ten SCPEs in addition to the Clinical Seminar courses (3), a master\u2019s Capstone project, a PANCE review workshop, and summative program assessments.<\/p>\n

SCPEs include eight core rotations and two electives (see course descriptions below). The UNC PA program is partnered with the UNC Health network of hospitals and clinics located throughout North Carolina in addition to numerous other clinical sites, to provide students the best possible clinical and educational experience. All clinical sites are selected and reviewed annually in accordance with program, university, and accreditation requirements, with affiliation agreements mandated and approved by UNC. It is the responsibility of the program to provide clinical sites, and students are not required to provide or solicit such sites. SCPEs also must provide students with hands-on clinical experience and may not be observational only (limited only to shadowing).<\/p>\n

Students should be prepared to live away from their local residence for a minimum of two SCPEs. Travel to clinical rotation sites may be throughout the state of North Carolina. Housing and transportation for clinical sites located outside of the Chapel Hill area are the responsibility of the student. AHEC (Area Health Education Center) housing may be available for placements greater than 60 miles from the PA program, but it is not guaranteed.<\/p>\n

Clinical Phase Courses<\/h2>\n

Students will complete 43 course credits for the clinical phase.<\/p>\n