PA Program Research Curriculum

Evidence-based practice has emerged as the standard by which established and future providers will be expected to execute the delivery of medical care. Several learning experiences are used to develop the student’s ability to identify questions to be answered through investigation and properly convey their findings to others. These skills are essential to engaging in practice-based learning and improvement over the course of one’s professional career.

The longitudinal Master’s Paper Project experience is comprised of five required learning activities that begin mid-way during the didactic phase of the curriculum and end just days prior to graduation. These learning experiences include Research 1 (one credit hour), Research 2 (four credit hours), Research 3 (four credit hours), the master’s paper, and the poster presentation. The project is introduced to incoming students at the time of the new student orientation on the second day they matriculate in the program. During future meetings with their assigned faculty advisors, each student is queried about their ideas and interests in an effort to help shape their early thoughts about a potential area for research.