BUIES CREEK — Campbell University’s Physician Assistant Program announced today that its proposal to revise the program from a 28-month to a 24-month long curriculum was affirmed by the Campbell University Curriculum Council on Oct. 24.
The revised curriculum will be effective in August 2015, in time for the entering class of 2017. Orientation for the new class is scheduled from Wednesday, July 29, to Friday, July 31, 2015. Classes will begin on Monday, Aug. 3, 2015, at the Leon Levine Hall of Medical Sciences.
There is no change to the 12-month didactic phase of the program. The clinical phase of the program will be shortened from 15 months to 12 months. This is accomplished by decreasing clinical rotations from five weeks to four weeks and eliminating the required orthopedic rotation. Students will still have the option to select two electives, including an elective orthopedic rotation.
Dr. Thomas Colletti, chair of Campbell’s PA program, said PA students will continue to receive an excellent education, while the shorter program will expedite entry of well-qualified PAs into the health care system. “This will help relieve the health care provider shortage our communities are experiencing,” he said. “The Campbell PA Program looks forward to an exciting and healthy future.”