PAs provide patient education regarding specific medical conditions, and disease prevention.
They also facilitate patient referral to the community's health and social service agencies. The program is 27 consecutive months consisting of a preclinical and a clinical component. The preclinical component is designed to provide a solid foundation for the clinical component. During the clinical component the student refines the medical knowledge and clinical skills needed for professional practice. Course work in behavioral sciences to include at least 8 quarter hours of psychology and 8 quarter hours in other social sciences.