The MEDEX Didactic curriculum is in the UW proposal stage and will be launched in Summer 2027, pending program and course review by the University of Washington Graduate School, the University of Washington Curriculum Office and the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant.
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Summer 2027 |
Autumn 2027 |
Winter 2028 |
Spring 2028 |
Summer 2028 |
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Course |
Cr |
Course |
Cr |
Course |
Cr |
Course |
Cr |
Course |
Cr |
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7 |
7 |
7 |
5 |
7 |
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2 |
6 |
4 |
5 |
2 |
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2 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
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3 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
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|
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5 |
5 |
MEDEX 578: Essentials of Emergency Medicine, Surgery and Inpatient Care |
6 |
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Quarter Total: |
14 |
Quarter Total: |
24 |
Quarter Total: |
21 |
Quarter Total: |
21 |
Quarter Total: |
11 |
Total Didactic Year Credits: 91
The MEDEX didactic (pre-clinical) curriculum is the first phase of the MEDEX curriculum and spans five academic quarters (15 months). To progress to the clinical phase, students must successfully complete all 22 didactic courses (91 quarter hours). The program does not accept transfer credits. The didactic curriculum begins by building upon prerequisite coursework during the initial summer quarter through an integrated Foundations of Clinical Science course and courses introducing the PA profession, clinical skills, and evidence-based medicine.
The primary goal of the didactic curriculum is to develop foundational competencies in medical knowledge, clinical and technical skills, and professional behaviors, with an emphasis on primary care and serving underserved populations throughout the region. The curriculum is competency-based and organized as an integrated spiral curriculum (an educational approach designed to help students build knowledge, skills, and clinical reasoning progressively throughout the program), with organ-system Clinical Medicine serving as the primary organizational structure. The Clinical Medicine series emphasizes health promotion, disease prevention, and the evaluation and management of preventive, emergent, acute, chronic, and rehabilitative patient presentations across the lifespan. Clinical knowledge is intentionally reinforced and applied through coordinated instruction in Pharmacology, Clinical and Technical Skills, clinical reasoning, and Professional Practice and Population Health throughout the didactic phase.
The curriculum progresses from foundational scientific knowledge and introductory clinical skills to applying and integrating clinical knowledge across the lifespan and diverse practice settings. Students develop knowledge and skills in Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Care Across the Lifespan, including care of pregnant patients, pediatric and adolescent patients, and older adults. Students also apply clinical knowledge and reasoning in Emergency Medicine and Inpatient Care, gaining experience caring for patients within emergency and hospital settings. The longitudinal Professional Practice and Population Health curriculum develops professional identity, ethical practice, population health, healthcare systems, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and preparation for professional practice.
The didactic curriculum culminates in a period of comprehensive synthesis and preparation for supervised clinical practice. Clinical Medicine IV gives students an opportunity to integrate and reinforce medical knowledge, clinical reasoning, and clinical skills across organ systems, while Fundamentals of Surgery provides a foundation in surgical and perioperative patient care principles to prepare students to work in surgical settings during the clinical curriculum. The Professional Practice and Population Health V course supports completion of professional development and capstone activities, including the presentation of a scholarly project. Together, these courses provide a structured transition from the didactic curriculum to the clinical phase.
Curriculum delivery emphasizes experiential and active learning strategies through a combination of classroom, virtual, and recorded instruction; small-group discussion and case-based learning; clinical and technical skills workshops; standardized patient encounters; and simulation. Students are assessed throughout the didactic phase using a variety of methods, including computer-based examinations, clinical and technical skills assessments, experiential learning activities, written assignments, and evaluation of professional behaviors.
Course descriptions:
Foundations of Clinical Science
Integrates anatomy, physiology, cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, immunology, microbiology, and introductory pathophysiology across major organ systems. Students connect normal structure and function with genetic, molecular, and biologic mechanisms of disease, building a scientific foundation for clinical education and PA practice.
Evidence-Based Medicine
Develops skills to locate, interpret, and critically appraise medical research for patient education and clinical decision-making. Students search publication databases, frame research questions, examine data and sampling methods, compare research designs, interpret biostatistics and analyses, evaluate study limitations, and apply findings to evidence-based practice.
Introduction to Clinical Skills
Introduces core competencies for patient-centered clinical practice, including professional communication, medical terminology, comprehensive history taking, use of examination equipment, and complete screening physical examinations. Faculty demonstrations, guided practice, and standardized patient encounters establish skills in communication, professionalism, and examination techniques for subsequent clinical training.
Clinical and Technical Skills I
First in a three-course progression developing patient-centered communication, history taking, physical examination, clinical reasoning, diagnostic interpretation, and procedural skills. Through simulation, standardized patients, and cases, students evaluate patients and develop diagnostic and management plans for hematologic, endocrine, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and renal conditions.
Clinical and Technical Skills II
Second in a three-course progression developing patient-centered communication, history taking, physical examination, clinical reasoning, diagnostic interpretation, and procedural skills. Through simulation, standardized patients, and cases, students evaluate patients and develop diagnostic and management plans for reproductive, genitourinary, gastrointestinal, infectious, and dermatologic conditions.
Clinical and Technical Skills III
Third in a three-course progression developing patient-centered communication, history taking, physical examination, clinical reasoning, diagnostic interpretation, and procedural skills. Through standardized patient encounters and cases, students evaluate patients and develop diagnostic and management plans for EENT, neurologic, and musculoskeletal conditions.
Clinical Medicine I
First in a four-course progression integrating medical knowledge, pathophysiology, clinical reasoning, and evidence-based medicine. Students evaluate preventive, emergent, acute, chronic, and rehabilitative presentations across the lifespan; interpret diagnostic findings; formulate differential diagnoses; and develop management plans for hematologic, endocrine, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and renal disorders.
Clinical Medicine II
Second in a four-course progression integrating medical knowledge, pathophysiology, clinical reasoning, and evidence-based medicine. Students evaluate preventive, emergent, acute, chronic, and rehabilitative presentations across the lifespan; interpret diagnostic findings; formulate differential diagnoses; and develop management plans for reproductive, genitourinary, gastrointestinal, infectious, and dermatologic disorders.
Clinical Medicine III
Third in a four-course progression integrating medical knowledge, pathophysiology, clinical reasoning, and evidence-based medicine. Students evaluate preventive, emergent, acute, chronic, and rehabilitative presentations across the lifespan; interpret diagnostic findings; formulate differential diagnoses; and develop management plans for EENT, neurologic, and musculoskeletal disorders.
Clinical Medicine IV
Final course in the Clinical Medicine progression. Students synthesize medical knowledge and refine diagnostic and therapeutic reasoning through case-based learning, clinical and technical workshops, comprehensive review, and formative assessment. Prepares students for supervised clinical practice and comprehensive assessments, including End of Rotation, End of Curriculum, and PANCE examinations.
Pharmacology I
First in a three-course progression applying pharmacologic principles and clinical therapeutics across the lifespan. Students examine mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, indications, contraindications, adverse effects, interactions, monitoring, and counseling to safely select, prescribe, and adjust endocrine, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and antibacterial therapies.
Pharmacology II
Second in a three-course progression applying pharmacologic principles and clinical therapeutics across the lifespan. Students examine mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, indications, contraindications, adverse effects, interactions, monitoring, and counseling to safely select, prescribe, and adjust reproductive, genitourinary, gastrointestinal, infectious disease, and dermatologic therapies.
Pharmacology III
Third in a three-course progression applying pharmacologic principles and clinical therapeutics across the lifespan. Students examine mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, indications, contraindications, adverse effects, interactions, monitoring, and counseling to safely select, prescribe, and adjust EENT, neurologic, and musculoskeletal therapies.
Professional Practice & Population Health I
Introduces the PA profession and healthcare environment while supporting the transition to graduate medical education. Students explore professional identity, effective learning strategies, resilience, wellness, cultural humility, ethical decision-making, and lifelong learning skills essential to clinical practice.
Professional Practice & Population Health II
Introduces public health, epidemiology, disease prevention, health promotion, and population health. Students examine determinants of health and relationships among individuals, communities, and their environments, applying population health principles to health outcomes and prevention. Scholarly activities support the progressive development of the Capstone project.
Professional Practice & Population Health III
Examines factors influencing health outcomes across diverse populations and care settings, with emphasis on barriers to care and strategies that improve health equity and access. Students explore how information, beliefs, and communication affect clinical decisions and patient engagement while continuing scholarly work toward the Capstone project.
Professional Practice & Population Health IV
Examines healthcare systems and policy, healthcare finance, and medicolegal issues. Students apply concepts in medical ethics, patient safety, risk management, error disclosure, and quality improvement. The course advances the Capstone project through completion of a draft scholarly project.
Professional Practice & Population Health V
Integrates concepts from the longitudinal sequence to prepare students for clinical practice. Emphasis includes professional responsibilities, ethics, provider well-being, healthcare information and technology, billing, coding, documentation, licensure, credentialing, and regulatory requirements. The course culminates in completion and presentation of the Capstone project.
Psychiatric and Behavioral Medicine
Examines psychiatric disorders and behavioral health. Students obtain psychiatric histories, perform mental status and focused examinations, interpret diagnostic studies, formulate differential diagnoses, and develop evidence-based pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic management plans emphasizing prevention, patient education, interdisciplinary care, and patient-centered practice.
Clinical Care Across the Lifespan
Prepares students to provide evidence-based, patient-centered care to pre-conception, obstetric, pediatric, adolescent, and geriatric populations. Students examine physiologic, psychosocial, and developmental changes; distinguish normal from abnormal findings; and apply pathophysiology to the prevention, diagnosis, and management of common conditions in primary and ambulatory care.
Essentials of Emergency Medicine and Inpatient Care
Prepares students to evaluate, diagnose, stabilize, and manage complex presentations in emergency and inpatient settings. Case-based learning, simulation, lectures, and workshops address trauma, acute illness, diagnostic and procedural decisions, consultation, care coordination, and admission and discharge planning.
Fundamentals of Surgery
Introduces PA students to principles of surgical and perioperative care. Students develop skills in recognizing and evaluating common surgical conditions, assessing patients before surgery, promoting perioperative safety, providing postoperative care, and recognizing complications. Through lectures and workshops, students integrate medical knowledge with clinical and technical skills to support safe, effective surgical care.
The didactic, or classroom, year of the MEDEX curriculum is focused on primary care and designed to teach clinical reasoning skills by building a foundation of new clinical knowledge, and then applying this knowledge to clinical situations. Summer quarter is a review of basic scientific concepts and introduction to research. Autumn quarter teaches the basic clinical and technical skills including history taking, physical examinations, and interpreting diagnostic studies. Pathophysiology in autumn quarter adds the foundational information needed for understanding disease processes. The focus of winter and spring quarters are to establish the foundation of knowledge of clinical medicine including the clinical diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders from all body systems across the lifespan. By the end of spring quarter, students are able to perform a history and physical exam, identify differential diagnoses, arrive at the most likely diagnosis, and formulate a treatment plan for patient complaints that are commonly seen in primary care.
Teaching methodologies progress throughout the didactic curriculum as students build upon clinical knowledge and develop clinical reasoning skills. All major body systems are taught once in anatomy and physiology, and repeated again in the basic clinical skills and pathophysiology courses. In winter and spring, body systems are studied in blocks aligned across the courses so that the content of each course is reinforced in the other courses. Summer and autumn are fact- and skills-based courses where memorization and repetition are used to create the foundations needed for clinical care. Winter and spring use increasingly interactive methods for learning that include lectures from subject matter experts, small group work, team-based learning, problem-based learning, simulation training, and appreciative inquiry. Faculty members are committed to making class time interesting and engaging while ensuring that all students learn medicine.
Click on the course name in the Didactic Timeline for details and a course description.
Sum I
Aut
Wtr
Spr
Sum II
*Capstone projects run Autumn through Summer II
Summer Quarter: 17 Credits
| Course No. |
Name |
Credit Hrs. |
|
MEDEX 550
MEDEX 551 |
Basic Science in Clinical Medicine Anatomy & Physiology |
6 6 |
|
MEDEX 588 |
Investigative Skills |
5 |
Autumn Quarter: 18 Credits
| Course No. |
Name |
Credit Hrs. |
|
MEDEX 552 |
Pathophysiology for Primary Care |
6 |
|
MEDEX 553 |
Basic Clinical Skills |
5 |
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MEDEX 557 |
Behavioral Medicine I |
2 |
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MEDEX 570 |
Professional Role Development I |
1 |
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MEDEX 573 MEDEX 581 |
Technical Skills I Capstone I |
1 |
Winter Quarter: 20 Credits
| Course No. |
Name |
Credit Hrs. |
|
MEDEX 554 |
Adult Medicine I |
7 |
|
MEDEX 556 |
Maternal & Child Health I |
3 |
|
MEDEX 558 |
Behavioral Medicine II |
2 |
|
MEDEX 560 |
Principles of Patient Management |
3 |
|
MEDEX 568 |
Emergency Medicine I |
2 |
|
MEDEX 571 |
Professional Role Development II |
1 |
|
MEDEX 574 MEDEX 582 |
Technical Skills II Capstone II |
1 |
Spring Quarter: 20 Credits
| Course No. |
Name |
Credit Hrs. |
|
MEDEX 555 |
Adult Medicine II |
7 |
|
MEDEX 559 |
Behavioral Medicine III |
2 |
|
MEDEX 561 |
Principles of Patient Management II |
3 |
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MEDEX 562 |
Maternal & Child Health |
3 |
|
|
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|
|
MEDEX 569 |
Emergency Medicine II |
2 |
|
MEDEX 572 |
Professional Role Development III |
1 |
|
MEDEX 575 MEDEX 583 |
Technical Skills III Capstone III |
1 |
Summer Quarter (online): 10 Credits
| Course No. |
Name |
Credit Hrs. |
|
MEDEX 540 or 541 |
Focused Study Course |
5 |
|
MEDEX 585 |
Capstone V |
5 |
Course Descriptions
Summer Quarter: 17 credits
MEDEX 550: Basic Science in Clinical Medicine – 6 credits
This course is an intensive review of important basic science topics relevant to clinical medicine at the PA level. The material is necessary to the understanding and integration of information that will be presented throughout the remainder of the MEDEX curriculum. Topics include cell biology, genetics, immunology and microbiology.
MEDEX 551: Anatomy & Physiology – 6 credits
Students will review anatomy and physiology with a focus on clinical application of anatomic and physiologic principles encountered in primary care practice. Instruction focuses on the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, neurologic, renal, hematologic, endocrine, reproductive, and gastrointestinal systems.
MEDEX 588: Investigative Skills – 5 credits
The ongoing changes to healthcare delivery, continued advances in clinical research and publication, and evolution of the PA profession require that the modern clinician be able to locate, critically appraise, and apply current health research outcomes. This course teaches basic concepts in measurement, biostatistics and epidemiology, and the skills needed to evaluate public health and biomedical research. Through a series of lectures focused on research concepts, small group exercises, and online group discussions, students will acquire skills allowing them to review and evaluate current research results and apply reliable outcomes to their practice.
Top
Autumn Quarter: 18 credits
MEDEX 552: Pathophysiology for Primary Care – 6 credits
This course covers basic pathological and pathophysiological concepts of diseases commonly encountered in primary care practice. Pathophysiology is organized and sequenced by organ systems aligned with the Basic Clinical Skills course.
MEDEX 553: Basic Clinical Skills – 5 credits
This course provides instruction to develop competency in clinical skills relevant to primary care including obtaining a comprehensive and problem-focused medical history, performing screening and focused physical examinations, and communication with patients and other members of the healthcare team through the development of oral case presentation skills and documentation of medical care. The course is organized by organ system and aligned with the Pathophysiology course.
MEDEX 557: Behavioral Medicine I – 2 credits
Students learn process skills and interpersonal skills needed for a career in primary care practice with an emphasis on learning to efficiently guide clinical interviews and respond to patients’ emotional cues. Students will also learn assessment skills for the diagnosis of emotional problems and the management skills used in primary care practice to deal with behavioral medicine problems. Specific topics include managing difficult patients, delivering serious news, issues of aging and elder abuse, trauma and stressor related disorders and trauma informed care, and healthcare for people living homeless.
MEDEX 570: Professional Role Development I – 1 credit
This course provides an opportunity to understand and develop relationships with other health professions; discover emerging issues in primary care across a wide range of urban and rural communities; and explore course topics through self-reflection essays and personal analysis.
MEDEX 573: Technical Skills I – 1 credit
Using lectures, simulation experiences and workshops, this course introduces clinical reasoning, basic clinical procedures, laboratory medicine, radiology, and electrocardiography. Students will demonstrate the ability to assess a patient’s clinical condition using critical thinking skills that evaluate normal and abnormal findings associated with lab results, radiographs, and ECGs. The course includes simulation training, skills workshops, procedural demonstrations and lectures throughout the didactic year.
MEDEX 581: Capstone Project I – 3 credits
Among the requirements for the PA program is a Capstone Project. Students will be expected to produce a finished product of sufficient depth and analytic rigor to demonstrate the independent thought appropriate to clinical master’s-level work. Students will work on their project over five quarters, beginning in the fall quarter of the didactic year and complete the project as a presentation at the beginning of the clinical year. Students will plan and begin their project with input from faculty advisors.
Top
Winter Quarter: 20 credits
MEDEX 554: Adult Medicine I – 7 credits
This course provides a problem-oriented approach to the diagnosis and initial management of common primary care conditions. The diseases and condition covered in winter include those from the following organ systems: infectious diseases, hematology, eye-ear-nose-throat, dermatology, orthopedics and rheumatology, and endocrine.
MEDEX 556: Maternal & Child Health I – 3 credits
This course introduces a systems-oriented approach to the diagnosis and initial management of common primary care problems in pediatrics and obstetrics. Topics include an overview of normal pregnancy and delivery in the primary care setting, the neonatal examination, pediatric infectious diseases, ENT disorders, pediatric orthopedics, immunizations, pediatric hematology and oncology, and pediatric cardiovascular and respiratory disorders.
MEDEX 558: Behavioral Medicine II – 2 credits
This course provides in-depth coverage of common emotional problems seen in primary care. Specific topics include depressive disorders, bipolar and related disorders, anxiety disorders, dissociative disorders, somatization, personality disorders, paraphilic disorders, an HIV panel discussion, intimate partner violence and the approach to the suicidal patient.
MEDEX 560: Principles of Patient Management I – 3 credits
This course teaches a systematic approach to patient management applicable to a primary care setting. The course is devoted to drug therapy and its administration. The topic sequence of the Patient Management course aligns with conditions taught in Adult Medicine I.
MEDEX 568: Emergency Medicine I – 2 credits
This course provides an approach to the diagnosis and management of common emergency conditions for primary care physician assistants. Topics include initial trauma assessment; multiple trauma to include head, spinal and abdominal trauma, shock, eye-ear-nose-throat and dental emergencies, orthopedic emergencies, toxicology, and psychiatric emergencies.
MEDEX 571: Professional Role Development II – 1 credit
This course emphasizes knowledge, skills and attitudes for dealing with diverse population groups. Students will work in groups, focus on specific health and social parameters that are pertinent to a particular underserved population and make a presentation to their classmates. Other topics include health care systems, use of medical interpreters and essentials of public health.
MEDEX 574: Technical Skills II – 1 credit
Using lectures and skills workshops, this course introduces clinical reasoning, basic clinical procedures, laboratory medicine, radiology, and electrocardiography. Students will demonstrate the ability to assess a patient’s clinical condition using critical thinking skills that evaluate normal and abnormal findings associated with lab results, radiographs, and ECGs. The course includes skills workshops, procedural demonstrations and lectures throughout the didactic year. Workshops this quarter will include the splinting, and suturing.
MEDEX 582: Capstone II – 1 credit
Students develop their research question further and develop an outline of their capstone project based on the area of focus. Students should follow JAAPA guidelines for required sections to be included in the outline. Students should continue to work closely with the capstone advisor or course chairs for assistance.
Top
Spring Quarter: 20 credits
MEDEX 555: Adult Medicine II – 7 credits
This course provides a system-oriented approach to the diagnosis and initial management of common primary care conditions. The organ systems covered in spring include cardiology, pulmonology, nephrology, urology, gastroenterology, and neurology.
MEDEX 559: Behavioral Medicine III – 2 credits
This course continues to provide in-depth coverage of common emotional problems seen in primary care. Specific topics include chronic pain, alcohol and substance abuse disorders, social determinants of mental health, eating disorders, sexuality through the life span, and palliative care.
MEDEX 561: Principles of Patient Management II – 3 credits
This course continues building on winter quarter material with a systematic approach to pharmacological therapies and follows the topic sequence of Adult Medicine. It includes information on drug choice, drug administration and risk factor identification and reduction. Additional foci of the course include non-pharmacological therapies and an emphasis on health education and health promotion strategies.
MEDEX 562: Maternal & Child Health II – 3 credits
This course continues a system-oriented approach to the diagnosis and initial management of common primary care pediatric conditions. Topics include the well child examination including workshop, pediatric health supervision, adolescent medicine and sports physicals, children with special healthcare needs, child abuse and pediatric gastroenterology and neurology. A significant portion of the curriculum covers women’s health topics.
MEDEX 569: Emergency Medicine II – 2 credits
Topics this quarter include cardiovascular and pulmonary emergencies, the acute abdomen, genitourinary and gynecological emergencies, and neurological emergencies.
MEDEX 572: Professional Role Development III – 1 credit
Current issues in healthcare delivery systems will be the focus of this quarter. Topics include medical ethics, managed care, reimbursement, access and related issues.
MEDEX 575: Technical Skills III – 1 credit
Using lectures, simulation experiences and group exercises, this course introduces clinical reasoning, basic clinical procedures, laboratory medicine, radiology, and electrocardiography. Students will demonstrate the ability to assess a patient’s clinical condition using critical thinking skills that evaluate normal and abnormal findings associated with lab results, radiographs, and ECGs. The course includes simulation workshops, procedural demonstrations and lectures throughout the didactic year. Workshops this quarter will include the genitourinary exam, and casting and splinting.
MEDEX 583: Capstone III – 1 credit
Students continue with their research topic and prepare an annotated bibliography with quantitative and qualitative articles, examine and process the available medical literature about their topic, and work closely with the capstone advisor or course chairs for assistance.
Top
Summer Quarter (online): 10 credits
Focused Study Course – 5 credits
The focused study course will follow a small-group seminar format that allows students to select an area of special interest. The various sections will share a common theme of providing high quality care within healthcare systems, but will diverge in focus and application. Students may select only one subject focus, and the different subject sections run concurrently.
Students will select one of the following options.
- MEDEX 540: Healthcare for Rural and Medically Underserved Populations: This course will examine the nature and severity of disparities in health care access and delivery to rural and urban underserved populations. Students will be challenged to consider these issues from the perspective of policy-makers as well as from the perspective as clinicians.
- MEDEX 541: Public Health and Preventive Medicine: This course will explore the principles, systems and practices of public health and preventive medicine at the local, state and national levels. Students should recognize the breadth of health professions and how the interdisciplinary teams in which they work provide the structure for public health and preventive medicine at all levels of health care.
MEDEX 585: Capstone V – 5 credits
Students focus on the final capstone project, which is the major graduate level product for this course sequence. Students will submit their Poster or a JAAPA style article, actual submission for publication optional. Students will also submit their presentation product that will be utilized during the presentation of their project during fall transition week.
Autumn Quarter:
MEDEX 584 Capstone IV – 1 Credit
Students begin the clinical phase of the program. Early in fall quarter, students will present the capstone project in either oral presentation or poster session format.