2012-2013 Brenau University Catalog 
    
    Oct 12, 2024  
2012-2013 Brenau University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Pre-Physician Assistant (B.S.)


Brenau University and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) have developed an accelerated five year course of instruction leading to the dual degree of Bachelor of Science from Brenau University and a Master of Science from PCOM. The initial three year science component of the joint degree program will be undertaken at Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia. The intense three year undergraduate portion of the program will consist of 120 semester hours and will include all the liberal education and major requirements of a B.S degree. The major required courses are tailored to provide the background the student for graduate studies and clinicals. During the undergraduate phase, students admitted to the program will be followed for adequate performance and commitment to the program.

Upon successful completion of the three year program, the student can apply through this affiliated program to the PCOM main campus in Philadelphia and will, if admitted, undertake instruction in basic medical science and basic clinical science. After one year of work, the student will return to the Northeast Georgia area and undertake a series of rotating preceptorships in behavioral medicine, family medicine, general surgery, gynecology, obstetrics, pediatrics and psychiatry. Students will also be prepared for the delivery of health care services to patients utilizing community health services, homebound patients, rural patients and patients in underserved areas. This program prepares individuals to become a Physician Assistant and work in partnership with a physician or become an independent practitioner. Physician assistants provide both diagnoses and treatment therapies to patients.

The undergraduate degree will be awarded after the student completes the undergraduate phase of the program. If the student chooses not to pursue the graduate phase at PCOM in Philadelphia, the student has the option of applying to other Physician Assistant programs. Students will also be prepared to apply for additional programs across the United States.

Note: Students who transfer an excess of 30 semester hours or have a previous bachelor’s degree must transfer with a minimum GPA of 2.8.

Liberal Education Requirements


Brenau University and its faculty are dedicated to the goal of providing students with a thorough background in the liberal arts, as well as academic and professional skills which will help them become enlightened and productive members of society. To that end, the faculty developed a liberal education curriculum based on expectations and learning outcomes.

This liberal education curriculum is divided into four learning portals: World Understanding, Scientific and Analytic Curiosity, Artistic and Creative Imagination and Communication and Language Fluency.

  • World Understanding Learning
  • Scientific and Analytic Curiosity
  • Artistic and Creative Imagination
  • Communication and Language Fluency

Courses applied in one portal may not be applied in another portal. However, courses applied in the Liberal Education may be applied toward a student’s major or minor.

Students with an A.A., A.S. or a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution are exempt from Liberal Education requirements for Brenau’s bachelor degree programs (does not include Brenau’s A.A. degree). This exemption does not does not extend to any other associate’s degree (ex. A.A.S., A.A.T). This exemption does not affect transfer credit. All college-level credit that conforms to Brenau’s transfer credit policy will be recorded on the student’s Brenau transcript. This exemption does not affect any major courses required or any major foundation courses required.

World Understanding Learning Portal


Historical Perspective - 3 hours


Demonstrate knowledge of major events and movements in history and use this knowledge to generate a more sophisticated understanding of current events.

Scientific & Analytic Curiosity Portal


Mathematics - 3 hours


Demonstrate quantitative reasoning through numeric, symbolic or geometric means.

Course taken will depend upon math placement of the student.

Artistic & Creative Imagination Portal


Communication & Language Fluency Portal


Writing - 6 hours


Compose effective and logical written communication.

Modern Language - 0-3 hours


  • Students must have modern language competency through the high beginner (102 or 115) level. It is possible for a student to place out of part or all of modern language via placement or CLEP. Please see the placement information section for specific guidelines. If the student takes 101, that course may be applied as the students communication elective, if needed.
  • International Students will exempt the Modern Language requirement with a TOEFL score of 500 or above.

Communication Elective - 3 hours


Choose from any course in the Communication and Language Fluency portal not already applied in the Liberal Education or choose from the courses below. If a student takes 101 and 102 of the same language to satisfy the modern language requirement, the 101 course may satisfy the communication elective.

Additional Program Requirements


Note: Must earn a grade of “C” or better in all additional program requirements for the major as well as all major classes. See the program plan for courses that can be cross/dual used between the liberal education and the major.

Major Requirements


Total Required Hours


A minimum of 120 hours is required to graduate with this major. It is possible that the student may graduate with more than 120 hours based on placement and transfer credit.

Note: Courses marked with an * are Liberal Education courses.