Doctor of Medical Science
The Doctorate for PA Professionals
The Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree program at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) prepares physician assistants (PA) for leadership roles in clinical, administrative, and academic settings. PAs with an active and unencumbered state licensure and/or NCCPA certification and a master’s or doctoral degree from a regionally-accredited institution are eligible for the DMSc program. The DMSc degree designator from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions helps set you apart as a PA, whether a new graduate or a seasoned practitioner looking for career advancement.
The DMSc curriculum is evidence-based and has been developed by PAs with significant clinical, academic, and administrative experience. The curriculum focuses on the healthcare knowledge and skills that are most applicable to advancing a PA’s career.
Important Dates
Semester Begins: September 3, 2019
Semester Begins: January 6, 2020
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Academic Model
Online Academic Model: Our online delivery model allows students to continue their education without having to uproot family and move across the country. The Doctor of Medical Science program allows students to keep working full-time while pursuing a doctoral degree from a well-respected institution, in as little as four semesters.
What is the DMSc Degree?
DMSc stands for Doctor of Medical Science, a clinical doctorate for licensed physician assistants who want to advance their career with a doctorate degree. The DMSc degree program is strictly for PAs and provides the continuing education and degree designator to advance their career within the clinic, administration, or academia.
RMUoHP Doctor of Medical Science Program Tracks
There are three elective tracks within the RMUoHP Doctor of Medical Science Program.
Details and curriculums for each track can be viewed by clicking track titles in the tabs below.
- Healthcare Leadership and Administration
- Advanced Clinical Practice
- Healthcare Professions Education
Fall Start Date
September 3, 2019
Summer Start Date
May 4, 2020
Healthcare Leadership and Administration
The DMSc Healthcare Leadership and Administration concentration track is designed for PAs who are interested in advancing their careers in the administrative setting. Students will complete core courses in Evidence-Based Practice, Professional & Scientific Writing, Healthcare Legal & Ethical Issues, and Healthcare Delivery. Students will also complete concentration courses in Healthcare Leadership, Organizational Behavior & Management in Healthcare, and Strategic Change Management for Healthcare Organizations.
The Healthcare Leadership and Administration concentration track will culminate in a practicum and applied scholarly project. In collaboration with the course director, students will design and propose an administrative practicum that will allow the student to gain the desired knowledge and skills pertinent to healthcare leadership and administration. Students will be guided by qualified faculty through the development, proposal, literature review, and dissemination phases of the scholarly project. This experience will prepare the DMSc graduate to continue to create and distribute scholarly work via presentations and publications throughout his or her career.
Students who choose the Healthcare Leadership and Administration concentration track will gain knowledge and skills that will prepare them to lead teams and organizations in the rapidly-changing healthcare environment. This DMSc concentration track will facilitate the advancement of highly-competent PAs into leadership positions to ultimately improve patient care.
Fall Start Date
September 3, 2019
Summer Start Date
May 4, 2020
Advanced Clinical Practice
The DMSc Advanced Clinical Practice concentration track is designed for PAs who are interested in advancing their careers in the clinical setting. Students will complete core courses in Evidence-Based Practice, Professional & Scientific Writing, Healthcare Legal & Ethical Issues, and Healthcare Delivery. Students will also complete concentration courses in Lifestyle Medicine, Patient Safety in Clinical Practice, and Population Health Issues.
The Advanced Clinical Practice concentration track will culminate in a practicum and applied scholarly project. In collaboration with the course director, students will design and propose a clinical practicum that will allow the student to gain the desired knowledge and skills pertinent to clinical practice. Students will be guided by qualified faculty through the development, proposal, literature review, and dissemination phases of the scholarly project. This experience will prepare the DMSc graduate to continue to create and distribute scholarly work via presentations and publications throughout his or her career.
Students who choose the Advanced Clinical Practice concentration track will become greater assets to clinic and hospital settings by advancing medical practice. Through this concentration track, students will develop practical skills beyond their current abilities that benefit patients and the settings they work in. PAs who complete this track will add value to their clinics by increasing access to specific procedures for their community of patients.
Fall Start Date
September 3, 2019
Summer Start Date
May 4, 2020
Healthcare Professions Education
The DMSc Healthcare Professions Education concentration track is designed for PAs who are interested in advancing their careers in the academic setting. Students will complete core courses in Evidence-Based Practice, Professional & Scientific Writing, Healthcare Legal & Ethical Issues, and Healthcare Delivery. Students will also complete concentration courses in Instructional Technology, Learning Theory & Design, and Learning Assessment & Evaluation.
The Healthcare Professions Education concentration track will culminate in a practicum and applied scholarly project. In collaboration with the course director, students will design and propose an academic practicum that will allow the student to gain the desired knowledge and skills pertinent to health professions education. Students will be guided by qualified faculty through the development, proposal, literature review, and dissemination phases of the scholarly project. This experience will prepare the DMSc graduate to continue to create and distribute scholarly work via presentations and publications throughout his or her career.
Students who choose the Healthcare Professions Education concentration track will learn how to prepare the next generation of physician assistants to deliver high-quality healthcare and enter the rewarding profession of healthcare education. This doctorate degree will help facilitate the entrance of PAs into academia and help advance the careers of current PA faculty members. This concentration track will prepare graduates to teach within both entry-level masters PA programs and doctoral programs for PAs.
Why Choose RMU?
The DMSc degree program at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions is a great place for physician assistants looking to advance their careers without taking time away from clinics and hospitals. RMUoHP faculty place utmost importance on equipping students with skills that will improve their practice as physician assistants, no matter their career phase or geographical location.
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Program Highlights
Location
– As our name implies, we are located in the Rocky Mountains! Utah has four different seasons full of world-class skiing, hiking, biking, rock climbing, star gazing, and more. We live where nature is in our backyard. Red rock country is just a short drive away. Many students take day or weekend trips together to the many national parks in Southern Utah (including Arches, Zions, Bryce, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef). The campus is also located right next to historic downtown Provo and is within an hour of Salt Lake City.
Clinical Simulation Practice
– During the didactic phase of the program, students are challenged weekly with simulated patient encounters. This allows students to learn how to treat and care for patients in the didactic phase and prepare for their clinical experiences. The average PA program only offers a few simulated patient encounters just prior to clinical rotations.
Practicing faculty
– Our faculty are all currently practicing physician assistants. At RMUoHP, we support our faculty in staying up-to-date on skills and best practices. By continuing to work in the field, faculty bring real experiences into the classroom to better train the next generation of physical therapists.
Low Faculty-to-Student Ratio
-The PA program at RMU maintains a low faculty-to-student ratio. After being admitted, students are assigned a faculty mentor who will work with them individually throughout the program.
100% PANCE Pass Rate
– Our top-notch students and our top-tier faculty and curriculum have brought about a 100% pass rate on the Physician Assistance National Certifying Exam. Faculty and administration work hard to help students prepare for the certifying exam at the end of the program.
100% Graduation Rate
– Every single student who has enrolled in the RMUoHP Physician Assistant program has graduated the program. We credit our 100% graduation rate to the hard work and dedication of both our excellent students and dedicated faculty.
Opportunity for international service in Africa and Guatemala
– Each year during the summer semester break, students have the opportunity to travel to Africa with faculty and the university president to provide humanitarian work and gain exposure to third-world clinical experiences. Students will spend time both in the clinics and hospitals as well as the local village.
Program FAQ
How long is the program?
This is an online program that can be completed in a little as 16 months (1.5 years). It is a year-round program with breaks (around 2 weeks in length) between each semester. However, the actual length of the program is decided by the student based on the curricular model they select. Students select the model when they enroll:
- The Phased Model: 5 consecutive semesters over 20 months. Didactic phase (21 credits) followed by practicum/project phase (15 credits).
- Integrated Model: 4 consecutive semesters over 16 months. Didactic phase (21 credits) and Practicum/Project phase taken simultaneously.
What does the program entail? What is expected of me if I enroll in the program?
Students will be expected to participate in forum and/or discussion board posts, submit online assignments, and complete assigned readings. The program will culminate in a scholarly project and a practicum specific to the concentration track that is chosen.
How much time per week can I expect to successfully complete the program?
The Doctor of Medical Science program allows students to keep working full-time. It is designed for the busy PA. The estimated time per week varies depending on which model is chosen, but it is estimated that students will spend roughly 8 to 10 hours per week in the Phased Model.
Can I work full-time while doing this program?
Yes! The Doctor of Medical Science program is designed for and allows students to keep working full-time while pursuing a doctoral degree from a well-respected institution, and in as little as four semesters.
What if I’m interested in multiple tracks?
For those interested in multiple tracks, it is required to choose one and go through the program as outlined. However, if you are interested in in any of the other tracks, students can complete just the courses specific to the desired track and they will be awarded a certificate for that track in addition to their degree.
Is there any onsite component to obtaining this degree?
No. There is no onsite component to this program and all work can be done from your home. Our online educational model allows students to continue their education without having to move or relocate.
Can I apply if I have a PA bachelor’s degree?
Individuals who have a bachelor’s degree in physician assistant studies can apply if they also have a master’s or doctoral degree from a regionally-accredited institution. This degree can be obtained in any field.
Do you accept transfer credits?
We can accept up to 12 transfer credits into the DMSc program. The credits would need to have transcripts as well as course descriptions to ensure they meet curriculum requirements. The transfer credits would be reviewed by the program director to determine if the courses are approved to transfer into the program.
Can I apply if I am not a PA?
The DMSc program is designed specifically for PAs. This program prepares PAs for leadership roles in clinical, administrative, and academic settings. PAs with an active and unencumbered state licensure and/or NCCPA certification are eligible to apply. Those who are not licensed/certified as a PA do not meet requirements and would not be eligible.
Can I be admitted into the program if I am a current PA student who will graduate but haven’t yet obtained PA licensure prior to the start date?
Yes, you can be admitted into the program without your PA licensure if you are a new PA masters graduate as long as you obtain your license within the first semester of enrollment into the DMSc program at RMUoHP.
How many people are accepted into the program?
We have two cohort starts per year (summer and fall) and both accept 45 students.
UNIVERSITY ACCREDITATION
Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (8060 165th Avenue NE Ste 100, Redmond, WA 98052-3981), an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Secretary of the US Department of Education.
Why Apply to the Doctor of Medical Science Program?
Student-Centered Faculty: Our faculty members are well-known experts within the Physician Assistant profession and are experienced in online doctoral education for PAs. Faculty are focused on students and use their experience and expertise to help students gain the education they need to achieve their professional goals.
Rigorous Coursework: The Doctor of Medical Science program core curriculum encompasses evidence-based practice, healthcare delivery, healthcare legal and ethical issues, and scientific and professional writing. The coursework in each concentration track assists students in becoming well-rounded scholars, practitioners, and experts in their fields.
Online Academic Model: Our online delivery model students to continue their education without having to uproot family and move across the country. The Doctor of Medical Science program allows students to keep working full-time while pursuing a doctoral degree from a well-respected institution.
Phased and Integrated Model
Students in the DMSc program (regardless of concentration track) choose between two curriculum models to complete the 36 credit hours: the Integrated Model and the Phased Model. Both curriculum models are designed so PA clinicians, educators, and administrators can continue professional work obligations while completing this degree. In the Integrated Model, students complete the practicum and applied scholarly project courses concurrently with the other didactic courses. Students may complete the Integrated Model in as little as four semesters. In the Phased Model, students complete the didactic courses before completing the practicum and applied scholarly project courses. Students may complete the Phased Model in as little as five semesters.
Advance Your PA Career with a Doctorate Degree
Are you currently a physician assistant looking to advance your career? If so, completing the Doctor of Medical Science program will give you the education you need to take your career to the next level. Join PAs from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences to enhance your skills as a PA and to get ready to expand your clinical, administrative, or academic opportunities
Learn More About Our Doctor of Medical Science Program
Do you aspire to influence the physician assistant profession? If so, earning your DMSc is the first step to becoming an influential and successful healthcare professional.
We invite you to explore our program, talk with a program advisor or faculty member, and attend a virtual information session to decide whether our DMSc program is a good fit for you. We will help you to make an educated decision when choosing a program that meets your professional needs and goals for becoming a Doctor of Medical Science.
We are committed to the development
of a physician assistant who can:
Utilize Evidence-Based Practice
Apply concepts of evidence-based practice in clinical, administrative, and academic settings.
Write and Distribute Scholarly Work
Create and disseminate scholarly work relevant to the physician assistant field.
Prepare to Teach
Educate the next generation of healthcare professionals and respond to the growing need for healthcare educators.
Develop Leadership Skills
Lead teams and organizations in the rapidly-changing healthcare environment.
