Why Earn a Doctor of Medical Science?
The Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree was developed specifically for the physician associate/assistant and focuses on real-life application of leadership principles and best practices in evidence-based change in healthcare.
The four-semester Doctor of Medical Science program is for the physician associate/assistant who is certified and actively practicing and follows the same curriculum as the Doctor of Health Science program. The scholarly project is the culmination of the doctoral research project, and it will be suitable for publication or presentation in a peer-reviewed environment. Throughout the program, students will reflect on the role of healthcare leaders as change agents for social justice.
The one-semester Doctor of Medical Science program is designed for recent Â鶹ӰÊÓs from U.S. ARC-PA accredited physician associate/assistant programs. Applicants may apply for admission to the one-semester DMSc program within 24 months of graduation from their PA program. Eligibility approval procedures include (but are not limited to) a curriculum review by the DMSc program director, and confirmation that the PA program completed by the applicant was ARC-PA accredited and in good standing at the time of attendance. The program adds one semester after completion of PA education. Physician associate/assistant Â鶹ӰÊÓs who are applying to the one-semester program do not need to be currently working.
Students in the one-semester DMSc program utilize their learning across courses in the semester to develop a scholarly paper through a review of literature that addresses specific health concerns for a chosen patient population including best practices and access to care. Students create a clinical workplace practice plan for improving care based on their research that utilizes evidence-based decision-making while also considering management and leadership issues that may affect the implementation of such a plan. Students will reflect on their role as a healthcare leader and patient advocate within their clinical practice setting.
What Can You Do with a Doctor of Medical Science Degree?
Pacific Â鶹ӰÊÓs with a doctor of medical science degree are well prepared to lead change within the healthcare system by delivering excellent patient care through evidence-based practice and knowledge. Graduates with a DMSc degree from Â鶹ӰÊÓ have the
skills to:
- Understand how theory informs the practice of leadership, and can apply ethical awareness in decision-making and problem solving.
- Integrate critical thinking techniques, along with advancing knowledge and skills, to evaluate problems effectively and design improvement plans for professional settings.
- Apply learned leadership competencies to their roles as strategic change agents, scholars, collaborators, educators, and advisors.
Online DMSc Program
The online Doctor of Medical Science degree is presented primarily asynchronously with limited synchronous instruction on the Moodleâ„¢ learning management system. Synchronous sessions will facilitate collaborative learning and discussion of content. One-semester DMSc program students participate in a total of twelve credits. Four-semester DMSc program students participate in nine credits each semester, for a total of 36 credits.
Earn AAPA Credits
Four-semester DMSc students who successfully complete the program earn 36 AAPA Category 1 CME credits.
One-semester DMSc students who successfully complete the program earn 12 AAPA Category 1 CME credits.
Supporting Veterans
The Pacific Doctor of Medical Science program has been approved by the Veteran’s Administration, and Veterans can use their VA benefits to enroll in the program.
Â鶹ӰÊÓ is proud of its commitment to the Yellow Ribbon program, which covers tuition costs for veterans when G.I. Bill benefits are insufficient. Pacific provides full tuition and fees funding to all eligible veterans and eligible dependents who are admitted and enrolled at Pacific under the Department of Veterans Affairs program. The program applies to Â鶹ӰÊÓ as well as underÂ鶹ӰÊÓ programs.
U.S. News & World Report has recognized Pacific’s support for student veterans; Pacific was the only private university in Oregon on the publication’s list of best colleges for veterans. Â鶹ӰÊÓ was also named one of the West’s most supportive schools for military veterans by MilitarySupportiveColleges.com, a coalition of web publishers that provides guidance to veterans seeking college information.
ADMISSIONS
Emily Josi | Assistant Director of Graduate and Professional Admissions and Marketing
503-352-7219 | emcdaniel@pacificu.edu
GENERAL INFORMATION
Amber Vanzant, MAT | Program Administrator
School of Healthcare Administration and Leadership
Phone 503-352-7369 | amber.vanzant@pacificu.edu
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Katie Bell, EdD, RDH | Director | School of Healthcare Administration and Leadership
Director and Professor | Doctor of Science Program
Phone 503-352-7359 | Fax 503-352-7290 | kathryn.bell@pacificu.edu
