Program Overview

Doctor of Medical Science

The Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program is designed to provide advanced education and training for physician assistants. The program is fully online and can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis.

Length of Program

The DMSc program consists of 40 credit hours, which can be completed in as little as four semesters for full-time students or seven semesters for part-time students. Students have up to five years to complete the program.

Degree Offered

The degree offered is a Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc).

Admissions

To be eligible for admission, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be a graduate of an accredited PA program with a master's degree from an approved institution of higher learning
• Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) at the time of application submission
• Be currently certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
• Have a current state PA license (where applicable, with exemptions for military or federal employees)
• Be employed in at least a part-time role as a PA
• Identify a preceptor who holds a doctoral degree, is currently employed in good standing, and has supervisor/educator experience

Tuition

Tuition information is available through the UNMC Tuition Guide and Financial Aid Website.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes 24 credit hours of online didactic coursework and 16 credit hours of clinical experiences completed in the student's home community under the guidance of DMSc faculty and an onsite clinical preceptor.

Full-Time Plan of Study

The full-time plan of study is as follows:

• First Year:
  • Fall:
    • MSCI 701: Healthcare Systems Theory and Practice for the Advanced Physician Assistant (3 credits)
    • MSCI 704: Application of Research and Statistical Methods to the Advanced Physician Assistant Practice (3 credits)
    • MSCI 709: Field Placement I (4 credits)
  • Spring:
    • MSCI 703: Quality Improvement in Advanced Physician Assistant Practice (3 credits)
    • MSCI 705: Capstone Project I (2 credits)
    • MSCI 710: Field Placement II (4 credits)
  • Summer:
    • MSCI 702: Physician Assistant Leaders & Their Organizations: Navigating the Complexities (3 credits)
    • MSCI 706: Capstone Project II (2 credits)
    • MSCI 711: Field Placement III (4 credits)
    • MSCI 750: Global Health for the Advanced Physician Assistant Practice (3 credits)
• Second Year:
  • Fall:
    • MSCI 707: Capstone Project III (2 credits)
    • MSCI 708: Health Security & Medical Operations Applied to Advanced Physician Assistant Practice (3 credits)
    • MSCI 712: Field Placement IV (4 credits)

Part-Time Plan of Study

The part-time plan of study is as follows:

• First Year:
  • Fall:
    • MSCI 701: Healthcare Systems Theory and Practice for the Advanced Physician Assistant (3 credits)
    • MSCI 704: Application of Research and Statistical Methods to the Advanced Physician Assistant Practice (3 credits)
  • Spring:
    • MSCI 703: Quality Improvement in Advanced Physician Assistant Practice (3 credits)
    • MSCI 705: Capstone Project I (2 credits)
  • Summer:
    • MSCI 702: Physician Assistant Leaders & Their Organizations: Navigating the Complexities (3 credits)
    • MSCI 709: Field Placement I (4 credits)
• Second Year:
  • Fall:
    • MSCI 708: Health Security & Medical Operations Applied to Advanced Physician Assistant Practice (3 credits)
    • MSCI 710: Field Placement II (4 credits)
  • Spring:
    • MSCI 706: Capstone Project II (2 credits)
    • MSCI 711: Field Placement III (4 credits)
  • Summer:
    • CAHP 750: Interprofessional Global Health (3 credits)
• Third Year:
  • Fall:
    • MSCI 707: Capstone Project III (2 credits)
    • MSCI 712: Field Placement IV (4 credits)