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A Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree is a post-professional doctorate for physician assistants/associates (PAs) who want to build upon their existing experiences, knowledge, and skills to expand their professional opportunities. Earning a DMSc empowers PAs with advanced education, skills, and professional status to open new doors into clinical leadership, administration, teaching, research and publishing, policy and advocacy, and more.
SCU’s uniquely flexible DMSc program is designed specifically for busy, working PAs. Delivered entirely online in an asynchronous format, it can be completed in as little as one year (or slower if preferred) and without putting your current career on hold.
*Minimum eligibility requirements apply
At SCU, you can earn your DMSc while working full time, and without relocating. Our 100% online program features courses that are facilitated by seasoned faculty members but are almost entirely "asynchronous”—meaning you can watch lectures and complete your weekly assignments when it works best for you within a given week. In addition, we offer three Tracks that enable you to move through the program at whatever pace makes most sense for you. Our 3-Term Accelerated Track enables you to earn your doctorate in just one year by taking 12-14 credits per term. Our 6-Term Track allows you to complete your degree in two years by taking a decreased load of 4-8 credits per term. And our Flex Sequence Track enables you to set your own pace, increasing or decreasing your courseload each term to fit your life circumstances. Students should expect to spend approximately 6-9 hours per week on each course during the program.
Most DMSc programs require students to earn a master’s-level PA degree before entering the program, but our Bachelor’s-to-Doctorate Pathway enables U.S. licensed (or eligible for licensure) PAs to enter the program with just a bachelor’s and advance straight to their doctorates—saving significant time and money.
*Minimum eligibility requirements apply
We enable you to tailor our curriculum to your unique career goals by choosing one of two concentrations. Our Health Professions Education Concentration will build your expertise in adult learning theory, curriculum design, and educational assessment—preparing you to teach or serve as a senior administrator in higher education settings. Our Population & Whole Person Health Concentration will deepen your understanding of societal health issues and public health planning and management—preparing you for leadership roles in wide-ranging community and public health settings. A third of your coursework (12 out of 36 credits) will be directly related to your chosen concentration.
One of the most rewarding portions of our DMSc program, the doctoral capstone project will give you the opportunity to learn about and conduct scholarly research on a medical, educational, or community health-related topic of interest to you—under the close advisement of a Capstone Mentor. A Doctoral Capstone is an academic and professional milestone, often leading to publications, future research opportunities, and other career advancements.
Most of today’s healthcare colleges offer an “interprofessional education” through which students learn with, from, and about other disciplines. But unlike other colleges, we teach you about both conventional and complementary disciplines—not just one or the other—because we believe in both and we teach both, all under one roof.
In addition, as an Integrative Whole Health University, we teach students in every discipline to blend the best of conventional and complementary approaches (integrative healthcare) and to treat the entire mind, body, and spirit (whole health)—for true lasting wellness. While our nation’s healthcare system advances toward this new and proven approach, we are one of the only healthcare colleges already teaching it.
This activity has been reviewed by the American Academy of Physician Associates Review Panel and is compliant with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 165 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation. Approval is valid from 1/6/2025 to 1/5/2026. AAPA reference number: CME-2012315
Have a question for SCU or the Program Director?
Submit an inquiry for more information on the program or call/email to speak to the Program Director.
The mission of the Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program at Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) is to advance the PA (physician assistant/associate) graduate’s knowledge and skills in leadership and integrative whole person health within an evidence-based learning environment that is focused on SCU’s values of health equity, and inclusivity.
The Doctor of Medical Science may be conferred upon those who have fulfilled the following requirements:
This concentration broadens the student’s understanding of adult learning theory, curriculum development and delivery, and assessment and evaluation in PA education to help prepare students for roles in higher education leadership and administration.
This concentration broadens the student’s understanding of population health, whole person health, leadership principles and communication strategies, and public health emergency preparedness and disaster response to help prepare students for leadership roles in public health, healthcare policy, and community health initiatives to make a significant impact on the overall health and well-being of communities while maintaining a focus on individualized, whole-person care.
Up to 12 transfer credits toward the DMSc may be considered on an individual basis.
The Research, Scholarship, and Doctoral Capstone consists of three courses in sequential order, beginning with DMSC610 Researching, Publishing, and Presenting in Healthcare in term one. The Doctoral Capstone Project courses (DMSC701 and DMSC702) are completed in terms two and three. (Terms vary in the 6-Term and Flex sequences.)
The Doctoral Capstone provides students with an opportunity to engage in a mentored scholarly experience involving a medical, healthcare or community health-related issue that promotes critical thinking and clinician leadership. Students can elect to engage in clinical, basic, or translational research; case study with a comprehensive literature review; meta-analysis; educational, quality improvement, or community-based implementation project. The process allows students to practice and apply medical information literacy, lifelong learning, teamwork, effective communication, research methods, evidence-based medicine approaches, and ethics related to scholarly inquiry. Each student participates in the Doctoral Capstone by engaging in independent scholarly activity culminating in a final report (which may include a draft manuscript submitted for publication) and participation (with oral/poster presentation) in a student research symposium at the final term of the DMSc program.
Students in the 3-Term Accelerated Track may complete the DMSc degree in one year. Students are assigned their schedule of courses each term and are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of their schedules. Student schedules may vary based on the term of entry and other factors, including student progression. Not all courses are offered every term. Each term includes a combination of 15-week course offerings (Block AB) and 7.5-week course offerings (Blocks A and B). The Program Director’s Office maintains sample schedules.
Students must complete DMSC610 Researching, Publishing, and Presenting in Healthcare prior to enrolling in the Doctoral Capstone Project course series, which must be completed in sequential order.
The 6-Term Track allows students to take courses at a less rigorous pace and complete the DMSc degree in two years. Students are assigned their schedule of courses each term and are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of their schedules. Not all courses are offered every term. Each term includes a combination of 15-week course offerings (Block AB) and 7.5-week course offerings (Blocks A and B). The Program Director’s Office maintains sample schedules.
Students must complete DMSC610 Researching, Publishing, and Presenting in Healthcare prior to enrolling in the Doctoral Capstone Project course series, which must be completed in sequential order. DMSc 6-Term Track students will complete the Doctoral Capstone Project series during the second year of the program.
Students in the Flex Sequence may complete the program at their own pace. Students must meet with a program advisor to discuss an enrollment plan. Students are assigned to their schedule of courses each term and are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of their schedules.
Students must complete DMSC610 Researching, Publishing, and Presenting in Healthcare prior to enrolling in the Doctoral Capstone Project course series, which must be completed in sequential order.
Representative track sequence, the actual courses per term may vary based on when the student starts.
| Year 1, Term 1 | Duration | Block | Credit |
| DMSC610 Researching, Publishing, and Presenting in Healthcare | 15 weeks | AB | 4 |
| DMSC612 Healthcare Economics and Quality Improvement | 15 weeks | A | 4 |
| DMSC614 Foundations of Health Determinants and Public Health | 15 weeks | AB | 4 |
|
Total Term Credits |
12 | ||
| Year 1, Term 2 | Duration | Block | Credit |
| DMSC640 Improving Healthcare Equity, Inclusivity, and Outcomes | 15 weeks | AB | 3 |
| DMSC650 Integrative Whole Person Health Practice | 15 weeks | AB | 1 |
| DMSC701 Doctoral Capstone Project I | 15 weeks | AB | 1 |
| Students are required to complete 6 credits from a concentration | 7.5 weeks | A&B | 6 |
|
Total Term Credits |
11 | ||
| Year 1, Term 3 | Duration | Block | Credit |
| DMSC630 Ethical and Legal Considerations in Healthcare | 15 weeks | AB | 3 |
| DMSC620 Organizational Behavior, Leadership, and Strategy | 15 weeks | AB | 3 |
| DMSC702 Doctoral Capstone Project II | 15 weeks | AB | 1 |
| Students are required to complete 6 credits from a concentration | 7.5 weeks | A&B | 6 |
|
Total Term Credits |
13 | ||
| Year 1, Term 1 | Duration | Block | Credit |
| DMSC610 Researching, Publishing, and Presenting in Healthcare | 15 weeks | AB | 4 |
| DMSC614 Foundations of Health Determinants and Public Health | 15 weeks | AB | 4 |
|
Total Term Credits |
8 | ||
| Year 1, Term 2 | Duration | Block | Credit |
| DMSC640 Improving Healthcare Equity, Inclusivity, and Outcomes | 15 weeks | AB | 3 |
| DMSC650 Integrative Whole Person Health Practice I | 15 weeks | AB | 1 |
|
Total Term Credits |
4 | ||
| Year 1, Term 3 | Duration | Block | Credit |
| DMSC630 Ethical and Legal Considerations in Healthcare |
15 weeks | AB | 3 |
| DMSC620 Organizational Behavior, Leadership, and Strategy |
15 weeks | AB | 3 |
|
Total Term Credits |
6 | ||
| Year 2, Term 4 | Duration | Block | Credit |
| DMSC612 Healthcare Economics and Quality Improvement | 15 weeks | AB | 4 |
|
Total Term Credits |
4 | ||
| Year 2, Term 5 | Duration | Block | Credit |
| DMSC701 Doctoral Capstone Project I | 15 weeks | AB | 1 |
| Complete 6 credits from a concentration | 7.5 weeks | A&B | 6 |
|
Total Term Credits |
7 | ||
| Year 2, Term 6 | Duration | Block | Credit |
| DMSC702 Doctoral Capstone Project II | 15 weeks | AB | 1 |
| Complete 6 credits from a concentration | 7.5 weeks | A&B | 6 |
|
Total Term Credits |
7 | ||
Welcome to the Doctor of Medical Science Program.
A little over 56 years ago, the first class of three former Navy medical corpsmen graduated from the Duke University Physician Assistant Program. In what began almost ten years before as a novel concept to address a national shortage of medically trained personnel, the role of physician assistant became a reality. During those formative years, our profession sustained significant growth and continues to evolve today.
We are entering another transformative era as healthcare systems adapt healthcare delivery to the Whole Person Health model to improve patient-centered outcomes. Opportunities for PAs to help expand patient access to healthcare continue to arise through policies such as “Optimal Team Practice” and model legislation for the PA Licensure Compact. Moreover, the number of PA programs has more than doubled over the last 15 years, requiring increasing numbers of PAs to fill faculty roles. This transformative era is a call for more PAs to serve in leadership roles, whether in healthcare professions education, healthcare systems leadership and management, the government sector and healthcare policy, or other roles in research and development, such as medical affairs.
For PAs who wish to pursue leadership roles or expand career opportunities by seeking a direct pathway to a doctoral degree, our Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree is the only program that promotes integrative whole person health throughout its core curriculum in the foundations of both healthcare systems leadership and management and society and population health, while students pursue a concentration in either Health Professions Education or Society and Population Health. Our vision is to prepare PAs to excel as effective leaders of the interprofessional healthcare team and improve patient outcomes through the integrative whole person health approach.
Our 100% online delivery format with structured asynchronous courses is designed to fit into your full-time working schedule and support you as you progress through your journey of earning the Doctor of Medical Science degree. We look forward to being a part of your future career endeavors.
Program Director, Doctor of Medical Science
Southern California University of Health Sciences
Applicants for the Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree must meet the following admissions requirements. Exceptions may be made individually with the program director’s approval.
To enter the Bachelor’s to Doctorate Pathway, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in physician assistant/associate AND provide documentation of at least one (1) of the criteria below:
*Please be prepared to submit unofficial transcripts and copies of licensure/certification when completing the online application form. Official copies are required during the enrollment process through the Office of the Registrar.
Up to 12 transfer credits toward the DMSc may be considered on an individual basis.
Tuition to complete the program $28,656
SCU’s Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee for degree programs allows you to plan your educational investment.
Benefits of our Fixed Tuition Guarantee:
If you would like to learn more about fixed rate tuition, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at FinancialAid@scuhs.edu.
You can also visit the Office of Financial Aid website to learn more about available scholarships, loans, and more.
*Tuition rate reflected above represents the fixed rate for a student entering during the 2024-2025 academic year. Tuition rates are subject to change and may not be reflected on this website or other SCU materials. Please contact us for the most updated information.
**Some limitations apply. View the Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee page for more information.
Representative tuition tables, the actual tuition cost per term may vary based on when the student starts.
| Term | Tuition* | Program Fees** | Petition to Graduate Fee |
Total Term Cost*** |
| 1 | $9,552 | $164 | – | $9,716 |
| 2 | $8,756 | $164 | – | $8,920 |
| 3 | $10,348 | $164 | $225 | $10,737 |
| Totals | $28,656 | $492 | $225 | $29,373 |
Representative tuition tables, the actual tuition cost per term may vary based on when the student starts.
| Term | Tuition* | Program Fees** | Petition to Graduate Fee |
Total Term Cost*** |
| 1 | $6,368 | $164 | – | $6,532 |
| 2 | $3,184 | $164 | – | $3,348 |
| 3 | $4,776 | $164 | – | $4,940 |
| 4 | $3,184 | $164 | – | $3,348 |
| 5 | $5,572 | $164 | – | $5,736 |
| 6 | $5,572 | $164 | $225 | $5,961 |
| Totals | $28,656 | $984 | $225 | $29,865 |
Per term tuition amounts listed above were calculated using the current curriculum plan for credit hours in the term shown times the rate per credit hour and assumes that the student stays on cohort and follows the normal academic progression.
*DMSc students who fall off cohort and extend their program length beyond the standard program length will be charged $796 for each enrolled credit. Tuition is billed by credit hour and rates reflected above represent the fixed rate for a student entering during the 2024/2025 academic year. Tuition rates are subject to change and may not be reflected on the website or other SCU materials. Please contact us for the most updated information. Restrictions on our fixed rate tuition guarantee apply. To remain eligible for the fixed rate guarantee, students must graduate either on time or within one additional term of the published program length they are enrolled in. Refer to the Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee section of the academic catalog for more information. Actual tuition per term will vary depending on the number of credit hours enrolled.
**Program fees listed are for the 2024/2025 academic year and are subject to change. Program fees include charges for technology and are charged every term that the student is enrolled.
***Books, supplies, and other equipment not included in the tuition and fee schedule may be required for this program.
SCU values the service of PAs who dedicate time and expertise to educating the next generation of PAs. To reward ongoing preceptorship and encourage PAs currently not precepting the SCU Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) Program will offer a 15% tuition discount to DMSc students who commit to routinely precepting PA students from our Master of Science: Physician Assistant Program.
To learn more about our DMSc Preceptor Tuition Discount, please contact Ashley Larsen, Associate Program Director of Clinical Education, at AshleyLarsen@scuhs.edu to determine if you are eligible.
SCU proudly supports our alumni, and all Master of Science Physician Assistant Program graduates are eligible for a 20% tuition discount for the DMSc program.
The SCU DMSc program supports active membership to PAEA, the only national organization representing PA educational programs in the United States, advancing excellence in PA education through leadership, scholarship, equity, and inclusion. The PAEA Active Membership Discount is designed to support PA faculty in its member programs by offering a 10% discount on program tuition. Proof of active membership is required.
The SCU DMSc program supports the efforts of the AAPA and its constituent organizations to advocate and educate on behalf of the PA profession and the patients we serve. To reward PAs who are active members of the AAPA and/or its constituent organizations and to encourage membership among those who are not currently members, the SCU Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) Program will offer a 10% discount on tuition for each term in which the DMSc student holds an active membership to at least one of the following (proof of active membership required):
American Academy of Physician Associates – AAPA advocates and educates on behalf of the profession and the patients PAs serve. We work to ensure the professional growth, personal excellence, and recognition of PAs. We also enhance their ability to improve the quality, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness of patient-centered healthcare.
State & Federal Service Chapters – Chartered chapters of AAPA in every state, one U.S. Territory, and the District of Columbia. There are also five federal service chapters.
Specialty Organizations – Specialty organizations support AAPA’s knowledge base regarding medical specialty practice issues. Twenty-seven organizations strengthen the PA profession through their specialized medical knowledge and interactions with their medical and professional counterparts. These relationships allow specialty organizations to partner with AAPA to address challenges with reimbursement, clinical practice, regulation, and other matters.
Special Interest Groups – SIGs are informal groups of individuals sharing a common goal or interest. SIGs are recognized and approved by AAPA’s Board of Directors. AAPA currently recognizes 27 SIGs including PAs in Obesity Medicine, PAs in Pain Medicine, and more.
Caucuses – A caucus is composed of individuals who share a common goal or interest related to healthcare access or delivery. AAPA currently recognizes 11 caucuses including PAs for Global Health, PAs for Latino Health, and more.
Scholarships cannot be combined except for the Inaugural Scholarship. Active membership to ADPA is not eligible for the membership discount as ADPA membership fees are waived for students currently enrolled in doctoral-PA programs.
PAs who have completed the DMSc degree requirements will have the training and credentials to pursue opportunities for career progression in a variety of roles; including, but not limited to:
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Financing Your Dreams
We are proud to offer a fixed tuition guarantee, federal financial aid for those who qualify, and a range of institutional and program-specific scholarship opportunities.