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The Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) is a post-professional doctoral degree for physician assistants/associates (PAs) who have successfully completed PA professional training. Note that this is not an entry-level doctoral program.
SPRING: JANUARY 6th, 2025
SUMMER: MAY 5th, 2025
FALL: SEPTEMBER 2nd, 2025
Expand your career opportunities as a PA with SCU’s Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree. The DMSc degree is specifically designed to advance your knowledge of U.S. healthcare through an innovative learning approach to healthcare systems management, leadership, and whole person health. Students will build upon their previous education and experiences, gain a greater depth of healthcare systems knowledge, and develop new administrative leadership and management skills to prepare them for career advancement opportunities. SCU’s DMSc program provides students with a foundation of integrative whole person health aligned with healthcare systems leadership and management while pursuing a concentration in either Health Professions Education or Population and Whole Person Health.
The SCU DMSc program is 100% online with no residency requirement and may be completed in as little as one year (three terms). The curriculum sequence of 36 credits is designed to offer maximum flexibility in enrollment options to meet the needs of full-time working PAs.
This program is not yet approved for CME credit. University organizers plan to apply for 150 AAPA Category 1 CME credits from the AAPA Review Panel. The total number of approved credits is yet to be determined.
SCU scholarships are designed to offset college costs without the burden of loans or extra work. Scholarships are available for you to apply to help reduce the cost of your tuition. They are designed to reward, encourage, and assist students in the pursuit of academic excellence and leadership. Visit this program’s Tuition & Fees tab for program-specific scholarships or SCU Scholarship for a complete listing of the available benefits.
The doctoral program qualifies for federal financial aid support and most students will qualify. Contact the Office of Financial Aid at FinancialAid@scuhs.edu to learn more.
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 Doctor of Medical Science program requires that students complete all 36 credits at Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) to qualify for degree completion. 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.
Throughout the Research, Scholarship, and Doctoral Capstone Project course series, students will collaborate with a faculty capstone mentor to engage in a structured process of topic identification, proposal development, literature review, and scholarly writing. Students will identify a problem in either clinical practice, the health system, PA education, or the PA profession, and utilize and/or extend existing research to propose a solution incorporating the principles of integrative whole person health in a final manuscript suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed journal. Students receive guidance from the course director and feedback from faculty and fellow students throughout the Doctoral Capstone courses so they can refine their project idea and help ensure that it is both feasible and impactful.
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.
Representative track sequence, the actual courses per term may vary based on when the student starts.
| Term 1 | Duration | Block | Credit |
| DMSC610 Researching, Publishing, and Presenting in Healthcare | 15 weeks | AB | 4 |
| DMSC612 Profession & Science of Public and Population Health | 15 weeks | A | 4 |
| DMSC622 Quality Improvement and Healthcare Economics | 15 weeks | AB | 4 |
|
Total Term Credits |
11 | ||
| Term 2 | Duration | Block | Credit |
| DMSC640 Improving Healthcare Equity, Inclusivity, and Outcomes | 15 weeks | AB | 3 |
| IWPH610 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| Flex Sequence: Year 1, Term 1 | Duration | Block | Credit |
| DMSC610 Researching, Publishing, and Presenting in Healthcare | 15 weeks | AB | 4 |
| DMSC612 Profession & Science of Public and Population Health | 15 weeks | AB | 4 |
|
Total Term Credits |
8 | ||
| Flex Sequence: Year 1, Term 2 | Duration | Block | Credit |
| DMSC620 Organizational Behavior, Leadership, and Strategy | 15 weeks | AB | 3 |
| IWPH620 Integrative Whole Person Health Practice II | 15 weeks | AB | 1 |
|
Total Term Credits |
4 | ||
| Flex Sequence: Year 1, Term 3 | Duration | Block | Credit |
| DMSC640 Improving Healthcare Equity, Inclusivity, and Outcomes | 15 weeks | AB | 3 |
| IWPH610 Integrative Whole Person Health Practice | 15 weeks | AB | 1 |
|
Total Term Credits |
4 | ||
| Flex Sequence: 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 | ||
| Flex Sequence: Year 2, Term 4 | Duration | Block | Credit |
| DMSC622 Quality Improvement and Healthcare Economics | 15 weeks | AB | 4 |
|
Total Term Credits |
4 | ||
| Flex Sequence: Year 2, Term 5 | Duration | Block | Credit |
| Complete 6 credits from a concentration | 7.5 weeks | A&B | 6 |
| DMSC701 Doctoral Capstone Project I | 715 weeks | AB | 1 |
|
Total Term Credits |
7 | ||
| Flex Sequence: Year 2, Term 6 | Duration | Block | Credit |
| Complete 6 credits from a concentration | 7.5 weeks | A&B | 6 |
| DMSC702 Doctoral Capstone Project II | 15 weeks | AB | 1 |
|
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.
The Inaugural Doctor of Medical Science Scholarship has been designed to acknowledge and recognize the first class of new students accepted into the DMSc program for Spring 2025. Students will receive a total of $1,000, awarded over the 3 terms of the program. Students must remain continuously enrolled to qualify. No application is required.
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.
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:
You wouldn’t be looking at this program if you weren’t interested in helping people find their healthiest life. Your dedication and enthusiasm for the growing movement toward whole-person wellness is what makes you the perfect fit for SCU. Now, begin to discover why we’re the perfect fit for you.
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