The Doctor of Medical Science degree (DMSc) for Physician Assistants (PAs) is a 24-credit online post-professional doctorate degree program designed to provide certified PAs with knowledge and competencies to contribute to a patient-centered, safe, and cost-effective healthcare system. The program will focus on the role of the PA as a critical member of the healthcare team through coursework in population health, patient-centered care, health policy, health informatics, and healthcare finance.
NAU will prepare Physician Assistants (PAs) to systematically address the critical and complex needs of patients, communities, and populations within the healthcare system. Through the study of population health, patient-centered care, health economics, health policy, health informatics, and health equity, PAs work collaboratively to pursue high-value, patient-centered, team-based healthcare. PAs must also understand the role of social determinants of health; the need to address health disparities; how to influence policies and practices of organizations; and improving quality and safety to address some of the most challenging health issues.
Graduates of the Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program will be prepared to meaningfully contribute to the improvement of health and healthcare systems. Graduates will be provided with skills to make them competitive as leaders in health care, consulting, and academia.
The Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program provides Physician Assistants (PAs) with a competitive advantage in the workplace, regardless of practice setting, community, or professional industry. Doctoral-trained PAs will positively impact the care of patients and populations, improve the healthcare delivery system, and serve as leaders and change agents through the application of core concepts from the program.
To receive a Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) at Northern Arizona University, students must fulfill a Master of Physician Assistant Studies at NAU or another university, and then complete a planned group of courses, consisting of 24 units of specified graduate-level courses depending upon the student’s previous experience, training and transcripts.
In addition to University Requirements:
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 24 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Required |
| Some online/blended coursework | Required |
Purpose Statement
The purpose of the NAU Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree is to provide students with knowledge and competencies to contribute to an equitable, patient-centered, and cost-effective healthcare system. The program focuses on the role of the Physician Assistant (PA) as a critical member of the healthcare team through the study of population health, patient-centered care, health policy, health informatics, and health equity. The program provides students with foundational knowledge in healthcare delivery and payment models and their relationship to healthcare outcomes.
Students will be prepared to systematically address the complex needs of patients, communities, and populations within the healthcare system through the critical analysis of current evidence and case studies, debate and discussion, and practice-based application exercises. Concepts will be supported by online, asynchronous lectures, assigned readings, and discussions with students in the cohort-based model. Students will synthesize program concepts in the culminating project, which requires students to develop or engage in a project specific to health systems science (i.e., informatics, population health, healthcare systems, health equity, etc.).
Graduates will be provided with skills to make them competitive as leaders in healthcare, consulting, and academia. This program will expand the pipeline of highly skilled, doctoral-trained, PAs to serve in diverse settings; improve healthcare systems; and advocate for patients and communities.
Student Learning Outcomes
The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.
Admission requirements include the following:
Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
Ready to apply? Begin your application now.
International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Take the following 24 units:
Students enrolled in this plan may not enroll in or pursue the following due to the number of overlapping units:
If you have completed either of the above certificates prior to enrolling in the Doctor of Medical Science, DMSc, you may apply the coursework to Doctor of Medical Science, DMSc.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.