The Doctor of Medical Science in Health Systems (DMSc-HS) for Physician Assistants (PAs) is a 60-unit online post-professional doctorate program designed to provide certified PAs holding a bachelor's degree with the knowledge and competencies to contribute to a patient-centered, safe, and cost-effective healthcare system. The program focuses on the PA's role as a critical member of the healthcare team by studying evidence-based practice, patient safety and quality improvement, population health, 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.
The NAU Doctor of Medical Science in Health Systems degree is to provide students with knowledge and competencies to contribute to an equitable, patient-centered, and cost-effective healthcare system. This program is designed to provide a pathway for licensed physician assistants who have completed a bachelor-level PA program and do not currently hold a master's degree. The program focuses on the PA's role as a critical member of the healthcare team by studying evidence-based practice, patient safety and quality improvement, population health, 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, application activities, assigned readings, and virtual classroom discussions. 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 develop skills to make them competitive as leaders in healthcare, consulting, and academia. This program will expand the pipeline of skilled, doctoral-trained PAs to serve in diverse settings, improve healthcare systems, and advocate for patients and communities.
To receive a Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) at Northern Arizona University, students must have a degree from an ARC-PA accredited PA program, official transcripts from bachelors and masters-level degree-granting institutions (must hold a master’s degree for consideration), 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:
| Minimum Units for Completion | 60 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required. |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Required |
| Some online/blended coursework | Required |
Purpose Statement
The purpose of the NAU Doctor of Medical Science in Health Systems (DMSc-HS) degree is to provide students with knowledge and competencies to contribute to an equitable, patient-centered, and cost-effective healthcare system. This program is designed to provide a pathway for licensed physician assistants who have completed a bachelor-level PA program and do not currently hold a master's degree. The program focuses on the role of the Physician Assistant (PA) as a critical member of the healthcare team through the study of evidence-based practice, patient safety and quality improvement, population health, 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 virtual classroom discussions. 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.).
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 Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.
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.
*See the application for details.
This Doctoral degree requires 60 units.
Take the following 60 units:
Some courses may have prerequisites. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.