Doctor of Medical Science
Main Content
The Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree is offered by the School of Medicine Department of Physician Associate Medicine. The D.M.Sc. degree is exclusive to NCCPA-certified Physician Assistants (PAs). All of the courses in the DMSc degree are specific to PAs. Course activities are examined from the perspective of PAs in clinical practice and PA education. The program utilizes online learning activities and offers the choice of an education or clinical practicum.
The DMSc program at Southern Illinois University will prepare medical professionals who are thought leaders working in health care, higher education, research and innovative industries, as well as public and private agencies. These PA leaders will be thoroughly grounded in knowledge base, research paradigms, practical applications, and the ethical/legal implications of their respective career paths. The DMSc program will provide a balanced mix of theory, research, and practical application in the areas of medical practice, education, and leadership.
Admission
To be considered for enrollment in the program, applicants must have a master’s degree in PA studies or equivalent from a PA program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) and either be in clinical practice or an educator in a PA program in the United States or Canada. Applicants must also possess an unrestricted state license to practice as a Physician Assistant where applicable. Direct entry is available to PAs who received a bachelor’s degree in PA Studies or equivalent during the era of this being the professional standard and are NCCPA certified, and to PAs with a master’s degree in PA studies or equivalent with a P/F grade standard and are NCCPA certified. This program requires a non-refundable $75 application fee (subject to change without notice by the SIU Board of Trustees) that must be submitted with the application for admission to graduate study in the DMSc program.
Bridge Pathway
The Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) Bridge is a streamlined pathway designed to recognize the prior advanced clinical and professional accomplishments of Physician Assistants/Associates (PAs). The DMSc Bridge offers a reduced 21-credit hour curriculum, in contrast to the standard 37-credit hour curriculum, by waiving the Clinical Practicum course series requirement. This waiver acknowledges the significant advanced clinical training and experience applicants bring through one or more of the following:
- Completion of a PA postgraduate Residency
- Completion of a PA postgraduate Fellowship
- Earned a Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) with NCCPA in any specialty
- Graduation from the SIU Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPA) program within the previous five years
Applicants to the DMSc Bridge must meet all standard admission requirements for the SIU Doctor of Medical Science program. In addition, applicants must have at least one of the four qualifications provided above.
Degree Requirements
Students selected for the DMSc can begin study in either the Spring or Summer session. Those accepted will be notified prior to the selected session of entry. The curriculum consists of online courses and activities, a longitudinal practicum or education series, and a scholarly project course and project submission.
Clinical Track: DMSC 510, DMSC 520, DMSC 530, DMSC 540, DMSC 550, DMSC 560, DMSC 561, DMSC 562, DMSC 563, DMSC 571, DMSC 572, DMSC 573, DMSC 574
Education Track: DMSC 510, DMSC 520, DMSC 530, DMSC 540, DMSC 550, DMSC 560, DMSC 561, DMSC 562, DMSC 563, DMSC 581, DMSC 582, DMSC 583, DMSC 584
Curricular Guide
The course sequence will be delivered over 5 units of instruction. The general course sequencing for a summer start is:
Unit 1 (9 weeks)
DMSC 510: Organizational Behavior and Leadership (3 CH)
DMSC 560: Performance Improvement in Clinical Practice (3 CH)
Unit 2 (9 weeks)
DMSC 520: Healthcare Administration (3 CH)
DMSC 561: Scholarly Project I (1 CH)
DMSC 571: Advanced Clinical Practicum I (4 CH) -OR-
DMSC 581: PA Education Practicum I (4 CH)
Unit 3 (9 weeks)
DMSC 550: Disaster Medicine (3 CH)
DMSC 562: Scholarly Project II (1 CH)
DMSC 572: Advanced Clinical Practicum II (4 CH) -OR-
DMSC 582: PA Education Practicum II (4 CH)
Unit 4 (9 weeks)
DMSC 540: Global Health (3 CH)
DMSC 573: Advanced Clinical Practicum III (4 CH) -OR -
DMSC 583: PA Education Practicum III (4 CH)
Unit 5 (10 weeks)
DMSC 530: Healthcare Law (3 CH)
DMSC 563: Scholarly Project III (1 CH)
DMSC 574: Advanced Clinical Practicum IV (4 CH) -OR-
DMSC 584: PA Education Practicum IV (4 CH)