Earn AAPA Category 1 CME
Earn up to 36 AAPA Category 1 CME credits that are built into the program curriculum.
What Makes Augsburg’s DMSc Unique?
While there are many DMSc options available with varying structures, Augsburg University’s program is intentionally streamlined for working Physician Associates. We balance high-quality, career-enhancing education with a flexible format designed to fit seamlessly into your clinical schedule.
- 100% Online & Asynchronous: Complete flexibility in a structured weekly format. Materials are posted weeks in advance, allowing you to easily work ahead around busy clinical shifts, call schedules, or planned vacations.
- Intentionally Small Cohorts (Max 15): Students move through the program with cohorts. The cohorts are intentionally capped at 15 students to create a supportive learning community where you'll build meaningful relationships with peers and receive personalized mentorship from dedicated, experienced faculty.
- Applied Capstones: Complete original research or real-world quality improvement (QI) projects. Our curriculum is intentionally structured to guide you through the entire scholarly process, making this one of the program's defining strengths and truly career-enhancing for our students.
- Tailored to Your Practice: You choose how to apply the material to your specific career goals. Select your own project focus, such as optimizing cardiac pre-op protocols, streamlining health-system onboarding, or advancing PA education curricula.
Where will your DMSc degree take you?
Lead Advanced Practice Provider
Chief Medical Officer (CMO)
Medical Director
Director of Clinical Operations
PA Professional Organization Board Member
Strategic Planning or Quality Improvement Specialist
Clinical Educator or Preceptor
Grant Writer or IRB (Institutional Review Board) Member
Faculty Member in PA or Health-related Programs
Director of Didactic or Clinical Instruction
PA Program Director
Academic Program Chair or Dean
Provost
PA Licensure Compact and State PA Board Representation
Principal Investigator for Research Studies
Director of Clinical Research Programs
Public Health Program Director
State and Federal Healthcare Policy Advisor
Advocacy Lead for Professional Organizations
Private Practice Owner
Founder or CEO of a Healthcare Startup
Developer of Healthcare Technologies
Expert Consultant in Specialized Medical Fields
Interprofessional Team Leader in Complex Care Settings
Advanced Practice Provider in Research or Specialized Clinics
THREE PATHWAYS. ONE DOCTORAL DEGREE. ONE APPLICATION.
No Masters? No Problem! We value your knowledge and experience.
All you need is:- A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or an appropriately certified foreign institution
- Be clinically practicing as a PA for a minimum of 5 years with NCCPA Certification
- Possess an undergraduate degree grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0)
Looking for more? We’ll prepare you for the future.
All you need is:
- Master’s degree from an ARC-PA accredited institution with an MSPAS, MPAS, or equivalent PA degree
- NCCPA Certification
- Graduate degree grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
For more information, please reach out to our DMSc Program Director,
Diana Soran, DMSc, PA-C
soran@augsburg.edu.
Still in PA school? The writing is on the wall.
Be practice ready and profession ready.
Seamlessly transition from your MSPAS to DMSc. The Augsburg DMSc is designed to support physician associate students as they graduate and move into professional practice.
All you need is:
- Enrollment in an ARC-PA accredited PA program (MSPAS, MPAS, or equivalent)
- Graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale)
- A strong record of leadership, scholarship, and service in PA school
To support your transition into practice, the Augsburg DMSc offers:
- Intentional course sequencing and curriculum design to support PANCE preparation and a smooth transition into your first clinical role
- Early-career mentorship connecting you with experienced PAs and healthcare leaders
- Fall and Spring start dates for students across the nation
Augsburg MSPAS Alumni Pathway
Augsburg MSPAS graduates have a streamlined pathway to earn their Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree, with reduced tuition and credit for prior coursework. The program is intentionally designed to strengthen your transition from graduate to practicing clinician while preparing you to lead as an innovative clinician, scholar, advocate, and educator.
- $80 per-credit alumni tuition discount
- Up to 6 prior learning credits* to waive up to two required DMSc courses
- Intentional course sequencing to support PANCE preparation and early-career transition
- Early-career mentorship and professional development support
*Credit for Prior Learning is subject to review and approval by the Program Director based on course equivalency, documented completion, and alignment with DMSc program learning outcomes. Augsburg MSPAS courses that may qualify include the PA500–530 Community Health and Evidence-Based Professional Practice series and ML570/PA710 Universal Responsibility: A Central American Experience.
For more information, please reach out to our DMSc Program Director,
Diana Soran, DMSc, PA-C
soran@augsburg.edu.
BUILT FOR WORKING PHYSICIAN ASSOCIATES
Augsburg DMSc is a four-semester program designed for the Working PA. Each semester includes three courses designed to connect with daily professional practice.
Exclusive Study Abroad Global selective course: Leadership, Health, and Universal Responsibility: A Central American Experience.
The program culminates in a professional portfolio and an Original Research or quality improvement capstone project.
An MSPAS to DMSc credit for prior learning pathway and transitional schedule supports New Graduates preparing for the PANCE and transitioning into clinical practice.
Program Competencies
Our program aligns core competencies with defined learning outcomes to provide DMSc professionals with a comprehensive skill set, empowering them to excel in their roles and make a meaningful impact on the healthcare industry.
DMSc Competencies
Capacity to assess and evaluate the impact of community-centered healthcare initiatives. Skill in modifying strategies to drive positive change within diverse communities, considering their unique needs.
Proficiency in ethical leadership, effective communication, decision-making, conflict resolution, and team management within healthcare settings. Ability to collaborate effectively within interdisciplinary teams to comprehensively address psychological wellness.
Competence in creating inclusive teaching strategies catering to diverse learners. Ability to design healthcare environments integrating social justice principles into practice and policy.
Proficiency in employing diverse scholarly communication modes (peer-reviewed publications, presentations, digital media) to effectively disseminate research findings in practical settings.
Capability to design and implement effective quality improvement initiatives using data-driven methodologies to enhance healthcare outcomes and drive continuous advancements.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The DMSc program is a 36-credit program over four academic semesters. For the Fall 2026 cohort, total program cost is $27,900. This includes up to 35 AAPA Category 1 CME. Financial assistance, including partnership grants, alumni discount, and federal loans are available to degree-seeking students. If your employer provides CME and tuition assistance, you may be able to apply for tuition reimbursement for the program. Please refer to the Student Financial Services webpage for the current tuition and fees.
Accreditation
Augsburg University and the Doctor of Medical Science degree are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. For a complete list of Augsburg’s accreditations, approvals, and memberships, see the listing in the Accreditation, Approvals, and Memberships section of the graduate catalog.
Augsburg DMSc is dedicated to advancing quality and standards in PA doctoral education. While the DMSc is a post-professional degree and not subject to ARC-PA accreditation, Augsburg’s program participates in the PA Education Association and DMSc Consortium. Our faculty are also active members of the AAPA Constituent Organization, Academy of Doctoral PAs.
Have Questions?
We are here to answer all your questions, provide guidance, and help you embark on a successful educational journey.