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Program Overview

The DMSc program is delivered in an online, asynchronous cohort model. Cohorts are intentionally small, allowing students to progress together while fostering meaningful collaboration and a strong sense of community among peers and faculty.

The curriculum is organized into three core series that reflect the program’s Doctor of Medical Science competencies. Each semester, students complete one course in each series. This structure allows students to advance steadily while applying learning across multiple domains throughout the program.

Cohort classes start September and January.

Curriculum learning series

  • Leadership Series

    This series develops personal and professional leadership skills for effective practice in today’s healthcare system. Through self-assessment, resilience, health equity, and design thinking, students take meaningful steps toward leading with purpose and impact.

  • Strategic Management Series

    This series builds essential skills in health care management and strategy. Concepts are applied to clinical and educational settings. Content covers quality improvement, strategic planning, finance, and practice innovation.

  • Scholar-Practitioner Series

    This series is designed to enhance research skills and scholarly communication. The four courses in this series cover research methodologies, community health initiatives, and applied scholarly practice, and culminate in a capstone project.


DMSc in Central America

The Doctor of Medical Science program at Augsburg University offers a unique opportunity for students to take a selective course, PA710 - Leadership, Health, and Universal Responsibility: A Central American Experience. This core selective course is offered in collaboration with the Center for Global Education and Experience, the Masters in Physician Associate Studies Program and the School of Business during the summer

Program Competencies

The competencies for the Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program define the essential skills, knowledge, and abilities that students will develop to excel in advanced healthcare roles. They provide a framework for the program’s curriculum, ensuring that learning experiences align with the demands of the profession and prepare graduates as leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, scholars, and administrators in diverse healthcare settings.

  1. Evaluate and enhance community-centered healthcare initiatives through data-driven analysis and culturally responsive practices that address health equity and promote positive outcomes.
  2. Demonstrate advanced leadership skills, including ethical decision-making, conflict resolution, and effective communication, to build cohesive interdisciplinary teams that prioritize holistic patient care.
  3. Develop and implement inclusive educational and mentorship strategies tailored to diverse learning needs, supporting the growth and development of future healthcare professionals.
  4. Promote social justice and equity in healthcare by integrating inclusive policies, addressing systemic disparities, and advancing culturally competent care practices.
  5. Utilize scholarly communication methods to disseminate research findings, foster professional collaboration, and advocate for evidence-based changes in healthcare delivery.

Program Learning Outcomes

Each DMSc course and its associated work are designed to ensure that students achieve the following Program Learning Outcomes. Meeting these outcomes ensures that all students develop the DMSc Competencies required for success, equipping them to excel as doctorally prepared PAs upon graduation.

  1. Synthesize data and research findings to foster a culture of innovation, adaptability, and continuous improvement within healthcare teams.
  2. Assess the impact and efficacy of community-centered healthcare initiatives and modify approaches as required to drive positive change within the community.
  3. Demonstrate ethical and effective leadership skills in healthcare settings, including communication, informed decision-making, conflict resolution, and team management.
  4. Collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams to address psychological wellness comprehensively and holistically.
  5. Create teaching and education strategies to address the needs of diverse learners, including those from different backgrounds, abilities, and learning styles.
  6. Develop strategies to create inclusive healthcare environments that integrate social justice principles into the healthcare process and policy.
  7. Employ various modes of scholarly communication, including peer-reviewed publications, presentations, and digital media to disseminate scholarly work in practice.
  8. Design and implement effective quality improvement initiatives, utilizing data-driven methodologies.