Program Details
Program Details Page Wireframe
Show in 3 Curriculum Pillars
- Leadership Series: Develop personal and professional leadership skills to navigate today’s healthcare system. Focus on self-assessment, resilience, and health equity while applying core leadership concepts directly to real-world challenges.
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- Courses (703, 704, 707, 801)
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- Strategic Management Series: Build expertise in healthcare strategy, management, and education. Master quality improvement, strategic planning, financial management, and effective teaching methods within modern healthcare environments.
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- Courses (702, 705, 708, 802)
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- Applied Research & Quality Improvement Series: Strengthen scholarship and communication skills by translating evidence directly into practice. Engage in community health initiatives and execute original, workplace-applied capstone projects designed for scholarly dissemination.
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- Courses (701, 706, 709, 803)
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Course Sequence
- PA 701 – Foundations of Doctoral Studies
- PA 702 – Practice-Based Research and Improvement
- PA 703 – Facilitating Professional Growth
- PA 704 – Well-Being for the Healthcare Leader
- *PA 705 – Advanced Healthcare Strategy and Innovation
- PA 706 – Communities and Change
- PA 704 – Well-Being for the Healthcare Leader
- *PA 705 – Advanced Healthcare Strategy and Innovation
- PA 706 – Communities and Change
*Selective Option: PA 710 – Leadership, Health, and Universal Responsibility: A Central American Experience (summer semester only); can replace PA 705 or PA 801, but not both courses.
- *PA 801 – Leadership Application and Critical Reflection
- PA 802 – Teaching and Learning Strategies in Healthcare
- PA 803 – Capstone
*Selective Option: PA 710 – Leadership, Health, and Universal Responsibility: A Central American Experience (summer semester only); can replace PA 705 or PA 801, but not both courses.
Course Sequence Note: This sequence reflects the standard DMSc curriculum. Course plans may vary for students entering through the MSPAS-to-DMSc bridge pathway to account for previously completed graduate coursework.
DMSc in Central America
The Augsburg University DMSc offers a unique opportunity for students to take a selective course, PA710 - Leadership, Healthcare, and Universal Responsibility: A Central American Experience.
Offered in the summer semester, this interdisciplinary course takes students on an immersive learning journey through Costa Rica to explore how health, environment, and justice intersect in shaping leadership and well-being. Students meet with local scholars, healers, and community leaders—including indigenous, Afro-Costa Rican, and refugee groups—to learn about sustainable living, traditional medicine, and ethical leadership in action.
Program Competencies
- Community-Centered Practice: Evaluate and enhance community-centered healthcare initiatives through data-driven analysis and culturally responsive practices that address health equity and promote positive outcomes.
- Advanced Leadership: Demonstrate advanced leadership skills, including ethical decision-making, conflict resolution, and effective communication, to build cohesive interdisciplinary teams that prioritize holistic patient care.
- Education and Mentorship: Develop and implement inclusive educational and mentorship strategies tailored to diverse learning needs, supporting the growth and development of future healthcare professionals.
- Social Justice and Equity For All: Promote social justice and equity in healthcare by integrating inclusive policies, addressing systemic disparities, and advancing culturally competent care practices.
- Scholarly Communication: Utilize scholarly communication methods to disseminate research findings, foster professional collaboration, and advocate for evidence-based changes in healthcare delivery.
Earn AAPA Category 1 CME
Earn up to 36 AAPA Category 1 CME credits that are built into the program curriculum.