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.
- Evaluate and enhance community-centered healthcare initiatives through data-driven analysis and culturally responsive practices that address health equity and promote positive outcomes.
- Demonstrate advanced leadership skills, including ethical decision-making, conflict resolution, and effective communication, to build cohesive interdisciplinary teams that prioritize holistic patient care.
- Develop and implement inclusive educational and mentorship strategies tailored to diverse learning needs, supporting the growth and development of future healthcare professionals.
- Promote social justice and equity in healthcare by integrating inclusive policies, addressing systemic disparities, and advancing culturally competent care practices.
- 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.
- Synthesize data and research findings to foster a culture of innovation, adaptability, and continuous improvement within healthcare teams.
- Assess the impact and efficacy of community-centered healthcare initiatives and modify approaches as required to drive positive change within the community.
- Demonstrate ethical and effective leadership skills in healthcare settings, including communication, informed decision-making, conflict resolution, and team management.
- Collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams to address psychological wellness comprehensively and holistically.
- Create teaching and education strategies to address the needs of diverse learners, including those from different backgrounds, abilities, and learning styles.
- Develop strategies to create inclusive healthcare environments that integrate social justice principles into the healthcare process and policy.
- Employ various modes of scholarly communication, including peer-reviewed publications, presentations, and digital media to disseminate scholarly work in practice.
- Design and implement effective quality improvement initiatives, utilizing data-driven methodologies.
Program Structure
The DMSc program is structured in a cohort model through an online asynchronous format. The program is 16 months long, organized into 36 credits over 4 academic semesters. Each semester consists of 3 courses, where students can apply the core concepts in their daily professional practice. The curriculum is organized into three key series that represent the core competencies and areas of focus for the Doctor of Medical Science program. Each semester, students complete one course per series, ensuring a balanced development of leadership, strategic management, and scholarly practice.
Course of Study
The curriculum is organized into three key series that represent the program competencies for the Doctor of Medical Science. Each semester, students complete one course per series, ensuring a balanced development of leadership, strategic management, and scholarly practice.
Leadership Series
This series focuses on the development of both personal and professional leadership skills, equipping students with the tools to lead effectively within the healthcare system. The four courses in this series cover topics such as self-assessment, resilience, health equity, and the application of leadership to real-world projects. Each course prepares students to lead with empathy, address disparities in health care, and reflect critically on their leadership experiences.
Strategic Management for Leaders and Educators Series
This series provides essential knowledge in health care management, strategy, and education. The four courses cover areas such as quality improvement, strategic planning, financial management, and teaching strategies. Students will learn how to lead healthcare teams, drive innovation, manage healthcare organizations, and develop effective educational strategies for healthcare environments.
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. Students will gain the knowledge and experience necessary to translate research into practice, engage with diverse communities, and contribute to the healthcare field through scholarly work and impactful projects.
Each course is carefully crafted to address the evolving needs and challenges of the healthcare sector while emphasizing the importance of research, leadership, social justice, education, and well-being in healthcare practice. The comprehensive Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program is a journey of scholarly and professional growth in the field of healthcare.