Doctorate of Medical Science

Program Overview

The University of Saint Francis’ Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program is an entirely online, 36-credit hour program designed specifically for physician assistants to advance their knowledge of healthcare education, develop leadership skills, master public health principles, and build confidence in healthcare and business administration. Students have the option to complete the seven core courses and five concentration courses on a full-time (12-months) or part-time (24-months) basis. Students are admitted to the program for a spring (January), summer (May), or fall (August) start.

Program Mission

The University of Saint Francis Doctor of Medical Science program prepares a diverse community of physician assistants to become distinguished leaders, competent educators and advocates, and practitioners dedicated to wholistic patient care.    

Program Vision

The University of Saint Francis Doctor of Medical Science program envisions graduates as influential leaders dedicated to serving their communities through leadership, education, and advocacy. 

Program Level Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Doctor of Medical Science program at the University of Saint Francis, students will be able to: 

1. Apply ethical decision-making and responsible stewardship in healthcare, administrative, or educational leadership settings.  
2. Demonstrate inclusive managerial and leadership practices in an educational, healthcare, or administrative setting.  
3. Execute informed judgements regarding leadership and management principles, policies, and laws in a U.S. based healthcare, administrative, or education system.  
4. Develop a well-reasoned, evidence-based scholarly work that explores a current topic in healthcare, leadership, or education.  
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of data analytics, case study analysis, and strategic decision making to promote continuous operational improvements. (Business Leadership and Administration Concentration; Leadership and Administration Concentration) 
6. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of healthcare law, clinical measures, accounting, financial, budgeting, and economic data to promote continuous quality improvements. (Healthcare Leadership and Administration Concentration) 
7. Demonstrate an ability to design, develop, and execute projects that improve student learning outcomes, program curriculum or operations, and accreditation compliance or program self-improvement. (Healthcare Education Concentration)   
8. Utilize public health principles, including epidemiology, biostatistics, and population health, to propose improvements to U.S. healthcare policies. (Public Health Concentration)   
9. Apply concepts of functional medicine and patient safety in the primary care setting to improve the patient healthcare experience. (Advance Clinical Practice Concentration)    

Admission Requirements

Individuals interested in applying to the DMSc program must:

• Be a graduate from an ARC-PA accredited program with a minimum cumulative 2.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
  • If below 2.75, applicants must also complete a directed essay question which will be reviewed for admission consideration.
• Possess current physician assistant certification (NCCPA), OR
• Be within 9 months of graduation from an ARC-PA accredited program. Proof of good academic and professional standing must be provided by a letter of recommendation from the student’s current/previous PA program director.
• Send all official transcripts from bachelors and masters-level degree-granting institutions to the Office of Admissions (gradschool@sf.edu).

Required Core Courses

• MSCI 700 Ethics and Franciscan Values in Healthcare (3)
• MSCI 705 Healthcare Leadership (3)
• MSCI 710 Managing Organizational Diversity (3)
• MSCI 715 Healthcare Law and Compliance (3)
• MSCI 720 U.S. Healthcare Law and Compliance (3)
• MSCI 725 Research Methods in Healthcare (3)
• MSCI 730 Doctoral Scholarship (3)

Concentrations

Each student selects one of the following 15-credit, 5-course concentrations, if available:

• Healthcare Education
• Public Health
• Leaderhsip and Administration (General)
• Business Leadership and Administratin*
• Healthcare Leadership and Administration*

*Students who complete these concentrations are able to earn an MBA or MHA, respectively, following the completion of four additional, major-specific courses.