Doctor of Medical Science

Tuition: $775/credit*

* The Doctor of Medical Science program is expected to commence in the spring of 2026. Additional fees and costs for course materials may apply. Tuition rates, fees and costs for course materials are subject to change.

This program is uniquely designed for PAs, by PAs.

The DMSc program provides five core courses that directly support the program’s learning objectives. These courses cover important topics like global health, disease prevention, health systems on both local and global levels, improving healthcare quality, and promoting equity and social justice.

Our innovative curriculum also incorporates collaborative learning opportunities with other healthcare professionals, mirroring our real-world healthcare system. Inter-professional learning fosters diverse perspectives and better prepares you for the collaborative environments you’ll encounter in patient care and leadership.

In addition, students may choose from three tracks — Education, Leadership and Clinical Practice — based on your interests and career goals. Each track has four specialized courses. All tracks conclude with a capstone project that tackles a real-world healthcare challenge in leadership, education or medical science.

Tracks

• Leadership: Focuses on ethical, legal and change management issues in healthcare
• Education: Covers designing and delivering medical education, assessing and evaluating adult learners, and using simulation in teaching
• Clinical Practice: Involves a hands-on 4-semester clinical practicum, where students gain experience in patient care, work alongside other healthcare professionals and deepen their expertise in a clinical specialty

Requirements

Learning Outcomes

Additional Curriculum Information

• All courses are graded on a pass/fail basis (students must earn 82% or higher to receive a passing grade)
• Students must successfully pass all courses before progressing
• Students are expected to complete the program within four years
  • Extensions may be granted by the program director under extenuating circumstances

Capstone

All students will complete a 9-credit doctoral capstone project that addresses a significant healthcare leadership, medical education, or medical science question or problem. Design, implement and evaluate real-world initiatives that address healthcare challenges and inspire sustainable solutions. Through focusing on actionable outcomes and stakeholder collaboration, the DMSc capstone ensures that graduates are prepared to lead with impact—improving care delivery, advancing education, and strengthening healthcare systems for the future.

Clinical Practice track

4-semester Clinical Practicum — allows you to:

• Deliver patient care within specialized clinical settings tailored to specific populations
• Engage in inter-professional learning experiences that provide opportunities to apply your knowledge and skills in real-world settings
• Deepen your expertise in a focused clinical specialty

A Doctor of Medical Science degree for a Physician Assistant opens up opportunities in leadership roles within the healthcare field. These career opportunities include clinical leadership, research, education, healthcare policy, and administration, allowing PAs to take on more advanced positions with greater responsibility and increased earning potential.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for PAs will grow by 28% percent between 2023 and 2033. As the profession advances, employers are increasingly seeking PAs with doctoral-level education to fill critical roles that require expertise beyond clinical practice. This demand underscores the value of a DMSc degree in equipping PAs to lead interdisciplinary teams, influence policy and address complex challenges in patient care.

Graduates of the DMSc program are equipped for a wide range of advanced roles across healthcare, academia and organizational leadership, including but not limited to:

• Academic leadership: Program director, curriculum chair, faculty lead in PA or interprofessional education
• Advanced practice (AP) leadership: Director of advanced practice providers (APPs), team-based care coordinator or clinical integration lead
• Practice ownership and entrepreneurship: Founders or partners in primary care, urgent care, behavioral health or specialty clinics
• Healthcare administration and quality: Clinical operations manager, quality improvement director or population health strategist
• Policy and workforce innovation: Healthcare consultants, policy advocates, or workforce development leaders in nonprofit, government or health system settings
• Professional advocacy and consulting: Leaders within state PA chapters, AAPA constituent organizations or interprofessional advocacy groups

Earning your DMSc degree at St. Scholastica will prepare you to lead, teach, influence and innovate across multiple sectors. Whether guiding educational reform, improving care delivery, shaping workforce policy or launching new care models, you’ll be empowered with the tools to drive lasting change in healthcare.

Visit our admissions page for information about transcripts, online application, international admissions, financing and the Center for Equal Access.

Application Deadlines

Start term: Spring 2026
Application priority deadline: Dec. 15
Application final deadline: Jan. 2

Applications will continue to be accepted until the program is filled.

Priority Application Incentive

Applicants who apply by the priority deadline will:

• Have their $300 enrollment deposit waived
• Receive early access to orientation materials
• Secure their seat in the upcoming cohort

Note: A $300 non-refundable enrollment deposit applies to students submitting after the priority deadline. This deposit will be applied toward the first semester’s tuition.

Eligibility

The following requirements with a GPA of 3.0 or higher must be met in order for applicants to be considered for admittance into the program.

• Earned master’s degree in Physician Assistant/Associate studies from an ARC-PA accredited U.S. program
• Earned master’s degree or equivalent from an international PA program, evaluated by a NACES-approved agency
• Earned bachelor’s degree in Physician Assistant/Associate studies from an ARC-PA accredited U.S. program with a minimum of 5 years clinical practice experience

In addition, all applicants must:

• Provide proof of active state licensure and/or NCCPA certification
• NCCPA certification must be received prior to matriculation
• NCCPA-Emeritus designation will be accepted for retired individuals

Note: Meeting minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee admission.

Online Application

• Submit the online application
• Current résumé or CV
• Statement of career goals (maximum 500 words)
  • Prompt: Please describe your professional goals and how the DMSc program aligns with your intended career path
• Proof of NCCPA certification (PA-C or PA-C Emeritus) and/or active state licensure
  • Documentation must be submitted prior to matriculation
  • International applicants must submit evidence of equivalent certification and registration
• Official transcripts demonstrating completion of PA program of study

Transcripts

Please order the following official transcripts:

• Bachelor’s degree transcript showing degree conferred
• Master’s degree transcript showing degree conferred
• Any additional college transcripts
• International transcripts: Please see the International Admissions page for additional requirements

Transcripts must be received on or before the application deadline. Order early in the application process!

Email official transcripts to transcripts@css.edu. Electronic transcripts must be from a certified electronic official transcript provider such as Parchment, Docufide, Scrip Safe, National Clearinghouse or other certified, online transcript services.

Mailed transcripts must be in the original sealed envelope from the school. Mail to:

The College of St. Scholastica
Transcript Processing
1200 Kenwood Avenue
Duluth, MN 55811