College of Healthcare Professions
Doctor of Medical Science
Advance your PA career with an online doctorate designed for leadership, education, and innovation in healthcare. Accepting applications in late 2025 for the Summer 2026 cohort.
Program Details
- Official Degree Name
- Doctor of Medical Science
- Format
-
Online
- Credit Hours
- 40
- Program Start
- Summer 2026
- Average Time to Degree
- 12 Months
Why Get Your DMSc Degree at DeSales University?
The Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program at DeSales University empowers physician assistants to expand their clinical expertise, strengthen leadership skills, and deepen scholarly knowledge—all within a fully online, flexible format.
In just 12 months, you’ll gain the advanced credentials needed to influence policy, lead academic programs, and drive meaningful change in the evolving healthcare system.
Program Highlights
Multiple Pathways to Success
- Choose from three specialized tracks—Executive Leadership, Medical Education, or Advanced Professional Practice—to align your doctoral experience with your career goals. Whether you aspire to lead healthcare organizations, shape academic programs, or deepen clinical expertise, we provide a pathway tailored for you.
Professional Development Opportunities
- Benefit from personalized mentorship, robust networking, and guidance from experienced faculty. Our program emphasizes leadership, scholarly research, and practical application so you graduate ready to excel as a healthcare leader or educator.
Flexible Options
- Designed for working professionals, the DMSc is 100% online and asynchronous, allowing you to balance work, life, and doctoral study on your own schedule. Complete your degree in just 12 months full-time.
What Will You Study?
All students in the DMSc program will take part in clinical practicums and a research capstone project.
Our program includes four 12-week semesters packed with courses that have real-world impact.
Required core courses you will take include:
- Evidence-Based Medicine
- Executive Leadership in Healthcare
- Healthcare Systems
- Research Capstone
- Practicum 1-4
Doctor of Medical Science
Program Track Options
Swipe below to discover more!
Executive Leadership Track
Learn MoreDMSc Track
Executive Leadership
This track equips physician associates with the knowledge and skills needed to lead within complex healthcare organizations. With a focus on strategy, finance, policy, and organizational leadership, this track prepares graduates for executive, administrative, and system-level leadership roles across healthcare settings.
Required Courses Include:
Medical Education Track
Learn MoreDMSc Track
Medical Education
Designed for physician associates interested in teaching, academic leadership, and curriculum development, this track prepares graduates to educate the next generation of healthcare professionals. Students develop skills in instructional design, assessment, educational scholarship, and leadership within academic and clinical learning environments.
Required Courses Include:
Advanced Professional Practice Track
Learn MoreDMSc Track
Advanced Professional Practice
This track is ideal for physician associates who want to keep their options open across leadership, education, or advanced professional roles. Tailor your DMSc through flexible electives pulled from other tracks, enabling you to build a personalized, multi-faceted curriculum that aligns with your evolving career goals.
Courses May Include:
Admission Requirements
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Two letters of recommendation (must be from a Physician or PA)
- Proof of current board certification (e.g. NCCPA)
- Current professional license(s)
- Completed application form
Program FAQs
The DMSc is a professional doctorate for practicing physician assistants seeking advanced knowledge, leadership development, and professional growth beyond the master’s level. It focuses on areas such as executive leadership, medical education, healthcare policy, and advanced professional practice.
This degree opens doors to leadership roles in healthcare systems, academic administration, curriculum development, clinical quality oversight, research, and non-clinical roles like medical science liaison or policy advisor. The degree supports career advancement by enhancing your credibility and expanding your professional skill set.
While salaries vary by role and region, current data suggests DMSc-prepared PAs in leadership or academic positions typically earn $130,000–$160,000+ annually.
- Healthcare Executive or Administrator
- Director of Clinical Operations
- Academic Program Director or Department Chair
- Medical Science Liaison
- Director of Quality and Patient Safety
These positions typically involve leadership, policy influence, or education rather than direct patient care alone.
Yes. PAs with a DMSc often maintain clinical roles while expanding into leadership, research, and quality improvement initiatives. The DMSc enhances, rather than replaces, clinical practice by adding depth to your professional profile.
The DMSc prepares graduates for roles in PA and healthcare education, such as faculty positions, consultants in curriculum development, academic leadership, and program administration. It also provides a foundation in scholarly research and evidence-based practice, enabling graduates to contribute to academic publications, capstone mentorship, or institutional research initiatives.
Yes. The program is 100% online and asynchronous, allowing you to learn from anywhere without campus visits.
The DMSc encompasses four 10 week semesters totaling 12 months of full-time, asynchronous, online coursework. Students also complete clinical practicums and a scholarly capstone project suitable for publication or professional presentation.
The program offers three tracks:
- Medical Education – for PA educators and academic leaders
- Executive Leadership – for those aspiring to management roles
- Advanced Professional Practice – for PAs aiming to deepen their expertise across various domains
Yes. The program plans to offer AAPA Category 1 CME credit for all courses. This will allow students to earn valuable continuing medical education credit while completing their doctoral studies.
DeSales University is fully accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) to offer doctoral-level programs. This ensures that the program meets rigorous standards for academic quality, integrity, and student support.
The DeSales DMSc program is designed to be completed in 12 months on a full-time basis, with four 10-week semesters of online, asynchronous coursework. This structure supports efficient degree completion while maintaining flexibility for working professionals.
However, part-time options may be available based on individual needs. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact the program director to discuss part-time pathways and customized scheduling.
The Program Director is Dr. Alan Heckman, DMSc, PA-C — a board-certified PA with nearly two decades of clinical experience across emergency medicine, family medicine, cardiothoracic surgery, and critical care. In addition to his clinical background, Dr. Heckman brings over 20 years of experience in academic settings, including teaching, program development, and academic administration.
- First Cohort: Summer 2026
- Applications Open: December 2025
- Recruitment Begins: Fall 2025
Join the priority recruitment list starting Fall 2025 or email DMSc@desales.edu for details.
Tuition for the DMSc program is $875 per credit. The total cost for the entire degree, including tuition and fees, is $35,800.
Yes. DeSales University is proud to offer:
- 10% tuition discount for all DeSales Physician Assistant alumni
- 10-15% tuition discount for eligible DeSales PA program preceptors
Tuition discounts are applied at the time of enrollment and remain in effect for the duration of the program, provided you meet the eligibility requirements.
Email dmsc@desales.edu for further details.
This program's first cohort will start in Summer 2026. A specific Academic Calendar has not yet been created for the program at this time.
