Sep 09
Core Courses
- Introduction to DMSc
- Advanced Evidence-Based Practice
- Research Design and Analysis
- Ethics and Professionalism in Medicine
- Leadership in Healthcare Systems
- Capstone Project
- Capstone Project Continuation
Medical Science
Doctorate
Earn a Doctor of Medical Science at North Greenville University from anywhere.
100%
Online
Complete your degree without pausing your career.
12
Months to Complete
Thirty credit hour program tailored to fit your schedule.
2
Distinct Tracks
Clinical Practice and Education
Looking to advance your clinical skills and deliver more effective patient care?
Why Choose Our Doctor of Medical Science Program?
- Two Tracks for Your Career Goals: Whether you want to transition from clinical practice into education or deepen your expertise in patient care, NGU’s DMSc offers both an educational track and a clinical track tailored to your path.
- Built for the Future of the Profession: This program positions you ahead of the curve, preparing you for leadership, administration, and advanced clinical roles.
- Guided by Expert Faculty Leadership: Dr. Carson Moore, DMS, PA-C, and Jordan Hairr, EdD, PA-C will lead the program. Moore is an NGU alumnus (MMS in PA Medicine), bringing clinical experience in emergency and urgent care. Hairr, the Dean of the College of Allied Health, has a background as a hospitalist PA. He holds an MSPAS from MUSC and an EdD in Higher Education Leadership from NGU.
- Are You a NGU PA Student? You are eligible to receive a 10% discount.
Minimum Admissions Criteria for the Program:
Current regulations prevent us from offering this program to international applicants without a permanent resident visa due to its online component.
- Complete application and pay application fee using Slate
- Must hold a master’s degree in PA studies (MPAS) or an equivalent advanced degree (MMS, MSPAS, etc.)
- Must be from an ARC-PA accredited Physician Assistant program.
- Must be a licensed Physician Assistant in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
- Must hold current NCCPA certification (National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants) or be scheduled to take the NCCPA PANCE exam.
- Official transcripts in English, listing all undergraduate and graduate work, must be submitted from regionally accredited institutions, or institutions that are members of the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Transcripts must indicate the completion of prerequisite bachelor’s degree and list appropriate leveling work for graduate study.
- Applicants must meet one of the following criteria for regular admission into the program:
- A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4-point scale
- Provide three letters of reference including one from an individual who has been directly involved in supervising the applicant’s professional experience.
- An interview may be required.
See Our Curriculum
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Who is eligible to apply to a Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program?
- The DMSc is currently open only to NCCPA certified PAs.
- Applicants must be eligible for licensure.
- Certification and licensure may be in progress at the time of application, but must be completed prior to matriculation.
-
Do I need to be a currently practicing PA to enroll?
- Applicants do not need to be actively practicing at the time of enrollment.
- All other admissions requirements must still be met.
-
Is the program designed for PAs only, or can other clinicians apply?
Currently, the NGU DMSc program is open exclusively to PAs.
-
Is the program fully online, and is it asynchronous or synchronous?
- The DMSc program is delivered fully online.
- All course content is asynchronous and accessed through our learning management system.
- Students will arrange occasional virtual meetings through Microsoft Teams while completing the capstone project.
- Meeting schedules are flexible and designed to accommodate professional/personal obligations.
-
How long does it take to complete the program?
- The DMSc is designed to be completed in one year of full-time study.
- Students may enroll part-time and extend the length of the program if needed.
-
How many credit hours is the program, and how is the curriculum structured?
- The DMSc is a 30 credit-hour post-professional doctoral degree.
- Students complete one core course and one specialty track course every eight weeks.
- During the final semester, the capstone project replaces the core course.
-
Are there concentrations or tracks within the program, and how do I choose one?
- The DMSc offers two specialty tracks: Advanced Clinical Practice and PA Education.
- The Advanced Clinical Practice track emphasizes interpretation and application of medical research to clinical care.
- The PA Education track focuses on best practices in PA education and prepares graduates for leadership and faculty roles within PA programs.
-
What is the capstone project?
- The capstone project is the culminating academic experience of the DMSc program.
- Students may select from a variety of applied scholarly formats.
- Examples include journal manuscripts, quality improvement initiatives, educational projects, and book chapters.
-
Does the DMSc require additional clinical hours?
- The DMSc does not require any additional clinical hours.
- There is no teaching practicum requirement within the PA Education track.
-
Will earning a DMSc change my PA licensure, certification, or salary?
- The DMSc does not change PA licensure, certification, or scope of practice.
- There are currently no additional certifications associated with completion of a DMSc.
- Many healthcare organizations report salary differentials or advancement opportunities for PAs who hold a doctoral degree, as reported by the NCCPA.
-
Can I transfer credits from prior graduate or doctoral coursework?
At this time, North Greenville University does not accept transfer credit into the DMSc program.
-
How much does the program cost, and is financial aid available?
- The cost of the DMSc program is $800 per credit hour.
- Institutional scholarships are not currently available.
- Many practicing PAs utilize employer tuition reimbursement or CME funds to help offset program costs.
- Core courses are pending approval for up to 12 hours of AAPA Category 1 CME credit per course.
