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College of Idaho

At The College of Idaho, we prioritize keeping education affordable so financial barriers don’t stop you from earning your Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree. Since 1891, we’ve followed our founding principle from President William Judson Boone: “Let them come, let them all come, and we will see what they can do.” We priced our online DMSc program with this in mind — tuition is below the national average for similar programs, ensuring you can focus on creating significant change in healthcare as a working physician assistant/associate (PA).

Explore tuition details, available scholarships, financial aid options and other online DMSc costs to help you plan your investment in your future.

2024-2025 Online DMSc Tuition

The Doctor of Medical Science tuition amount varies based on the pathway you complete in the post-professional program for PAs. Each concentration meets the needs of PAs at different career stages and consists of 36 credit hours that you can finish in 9-18 months. Learn more about our six online DMSc concentrations

Note: The College of Idaho’s online Doctor of Medical Science tuition and fees are due before or on the first day of class. The DMSc program is a semester-based program (Fall: July-December and Spring: January-May). Each 20-week semester is broken into two 10-week course blocks. If you begin the degree program in the second 10-week block, tuition and fees will be due on or before the first day of class for your initial term, but then will be due on or before the first day of the semester thereafter (e.g. if you begin the DMSc program during Fall Block 2, all courses taken in Spring Block 1 and Spring Block 2 must be paid on the first day of the spring semester).

Health Professions Education Track: 18 Months

The Health Professions Education pathway is ideal for PAs looking to advance their teaching skills or step into educational leadership roles. Students complete 36 credit hours in 18 months.

  • 2024-2025 Tuition: $25,050
  • Graduate Program and Technology Fee: $50 per 10-week block

Health System Leadership Track: 18 Months

For PAs aiming to improve healthcare delivery or transition into leadership roles, the 36-credit hour Health System Leadership pathway enables students to earn their DMSc degree in 18 months.

  • 2024-2025 Tuition: $25,050
  • Graduate Program and Technology Fee: $50 per 10-week block

Lifestyle Medicine & Advanced Clinical Practice Track: 18 Months

The Lifestyle Medicine & Advanced Clinical Practice pathway is ideal for a clinical PA in any stage of their career seeking to explore evidence-based strategies for disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention and provider well-being. Students complete 36 credit hours in 18 months.

  • 2024-2025 Tuition: $25,050
  • Graduate Program and Technology Fee: $50 per 10-week block

To complete this track, students must identify a clinical certificate that they are qualified to earn and prepared to work towards during their enrollment in the DMSc program. Students will declare the certificate before they begin their concentration courses. To meet the requirements for this track, the PA-qualified external clinical certification must meet the following criteria:

  • Certificate eligibility requirements include being a licensed or certified healthcare professional.
  • Certificate requires a credentialing exam and/or completion of continuing education (CE)/continuing medical education (CME) hours.
  • If a credential only requires completion of CE/CME hours, the requirement is for 30 or more CE/CME hours

Students do not need to complete the PA-qualified external certification requirements as part of their DMSc graduation requirements, but rather document progress working towards the certification. All expenses incurred as part of the external PA-qualified certificate, including the cost of required CME, and application and exam fees, are paid by the student separate from their DMSc tuition.

Early Career PA Accelerated Pathway: 12 Months

The Early Career PA concentration is for PAs who completed their PA program within the last two years and are looking to fast-track their careers with a DMSc degree. Students receive 12 credits of advanced standing based on their clinical and academic experiences, allowing them to complete the final 24 credit hours in the program in 12 months.

  • 2024-2025 Tuition: $20,040
  • Graduate Program and Technology Fee: $50 per 10-week block

Experienced PA Educator Accelerated Pathway: 12 Months

Designed for PA faculty with at least five years of full-time teaching experience at an ARC-PA-accredited program, the Experienced PA Educator pathway allows educators to expand their knowledge and leadership skills. Students earn 12 credits of advanced standing for their professional background and complete 24 credit hours in 12 months.

  • 2024-2025 Tuition: $20,040
  • Graduate Program and Technology Fee: $50 per 10-week block

PA Fellow Accelerated Pathway: 9 Months

PAs who are currently enrolled in or have completed an eligible fellowship within the past two years can accelerate their DMSc journey through the PA Fellow concentration. Students receive 18 credits of advanced standing based on their didactic and clinical fellowship work and can complete the remaining 18 credit hours in nine months.

  • 2024-2025 Tuition: $18,000
  • Graduate Program and Technology Fee: $50 per block

Financial Aid

Students can qualify for federal financial assistance based on the information they submit in their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To learn more about financial aid options, explore our financial resources for graduate students or contact Financial Aid Services at finaid@collegeofidaho.edu or 208-459-5380.

Scholarships

The College of Idaho offers Doctor of Medical Science tuition scholarships to the following students:

  • Active U.S. military service members, reservists, National Guard members and veterans
  • Alumni of, faculty currently teaching in and eligible preceptors of the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program at The College of Idaho and Idaho State University
  • Alumni of, faculty currently teaching in and eligible preceptors of the University of Washington MEDEX Northwest PA program
  • Employees of health organizations under a partnership agreement with The College of Idaho
  • Full-time employees of The College of Idaho

Additional Cost Information

Review more details about The College of Idaho’s DMSc cost, fees, payment plans and tuition refunds. 

Invest in a Student-Centered Program

With competitive tuition rates and a variety of funding options, the cost of The College of Idaho’s DMSc program reflects our commitment to making a high-quality education accessible for full-time PAs. Start your journey toward professional growth and leadership — apply today.

ELEVATE YOUR CAREER IN PA