As a physician assistant/associate (PA), you’re already making a difference in healthcare. But what if you could expand your leadership opportunities, elevate your impact and advance your career, all while continuing to care for your patients? A Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree program empowers you to do just that.
Today, staying ahead means more than just keeping up — it means leading the way. A DMSc degree elevates your skill set and positions you to influence the future of healthcare in ways that matter most to you. Explore how this advanced credential can reshape your professional journey and unlock opportunities you may not have considered.
Are you wondering, “What is a DMSc degree?” Learn more about its purpose.
Take On Leadership Roles
A DMSc degree gives you the tools to step confidently into leadership positions that drive change in healthcare. Whether your goal is to manage clinical or academic teams, influence healthcare policy or oversee organizational operations, this degree equips you to make impactful decisions guided by your expertise.
Increase Your Earning Potential
Earning a DMSc not only opens the door to new careers but also enhances your financial opportunities. PAs with doctoral degrees typically report earnings above the median PA salary, working in higher-paying roles like department chair, healthcare administrator, medical director or academic program director. By advancing your education, you’re making a strategic move toward long-term financial growth while contributing to meaningful improvements in patient care, PA education and organizational success.
Become a Healthcare Educator
If you’re passionate about teaching and mentoring the next generation of PAs, a DMSc degree is the path to take. Completing your Doctor of Medical Science degree enhances your knowledge and capacity to teach and strengthens your qualifications for advanced roles in academia.
Elevate Your Clinical Practice
A DMSc helps you develop your clinical skills further and keeps you at the forefront of medical knowledge. Through specialized coursework, research opportunities and a professional network available in a DMSc program, you grow in your ability to provide exceptional care, adopt evidence-based practices and improve patient results.
6 Reasons Why The College of Idaho’s DMSc Program Is Worth It
Earning your DMSc degree from The College of Idaho prepares you to take on new challenges in healthcare, whether you’re looking to lead, innovate, educate, provide care or more. Built specifically for practicing PAs, The College of Idaho’s online DMSc degree program embodies the following characteristics to ensure you can achieve career growth and become a positive catalyst for change.
1. 100% Online Coursework
We understand the demanding schedules of healthcare professionals and that your time is valuable. At The College of Idaho, you can earn your Doctor of Medical Science online. This means you can continue providing exceptional care to your patients and fulfill your personal responsibilities while furthering your education.
All course content is delivered in manageable, bite-sized modules, making it easy to stay engaged — even on the go. Instead of spending hours in front of a screen or reading 200 pages a week, you can listen to a short lecture during your commute or review a module after a long 12-hour shift. This balance of accessibility and quality sets us apart from other online DMSc degree programs.
2. Personalized Mentorship From Day One
Your journey matters. That’s why we pair every student in our online DMSc degree program with a PA who has already earned their doctorate and understands the challenges of balancing coursework with their profession. This isn’t just academic advising — it’s a partnership designed to support your success.
Your mentor helps you navigate the program, leverage opportunities — like researching an emerging topic — and prepare for your next role. Plus, by the time you graduate, you will have created a lasting professional relationship that can benefit you throughout your PA career.
3. Affordable Tuition
Pursuing a doctoral degree is a significant investment in your future, but it doesn’t have to be financially overwhelming. We priced The College of Idaho’s DMSc program competitively to ensure that cost does not stand in the way of your career advancement.
With flexible payment plans and access to federal financial aid, we make it possible to focus on your education without the burden of financial stress. This cost-effective approach offers a clear return on your investment — you graduate with the skills and credentials required to unlock high-level career opportunities and increase your earning potential.
Review DMSc tuition, fees and financial services at The College of Idaho.
4. Curriculum Designed for PAs by PAs
Created by practicing PAs who understand every aspect of the profession, our online DMSc degree program was built to support your growth at every stage of your career. We offer six pathways that match your background and goals, including traditional 18-month options or 12- and nine-month accelerated tracks that allow you to apply prior coursework and clinical experience for credit:
- Health Professions Education (18 Months)
- Health System Leadership (18 Months)
- Lifestyle Medicine and Advanced Clinical Practice (18 Months)
- Early Career PA (9 Months)
- Experienced PA Educator (9 Months)
- PA Fellow (9 Months)
Whether you’re just starting your career or building on years of experience, our targeted approach ensures you gain specialized expertise that enhances your practice and drives meaningful professional advancement.
Explore our DMSc curriculum and available concentrations.
5. A Foundation in Implementation Science
At the center of our online DMSc degree is implementation science — the science of transforming research into actionable, real-world solutions in healthcare settings. This unique focus empowers you to become a change-maker in the workplace, advocating for new ideas that improve patient or student outcomes, streamline processes or uncover areas of organizational growth.
Implementation science sets The College of Idaho’s DMSc program apart. Here, you can build the confidence and expertise to introduce evidence-based practices, inspire your team and overcome obstacles to innovation. We give you the tools to turn big ideas into standard practices that make a lasting impact.
6. Opportunities for Professional Scholarship
In our DMSc program, your academic projects aren’t just assignments — they’re ways to elevate your professional profile and become a scholar in the field. We have various opportunities to transform your work into research, peer-reviewed journal publications and conference presentations that showcase your expertise.
This emphasis on scholarship allows you to contribute to the broader healthcare community, apply your skills beyond the classroom and graduate with a competitive portfolio that highlights your professional achievements.
Join Our Next Class
There’s never been a better time to advance your PA career. The College of Idaho’s Doctor of Medical Science online degree program is your opportunity to lead, innovate and make a lasting impact in healthcare.
Request more information or review our application requirements to get started!