The College of Idaho is proud to announce the launch of its innovative Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree program. This program is a historic milestone in the 133 years of the College, as it is the first doctoral offering in the College’s history and will be delivered entirely online in an asynchronous format.
The Doctor of Medical Science is the ideal degree for Physician Assistants/Physician Associates (PAs) looking to further their education. This program offers professional versatility in leadership, academia, advocacy and clinical career advancement. Under the guidance of Program Director Dr. Kari Bernard, the College’s DMSc program leverages implementation science to drive change through evidence-based practices across various fields. This degree empowers PAs to advance into senior-level leadership roles in today’s evolving healthcare landscape or to excel in academia or clinical practice.
“We are thrilled to introduce the Doctor of Medical Science degree at The College of Idaho and offer the school’s first-ever doctoral degree,” Bernard said. “We’ve taken what is so special about The College of Idaho, especially the personalized attention and respect paid to each on-campus student, and recreated it in our online space. Each DMSc student will be paired with a doctoral-trained PA advisor, someone who knows what the students are going through and can provide meaningful support from day one of the program through to graduation. To mitigate administrative burdens, we’ve created a centralized process through our program manager for DMSc students to navigate enrollment and other requirements. We are truly meeting students where they are to support their doctoral journey.”
The inaugural class of the new program launches this summer, with an initial cohort of 25 students. Additional cohorts of 25 students will be added in roughly three-month intervals, with a maximum of 125 students in the program at one time.
“The College of Idaho has been looking at a DMSc program for some time now,” said Dean of Graduate Studies and Vice President of High Impact Practices Latonia Haney Keith. “This expansion of the College’s academic offerings will provide an accessible and flexible pathway for working PAs to advance their education while receiving the personalized attention The College of Idaho is known for.”
Even though the DMSc degree is widely viewed as the doctoral degree of choice for PAs, all DMSc programs are not created equally. Programs are not accredited by a specific organization. As such, the College tapped into experienced PAs and doctoral-level professionals to design its unique curriculum.
“The College of Idaho’s DMSc program has been designed to provide a rigorous doctoral-level curriculum for PAs,” said Associate Program Director Dr. Tonya George. “Understanding the importance of a curriculum that is based on known competencies, our course designers, who are all experienced PAs, intentionally created our courses using doctorate-level competencies from recognized organizations such as the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) and the American Association of Physician Associates (AAPA). We are excited to be able to offer this quality of degree to fellow PAs.”
Key features of the DMSc program include:
- 100 percent online and built with flexibility in mind, especially for working professionals
- Personalized support and mentorship from doctoral-trained PAs from day one until graduation
- Career transformation in just 9 to 18 months
- Expert-designed curriculum, crafted by PAs who are leaders in their fields, ensuring an education that is both relevant and geared toward doctorate-level career advancement
- Affordable tuition and fees that fund high-quality learning content
- Engaged and talented faculty, dedicated to supporting each individual student
Prospective students interested in the DMSc can find answers to many questions and apply online at www.collegeofidaho.edu/dmsc. A brief video describing the unique features of the College’s program from our expert faculty can be viewed here.
The College of Idaho has a 133-year-old legacy of excellence. The College is known for its outstanding academic programs, winning athletics tradition, and history of producing successful graduates, including eight Rhodes Scholars, three governors, and countless business leaders and innovators. Its distinctive PEAK Curriculum challenges students to attain competency in the four knowledge peaks of humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and a professional field—empowering them to earn a major and three minors in four years. The College’s close-knit, residential campus is located in Caldwell, where its proximity both to Boise and to the world-class outdoor activities of southwest Idaho’s mountains and rivers offers unique opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. For more information, visit www.collegeofidaho.edu.