Doctor of Medical Science

The University of Tampa's Doctor of Medical Science program awards a Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree. Students will engage in full time study for four terms (12 months). The program follows the asynchronous 100% online model of training.

Accreditation Information:

The University of Tampa is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Doctor of Medical Science Program Mission Statement:

Our mission is to advance Physician Assistant Education and cultivate exemplary lifelong learners through transformative educational experience focusing on Leadership, evidence-based Medical Education, and Healthcare Entrepreneurship to solve real-world healthcare problems. We believe in clinicians who will excel in not just medical knowledge, but also ethical clinical, business or educational practice and focus on student or patient centered care. Our program strives to produce graduates who demonstrate a deep commitment to improving the well-being of individuals and communities, build value for their practice, and advance their career.

Students will elect a concentration (Entrepreneurship in Healthcare or Higher Education in Healthcare).

Faculty: Assistant Professors Sereda, Watkins.

Admission:

•   The student will apply via University of Tampa Application Portal.
•    All applicants must hold a master’s degree and a PA certificate from an ARC-PA-accredited program.
•   Students without a master’s degree may apply for an exception of master’s degree. To apply the applicant must have a bachelor’s degree and 1 of the following:

o  An approved military or civilian post-professional PA residency or fellowship.
o  A Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) offered by the NCCPA.
o  At least 15 credit hours of post-secondary education toward a master’s degree.
o  Currently certified by the NCCPA with a minimum of at least ten years of continuous certification maintenance.

•   The minimum graduate GPA is a 3.0 (or bachelor’s degree if applying for master’s equivalence).
•    Active and nonrestricted state license.
•    Active NCCPA certification or Emeritus status.
•   1 letter of recommendation from a doctoral degree holder (Physician or a Doctoral level PA).
•   Personal statement reflecting what they are hoping to achieve with this degree.
•   Ability to establish community mentor with a doctorate degree for scholarly project.
•   Rolling interviews and notification of acceptance will be year-round.

Advising:

Each student will be assigned to a program faculty member for advising purposes pertaining to course sequencing, academic performance, and professional guidance. For matters related to registration, withdrawal and other academic issues, students should contact the Program Director and their advisor in the Office of Graduate and Continuing Studies.

Student Organization:

In addition to student organizations at UTampa, DMS students have access to several professional and honorary organizations. These will be reviewed during orientation.

DMS Student Information:

More information about the DMS program can be found on the DMS program website, where all student policies are located:

Program and Course Requirements:

Satisfactory completion of the DMS program requires the student to complete the 36 hour credit program in the sequence outlined by the program.

Students who have graduated from an ARC-PA accredited Physician Assistant program may be eligible to receive transfer credit for DMS 910 based upon prior coursework. Eligibility is determined through review of official transcripts and curricular equivalency by the Program Director. Approved transfer credit satisfies the DMS 910 requirement but does not carry a letter grade or affect the student's graduate GPA. Awarding of transfer credit does not reduce the University's minimum residency requirement.

To successfully complete the program and be recommended for graduation the student must: complete the program of study with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and no course grade below “B”; and participate in all program required events, and meet all other UTampa graduation requirements.

Students may not withdraw from a single course or semester due to academic reasons. Students may request an excused absence for personal (non-academic) circumstances.

A student is allowed seven years from the time graduate work has begun, whether at UTampa or elsewhere, in which to complete a degree. Under certain circumstances, the student, with approval from the respective program director, may revalidate, by examination, courses that are outdated by the time limit.

The DMSc curriculum is a lock-step design. Students move through the curriculum as a cohort. Each course must be successfully completed before beginning the next semester of study.

More information about the DMS program policies can be found on the Department of Physician Assistant Medicine Program’s website.

Degree Requirements - Course Study

Term 1

DMS 901	Scholarly Project I	3
DMS 910	Global and Community Health	5
Total Credit Hours:		8

Term 2

DMS 911	Healthcare Law and Systems	5
	One of the following based on selected concentration:
DMS 920	Adult Learning and Curriculum Design in Health Professions Education	5
DMS 930	Healthcare Entrepreneurship	5
Total Credit Hours:		10

Term 3

DMS 902	Scholarly Project II	5
DMS 931	Healthcare Administration and Management	5
Total Credit Hours:		10

Term 4

DMS 903	Scholarly Project III	3
	One of the following based on selected concentration:
DMS 922	Health Professions Program Development, Accreditation, and Simulation	5
DMS 932	Healthcare Economics	5
Total Credit Hours:		8

Total Credit Hours: 36