Doctor of Medical Science

Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc).

A DMSc degree is a doctoral degree that elevates PAs to new levels of care and leadership.

• First and foremost, to ensure quality patient outcomes.
  • We recognize that PAs provide a high level of medical care. The DMSc is a professional doctorate with a curricular design that focuses on a greater understanding of medicine, executive business, and leadership skills.
  • The DMSc helps practicing PAs meet the changing demands of this nation’s complex healthcare environment. Students learn how to better interpret and evaluate the medical literature that can then be applied to individualized patient care.
• For those seeking advanced education, holding a doctorate will create opportunities for increased decision-making and upward mobility in the workplace.
• Better prepared clinicians can help to address provider shortages. Those with doctorates can also serve as faculty, educating the next generation of health care providers.
• Influence the future direction of healthcare through acquisition of the necessary skillset to gain a seat at leadership tables.

Program Overview

• 6-week sessions
• 28 credit hours/9 courses

Students choose the number of courses per semester that fits their schedule

Curricular Focus Areas

• Healthcare Leadership
• Research Methods

Program Features

• 100% online delivery, including the capstone project
• Taught by doctorally-prepared faculty
• Flexible and self-paced.
  • Standard pace: 2 courses per semester
  • Fall matriculants: may matriculate on a full time basis to complete the program in 2 semesters.
• Maximum time to complete: 2 years.
• Can complete in 2 semesters.
• No residency requirements.

You will participate in scholarly activities through a required programmatic capstone and work with a faculty advisor to target a novel problem or current issue in clinical practice, leadership, or research.  Your capstone will focus on discovery, teaching, applications in clinical practice, or integration of ideas—areas that support the values of a profession committed to both social relevance and scientific advancement.

Tuition and fee amounts for High Point University are set annually. For a detailed cost of attendance for the academic year, including additional estimates of expenses related to costs of living, you may visit the Graduate School Tuition, Fees and Financial Assistance page.

Begin your DMSc and Certificate studies six times a year. Each semester (Fall, Spring, Summer) includes two 6-week sessions, so you can start in Session I or Session II of any semester.

All application materials are due at least two weeks prior to your preferred start date. Follow this link to the current academic year calendar: Doctor of Medical Science Academic Calendar 2026-2027

Program Completion Window: 2 years

Each course in the DMSc program has been reviewed by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) Review Panel and is compliant with AAPA CME Criteria. Each academic credit is designated for a maximum of 24 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. The total number of CME credits available for each course is based on the number of academic credits assigned to that course. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

Note: The Capstone series consisting of the Doctoral Capstone Proposal Development course and Doctoral Capstone Completion course is eligible for a combined total of 156 CME credits.

Students enrolled in the Doctor of Medical Science program select between two concentrations of study: 1) Health Professions Education; or 2) Health Professions Administration.

Yes. Students must select a concentration and complete all course offerings within the concentration to graduate. A student may choose to take courses in the other concentration even though these credits will not contribute toward the 28 credit hours required to graduate. However, a student may also earn a separate certificate in addition to the DMSc degree. For more information, see the certificate FAQs below.

To provide flexibility for our students, the curriculum is self-paced for entry into the program at any one of six starting points in the academic calendar. A fall cohort is offered for students wishing to complete the program in two semesters.

The student’s personal schedule and course availability will determine individual student course selection. The length of time it takes to complete the program is dependent on the number of courses a student enrolls and successfully completes in each session, and the availability of the course due to enrollment minimums being met.

Under the guidance and mentorship of the DMSc Research team, each student will complete a Doctoral Capstone project that creates scholarship that systematically advances the teaching, research, and the practice of medicine through rigorous inquiry. Scholarship in the DMSc program is defined as activities that are significant to the profession, can be documented, and can be peer-reviewed through various methods. Completion of the DMSc Capstone Project is a graduation requirement to ensure degree attainment and conferral.

The program estimates roughly 6 hours per week per 3-credit course for students in the DMSc program; however, some weeks there may be more time needed and some weeks, less time. The time required by each student will depend on the foundational comfort level of the material.

High Point University uses Blackboard Ultra and ECHO 360 technologies for online teaching and learning.

Given the online curricular delivery of the DMSc program, all students are required to have a computing device and internet access throughout the Program. Computers must have webcams and microphones that are either built-in or external. Students will be able to choose and purchase a device from any manufacturer that meets their learning needs.

Campus residency is not required. All course content is completed online. However, all students are invited and encouraged to attend the commencement ceremony after completion of the Program.

Yes. Enrolled students within the DMSc program will have access throughout the program to a departmental resource page within Blackboard Ultra. Additional sessions or virtual meetings with DMSc faculty and staff will be available as needed or upon request.

The High Point University Doctor of Medical Science program has been approved and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.