Program Details

DMS Program Details

HPU DMS Graduates:

• Will be more marketable in a field where doctorates are just starting to grow.
• Will hold the degree decision-makers often look for when filling administrative and leadership positions.
• Doctoral degree holders could teach future providers as part of a university’s faculty.
• Will build the business acumen and leadership skills needed for today’s healthcare delivery approaches.

Student Goals:

• Develop skills to critically evaluate the medical literature to advance patient care.
• Become more marketable in a field where doctorates are just starting to grow.
• Hold the degree decision-makers often look for when filling administrative and leadership positions.
• Develop the necessary skills to teach future providers as part of a university’s faculty.
• Build the business acumen and leadership skills needed for today’s healthcare delivery approaches

Innovation:

• First fully-online academic degree program on campus
• Start program at any one of the six starting points in the academic calendar
• While must maintain forward academic progress, students can choose the number of modules they take at a time
• First post professional doctoral program in the state of North Carolina specifically for PAs

Specializations/Tracks:

Two areas of Concentration (Certificate for both PAs and non-PAs)

• Health Professions Education Concentration
• Health Professions Administration Concentration (Clinic Owners/Healthcare Administration)

 Average Time to Complete Degree:

• Standard Pace (2 courses/semester):  9 semesters (3 years)
• The curriculum is self-paced for students to enter into the program at any one of six starting points in the academic calendar.

 Program Cost:

Tuition and fee charges anticipated for 2022–2023 academic year: $819.00 per credit hour.  Tuition increase is set at 3% annually.  At the expected standard pace of 9 semesters the total cost is estimated to be between $40,958 – $43,458 for 50 credit hours.

Enrollment cycle and admission deadlines:

• Rolling Admissions: Admission decisions will be made on an ongoing basis. Applicants must have successfully graduated from a PA program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on the Education of a Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) and must currently hold either a National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) certification/recertification or a state license to practice as a Physician Assistant. A previously earned master’s degree is not required.

Accreditation/Rankings:

The D.M.S. program is accredited by the  Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).