Medical Science (online), DMSc

Doctor of Medical Science - online

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ASHS School Information and Policies   Length of Program Tuition

Admissions Graduation Requirements Courses

The Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program is a post-professional distance learning PA-specific program culminating in a Doctor of Medical Science degree. The DMSc program is designed for physician assistants who are currently, or have previously been, certified or licensed to practice as a PA. Courses are designed with an emphasis on academic rigor using an asynchronous learning model, The entire PA doctoral program provides highly flexible online learning, which minimizes career disruption while maximizing new opportunities. PAs can continue to practice full time while obtaining their degree.

Length of Program

The DMSc program is a 36-credit hour program and can be completed in as early as two years.

Tuition

Distance programs’ tuition is due the first day of class. For programs with payment per credit or course, the tuition covers the payment for the coming quarter. Delinquent tuition penalties accrue at 1.5% per month, which is 18% per year. $500.00 per credit hour.

Admissions

Admission Deadline

Applications for the DMSc program may be submitted at any time during the academic year to Online Admissions. The program has two intakes per year, July and January. All application materials must be submitted no later than 2 months prior to the start of a course block.

Application Process

Applicants will need to create an account at https://apply.atsu.edu for access to the online application. Instructions are included on how to complete the application and provide us with all required documentation. If you have any questions regarding the online application, please contact Admissions at 877.469.2878 or by email at onlineinquiry@atsu.edu.

Admission Requirements

The Doctor of Medical Science program is designed to be a postgraduate program for PAs who are, or have previously been (if retired), certified or licensed to practice as a PA. Persons eligible to matriculate in this program must satisfy all of the following criteria:

1. The applicant is a physician assistant currently (or previously, if retired) certified or licensed to practice as a PA.
2. The applicant has obtained a master’s degree or higher from a university or college accredited by a regional or national educational accrediting body.
3. The applicant must submit transcripts from qualifying degree institution(s), to include at least:
   1. Transcript showing completion of physician assistant program of study
   2. Transcript showing completion of a graduate degree (if physician assistant program did not confer a graduate degree)
4. DMSc candidates are expected to have a GPA of 3.00 or higher. In the event the GPA is lower than 3.00, the DMSc Admissions Committee will evaluate the application and consider a probationary admission.
5. The applicant must complete an admissions application, to include at least:
   1. A current and comprehensive curriculum vita
   2. Non-refundable application fee
6. The applicant must be fluent in English (the language of instruction of this program). When the applicant speaks and/or writes in English as a second language, the applicant must submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores for review.
7. Acceptable minimal TOEFL scores for ATSU-ASHS applications are:
   1. Internet-based total score = 80
   2. Acceptable IELTS score is an overall band score of 6.5
   3. Applicants who speak and/or write English as a second language who have previously graduated from a college or university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education with a bachelor’s degree (or higher) are exempt from this requirement.
   4. Applicants who believe the TOEFL requirement should be waived may petition a program chair in writing.
8. The applicant must be able to meet University technology requirements during the entirety of the doctoral program.

MPAS-Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) Early Entry Admissions Requirements: 

MPAS students who have successfully completed the fall semester of their didactic year of education may be eligible to apply for the DMSc Early Entry option. Up to 12 credit hours of DMSc courses may be taken during the clinical year of education. Information about the DMSc program can be found at http://www.atsu.edu/dmsc.

1.  Applicant must have an MPAS minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
2. Applicant must be in good academic standing and remain in good academic standing. MPAS students placed on probation will not be allowed to continue in the DMSc program.
3.  The applicant must complete an admissions application, to include at least:
   1. A current and comprehensive curriculum vita
   2. Essay (500 word minimum) outlining reasons and goals for taking the DMSc program.
   3. Submit a letter of recommendation from either the Director of Didactic Education or Faculty Advisor.
4. Early Entry MPAS Students are allowed to take up to 12 DMSc credit hours while still enrolled in the MPAS program:  Medical Writing (core), Community Assessment (core), Research Methods (core), and Capstone I.
5. Students must graduate from the MPAS program continue enrollment in the DMSc program. Students who are dismissed or withdraw from the MPAS program will no longer be eligible to continue in the DMSc program.
6. Upon graduating from the MPAS program, graduates must obtain a PA license within six (6) months of graduation to continue in the DMSc program.

Graduation Requirements

To earn a Doctor of Medical Science online, all students must:

1. Complete all prescribed didactic courses.
2. Pass all courses with a grade of ‘PASS’.
3. Discharge all financial obligations to ATSU.
4. Submit an RSVP for the appropriate Commencement ceremony (found on the graduation website).
5. Ensure that the mailing address in CampusNexus Student Portal is current. This is the address where the diploma will be mailed.
6. Attending commencement is not required but highly recommended.

Courses