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Doctor of Medical Science, DMSc

See Program Details, Dates & Deadlines

Cultivate clinical, educational and leadership skills and knowledge, while earning qualifications and credentials to advance your career as a PA.

The Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program for PAs is designed to build a depth of knowledge and skill in advanced practice of medicine. The goal of this program is to provide experienced PAs the flexibility to enhance their knowledge holistically, as well as study and focus in a topic of their interest. Our concentrations are unique, build upon our interdisciplinary faculty’s' strengths, and provides students with the insight to anticipate future clinical and demographic needs. Choose from Palliative Care, Health Professions Education, Global Health, Intercultural Leadership, Geriatrics or Health informatics as an area of focus. The program curriculum features clinical and practical courses taught at UMB. Hands-on practicums will be conducted and supervised by UMB faculty with advanced training and focused on relevant clinical projects and improving health outcomes at the state, regional level within and beyond Maryland Health Systems. Become more knowledgeable, skilled, technologically literate, and prepared to engage in leadership, research, clinical education, and clinical process improvement in the practice of medicine with the DMSc for PAs.

Details, Dates & Deadlines

Program Details

Class Format

Online, Hybrid

Program Location

Online, UMB Campus 

Program Length

30 months

Credits to Complete

60

Cost/Credit Hour

In State: $798
Out of State: $997 

  • Online application
  • 75.00 application fee
  • Official transcripts 
  • Statement detailing a practice based issue/problem you're interested in improving.
  • 3 letters of recommendation
  • CV/resume 
  • NCCPA cert., current and active
  • Current licensure in the US.
    • MD, DC,DE, PA preferred

Dates & Deadlines

Fall deadline: July 1

  • Meet Your Faculty

    Our distinguished faculty, composed of accomplished scholars and experienced health care professionals, will guide your educational journey. Drawing from their expertise, they'll steer you through our comprehensive programs, preparing you for success in educational research and leadership roles in health care and medical organizations.

    View Faculty Bios
Dr. Bondy provides excellent, engaging, and thoughtful feedback. There's great use of evidence-based inventories in the Advocacy & Leadership course!
Laurarose Dunn-O'FarrellDMSc Student

The DMSc for PAs consists of 19 courses for a total of 60 credits. 

The following coursework will be offered online. These courses are generally 8-weeks in length and delievered in sequential order. With asynchronous and select synchronous options, students may study anytime, or anywhere.

  • 15 credits (6 courses) from the MS Health Science - PA curriculum
  • 5 credits (2 courses) from elective based on student interest/need
  • 24 credits (8 courses) of didactic coursework

The following coursework will take place in-person, under the supervision of PA faculty with clinical practice and leadership experience within the state and at UMB. 

  • 16 credits (3 courses) of clinical and impact labs and capstone 

The in-person component of the curriculum (impact labs/clinical symposiums) will require students to attend about four days of face-to-face lectures, training, discussions, and presentations at UMB’s campus in Baltimore, MD during the summer session.

Exact dates will depend on faculty, student, and facility availability. Students entering the programs in the fall will be expected to report to campus the following summer. 

Admission requirements are listed below: 

  • 2 years minimum clinical experience as a PA or graduation from an accredited post graduate PA residency.
  • A copy of your valid, unrestricted (current) Physician Assistant (PA) license in the United States. Students enrolled in the DMSc program must have an unencumbered license to be admitted and they must maintain licensure for the duration of their enrollment.
  • Applicants must report board actions and other professional actions on acceptance of admission.  Students who are subject to actions during the time of their enrollment are required to inform the DMSc Graduate Program Director.

We understand investing in your education can be challenging financially. We've gathered up some handy resources to help you out with funding your degree.

Scholarships and financial aid are available, along with opportunities for Graduate Research and Teaching Assistantships for interested candidates.

20% Preceptor Tuition Waiver 

Clinical site recruitment and retention are critical for student success in Physician Assistant (PA) education, and the Graduate School at University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) values the service of PAs who dedicate time and talent to educate the next generation. To reward ongoing preceptorship and encourage PAs currently not precepting, the new DMSc Program at UMB will offer a 20% tuition waiver to Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) students who commit to precepting PA students from our Maryland PA Programs. 

Learn more about our DMSc Preceptor Waiver Policy PDF here.

Flavius Lilly Scholarship Fund

The Flavius Lilly Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to DMSc graduate students who express financial need and exemplify Dr. Lilly’s core values of academic excellence, leadership, and community engagement.

MSHS PA Graduate Perk

Graduates of PA master's programs may be eligible for up to 9 credits toward the DMSc, leaving only 51 credits left to completion.
Graduates of the AACC/UMB and UMB PA master's programs may be eligible for up to 15 credits toward the DMSc, leaving only 45 credits left to completion.

Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program 

The MLARP provides educational loan repayment funds to Maryland physicians and physician assistants who must serve a 2 year obligation in a health professional shortage area (HPSA) or medically underserved area (MUA), either in primary care or mental health.

The UMB Graduate School is committed to preparing generations of component healthcare leaders. On our campus, you'll find faculty with a wealth experience and PAs dedicated to educating students who will go on to positively impact the health of our diverse society. Leveraging both virtual and face-to-face teaching, advance your career with one of our professional development opportunities. 

Health Professions Education (MS, PhD) 

Gain the academic skills needed to conduct educational research, lead educational programs, institutions, curricula, and organizations in the health and medical professions with a PhD or MS in Health Professions Education. These programs aim to provide students with the necessary tools to further develop interprofessional health profession course and curricular design, research, and assessment skills. 

Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy (PALLA)

Consider the Faculty Fellowship program, which provides PA clinicians with experiences and training to prepare them to become part of the PA faculty workforce. The Physician Assistant Leadership and Learning Academy (PALLA) supports the development of PA education across the state of Maryland.

PALLA is centrally located at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. PALLA aims to develop a Maryland Physician Assistant workforce and faculty capacity to educate the next generation of PA students while advancing Physician Assistant education, research, and policy. The vision of PALLA is to create an inclusive learning community dedicated to excellence in education.

Doctor of Medical Science for PAs

Admissions

Arielle Faulkner
Admissions Counselor
afaulkner@umaryland.edu 
410-706-7132 

Academics

Mary Jo Bondy, DHEd,MHS, PA-C
Program Director
mjbondy@umaryland.edu

                                                                        

Next Steps

Your path to success starts here

620 W. Lexington St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 706-3100

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