Can I earn CME while completing the DMSc program at Pitt?
The DMSc program provided by the University of Pittsburgh is approved to award 42 AAPA Category 1 CME Credit.
This activity has been reviewed by the AAPA Review Panel and is compliant with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 42 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid from 8/26/2024 to 8/29/2025 . PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation. AAPA reference number: CME-2011973.
Why should I consider the Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program? What is the benefit of the DMSc degree?
Certified PAs will benefit from this post-professional program designed for students to remain in place of practice full-time while earning their degree, so that they can apply their classroom learning to their clinical practice in a meaningful and impactful way.
Pitt’s DMSc curriculum is designed to help learners be informed by, and to inform, their current practice as they learn. This design allows for a balanced curriculum that helps working professionals stay on track. DMSc coursework can often be applied toward career advancement projects, promotion processes or career ladders in PAs’ places of practice.
Is there orientation for new students?
Yes, DMSc program orientation sessions are hosted over Zoom prior to the start of the program.
In addition to the program orientation, students are also required to complete Pitt’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences online orientation. We also host an admitted student meeting during which, students will have the opportunity to network with their cohort and start discussing the general concept of their potential quality improvement project.
Will I have a faculty mentor/advisor?
Yes, students are assigned a faculty mentor during the first term of the program. This mentor will provide guidance to students related to their capstone project and other academic matters.
How is tuition charged for the program?
Once students are registered for classes, they will receive their first tuition bill. Payment plans are available through the student payment center.
Will students be required to travel to Pittsburgh?
No, the program is 100% online and there is no on-campus requirement.
With the degree change, will other professions be admitted to the program, such as nurse practitioners (NPs), etc.?
No, this degree will remain only open to practicing PAs. There are no plans to admit other professions.
Is the program part-time or full-time?
The DMSc program is designed for students to work full-time while earning their degree. Most students choose to complete the program in one year. Decelerated program options are also offered to fit the financial, personal or professional need of students.
Can I work during the program?
The DMSc was designed for a working PA professional. Coursework is completed 100% online. The online content is self-paced throughout each week with weekly deadlines, that students can work to complete based on their schedule. Modules are released on a weekly basis to mimic the progression of coursework you would find in any university.
Students can complete the required internship at their current place of work. The integrated internship opportunity allows you to use what you’re learning in the program to directly impact and align with your current workplace needs and goals.
Does a DMSc hold more weight in the profession? Is it better for me to update my degree and credentials?
SHRS remains proud of the Doctor of PA Studies (DPAS) name, the profession and curriculum. Program leadership decided to make this change to adapt to the needs and the expectations of the field and profession.
The DPAS degree is still recognized and valued by the profession and academia. There is no evidence or reason for program faculty to believe the DMSc does or will hold more weight. The program does not see one (DPAS vs DMSc) as superior to the other, and we believe the knowledge and skills attained as DPAS students are the most important outcomes for our alumni.
This change to the DMSc is intended to support professional cohesion and facilitate career advancement for PAs moving forward.
For those who have already graduated with the DPAS degree, is there an option to obtain the DMSc? What about for currently enrolled students, is there an option to choose?
For Alumni: Department leadership are advocating for the fastest and most cost-effective way for alumni to obtain the DMSc if they want to pursue this credential. Look for more details soon.
For Current DPAS Students: Current students will be able to choose which degree name they receive. Current students will receive more details soon.
Why did the Pitt DPAS program change to a DMSc?
This is a decision that the program has considered very seriously.
The Department of PA Studies faculty remain proud of the Doctor of PA Studies (DPAS) name, the profession and curriculum. SHRS and department leadership initiated the process to change the name of the program to a Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) after careful research and conversations about the direction of the field and profession. The degree change is in name and credential only.
Leadership of the program understand—and agree— that the DMSc is a non-specific professional degree, but in the PA profession it has become the preferred doctoral program and credential, as discussed over recent years in the American Academy of Physician Associates House of Delegates and other professional forums.
When department faculty began the process of developing a doctoral program for PAs, there were fewer schools offering such degrees, and at the time, the DMSc had not been established as the preferred, post-professional or doctoral degree for practicing PAs. DPAS is what the faculty decided on originally as it is the nomenclature for the department at SHRS. In the time it took for the Pitt DPAS program to be approved and matriculate the first class, the number of DMSc programs at other schools significantly increased. Department leadership expects the current number of DMSc degrees granted to our PA colleagues to significantly increase over the new few years. We also expect it is becoming and will remain the most recognizable degree PAs can earn and leverage to advance their careers.
Can applicants transfer course into the program?
Students transfer credits from their master’s degree, which are applied towards the doctoral program. The program does not accept doctoral transfer credits.
Where can I find tuition, financial aid and scholarship information?
Please review this information on the Cost page.
How can I check on my application status?
You can contact admissions@shrs.pitt.edu or 412-383-6558 with questions about your application.
Can I defer my acceptance into the DMSc program?
Deferral requests will be evaluated on an individual basis.
