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Admissions/Enrollment

How do I apply?

Please visit the DMSc Admissions page for more information about the application process, important dates and deadlines.

What are the admissions criteria?

Current admissions criteria can be found on our Admissions page.

When does the program start?

The Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program enrolls a new class each spring (January start) and summer (May start). Important dates and deadlines for each cohort are as follows:

  • Summer (May) Start:
    • Application Opens: September 14
    • Application Deadline: April 15
  • Spring (January) Start:
    • Application Opens: April 17
    • Application Deadline: December 1

Do you require the GRE for admission?

Entrance exams, including the GRE General Test, are not required for admission into the DMSc program.

When is the application deadline?

All admission requirements must be completed by April 15 for students starting in May and December 1 for students starting in January.

Are there deadlines for international applicants?

International applicants follow the same deadlines as domestics applicants, which are April 15 for May (summer term) start and December 1 for January (spring term) start.

Can I defer my acceptance into the DMSc program for a year?

Deferral requests will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Does the program accept online or community college courses?

Yes, we accept degrees completed at online institutions if they are from an accredited institution.

How can I check on my application status?

You can contact admissions@shrs.pitt.edu or 412-383-6558 with questions about your application.

Where can I find tuition, financial aid and scholarship information?

Please visit the DMSc Admissions page for information about tuition costs and financial resources.

There are many choices for higher education, but few offer the range of opportunities available at Pitt for a comparable price point. In fact, the University of Pittsburgh is regularly included in The Princeton Review’s annual “Best Value Colleges” list. Pitt also ranks #1 in value among all public colleges and universities in Pennsylvania, according to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance. In short, the University of Pittsburgh offers exemplary value: Pitt puts so much within reach—and in ways that feel truly individualized (Source: financialaid.pitt.edu/).

University of Pittsburgh Resources

Office of Financial Aid
412-624-7488 (option 2) 

PittFund$Me (personalized scholarship opportunities)
Current students and new students have access to Pitt’s searchable scholarship database, PittFund$Me. Discover what you’re eligible to apply for and unlock your scholarship matches! 

Grad Ready (financial literacy/wellness software)

Financial Wellness Program 

Office of the Provost Awards and Funding

Can students transfer courses into the program?

Students transfer credits from their master’s degree, which are applied towards the doctoral program. We do not accept doctoral transfer credits.

DMSc Program

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.

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.

Would alumni have to go back to Pitt and take courses to earn the DMSc? 

The program faculty are advocating that the DPAS be a prerequisite for a short path to the DMSc, for those who are interested. The degree change is in name and credential only, and our Department of Physician Assistant Studies is still offering the same high-quality curriculum centered on our professional students, supported by our full-time faculty and clinicians, and focused on the same goal—implementing real-world changes that positively impact patient care. 

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. 

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.

Can I work during the program?

Yes, the program is designed so that working PAs can earn their doctoral degree in as little as 12 months.

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.  

Is the DMSc program self-paced? 

The module content is self-paced throughout each week with weekly deadlines. Modules are released on a weekly basis to mimic the progression of coursework you would find in any university. 

What type of degree will I receive?

Students receive a Doctor of Medical Science degree.

Why should I consider the Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program? What is the benefit of the DMSc degree? 

Practicing PAs will benefit from this post-professional program designed for students to remain in the clinic 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. 

Can I earn CME while completing the DMSc program?

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.

How can I learn more about the curriculum and plans of study?

For detailed information about the DMSc curriculum, please visit our Curriculum page.

Most students choose to take all courses sequentially, as a cohort, through the program. Courses are offered consecutively in the summer, fall and spring terms. We do offer decelerated program options to fit the financial, personal, or professional needs of students. These options can be discussed on an individual basis, after enrollment. 

How do students complete the internship courses?

Internship experiences may be completed in the learner’s current place of practice and may be job-embedded, aspirant or service-oriented in nature.  

The integrated internship opportunity allows you to use what you're learning in the DMSc program to directly impact and align with your current workplace needs and goals. Students will not need to search for an internship opportunity on top of their current workplace, unless desired. 

Although each internship consists of a set of fundamental learning objectives, students will have the opportunity to personalize the objectives of each internship experience to provide the most benefit to their scholarly work and future goals.

Details about the internship requirement can be found on our website.

Will students be required to travel to Pittsburgh? 

No, the program is 100% online and there is no on-campus requirement.  

How do I access textbooks and other course material? 

Nearly all textbook and course materials are available online or through the Pitt library system.   

What system is used for online course delivery? 

The DMSc program uses Canvas for course delivery.  

What type of technology resources will I need? 

As a DMSc student you will need the following technology resources:

  1. A computer equipped with a functional webcam and microphone
  2. A high-speed internet connection for accessing instructional materials
  3. Access to the Pitt software download service and many other resources which are available through the University of Pittsburgh.

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.

Are students assigned an academic advisor?

Students are assigned an academic advisor in their first term. Academic advisors provide guidance to students related to their capstone project and other academic matters.  

Is there a new student orientation?

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. 

Is the institution accredited?

The University of Pittsburgh is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 267-284-5000.

What if I have additional questions?

Please contact pittDMSC@shrs.pitt.edu with any questions.  

Insights from Current Students

What advice do current students have for managing course work with personal and professional responsibilities?

“Dedicate time each week to school - (depends on your personal work schedule) and try to separate your home life from school and maybe go to a library.”

“Collaborate with colleague(s) on a project - You will have a big advantage sharing the workload.”

“Try to advance in the program modules if you have a lighter week.”

“Talk to your peers about their paper and timeline, you may learn something.”

“My office closes at noon on Fridays so that helps me to complete assignments.”

“So far this semester I have not done any work on a weekend. I have two little ones at home and made a promise to myself to dedicate my weekends to them.”