Recent Pitt DPAS graduates Cynthia Likar (front row, third from right) and Kelly Nicholas (front row, far right) with other DPAS students and graduates.
UPDATE: The University of Pittsburgh’s affordable, one-year online Doctor of PA Studies (DPAS) program for practicing physician assistants/associates now awards a Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)!
Pursuing a doctoral degree is a transformative intellectual journey. Most PAs welcome advancement within their scope of practice and are willing to engage in projects that foster professional improvement. The University of Pittsburgh Doctor of PA Studies (DPAS) program provides students with the education to independently design and conduct a quality improvement (QI) project, analyze data, evaluate corresponding literature and develop ideas contributing to their practice setting. As graduates from the first cohort in the DPAS program, we can attest to the benefits and necessity of this advanced degree.
Personally, the thought of going back to school can seem arduous and present deterring factors. These may include time away from their personal life, ability to complete a program while simultaneously working, financial burdens, among others. However, the structure of the Pitt DPAS program is designed to support the work-life balance of a practicing PA. The courses and assignments are entirely online, and portions of the coursework are incorporated within the PA’s place of practice.
The program provides professional advancement in one of two* pathways: administrative or academic. This gives the PA necessary credentials they cannot otherwise obtain in their workplace alone. In turn, this provides an advantage when compared with their colleagues. PAs with the DPAS degree are also viewed as having academic equivalence with professionals who have a doctoral degree. This status ensures patients, as well as colleagues, that PAs are advanced with their professional learning.
The success of Pitt’s DPAS students can also be contributed to the supportive and encouraging faculty and staff who help students navigate through all their academic endeavors and any special circumstances they may encounter. They are eager to assist and look forward to the students’ successful completion of the program. By pursuing a higher level of academic standing, the DPAS student can simultaneously obtain professional achievement and fulfill interpersonal growth.
Nicholas and Likar (both left) with fellow DPAS classmates
Our DPAS capstone project was completed within the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) and titled “Wellness and Burnout Education for a Physician Associate and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse as part of a Transition To Practice Program at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.” This project introduced the concepts of personal wellness and burnout education and prevention to newly hired PAs and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) during their first year of employment or first year in a new specialty. The goal of this project was to invest in the employee’s well-being by providing education and resources early in their employment at UPMC.
The process of implementing an original QI project idea promotes personal growth and intellectual curiosity. By conducting a project that enriched our colleagues with knowledge and understanding to enhance their interpersonal wellness and professional fulfillment, we gained invaluable insight. Following the conclusion of our project, UPMC appointed an Advanced Practice Provider Wellness Ambassador, created an Advanced Practice Provider Peer-to-Peer system for employees feeling burnout symptoms, and created an advisory panel to redesign the onboarding program for new hires. As a direct result of our project, a group member was invited to be a panel member providing updates for wellness and burnout content. Overall, it was a privilege to have left a lasting impact and contribute to the collective body of knowledge within our workplace.
Completing the DPAS program is just the beginning of an exciting and fulfilling career journey. This is a significant personal and professional achievement that brings a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. Earning a doctoral degree in the PA profession demonstrates dedication, perseverance, and passion. The possibilities of this degree can further enhance job prospects, increase earning potential, and qualify the DPAS graduate for leadership roles. Ultimately, the DPAS program at the University of Pittsburgh was a rewarding experience enabling us to prosper personally and professionally.
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*A third pathway, Digital Health Fundamentals, will be available for students starting Spring 2024.
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Written by Cynthia Likar (DPAS’23) and Kelly Nicholas (DPAS’23)
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Published August 11, 2023
Updated October 28, 2024