For practicing physician assistants/associates (PAs) seeking a Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program that is affordable, drives workplace impact, enhances patient care, offers top-tier faculty and personalized learning, the University of Pittsburgh DMSc program has you covered. This program was created by physician assistants for physician assistants, with the busy schedule of practicing clinicians in mind. It’s designed to enhance your current place of practice, expand career opportunities and fit seamlessly into your personal and professional life.
Here’s why Pitt’s Doctor of Medical Science stands out:
1. Cost-Effective and Flexible
We understand cost is a #1 factor when selecting a DMSc program. Pitt’s program is competitively priced when compared to other institutions and easily aligns with employer benefits and tuition assistance programs. Pitt is committed to making the program accessible for those seeking to enhance their expertise. To support this, we work closely with applicants and admitted students to build a flexible plan of study that aligns with their employer’s education benefits and their academic goals. This flexibility includes adjusting coursework schedules to fit specific academic year configurations. Reach out to the DMSc enrollment specialist to start building your plan of study.
Tip: Many working clinicians and staff have access to tuition benefits through their place of employment. Check with your employer for information on existing tuition assistance programs if you have not already!
Life as a health care professional is demanding, and Pitt’s DMSc program is designed with flexibility in mind. Students can complete their degree in as little as one year and allows for work-life balance to accommodate increasingly busy lives. With three available start terms throughout the year, this program accommodates the schedules of all busy PAs, making it easier to balance work, education and personal priorities.
- Spring term starts in January
- Summer term starts in May
- Fall term starts in August
2. Collaborative Capstone
One of the distinctive strengths of PAs is the ability to collaborate effectively as key members of the health care team. Our program emphasizes this team-based approach by offering you the opportunity to work alongside up to four other DMSc colleagues on your capstone project. This team-oriented model not only enhances the impact and scope of your project but also supports a balanced academic workload.
3. Job-Integrated Internship Focused on Quality Improvement
A standout feature of Pitt’s DMSc program is its focus on real-world impact through a job-integrated internship. During this internship, students will deploy their quality improvement capstone project. The project enables students to explore a problem they have found within their place of practice and examine ways to solve it throughout their time in the program. This experience allows students to immediately apply what they learn, benefiting both their patients and organizations, while driving meaningful change within their practice settings.
Check out past student project examples!
4. Experienced and Dedicated Faculty
Faculty expertise is a defining characteristic of any strong DMSc program. Our students receive individualized advising and mentorship throughout the program, ensuring they have the guidance needed to navigate their educational journey and achieve their professional goals. With a strong commitment to mentorship and academic excellence, dedicated Pitt DMSc faculty provide the support necessary for students to thrive.
Interested in experiencing the collaborative environment before applying? Contact DMSc Enrollment Specialist Haley Geisler to schedule a one-on-one meeting with a faculty member to discuss an improvement in your workplace and potential project!
5. Personalized Learning with Three Elective Options
Pitt understands that all PAs have unique and different career goals. To support this, Pitt’s DMSc program offers three personalized elective courses. Each option is designed to teach students specific skills to achieve goals in their quality improvement projects or provide a better understanding of the content in their area. Whether choosing to focus on administrative, academia or evolving trends and impact of digital health, students can customize their learning experience to best suit their long-term objectives.
Are you ready to elevate your physician assistant/associate career? Join the excellence at the University of Pittsburgh DMSc program in one of three start dates per year—January, May and August! Please visit our website to learn more about applying to the next cohort or talking to DMSc Enrollment Specialist Haley Geisler.