Doctor of Medical Sciences, DMS

www.butler.edu/pharmacy-health/doctor-medical-science/degree/

The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences offers a 50-credit-hour, completely online and asynchronous, post-professional academic degree program for physician assistants leading to the Doctor of Medical Science degree. Individuals may choose between six concentrations: Healthcare Practice and Administration Concentration, Foundations in Critical Care, Foundations in Orthopedic Care, Lifestyle Medicine, PA Educator, and the Behaviroal and Mental Health concentration. 

Each of the program’s 17 modules is six weeks in length and taught by doctorate-level faculty. The modules cover a range of important medical specialties/topics and include best practices, evidence-based decision-making, new guidelines for care, and critical thinking. PAs practice in all specialty fields; 28 percent of all PAs provide primary care services, especially in family and general internal medicine. Their job descriptions are diverse, and they serve in both clinical and nonclinical roles. While these nonclinical positions do not involve patient care, they depend on a strong clinical knowledge base.

Module enrollment is paced to meet the needs of working PAs. PAs can enter the program at any one of six starting points throughout the year-each of the three semesters (summer, fall, and spring) is divided into two terms. Modules are independent of each other so a student can take modules in any order. Students often enroll in more than one module in every six-week session.

The Program requires all students to complete a Capstone project to earn a degree. The capstone activity may be started after 10 of 17 of the modules have been completed. All students must complete CITI requirements before commencing scholarly activity.

Programmatic Student Learning Outcomes

The degree provides an avenue for those Physician Assistants interested in expanding their understanding of medical knowledge, developing their leadership and business skills, and promoting lifelong learning. After completing the program, the student will be able to:

• Appraise and assimilate relevant scientific and clinical evidence addressing a problem or issue
• Design and implement strategies to assess an issue, treat a condition, or measure the impact of a change or intervention
• Draw relevant conclusions using an evidence-based approach
• Exhibit the ability to apply concepts or practices to novel problems or apply newly discovered knowledge to serve the patient’s or institution’s needs
• Demonstrate professionalism and a commitment to advancing the practice of medicine through communications and interactions