Healthcare and physician assistants (PA), as a profession, are in need of practitioners with advanced degrees to lead, contribute scholarship and educate in order to meet the needs of our dynamic healthcare and societal environments. In all areas of medicine including PA practice, there is a need for future leaders to advocate and shape the policies and programs that are impacting our local and global societies. The profession also needs practitioners who are prepared to design, conduct and present new research that will advance the profession’s understanding of evidenced-based practice. Practitioners who are prepared to advance the body of research and develop the abilities needed for effective performance in tomorrow’s healthcare system are needed.

Doctoral level programs will prepare practitioners by developing the skills and experience necessary to critique and apply evidence based research. Additionally, there has been a demand for physician assistant educators to have doctoral degrees. A Doctor of Medical Science degree at Shenandoah University will benefit our SU PA graduates and others with the foundations to be pioneers in the profession.

A 2019 assessment of PA employers and PA program directors found that a doctoral degree for PAs could add credibility to PAs from the perspective of industry peers and patients. They also found that doctoral trained PAs would help PAs have a voice at administrative and policy discussions as it relates to public health and healthcare delivery.

Shenandoah University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

*These credits or the equivalent courses will be transferred in from the MSPA program

DMS 810 Evidence-Based Research – 3 credit hours

This course is designed to provide a thorough analysis of selected research that allows students to develop an understanding of adequate clinical research design, appropriate analytical procedures and the nature of research criticism. Research designs across the spectrum of research will be explored in relation to clinical research for physician assistants. Students will analyze data from studies, participate in discussions regarding selected research design and evaluate selected professional literature.

DMS 815 Leadership & Healthcare Principles – 3 credit hours

This course evaluates the multifaceted role of an effective leader. Human behavior at the individual, group and organization levels are examined as well as techniques for leading people in the organizational environment. Students will cultivate their understanding and utilization of current healthcare practices. Students will explore and apply current professional requirements within healthcare in order to efficiently perform at the top of their field. The use of educational technology will be integrated with methods of teaching to develop the skills necessary to accelerate graduates into the workforce.

DMS 820 Health Equity & Justice – 3 credit hours

This course will enhance students’ understanding and sensitivity of health equity. Students will evaluate historical situations to identify opportunities. Topics will cover different geographic, cultural and social contexts where health inequities occur. Health law basic concepts will be covered as well as case review for discussion. Students will evaluate how to translate evidenced-based strategies into practice and policy.

DMS 850 Doctoral Project – 3 credit hours

This is the first in a two course series that will prepare students for the final course, Doctoral Capstone. This course is designed to have students explore and design the purpose and rationale of an individual doctoral capstone. A written proposal will be developed to request approval for the project and to guide implementation in the following course. Approval of project design by faculty is required.

DMS 870 Doctoral Capstone – 4 credit hours

This is the final course in a two-part series that builds on students’ project proposals from the Doctoral Project course. This course guides the student in the implementation of their capstone project. Students will evaluate and disseminate their findings and have the opportunity to present their project and findings at appropriate professional settings, community and conferences.

*PA 682 Primary Care Clinical Practicum IV – 2.5 credit hours

This is a community based practical learning experience designed to increase student competence at delivering periodic well care including prenatal care, management of chronic disease, and treatment of episodic illnesses across the lifespan in outpatient and inpatient settings. Increasing skill is expected in the delivery of patient care through eliciting a history and physical exam, arriving at appropriate assessment, developing a differential diagnosis, ordering diagnostic studies, performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures as well as prescribing pharmacotherapeutic and non-pharmacotherapeutic treatment plans that include appropriate follow-up measures. Students will be guided through patient contact experiences supervised by health care providers.

*PA 683 Emergency Medicine Clinical Practicum – 2.5 credit hours

This is a community based practical learning experience designed to increase student competence at delivering health care for all age groups in the emergent and urgent setting. Increasing skill is expected in the delivery of patient care through eliciting a history and physical exam, arriving at appropriate assessment, developing a differential diagnosis, ordering diagnostic studies, performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures as well as prescribing pharmacotherapeutic and non-pharmacotherapeutic treatment plans that include appropriate follow up measures. Students will be guided through patient contact experiences supervised by health care providers.

*PA 685 Surgical Clinical Practicum – 2.5 credit hours

This is a community based practical learning experience designed to increase student competence at delivering preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative health care in inpatient and outpatient settings across the lifespan. The experience is designed to increase competence in delivery of patient care appropriate to the physician assistant profession. Students will be guided through patient contact experiences supervised by health care providers.

*PA 687 Inpatient Care Clinical Practicum – 2.5 credit hours

This is a community based practical learning experience designed to increase student competence at delivering medicine in the inpatient setting. Focus will be management of acute and chronic disease across the lifespan in an inpatient setting. Increasing skill is expected in the delivery of patient care through eliciting a history and physical exam, arriving at appropriate assessment, developing a differential diagnosis, ordering diagnostic studies, performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures as well as prescribing pharmacotherapeutic and non-pharmacotherapeutic treatment plans that include appropriate follow-up measures. Students will be guided through patient contact experiences supervised by health care providers.

*PA 690 Community Preceptorship Clinical Practicum – 4 credit hours

This is a community based practical learning experience designed to increase student competence at delivering periodic well care including prenatal care, management of chronic disease and treatment of episodic illnesses across the lifespan in outpatient and inpatient settings. This course will increase competence in delivery of care through eliciting appropriate history and physical exam, arriving at appropriate assessment and differential diagnoses, ordering appropriate diagnostic studies, performing appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic procedures as well as designing and implementing pharmacotherapeutic and non-pharmacotherapeutic treatment plans that include appropriate follow-up measures. These skills will be obtained through objective guided, patient contact experiences supervised by community health care providers. This clinical experience is longer in duration to focus on longitudinal care of the patient and integration of the student into the community.

*These credits or the equivalent courses will be transferred in from the MSPA program.

Doctor of Medical Science students, faculty, and alumni get published for their research.

How To Apply

Please contact SUGradAdmissions@su.edu if you have any questions.

Our program recognizes the hard work students have already accomplished to become a PA, and therefore accepts 14 credits towards completion of the doctoral degree. Applicants must transfer in 14 credits.

Application materials are reviewed as they are received. Applicants must meet and submit the following:

1. Completed Shenandoah University graduate school application including any applicable fees must be received by the application due date.
2. All official higher education transcripts.
3. Non-Native English Speaking (NNES) applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the English language as described in the admissions requirements for international students in this catalog.
4. A current CV or resume
5. A personal narrative.

Apply Now

Program Specifics PDF

Student Testimonials