Doctor of Science (DHSc/DMSc)

The Doctor of Science program at Pacific University offers two innovative clinical doctoral degree programs — the Doctor of Healthcare Science (DHSc) and the Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc).  

Doctor of Healthcare Science (DHSc)

The Doctor of Healthcare Science (DHSc) four-semester degree was developed specifically for the health professional (certified/licensed), advanced practice clinician, health professions educator, healthcare administrator/manager or public health professional who has the desire to continue their education as a means of advancing their career within diverse patient focused healthcare settings. Applicants must be currently working in a healthcare role that includes direct patient/client care, healthcare profession student teaching, or public health community service interaction, or submit documentation that you have an agreement or partnership with an organization in one of these areas in order to complete the doctoral research project.

Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)

The Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree was developed specifically for the physician associate/assistant and focuses on real-life application of healthcare science principles. 

The four-semester Doctor of Medical Science program is for the physician associate/assistant who is certified and actively practicing and follows the same curriculum and admission requirements as the Doctor of Healthcare Science program.

The one-semester Doctor of Medical Science program is designed for recent graduates from U.S. ARC-PA accredited physician associate/assistant programs.  Applicants may apply for admission to the one-semester DMSc program within 24 months of graduation from their PA program. Eligibility approval procedures include (but are not limited to) a curriculum review by the DMSc program director, and confirmation that the PA program completed by the applicant was ARC-PA accredited and in good standing at the time of attendance. The program adds one semester after completion of PA education. Physician associate/assistant graduates who are applying to the one-semester program do not need to be currently working.

Online Curriculum

The Doctor of Healthcare Science and Doctor of Medical Science degrees will be delivered in an online manner (100% online). The curriculum will be presented primarily asynchronously with limited synchronous instruction on the Moodle™ learning management system. Synchronous sessions will facilitate collaborative learning and discussion of content.  Earn up to 36 AAPA Category 1 CME credits (1-semester DMSc completion earns 12 credits; 4-semester DHSc/DMSc completion earns 36 credits).