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Earn your DMSc
The Hardin-Simmons University online Doctor of Medical Science degree is designed for Physician Assistants/Associates holding a master’s degree from an ARC-PA accredited institution. The DMSc degree offers the unique opportunity to complete the required courses over 2 semesters.
The DMSc degree is a 30-hour degree that is fully online. Up to 12 hours of clinical rotation credits can be applied to the degree. The remaining 18 hours of coursework can be completed online while you are working clinically, teaching, precepting, and managing your work-life balance.
Apply to the DMSc program through our Graduate Application.
Cohorts start each fall, spring, and summer semester.
Program Mission Statement
The Hardin-Simmons Doctor of Medical Science program promotes growth in knowledge and skills that will prepare PAs to expand career opportunities in compassionate leadership, precepting, administration, teaching, and publication.
Program Goals
Broaden understanding and application of evidence-based medicine, differential diagnosis, and patient education for the benefit and care of the whole patient.
Inspire engagement in advocacy, leadership, and precepting roles to the benefit of the community and profession.
Augment clinical practice with a deeper understanding of doctoral identity, medical humanities, and provider wellness.
Become dynamic communicators and engage in scholarly writing that leads to publication.
Why earn your Doctor of Medical Science degree online with Hardin-Simmons?
Why earn your Doctor of Medical Science degree online with Hardin-Simmons?
Jumpstart your Career
Enhance your clinical practice. Enter into advocacy, leadership, teaching, and precepting roles. Grow your communication skills. Conduct research, write, and publish scholarly work. Grow your self-care practice, and create meaning by viewing your clinical practice through the lens of the medical humanities.
Roles for PAs with a DMSc degree
Continue providing expert clinical care to your patients with an enhanced understanding of evidence-based medicine, differential diagnosis, and patient education for the benefit and care of the whole patient.
Expand your role as a PA educator and preceptor to help train the next generation of PAs and ensure the longevity of the PA profession.
Engage in research and scholarship to expand the knowledge base of the PA profession.
Care for your well-being as a PA by deepening your understanding of the medical humanities, understanding your doctoral identity, and the storytelling aspect of the practice of medicine—leverage provider wellness strategies for the benefit of yourself and your patients.
Land administrative, leadership, and advocacy roles in your community, nationally and internationally, to promote the profession and the global well-being of humanity.
Earning Potential for PAs with a DMSc degree
“A larger proportion of PAs with doctoral degrees had an annual salary above the median (62.3%) compared with PAs without doctoral degrees (40.0%).”
Klein A, Kayingo G, Schrode KM, Soria K. Physician Assistants/Associates With Doctoral Degrees: Where Are They Now? J Physician Assist Educ. 2024 Mar 1;35(1):14-20. doi: 10.1097/JPA.0000000000000549. Epub 2023 Oct 3. PMID: 37791756; PMCID: PMC10878439.
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Online DMSc Admission Requirements
- Completion of an online application through Hardin-Simmons University
- Official transcript from an ARC-PA accredited PA program reflecting completion of a master’s degree
- An overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, as evidenced by an official transcript from an ARC-PA accredited PA program reflecting completion of a master’s degree
- Proof of state licensure (or equivalent) as a PA
- A personal letter explaining interest in the program and how the degree will be used to advance your practice as a PA
Additional requirements for admission may be requested. All materials should be submitted. Program applicant materials will be reviewed by the DMSc Program Director or their designee to ensure all requirements have been met before admission is granted.
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Curriculum
Hardin-Simmons University
Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)
DEGREE PLAN
Course # Credit Hours Semester Hours Semester 1 DMSc 7301 Writing, Publishing, and Communication 3 DMSc 7302 Application of Evidence-Based Medicine, Differential Diagnosis, and Patient Education 3 DMSc 7305 Practicum I 3 9 Semester 2 DMSc 7303 Doctoral Identity Formation, Medical Humanities, and Provider Wellness 3 DMSc 7304 Advocacy, Leadership, and Precepting 3 DMSc 7306 Practicum II 3 9 Credit Hours Accepted from master’s degree Supervised Clinical Practical Experience (SCPE) 12 Supervised Clinical Practical Experience (SCPE) Supervised Clinical Practical Experience (SCPE) Supervised Clinical Practical Experience (SCPE) Semester 1 Total 9 30 Hours Semester 2 Total 9 Credit Hours Accepted from master’s degree 12 Total program hours: 30
Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPE) Credit Hour Equivalences may be in any of the following ARC-PA required clinical rotations categories:
- Family Medicine
- Emergency Medicine
- Internal Medicine
- Mental Health/Behavioral Medicine
- Pediatric Medicine
- Women’s Health
- General Surgery
- Professional Development Elective
- Surgical and Non-Surgical Electives
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Cohort Dates
Cohort 1
Course # Dates Weeks Semester 1 DMSc 7301 1/13/2025-3/5/2025 (7.5 weeks) DMSc 7302 3/6/2025- 4/25/2025 (7.5 weeks) DMSc 7305 1/13/2025-4/25/2025 (15 weeks) Semester 2 DMSc 7303 5/5/2025-6/25/2025 (7.5 weeks) DMSc 7304 6/26/2025-8/15/2025 (7.5 weeks) DMSc 7306 5/5/2025-8/15/2025 (15 weeks) Cohort 2
Course # Dates Weeks Semester 1 DMSc 7301 5/5/2025-6/25/2025 (7.5 weeks) DMSc 7302 6/26/2025-8/15/2025 (7.5 weeks) DMSc 7305 5/5/2025-8/15/2025 (15 weeks) Semester 2 DMSc 7303 9/2/2025-10/22/2025 (7.5 weeks) DMSc 7304 10/23/2025-12/11/2025 (7.5 weeks) DMSc 7306 9/2/2025-12/11/2025 (15 weeks) -
Credit given for Supervised Clinical Practice Experience (SCPE):
The Hardin-Simmons DMSc program is a 30-credit hour program that awards credit toward the completion of the DMSc degree for 12 credit hours completed during the clinical phase of an entry-level master’s degree program. Candidates for the DMSc program must provide proof of completion of 12 credit hours of supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPE) as documented on an official transcript from an ARC-PA-accredited master’s degree program. The 12 credit hours of SCPE courses must be completed in addition to the other admissions requirements prior to enrollment into the program.
Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences Credit Hour Equivalences may be in any of the following ARC-PA required clinical rotations categories: Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Mental Health/Behavioral Medicine, Pediatric Medicine, Women’s Health, General Surgery, Professional Development Elective, Surgical and Non-Surgical Electives.
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Leadership & Faculty
PAs enrolled in the Doctor of Medical Science program will benefit from the guidance of experienced faculty throughout the program. Courses are taught by full-time HSU faculty members and adjunct instructors who are practicing clinicians, educators, preceptors, researchers, published authors, leaders, and advocates in the PA profession.
Meet some of our faculty members:
Program Leadership
Janelle K. O’Connell, PT, DPT, LAT, ATC, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Health Professions
Professor, Department of Physical Therapy
Email: joconnel@hsutx.eduKathy Robinson, DHSc, MPAS, PA-C
Doctor of Medical Science,
Program Director, Associate Professor
Email: kathy.robinson@hsutx.eduProgram Faculty
Greg Perry, RPh, PharmD, BCPS-AQID, BCIDP
Doctor of Medical Science, Instructor
Email: gregory.perry@hsutx.eduKathy Robinson, DHSc, MPAS, PA-C
Doctor of Medical Science,
Program Director, Associate Professor
Email: kathy.robinson@hsutx.eduMatthew Rose, DMSc, PA-C
Doctor of Medical Science, Instructor
Email: matt.rose@hsutx.eduParker Short, PA-C, DMS, MPAS, MBA
Doctor of Medical Science, Instructor
Email: parker.short@hsutx.eduTenell Zahodnik, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C
Doctor of Medical Science, Instructor
Email: tenell.zahodnik@hsutx.edu -
Tuition and Fees
$8,500 per semester (9 hours) + University fees
For more information, find our tuition and fees on the Graduate tab of the Tuition, Costs & Fees page.