DOCTOR OF MEDICAL SCIENCE – DMSc

The Doctorate in Medical Science program at Southwestern College is founded on the belief that exceptional healthcare requires exceptional leaders who can navigate complexity, drive transformation, and foster excellence across clinical and educational domains. We prepare physician assistants to become visionary leaders who bridge the gap between clinical practice and organizational excellence, equipped to address the evolving challenges of modern healthcare education and delivery.

Core Philosophy

Healthcare transformation requires leaders who understand that sustainable change emerges from the intersection of evidence-based practice, human-centered leadership, and systems thinking. Our program philosophy rests on four foundational pillars:

Excellence Through Evidence-Based Leadership
We believe that effective healthcare leadership is grounded in rigorous application of evidence-based methodologies, whether in clinical transformation, educational innovation, or organizational development. Our graduates are prepared to make decisions that are both scientifically sound and contextually appropriate.

Human-Centered Approach to Transformation
At the heart of all healthcare improvement lies the human element. We emphasize servant leadership principles that prioritize the well-being of patients, learners, and healthcare teams. Our graduates understand that lasting change requires engaging people as partners in transformation, fostering psychological safety, and building cultures that support both individual growth and collective success.

Systems Integration and Holistic Thinking
Modern healthcare challenges require leaders who can see beyond silos and understand the interconnected nature of clinical, operational, financial, and educational systems. We prepare graduates to think systemically, managing complexity while maintaining focus on outcomes that matter most to patients and communities.

Innovation with Purpose
We believe that innovation should serve the fundamental purpose of improving healthcare outcomes and educational experiences. Our graduates are equipped to leverage technology, implement cutting-edge methodologies, and drive digital transformation while maintaining focus on accessibility, quality, and meaningful engagement.

Educational Approach

Our program employs a transformative learning model that mirrors the leadership principles we teach. We create learning environments that are collaborative, evidence-based, and focused on real-world application. Students engage in experiential learning that develops both technical competencies and the emotional intelligence necessary for effective leadership.

Commitment to Impact

We prepare graduates who understand that their ultimate measure of success lies not in personal achievement, but in their ability to create sustainable improvements in healthcare delivery and education. Whether leading clinical transformation initiatives or developing the next generation of healthcare providers, our graduates are committed to measurable impact that enhances patient safety, improves care quality, and advances the profession.

Vision for Healthcare Leadership

We envision healthcare leaders who are equally comfortable in the boardroom and the classroom, who can speak the language of finance while maintaining unwavering focus on patient outcomes, and who can drive technological innovation while preserving the human connections that make healthcare meaningful. Our graduates emerge as catalyst leaders—individuals capable of inspiring and sustaining positive change across the healthcare continuum.

Program Format

Our DMSc program is designed for working physician assistants, offering a hybrid format that combines asynchronous online learning with mandatory live sessions The program is structured to accommodate the demanding schedules of practicing PAs while providing rigorous academic and experiencs that foster professional growth and development.

Program Duration: 12-months full time (24-months part-time)
Total Credit Hours: 36 credit hours
Format: Online (Asynchronous with weekly live sessions required)
Cohort Size: 25-40 annually
Start Date: August of each academic year

APPLICATION PROCESS

View the steps to apply to the Doctor of Medical Science program:

DMSc Application Process

COURSES

Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)

CURRICULAR DESIGN

Doctor of Medical Science – Curricular Design (PDF)

Core Courses

• DMSC911 Introduction to Research Methods and Clinical Inquiry (3 hours)
• DMSC912 Survey of Healthcare Law and Policy for the Clinician (3 hours)

Completion of one track listed below:

Clinical Leadership Transformation Track (6 courses plus a four-part research course)

• DMSC921 Building Effective Teams Within the Healthcare Environment (3 hours)
• DMSC922 Fundamentals of Organizational Healthcare Risk Assessment (3 hours)
• DMSC931 Survey of Organizational Finance in Healthcare Organizations (3 hours)
• DMSC932 Leading Clinical Transformation (3 hours)
• DMSC941 Healthcare Quality and Safety (3 hours)
• DMSC942 Strategic Innovation and Digital Health Leadership (3 hours)

Four-Part Research Series in Clinical Leadership:

• DMSC951 Applied Clinical Leadership Transformation Project 1 (3 hours)
• DMSC952 Applied Clinical Leadership Transformation Project 2 (3 hours)
• DMSC953 Applied Clinical Leadership Transformation Project 3 (3 hours)
• DMSC954 Applied Clinical Leadership Transformation Project 4 (3 hours)

Clinical Educator Track (6 courses plus a four-part research course)

• DMSC923 Fundamentals of Pedagogy and Curriculum Development for Adult Learners (3 hours)
• DMSC924 Foundations of Program Development and Institutional Structure (3 hours)
• DMSC933 Program Operations and Institutional Financing (3 hours)
• DMSC934 Programmatic Assessment and Evaluation (3 hours)
• DMSC943 Online Teaching and Course Design (3 hours)
• DMSC944 Faculty Development and Educational Leadership (3 hours)

Four-Part Research Series in Clinical Education:

• DMSC961 Applied Clinical Education Project 1 (3 hours)
• DMSC962 Applied Clinical Education Project 2 (3 hours)
• DMSC963 Applied Clinical Education Project 3 (3 hours)
• DMSC964 Applied Clinical Education Project 4 (3 hours)

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

DMSc Course Descriptions (PDF)

APPLIED DOCTORAL RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS

Overview

The applied research project demonstrates the culmination of the DMSc program, showcasing the student’s ability to conduct original research or scholarly project that contributes to the knowledge base of physician assistant practice and healthcare delivery.

Original Research:

• Addresses a significant gap in the healthcare landscape, mainly related to the administrative or educational aspects of our healthcare system, depending on the track that is chosen by the student
• Employs rigorous research methodology
• Contributes new knowledge to the field
• Demonstrates scholarly excellence

Potential Research Areas

Clinical Leadership Transformation Track:

• Patient outcomes and quality of care
• Diagnostic accuracy and clinical decision-making
• Treatment effectiveness and safety
• Practice models and workflow optimization
• Healthcare access and equity
• Cost-effectiveness and resource utilization
• Regulatory and legislative issues

Clinical Educator Track:

• PA education and training
• Competency assessment and maintenance
• Professional roles and scope of practice
• Career development and satisfaction

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Tuition & Fees Information for the DMSc Program

ACCREDITATION

Southwestern College has applied for accreditation of the Doctor of Medical Science program from the Higher Learning Commission and is currently awaiting program approval.