and decision-maker.
Transform your career in just 12 months.
Developed for PAs, by PAs, the Doctor of Medical Science program at the University of Lynchburg builds upon your existing experiences, knowledge, and skills, culminating in a well-deserved doctoral degree. As the demand for PAs increases, so does the need for their influence in administration and leadership. Our DMSc program prepares you to become a more effective advocate for the PA profession, ready to take a seat at the boardroom table where key decisions are made.
The DMSc program fosters your growth as a PA in today’s evolving healthcare landscape. Designed with flexibility in mind, this online program enables you to balance your professional commitments while embarking on this transformative journey. Our curriculum, the first of its kind, equips you to innovate, lead, and make decisions that improve patient care delivery. With an intensive, relevant clinical experience in your desired specialty, the Lynchburg DMSc shapes you as a leader in executive leadership, research, healthcare law, and global health.
The program also includes a year-long research project, providing you the tools to publish in scholarly journals and become a thought leader in decisions on the future of healthcare. Regardless of where you are in your career or the world, our 12-month program integrates seamlessly into the life you’ve already built for yourself.
Our goal is to empower you with the skills, education, and professional status required to excel in medical research, build and lead healthcare teams, and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of health care from the boardroom.
Key Highlights of Our Online DMSc Degree
- Complete 100% online and asynchronously.
- Continuing medical education credits are available.
- Up to 120 Category I AAPA CME credits are available.
- More than a dozen concentrations and certificates to customize your PA doctorate,
- More than 1,500+ DMSc alumni. The largest PA doctoral program network in the country.
- Alumni include:
- Jonathan Sobel, past president of the AAPA
- Beth Smolko, past president of the AAPA
- Kathryn Schisler, 2023 president of the APALM
- Lee Morissette, 2023 Director at Large APALM
- James Millward, Vice President PA Foundation Board of Trustees
- Jeremy Adler, Chief Operating Officer
- Bobby Cockram, Inova System APP Director
- Alumni include:
Why choose Lynchburg’s Doctor of Medical Science program?
Our program, developed by PAs for PAs, merges the strength of real-world clinical experience with academic rigor and innovation. By choosing Lynchburg’s DMSc program, you’re immersing yourself in a transformative educational environment guided by experienced faculty, rooted in a learner-centric approach, and bolstered by the most current research and clinical information.
We were the first civilian DMSc program. We’re thrilled to lead the way in making a mark on health care advancement.
Lynchburg’s DMSc is the start of your journey towards not just success, but significance:
- Enhanced Leadership Skills: Ascend to roles such as department chairs, lead PAs, or even C-suite executives.
- Greater Policy Influence: Take active roles in decision-making processes that impact your profession, patients, and the healthcare system.
- Expertise in Desired Specialties: Gain intensive clinical experience and recognition as a specialist in your chosen field.
- Academic and Research Advancements: Acquire the tools to engage in scholarly work, publish in academic journals, and achieve faculty promotions.
- Entrepreneurship Opportunities: Leverage your advanced skills and knowledge to innovate and establish your own practice or healthcare business.
What makes our PA doctorate program unique?
Our DMSc program is the only DMSc program that offers this diverse range of tracks designed to align with your career aspirations.
- Administrative Medicine
- Advanced Professional Practice
- Emergency Management and Global Health
- Medical Education
- NEW: Behavior Medicine and Addiction Medicine (launching October 2023)
We offer a tailor-made curriculum to meet your needs.
- AAPA’s Degree Pathway Program
- Arrowhead Regional Medical Center
- Atrium Health
- Centra Health’s regional healthcare system
- Medical Science Liaison Society
- PA Moms
- Virginia Academy of PAs
Add versatility to your doctoral degree with our diverse certificate programs. Earn up to 20 AAPA Category 1 CME credits in each certificate course and 60 credits for each certificate!
- Addiction Medicine
- Behavioral Medicine
- Emergency and Disaster Management
- Epidemiology
- Executive Leadership
- Global Health
- Healthcare Administration and Management
- Medical Education
- Public Health
- Telehealth
Our programs open up new career avenues. We are the only DMSc program to offer this variety of additional certifications.
Once you’ve completed your Doctor of Medical Science, you can complete additional certificates.
Stand out with our immersive year-long research project, providing the knowledge, skills, and research proficiency necessary to contribute to medical advancements and publish in scholarly journals, enriching your professional credentials.
Published research from our DMSc alumni includes:
Hear From DMSc Alumni
Application Process for our DMSc Degree
Beginning your journey to a Doctor of Medical Science degree at the University of Lynchburg is a straightforward process. Follow our step-by-step guide to apply to the Lynchburg DMSc program and take the next step in your PA career.
The DMSc program enrolls students on a rolling basis, with four cohorts beginning each year in January, April, July, and October.
DMSc Application Deadlines
January Cohort
- Priority deadline: Dec. 15
April Cohort
- Priority deadline: March 15
July Cohort
- Priority deadline: June 15
October Cohort
- Priority deadline: Sept. 15
Modality: 100% online and asynchronous
Our DMSc program offers exceptional flexibility through its 12-week, online course structure, which allows students to balance their academics with other commitments. This format enables students to explore specific topics for a shorter duration, gain a comprehensive understanding of those topics, and apply their acquired knowledge in real-world situations. The 12-week course structure provides an efficient and adaptable approach to learning that caters to the diverse needs of our students, allowing them to design their educational journey to fit their lifestyles and goals
Career Opportunities With a PA Doctorate Degree
Embarking on the Doctor of Medical Science journey at the University of Lynchburg opens endless opportunities for PAs to expand their influence and reach within the healthcare industry. With the DMSc degree, you’ll be equipped to leverage your clinical and research expertise to drive improvements in patient care, leadership, health care policy, PA advocacy, and education, among other areas.
Our 1,500+ DMSc alumni are a testament to the career progression potential of this degree. They have carved out successful careers in various roles, utilizing the DMSc to:
- Establish Independent Practices
Our graduates leverage their enhanced clinical and administrative skills to start and run their own health care practices. - Conduct and Publish Peer-reviewed Research
With a deep understanding of medical research methodologies, our DMSc alumni contribute to healthcare innovation by publishing in esteemed scholarly journals. - Lead Medical Education
Many of our DMSc graduates serve as program directors for PA programs, shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals. - Influence Policy and Advocacy
Equipped with knowledge of healthcare law, our alumni have been appointed to executive boards and have played significant roles in changing state regulations related to PA practice. - Hold Leadership Positions
Our DMSc graduates are often elected to positions in state and national PA leadership, where they shape the future of the profession.
Earning a DMSc from Lynchburg sets you on a path to becoming a leader in the PA field. As part of this influential network, you’ll be perfectly positioned to make a significant impact on patient care and the broader healthcare landscape.
Program Contact
General Program Information
For information about the program and questions about admissions, contact:
The University of Lynchburg is a proud participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program.
