The University of Lynchburg School of Medicine and Health Sciences has significantly redesigned its Doctor of Medical Science program to offer PAs more flexibility, faster completion times, and expanded opportunities for professional specialization.
At 100% online and fully asynchronous, Lynchburg’s DMSc can now be completed in six to 12 months depending on the chosen degree track.
“We’ve reimagined the DMSc to meet the evolving needs of PAs in the U.S. and around the world,” said Dr. Jenna Rolfs ʼ20 DMSc, dean of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences and DMSc program director.
“Our goal is for the Lynchburg DMSc to meet the needs of every PA, whether you’re just starting out or are an experienced leader and clinician.”
With its new structure, Lynchburg’s DMSc now offers three tracks:
- DMSc Core — The fastest and most affordable pathway to a PA doctorate, designed for graduates of accredited PA programs or international PA-equivalent degrees. Students can earn their doctorate in just six months with 12 transfer credits for professional academic experience.
- DMSc Plus (DMSc+) — Adds an emphasis to the DMSc Core through elective courses or a graduate certificate. Students can choose from 13 specialized certificates, including artificial intelligence in healthcare, extreme medicine, healthcare law, medical affairs, and more.
- DMSc Specialty — The most comprehensive and the original Lynchburg DMSc option, offering 37 credit hours of specialized in-depth coursework in areas like addiction medicine, behavioral medicine, emergency management, and more. This track is ideal for PAs seeking deep expertise and leadership roles in specialized clinical or academic fields.
In addition to coursework in healthcare leadership and advocacy, all tracks emphasize scholarly research and include a doctoral project with the potential for publication, including in the new Lynchburg Journal of Medical Science.
“We’re preparing PAs to shape the systems and policies that define healthcare’s future,” Rolfs said.
Lynchburg has also launched several new graduate-level healthcare certificate options in emerging and interdisciplinary areas. Each certificate is fully online and designed to enhance the skill sets of healthcare professionals across clinical and administrative roles.
These certificates can be completed independently, integrated into the DMSc+ program, or as an extension of the DMSc or Doctor of Executive Leadership program.
“These new certificates reflect the interconnected nature of modern healthcare,” said Dr. Blake Rogers ʼ23 DMSc, associate program director and one of the lead architects of the DMSc program redesign.
“We built them to serve not only PAs, but also healthcare administrators, executive leaders, and clinicians from all backgrounds who want to sharpen their expertise in specialized fields.”
The new certificates include:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare
- Extreme Medicine
- Healthcare Law
- Humanitarian Medicine
- Medical Science Liaison & Medical Affairs
- Public Health
As one of the first institutions in the nation to offer a Doctor of Medical Science degree, the University of Lynchburg continues to innovate and set the standard in PA doctoral education. Now, through the redesigned DMSc, the Doctor of Executive Leadership, and expanded certificate offerings, that impact extends beyond the PA profession.
“This redesign keeps us at the forefront of doctoral education,” Rogers said. “It ensures that whether you’re a PA, an administrator, or other healthcare provider or leader, Lynchburg offers a flexible path to the next phase of your career.”
To learn more about the DMSc, DEL, or graduate certificate programs, visit the graduate academics webpage or contact the Office of Graduate Success at 434.544.8300 or [email protected].
