Doctor of Medical Science DMSc

The FDU College of Nursing and Allied Health’s Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree program provides licensed Physican Assistants/Associates and other MS/MA-prepared health-adjacent professionals with extended knowledge of population health, quality assessment, policy analysis, and evidence-based practice (EBP) to enhance their leadership in practice settings, educational institutions, and healthcare organizations. There is a strong focus on survey methodology and analysis of survey data. Students are able to identify issues in their own healthcare system or health ecosystem and propose practical solutions to improve patient or population outcomes (i.e., without interventions requiring IRB oversight) all while engaging remotely with university and library resources. Many students go on to successfully implement their doctoral project following graduation.

Application Requirements

MS degree from an accredited Physician Assistant program or MS/MA degree from accredited university in health adjacent area.
2.8 GPA (inclusive of all college transcripts).

Optional/Preferred Requirements

Relevant experience in healthcare or health-adjacent field.
Letter(s) of recommendation.

Curriculum

Admission is on a rolling basis. Students who begin spring semester generally complete in 6 semesters (2 years). Students who begin fall semester generally complete in 7 semesters. Students who begin summer semester generally complete in 8 semesters. Students who wish to attend full-time and begin fall semester can complete the program in 4 semesters.

Students who have completed prior advanced-level coursework in another program prior to enrollment may be eligible for course waivers.

Curriculum for Spring Start Cohort

MEDT 8026 Doctoral Synthesis (1 credit) (Spring 1)
MEDT 8020 Healthcare Delivery Systems & Public Policy or MEDT 8018 Health Promotion & Population Health (Spring 1)
MEDT 8011 Leadership & Organizational Analysis (Spring 1, or defer to Spring 2)
MEDT 8008 Information Systems for Healthcare (Summer 1)
MEDT 8021 Translational Research (Summer 1)
MEDT 8017 Biostatistics & Epidemiology (Fall 1)
MEDT 8019 Finance, Economics & Entrepreneurship or MEDT 8022 Scientific Underpinnings (Fall 1)
MEDT 8018 Health Promotion & Population Health or MEDT 8020 Healthcare Delivery Systems & Public Policy (Spring 2)
MEDT 8023 EBP Project 1: Proposal Development (Spring 2)
MEDT 8010 Health Quality Assessment & Outcomes (Summer 2)
MEDT 8024 EBP Project 2: Implementation (Summer 2)
MEDT 8022 Scientific Underpinnings or MEDT 8019 Finance, Economics & Entrepreneurship or (Fall 2)
MEDT 8025 EBP Project 3: Evaluation & Dissemination (Fall 2)

Total credits: 37

Total immersion hours: Total of 1000 (inclusive of prior MSN clinical hours)

Curriculum for Summer Start Cohort

MEDT 8021 Translational Research (Summer 1)
MEDT 8008 Information Systems for Healthcare (Summer 1, or defer to Summer 2)
MEDT 8026 Doctoral Synthesis (1 credit) (Fall 1)
MEDT 8019 Finance, Economics & Entrepreneurship or MEDT 8022 Scientific Underpinnings (Fall 1)
MEDT 8017 Biostatistics & Epidemiology (Fall 1, or defer to Fall 2)
MEDT 8023 EBP Project 1: Proposal Development (Spring 1)
MEDT 8020 Healthcare Delivery Systems & Public Policy or MEDT 8018 Health Promotion & Population Health (Spring 1)
MEDT 8011 Leadership & Organizational Analysis (Spring 1, or defer to Spring 2)
MEDT 8024 EBP Project 2: Implementation (Summer 2)
MEDT 8010 Health Quality Assessment & Outcomes (Summer 2)
MEDT 8023 EBP Project 3: Evaluation & Dissemination (Fall 2)
MEDT 8022 Scientific Underpinnings or MEDT 8019 Finance, Economics & Entrepreneurship or (Fall 2)
MEDT 8018 Health Promotion & Population Health or MEDT 8020 Healthcare Delivery Systems & Public Policy (Spring 2)

Total credits: 37

Total immersion hours: Total of 1000 (inclusive of prior MS clinical hours)

Curriculum for Fall Start Cohort

MEDT 8017 Biostatistics & Epidemiology (Fall 1, or defer to Fall 2)
MEDT 8019 Finance, Economics & Entrepreneurship or MEDT 8022 Scientific Underpinnings (Fall 1)
MEDT 8026 Doctoral Synthesis (1 credit) (Fall 1)
MEDT 8020 Healthcare Delivery Systems & Public Policy or MEDT 8018 Health Promotion & Population Health (Spring 1)
MEDT 8011 Leadership & Organizational Analysis (Spring 1, or defer to Spring 2)
MEDT 8008 Information Systems for Healthcare (Summer 1)
MEDT 8021 Translational Research (Summer 1)
MEDT 8022 Scientific Underpinnings or MEDT 8019 Finance, Economics & Entrepreneurship or (Fall 2)
MEDT 8018 Health Promotion & Population Health or MEDT 8020 Healthcare Delivery Systems & Public Policy (Spring 2)
MEDT 8023 EBP Project 1: Proposal Development (Spring 2)
MEDT 8024 EBP Project 2: Implementation (Summer 2)
MEDT 8010 Health Quality Assessment & Outcomes (Summer 2)
MEDT 8023 EBP Project 3: Evaluation & Dissemination (Fall 2)

Total credits: 37

Total immersion hours: Total of 1000 (inclusive of prior MS clinical hours)

Important Application Information for International and Out-of-State Students:

International and out-of-state prospective students are encouraged to apply to our post-graduate doctoral program. We will review applications on a case-by-case basis to assure that there are no federal, state, or regional restrictions for accepting the applicant into our FDU doctoral program.