Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)

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 focuses on the application of current medical research to the improvement of clinical practice and patient care. The program includes a research project and offers concentrations in addiction medicine, administrative medicine, advanced professional practice, behavioral medicine, emergency management and global health, and medical education. Regardless of where you are in your career or the world, our 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 healthcare from the boardroom.

Key Highlights of Our Online DMSc Degree

The DMSc program is built for PAs, by PAs, to better our profession.

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

Doctor of Medical Science’s Mission Statement

To educate postgraduate PAs to advance their current compassionate health care delivery while emphasizing clinical proficiency, executive-level leadership, and scholarship.

School of PA Medicine’s Mission Statement

To educate PAs to become compassionate health care providers with an emphasis on teamwork, communication, human diversity, and patient-centered care.

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 health care 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 health care business.

What makes our PA doctorate program unique?

Comprehensive DMSc Concentrations

Our DMSc program is the only DMSc program that offers this diverse range of tracks designed to align with your career aspirations.

We offer a tailor-made curriculum to meet your needs.

Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) - A man and woman light flares.

Exceptional Health Care Partnerships

Lynchburg’s strong ties with local and national partners provide DMSc students exclusive access to top-tier health care facilities. This enriched learning experience includes associations with:

AAPA’s Degree Pathway Program
Arrowhead Regional Medical Center
Atrium Health
Centra Health’s regional health care system
Medical Science Liaison Society
PA Moms
Virginia Academy of PAs

Several people in white doctor's coats stand in conversation.

Diverse and Nationally-recognized Faculty

Our diverse, dedicated, nationally recognized PA faculty bring relevant experience in the medical and scientific research fields.

Our award-winning faculty hail from urban, suburban, and rural settings all over the country. Many are published authors and donate their spare time to overseas medical missions and nonprofit work.

Their ranks include:

Epidemiologist
Federal investigator
Lawyer
Medical examiner
Retired military personnel
Wilderness survival expert

They specialize in:

Dermatology
Emergency medicine
Family medicine
Global health
Neuroscience
Orthopedic surgery
Psychiatry

Diverse Certificate Programs

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!

Our programs open up new career avenues. We are the only DMSc program to offer this variety of additional certifications.

You can complete additional certificates once you’ve completed your Doctor of Medical Science.

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Immersive Research

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:

Influence Health Care Policies

Lynchburg’s DMSc program equips you to take active roles in decision-making processes impacting health care policies, thus empowering you to make a real difference in the profession and the future of health care.

Several men and women sit around a conference table consulting a computer.

Go further. Start here.

Let us know you’re interested, and we’ll be in touch.

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Hear From DMSc Alumni

Jonathan Sobel ’18 DMSc

Obtaining his Doctor of Medical Science has helped Jonathan Sobel '18 DMSc assume a VP role at Norwell Health, the largest provider in New York, where he's equipped with the administrative know-how to optimize workforce planning.

Amneh Amro ’22 DMSc

When Amne Amro '22 DMSc took the Wilderness Survival Medicine course at Lynchburg, she said it stuck with her as a unique and intensive hands-on experience on the journey to completing her DMSc Emergency Management and Global Health concentration.

Jeremy Adler ’19 DMSc

A seasoned PA who's been a pioneer in pain management, Jeremy Adler '19 DMSc has funneled his expertise into professional advocacy and advancement in his field, helping optimize patient care in California and beyond.

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 five cohorts beginning each year in January, March, June, August, and October.

DMSc Application Deadlines

January Cohort

Priority deadline: Jan. 1

March Cohort

Priority deadline: March 10

June Cohort

Priority deadline: May 15

August Cohort

Priority deadline: Aug. 1

October Cohort

Priority deadline: Oct. 5

Modality: 100% online and asynchronous

Eight-week Term Course Structure

Our DMSc program offers exceptional flexibility through its eight-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 eight-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

A woman and a man in white doctor coats stand back to back in a hallway.

Priority Application Details and Benefits

If you apply by the priority action deadline, you save your seat in the upcoming cohort, and we’ll waive the $300 deposit fee. This means you can save on expenses and eliminate the need for an upfront deposit when you apply on time.

Admission Requirements

Earned master’s or doctoral degree from:
- An accredited U.S. institution; or
- From a foreign university based on transcript evaluation completed by an agency from the NACES website.
Earned certificate or degree from an ARC-PA accredited PA program
Official transcripts from undergraduate and graduate-level degree-granting institutions
- If the initial PA credential (ARC-PA accredited program) was not from the bachelor’s or master’s-level degree-granting institution, then an additional transcript from the certificate PA program is required
Transcripts must be received before matriculation.
- Please have transcripts mailed to the University of Lynchburg, Office of Graduate Studies, 1501 Lakeside Dr., Lynchburg, VA 24501;
- Or sent through a secure electronic transcript delivery service.
At least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
Proof of active state licensure and/or NCCPA certification. NCCPA certification must be received before matriculation; NCCPA PA-C Emeritus will also be accepted
If applicable, you must:
- Meet requirements for graduate student international admissions.
- Complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language. It is required for students whose first language is not English.
  - University of Lynchburg code: 5372.
This program is not an entry-level doctoral program. PAs interested in this program must have completed all their PA professional education, completed a master’s degree from an accredited institution, and passed the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE).

How to Apply

Complete the online application.
Provide a current resume or curriculum vitae detailing educational and professional achievements
Include a single letter of recommendation from an MD, DO, or PA familiar with the student’s practice
Admitted students: a $300 non-refundable deposit is required, and will apply to the first semester’s tuition (waived if the application is submitted before the priority application deadline).

Tuition and Cost

2024-25 matriculation:

Tuition: $29,230 complete program*
Technology fee: $60 per term
Graduate program fee: $25 per term
Additional fees**

*subject to change
**The DMSc-EMGH concentration has additional fees due to student travel

All textbooks are available digitally and are free to DMSc students. Access and links to texts and resources will be provided in each course. This can save you over $600.

Please note that if you do not finish the program in 12 months, you will incur additional tuition and fees.

Virginia residents should apply for the VTAG grant.

Refund Policy:

If a student withdraws before the term begins, they will receive a full tuition refund. However, if the withdrawal or course drop occurs during the term, the following refund policy will apply:

Within the first week: 90% refund
Within the second week: 50% refund
Within the third week: 25% refund

After the third week of the term, no credit will be given.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available. To determine eligibility, a student should fill out the FAFSA. Visit the Lynchburg Graduate Financial Aid page for more information, or contact the Office of Financial Aid at 434.544.8228 or financialaid@lynchburg.edu.

PA Moms members are eligible for a tuition discount when they complete the DMSc at the University of Lynchburg.
PAs completing the AAPA’s Degree Pathway Program eight one-hour prerequisite courses are eligible for a 15% tuition discount

Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG): Non-Need Based Grant for VA Residents

All Virginia residents should apply for the VTAG grant. It’s a non-need-based grant that does not need to be repaid for students enrolling in undergraduate classes or in a graduate-level, health care-related program, at a Virginia private university.

It currently provides $5,000 per year (2023-24) in renewable tuition support for Virginia residents (exclusions may apply) enrolled full time in an on-campus program. Students enrolling in an online program can receive $2,500 in renewable tuition support.

Details can be found on our financial aid website under Graduate Financial Aid.

Lynchburg VTAG-eligible graduate programs include:

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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 healthcare 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

For information about the program and questions about admissions, contact:

434.544.8770
dmsc@lynchburg.edu

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The University of Lynchburg is a proud participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program.