facebook pixel tracker

University of Lynchburg

/ Graduate Academics / Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) / Medical Education Concentration

Medical Education Concentration

With over 300 PA programs currently operating in the U.S., more and more PAs are finding themselves in the classroom instead of the clinic. Many PAs who are on faculty have excellent medical training; however, creating active learning sessions, preparing for accreditation, and engaging students are now skills they rely upon daily.

The University of Lynchburg’s DMSc Medical Education Concentration was designed to give PA faculty the skills to succeed in academia. The curriculum aligns with the PA educator’s competencies outlined by PAEA: teaching, learner-centeredness, communication skills, professionalism and role-modeling, program and curriculum design and implementation, program evaluation, scholarship development, leadership, and mentorship. Students can complete the degree in 12 or 15 months.

Ami Steele“I have found the program material to be especially relevant and beneficial to me beyond my expectations. The knowledge I am gaining in the DMSc program has had a direct impact on my influence as a program director and faculty member.”
– Ami Steele ’20 DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA

DMSc Medical Education Concentration Curriculum

The coursework includes three main areas of focus to support PA educators’ professional development:

  1. Faculty development in creating instruction, student assessment, advising, course directing, curriculum development, and accreditation occurs in the PA 990, PA 991, and PA 992 courses.
  2. Engagement in scholarly work occurs through the PA 960 Evidence-Based Medicine and PA 966 Doctoral Project course.
  3. Application of doctoral coursework to the individual’s work setting occurs via the Medical Education Practicum course series.
PA 960 Evidence-Based Medicine (3 credits)
This course will cover key principles of scientific research and performance improvement in PA practice. Research design, methodology, ethics, and critical appraisal of medical publications will be reviewed. This course will emphasize the application of principles of evidence-based research and quality performance to achieve patient-centered clinical outcomes. Students will develop their proposal for their doctoral project.
PA 966 Doctoral Project (3 credits)
Students will advance and execute the doctoral project proposal suitable for publication and/or presentation in medical journals or conferences. Students will synthesize findings, draw conclusions, and receive an evaluation of their final project. Students will be encouraged to submit for publication and/or present their work at conferences.
PA 975 Medical Education Practicum I (4 Credits)
This course will provide intensive PA educational exposure in a chosen educational setting to further the student’s development as a faculty member. Students will apply program educational experiences to the practicum setting and integrate learning theory and medical education literature to improve their students’ learning outcomes through the practicum experience.
PA 976 Medical Education Practicum II (4 Credits)
This course is the second session of the PA Education Practicum and provides intensive PA educational exposure in a chosen educational setting to further the student’s development as a faculty member. Students will apply program educational experiences to the practicum setting and integrate learning theory and medical education literature to improve their students’ learning outcomes through the practicum experience.
PA 977 Medical Education Practicum III (4 Credits)
This course is the third session of the PA Education Practicum and provides intensive PA educational exposure in a chosen educational setting to further the student’s development as a faculty member. Students will apply program educational experiences to the practicum setting and integrate learning theory and medical education literature to improve their students’ learning outcomes through the practicum experience.
PA 978 Medical Education Practicum IV (4 Credits)
This course is the fourth session of the PA Education Practicum and provides intensive PA educational exposure in a chosen educational setting to further the student’s development as a faculty member. Students will apply program educational experiences to the practicum setting. After this course, students will summarize their progress toward integrating learning theory and medical education literature to improve their students’ learning outcomes through the practicum experience.
PA 990 Teaching and Learning in PA Education (3 credits)
This course provides PA faculty with a concrete foundation in best practices of teaching and learning within PA education. The goal is to assist students in the development of practical approaches to improving student learning, engagement, and teaching methods through frameworks grounded in educational theory and/or the medical education literature. The goal of the course is to improve PA faculty teaching effectiveness and their students’ learning.
PA 991 PA Program Development, Implementation, and Maintenance (3 credits)
This course provides PA faculty with a concrete foundation in curriculum and administrative best practices for us within PA education. The goal is to assist students in their application of educational theory and/or the medical education literature to the development of practical approaches for developing, implementing, and maintaining curricular and program operational components. The goal of the course is to improve PA faculty members’ effectiveness as members and leaders of a PA educational team.
PA 992 PA Program Evaluation and Improvement (3 credits)
This course provides PA faculty with a concrete foundation in accreditation compliance, program evaluation, and program leadership. The goal is to assist students in their application of educational theory and/or the medical education literature to the development of practical approaches for ensuring compliance with accreditation standards and conducting program evaluations. The goal of the course is to improve PA faculty members’ understanding of accreditation and program evaluation to support their effectiveness as leaders within their PA programs and the profession.

OR

PA 993 Integrating Technology and Teaching Online (3 credits)
This course provides PAs with an overview of key considerations for integrating technology into medical education framed around common medical educational goals and activities. Delivers a structured approach to developing online instruction, engaging students, and optimizing student learning within the online environment.

DMSc Medical Education Scholars are required to take two electives to fulfill degree requirements. Please refer to the Graduate Catalog for approved electives.

Student Learning Competencies – Medical Education Concentration

Upon completion of the Lynchburg DMSc Medical Education Concentration, graduates will be able to

  1. Apply learning theory and the medical education literature to advance student learning and improve program effectiveness by training within fellowship competencies on:
    • Teaching
    • Student Centeredness
    • Communication
    • Professionalism and Role Modeling
    • Program and Curriculum Design and Implementation
    • Program Evaluation
  2. Design, develop, and execute projects that improve student learning outcomes, program curriculum or operations, and accreditation compliance or program self-assessment.
  3. Develop professional medical writing skills to advance the PA profession.

Medical Education Concentration

DMSc students commonly work full-time in PA education to complete the Medical Education Practicum courses. However, you do not have to be in PA Education full-time to enroll in the Medical Education Concentration. The Medical Education Concentration is open to aspiring educators, preceptors, adjunct faculty, and full-time clinicians. PAs who spend 160 hours per eight-week term focused on educational activities are eligible for enrollment and completion of the Medical Education Concentration.

If you are a PA who does not meet those requirements but is interested in PA Education, consider enrolling in the Medical Education Certificate. This 3-course certificate is designed to allow clinically practicing PAs or current doctorally-educated PA faculty the option to complete doctoral-level coursework designed to meet their development needs.