Best Type of PhD Programs for Physician Assistants (PA)

<h2 id="section---PhDDegreesForPAs">PhD Degrees for PAs</h2> <h3 id="section---DoctorOfBehavioralHealthProgramDBH">Doctor of Behavioral Health Program (DBH)</h3> <p>The DBH degree focuses on developing healthcare leadership skills in students and is an 84-credit hour program that offers credit for those who have completed a master's degree. Admission requirements include a personal statement, official graduate transcripts, letters of recommendation, a resume and a video interview. The coursework includes models of integrated primary care, financial management in healthcare and healthcare information management. Students who complete this program could have career opportunities such as healthcare manager, healthcare consultant and healthcare administrator. </p> <h3 id="section---PhDMasterOfMedicalScienceMMSDegree">PhD/Master of Medical Science (MMS) Degree</h3> <p>The PhD/MMS degree allows PA students to work toward two degrees concurrently, and these concurrent programs often take about 5-7 years. Students must meet their PA requirements to be eligible for this type of program, and common entrance requirements include letters of reference, degree transcripts, healthcare experience, graduate record exam (GRE) scores, letters of reference and the CASPer - situational judgement test. Curriculum focuses on developing clinical skills and includes clinical and diagnostic skills, patient care and foundations of medicine and surgery. Career opportunities following completion can include PA work in the following specialties: cardiothoracic surgery, emergency medicine, interventional radiology or sleep medicine. </p> <h3 id="section---DoctorOfHealthSciencesDHSC">Doctor of Health Sciences (DHSC)</h3> <p>Students pursuing a DHSC typically have about 45-47 credit hours to complete, and the program focuses on clinical and academic leadership. Admissions criteria for the program include grade point average requirements, a personal statement, professional licensure, a writing sample, official transcripts and letters of recommendation. Some career paths for this degree can lead to positions as a PA in a rural or suburban health clinic environment or family medicine, an advanced practitioner hospitalist or a department chair for a clinical academic area. </p> <h3 id="section---DoctorOfMedicalScienceDMSc">Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)</h3> <p>The DMSc degree focuses on developing evidence-based whole person treatment to impact clinical outcomes for patients and the community. The program requires 36 credit hours to complete and includes courses such as community assessment, ethics in healthcare and health promotion and social and behavioral determinants of health. Common entrance requirements include GPA minimums, current employment as a PA, degree transcripts and a resume. Career prospects for individuals with this degree include clinical, industry and educational leadership positions. </p> <h3 id="section---DoctorOfScienceInPhysicianAssistantStudiesDScPAS"> Doctor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (DScPAS)</h3> <p>The DScPAS degree allows students to complete their terminal PA program after completion of 24 credit hours, which takes about 2-4 years to complete. The program requirements include a Master in Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS), proof of state licensure and GPA requirements. Coursework can include critical global health issues, health policy and reform and assessment and evaluation. There are three tracks to choose from, including health system administration, educational leadership and global health, which impact the career track of students pursuing this terminal credential. Career opportunities can include professorial appointments, health system management or non-governmental agency health work. </p> <h3 id="section---DegreeProgramComparison">Degree Program Comparison</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>Degree Program</th><th>Program Length</th><th>Program Requirements</th><th>Related Careers</th></tr> <tr><td>Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH)</td><td>5-7 years</td><td>Personal statement, official graduate transcripts, letters of recommendation, resume and video interview</td><td>Healthcare manager, healthcare consultant</td></tr> <tr><td>PhD/Master of Medical Science (MMS) </td><td>5-7 years</td><td>Letters of reference, degree transcripts, healthcare experience, graduate record exam (GRE) scores, letters of reference and the CASPer -situational judgement test</td><td>PA in cardiothoracic surgery, PA in interventional radiology</td></tr> <tr><td>Doctor of Health Sciences (DHSC)</td><td>4-7 years</td><td>Grade point average requirements, personal statement, professional licensure, writing sample, official transcripts and letters of recommendation</td><td>Advanced practitioner hospitalist, department chair for a clinical academic area</td></tr> <tr><td>Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)</td><td>3-4 years</td><td>GPA minimums, current employment as a PA, degree transcripts and resume</td><td>Clinical, industry and educational leadership positions</td></tr> <tr><td>Doctor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (DScPAS)</td><td>2-4 years</td><td>Completion of Master in Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program, proof of state licensure and GPA requirements</td><td>Health system manager or professor</td></tr> </table><p>PhD programs for PAs include programs that focus on a number of healthcare and scientific specialties. These programs range from 2-7 years in length and give students enhanced career opportunities, including more specialized PA opportunities or healthcare leadership roles.</p>