Contact the DMSc Program
Virtual info sessions
Register using the links below:
Virtual info sessions
- Thursday, December 5th, 2024 8:00 pm ET
- Thursday, January 9th, 2025 8:00 pm ET
- Thursday, February 6th, 2025 8:00 pm ET
Doctor of Medical Science degree for Physician Assistants
The NAU Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree for Physician Assistants (PAs) is an eight-course, 24-credit online post professional doctorate degree program designed to elevate PAs' knowledge and competencies, enabling them to increase their contributions to a patient-centered, safe, and cost-effective health care system.The program curriculum focuses on the role of the PA as a critical member of the health care team through coursework in population health, health policy, financing health care delivery, health informatics, health equity, and leadership.
This flexible, affordable program is offered completely online with no in-person or synchronous attendance requirement. While most students choose to attend part-time, the program can be completed in as little as one year with full-time enrollment.* Students have up to 7 years to complete the program.
Curriculum Accordion Closed
Each of the following 3 credit hour courses must be completed to fulfill the requirements of the DMSc degree.
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- PHA 700- Health Care Systems and Practices in the U.S.
- PHA-701- Population Health Management
- PHA 702- Improving Health Care Using a Health Equity Lens
- PHA 703- Policies and Practices to Address Social Determinants of Health
- PHA 704-Health Informatics for Practice and Management
- PHA 705-Change Management in Health Care
- PHA 706- Financing Health Care Delivery in the U.S.
- PHA 707- Culminating Project
Admissions Accordion Closed
The program offers enrollment for spring, summer, and fall semesters
Students may apply to the program at any time.Admission requirements
- Degree from an ARC-PA accredited PA program.
- Official transcripts from bachelors and masters-level degree-granting institutions (must hold a master’s degree for consideration).
- Minimum overall graduate cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A"), or the equivalent.
- Current resume or curriculum vitae.
Program cost Accordion Closed
Our goal is to make post-professional doctoral training accessible to all PAs. As a result, our tuition remains below the 2024 national average (approximately $835/credit hour)
for DMS/DMSc programs, and is the same for both in-state and out-of-state students.
For even more savings, employees of NAU Healthcare Partner organizations may be eligibile for a 10% tuition discount. Visit the Healthcare Partners website or contact the program for more information.
*Tuition and fees are subject to change. Please visit the NAU Student & Departmental Account Services webpage for the most up-to-date information on tuition and fees.
2024-2025 academic year program costs:*
- Tuition: $635 per credit hour
- Fees:
- One or two courses: $218/semester
- Three or more courses: $247/semester
For even more savings, employees of NAU Healthcare Partner organizations may be eligibile for a 10% tuition discount. Visit the Healthcare Partners website or contact the program for more information.
*Tuition and fees are subject to change. Please visit the NAU Student & Departmental Account Services webpage for the most up-to-date information on tuition and fees.
Faculty & staff Accordion Closed
Program administration
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Danielle Kempton, DHSc, MMS, PA-C
- Director, DMSc Program
- Clinical Professor, Physician Assistant Studies
- danielle.kempton@nau.edu
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Judy Pieratt, MA
- Academic Program Coordinator, Senior
- judy.pieratt@nau.edu
Program faculty
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Alison Essary, DHSc, MHPE, PA-C
- Professor and Chair, Department of PA Studies
- alison.essary@nau.edu
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Natalie Landman, PhD
- Assistant Teaching Professor, Physician Assistant Studies
- natalie.landman@nau.edu
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Adrienne Madhavpeddi, PhD(abd), MS
- Lecturer, Physician Assistant Studies
- adrienne.madhavpeddi@nau.edu
Instructional faculty
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Craig Norquist, MD, FACEP, FAMIA
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Swapna Reddy, JD, MPH, DrPH
Graduate certificates
The NAU Department of Physician Assistant Studies also offers two, 12-credit online post-professional graduate certificates for Physician Assistants. These certificates include:
- Health Equity
- Operations and Leadership
These certificate programs are designed to elevate competencies in health care operations, leadership and health equity. In addition, students who complete one of these certificates can have their credits transfer seamlessly, once completed, into the Doctor of Medical Science program, should they wish to pursue that degree. Visit the Physician Assistant Studies Graduate certificates for Physician Assistants webpage for additional information.
*Requires a fall or spring start; contact the program for additional details