The Doctor of Science program at Pacific University offers two innovative clinical doctoral degree programs — the Doctor of Healthcare Science (DHSc) and the Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc).  

Admissions Information

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Doctor of Healthcare Science (DHSc)

The Doctor of Healthcare Science (DHSc) four-semester degree was developed specifically for the health professional (certified/licensed), advanced practice clinician, health professions educator, healthcare administrator/manager or public health professional who has the desire to continue their education as a means of advancing their career within diverse patient focused healthcare settings. Applicants must be currently working in a healthcare role that includes direct patient/client care, healthcare profession student teaching, or public health community service interaction. 

Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)

The Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree was developed specifically for the physician assistant and focuses on real-life application of healthcare science principles. 

The four-semester Doctor of Medical Science program is for the physician assistant who is certified and actively practicing and follows the same curriculum and admission requirements as the Doctor of Health Science program.

The one-semester Doctor of Medical Science program is designed for recent graduates from U.S. ARC-PA accredited physician assistant programs.  Applicants may apply for admission to the one-semester DMSc program within 24 months of graduation from their PA program (example: for 2023-2024, the graduating classes of 2022 and 2023 are eligible for the program). Eligibility approval procedures include (but are not limited to) a curriculum review by the DMSc program director, and confirmation that the PA program completed by the applicant was ARC-PA accredited and in good standing at the time of attendance. The program adds one semester after completion of PA education. Physician assistant graduates who are applying to the one-semester program do not need to be currently working.

Online Doctor of Science

The Doctor of Healthcare Science and Doctor of Medical Science degrees will be delivered in an online manner (100% online). The curriculum will be presented primarily asynchronously with limited synchronous instruction on the Moodle® learning management system. Synchronous sessions will facilitate collaborative learning and discussion of content. 

 

Contact Us

ADMISSIONS

Emily Josi | Assistant Director of Graduate and Professional Admissions and Marketing
503-352-7219 | emcdaniel@pacificu.edu

GENERAL INFORMATION

Amber Vanzant, MAT | Program Administrator
School of Healthcare Administration and Leadership
Phone 503-352-7369 | Fax 503-352-7290 | amber.vanzant@pacificu.edu

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Katie Bell, EdD, RDH | Director | School of Healthcare Administration and Leadership
Director and Professor | Doctor of Science Program
Phone 503-352-7359 | Fax 503-352-7290 | kathryn.bell@pacificu.edu

Doctor of Healthcare Science (DHSc)

The Doctor of Healthcare Science is for allied health professionals, advanced practice clinicians or healthcare managers to continue their education and advance their careers in diverse healthcare settings. The online Doctor of Healthcare Science program at Pacific University is presented primarily asynchronously with limited synchronous instruction, which facilitate collaborative learning and discussion of content.

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Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)

The Doctor of Medical Science degree program at Pacific University is for physician assistants ready to advance their career and the healthcare field. The online DMSc program is delivered primarily asynchronously, while limited synchronous sessions facilitate collaborative learning and discussion of content.

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