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Discover the benefits of earning your degree from Sacred Heart University.
Doctor of Medical Science (D.M.Sc.)
Differentiate yourself with specialized training and advanced study
Begin Your Journey Take the Next Step
Unlock new possibilities in medicine, expand your clinical expertise, and become a leader in a community that propels your growth professionally and personally.
The Doctor of Medical Science (D.M.Sc.) is a new 30-credit, online doctoral program exclusively for practicing physician assistants and associates (PAs). The program launches in fall 2026. You'll master advanced competencies in leadership, health care administration and education, and health policy. Instead of a traditional dissertation, you will design, implement, and disseminate a capstone project that addresses real-world challenges you may face in your daily clinical or academic practice.
At Sacred Heart University, you'll join a community that values service, equity, and lifelong learning. Your next career leap starts now.
Facts & Statistics
At a Glance
- Duration: 16-20 months
- Credits: 30
- Cost Per Credit: $900
- Modality: Online
- Start Terms: Fall (September), Spring (January), Late Spring (March)
- Test Requirements: None
What Makes the Doctor of Medical Science at SHU Unique?
Flexible Online Study
Learn on your own schedule. This asynchronous, online format is designed for working professionals. Advance your doctoral studies while maintaining a full-time clinical practice.
Specialized Concentrations
Tailor your education to your goals. Choose from two focused tracks: education or health care leadership.
Applied Doctoral Capstone
Turn theory into action. This two-course capstone sequence lets you solve a real-world problem in your workplace, with more flexibility than a traditional dissertation.
Compassion-Centered Leadership
Lead with purpose and precision. Focused on health systems, quality improvement, and population health, this curriculum prepares you to navigate and transform organizations through complex clinical and administrative settings.
Upcoming Events
Frequently Asked Questions
This program is designed for physician assistants and physician associates who hold a master's degree and seek doctoral-level preparation to advance into roles in academia, executive leadership, clinical innovation, or policy development.
With a curriculum focused on compassion-centered leadership and practical application, the program features two distinct concentration tracks, allowing you to choose one and complete a real-world capstone project. You can align your doctoral studies directly with your career aspirations. U.S. News & World Report ranks Sacred Heart University's PA program among the top in the nation and number two in Connecticut, so you’ll be part of a highly respected medical community with a proven record of excellence.
Yes. Graduates of the Sacred Heart University Master of Science in physician associate studies (MSPAS) program may be eligible for a 12-month bridge pathway, which includes up to six credits of advanced standing.
The D.M.Sc. meets a growing need in the PA profession. As health care evolves, PAs are increasingly expected to take on leadership, education, and system-level roles, and the D.M.Sc. supports this progression by offering a doctoral pathway tailored for their field. The program helps bridge that gap by preparing clinicians with the advanced skills today’s health care environment demands.
More Information
Director of Graduate Admissions & Recruitment
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