DMS Degree

Women looking at radiology image

Shape the Future of Healthcare

As the nation’s healthcare environment continues to evolve, PAs must possess the latest information to deliver safe, efficient, and effective care. Through the Doctor of Medical Science degree program at Butler University, PAs will build upon their previous education and experiences, gain a greater depth of medical knowledge, and develop new business operation and management acumen. Within this distinctive curriculum students may choose between four areas of concentration.

  • The Foundations in Critical Care Concentration is for students interested in the delivery of critical care and are looking to pursue formal education in this growing area of medicine.
  • The Foundations in Orthopedic Care Concentration will be attractive to PAs already working in orthopedic care or orthopedic care adjacent specialties and desire additional education, or for those students who desire to move into this high-demand specialty and need an advanced understanding of orthopedic care core concepts.
  • The Healthcare Practice and Administration Concentration includes business and leadership courses that provide the foundation for the development of business operation and management acumen to effectively make decisions, and lead within their places of work.
  • The PA Educator Concentration is tailored to those individuals who would like to enhance their understanding of teaching and medical education for PAs.

All courses are online allowing students to continue to work while taking classes to achieve an advanced degree in a way that best suits their schedule. Campus residency is not required.


Why a DMS degree from Butler University?

The Doctor of Medical Science degree was created by faculty within Butler’s PA program, the longest accredited PA program in the state of Indiana. Butler’s PA program has a successful record of accomplishment of graduating PAs that are respected in their field and valuable contributors within the communities they serve.

Earn Category I CME Credit

Earn AAPA Category 1 CME credit for a portion of a number of courses in the program. The course work was reviewed by the AAPA Review Panel and is compliant with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for a total of 108.00 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs may only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation and successful completion of the post-test is required to earn  the credit. Category I CME credit is subject to approval by the AAPA Review Panel on a yearly basis.

Alumni Perspective

“The Butler DMS has a history of obtaining faculty with high levels of leadership roles in national PA educational organizations. That really spoke to me, knowing that this DMS program was being led by people who have been leading the PA educational field for years.”

-Joel Ruetz, PA-CD, DMS-Ed, CAQ-EM
Vituity at Ascension Indianapolis
APP Internship Lead

Joel Ruetz, DMS alumnus