Curriculum
The Doctor of Medical Science (DMS) degree program is a fully online and asynchronous post-professional academic program for PAs. Each module is six weeks in length and taught by doctorate-level faculty. All students will participate in scholarly activity through a required programmatic capstone.
The DMS degree requires 27 credits to be earned through Butler coursework with an additional 23 credits automatically transferred from your ARC‑PA–accredited PA program degree, fulfilling the total 50 credit hours required for DMS degree conferral.
There are two start dates in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. See Important Dates for specific start dates. Module selection will be determined by the student, their concentration, and the course availability. The length of time it takes to complete the nine-module program is dependent on the number of modules a student enrolls and successfully completes in a given term: a student must complete the program in 2.5 years.
Earn Category 1 CME credit
Earn AAPA Category 1 CME credit for a portion of a number of courses in the program. The coursework was reviewed by the AAPA Review Panel and is compliant with AAPA CME criteria. Category I CME credit is subject to approval by the AAPA Review Panel on a yearly basis.
Required courses by concentration are listed below. See a full list of DMS courses.
Current enrolling concentrations
Required courses
Self-Leadership and Organizational Leadership
This module will expose learners to effective leadership approaches and skill sets found in health systems organizations. Topics will include fundamentals of leadership, leadership and professionalism self-assessment, and leadership philosophy. Learners will model professionalism skills, best leadership practices and behaviors, institutional and program accreditation, and handling conflict. Learners will apply this to their personal and professional life through a series of practical exercises.
Quality and Patient Safety
This module teaches students about the impact of preventable, adverse medical events on patients and medical professionals; prepares students to identify and participate in corrective strategies that improve quality and safety throughout their practice; and develops and nurtures a culture of quality and safety that enhances patient satisfaction and quality of care outcomes.
Healthcare practice and administration courses
Business of Medicine
This module examines how market dynamics and government reforms are driving changes in revenue models including value-based reimbursements, bundled payments, and risk-sharing incentives. The module will analyze different types of integrated delivery models such as accountable care, medical homes, integrated delivery networks, and new legal entities to deliver care directly to employers. This module addresses how PAs and non-PA providers are reimbursed within these models.
Operations Management
This module explores quality management concepts and tools with a focus on healthcare. Provides an understanding of how operations management concepts and tools can produce better quality, lower costs, and improve revenue. Examines how to improve productivity, maximize asset utilization, reduce waiting lines, shorten throughput times, and enhance the overall patient experience.
Health Policy
This module examines how health policy impacts delivery of healthcare, patient care, and the practice of PAs. This course will compare health policy at the local, state, national, and international levels.
Four elective courses
Required courses
Self-Leadership and Organizational Leadership
This module will expose learners to effective leadership approaches and skill sets found in health systems organizations. Topics will include fundamentals of leadership, leadership and professionalism self-assessment, and leadership philosophy. Learners will model professionalism skills, best leadership practices and behaviors, institutional and program accreditation, and handling conflict. Learners will apply this to their personal and professional life through a series of practical exercises.
Quality and Patient Safety
This module teaches students about the impact of preventable, adverse medical events on patients and medical professionals; prepares students to identify and participate in corrective strategies that improve quality and safety throughout their practice; and develops and nurtures a culture of quality and safety that enhances patient satisfaction and quality of care outcomes.
Lifestyle medicine courses
Lifestyle Medicine I: Diet, Exercise, Stress
This module explores the application of Lifestyle Medicine principles in patient care, focusing on nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and stress management as key components of disease prevention and health promotion. Students will develop skills to assess, counsel, and implement patient-centered interventions that address lifestyle-related conditions and improve health outcomes in primary care settings.
Lifestyle Medicine II: Nutrition, Sleep, and Chronic Disease Prevention
This module explores the application of Lifestyle Medicine principles in diverse areas of patient care, including gut health, addiction, environmental and social determinants of health, and integrative medicine approaches. Students will develop skills to assess, counsel, and implement patient-centered interventions that address lifestyle-related conditions and promote sustainable health outcomes in primary care settings.
Lifestyle Medicine III: Application of Lifestyle Medicine Principles and Strategies for Improved Healthcare
This module explores Lifestyle Medicine and its role in preventing, managing, and reversing chronic diseases. It will examine evidence-based approaches to lifestyle medicine including nutrition, physical activity, mental well-being, and sleep with an emphasis on application in healthcare settings. Through formative and summative assessments and interactive discussions, students will develop skills needed to implement lifestyle-based interventions, enhance patient outcomes, and promote practitioner wellness.
Substance Use Disorders
Students develop knowledge, values and ethics, skills, and judgment necessary for competent application of selected evidence-based, best practice approaches for children, youth, adults, and families affected by addictions issues. Students explore topics such as risk, resilience, recovery, and relapse-prevention; and consider implications of current social and policy factors.
Three elective courses
Required courses
Self-Leadership and Organizational Leadership
This module will expose learners to effective leadership approaches and skill sets found in health systems organizations. Topics will include fundamentals of leadership, leadership and professionalism self-assessment, and leadership philosophy. Learners will model professionalism skills, best leadership practices and behaviors, institutional and program accreditation, and handling conflict. Learners will apply this to their personal and professional life through a series of practical exercises.
Quality and Patient Safety
This module teaches students about the impact of preventable, adverse medical events on patients and medical professionals; prepares students to identify and participate in corrective strategies that improve quality and safety throughout their practice; and develops and nurtures a culture of quality and safety that enhances patient satisfaction and quality of care outcomes.
PA Educator courses
Program and Leader Development
This module will identify and investigate required areas of PA program sponsorship including institution responsibilities, resources, personnel, operations, fair practice and admission processes, and record keeping required for PA programs to establish and maintain accreditation.
Curricular Theory and Practice
This module will identify required areas of curriculum and instruction to establish and maintain accreditation. Additionally, it will provide fundamentals in teaching and learning that can be applied to instruction in didactic and supervised clinical practice experiences.
Technology and Simulation
This module will focus on instructional design and the impact of technology on learning. This module emphasizes development of knowledge, skills, and disposition to effectively select and use technology to enhance learning.
Assessment and Evaluation
This module will identify best practices associated with performing an ongoing self-assessment to review the quality and effectiveness of educational practices, policies, and outcomes using the 5th edition Accreditation Standards for Physician Assistant Education (Standards) as the point of reference.
Three elective courses
Take the Next Step
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