Doctor of Medical Science Programs

Shape the future of healthcare.

Butler’s Doctor of Medical Science (DMS) programs—offered as a full 50-hour degree program, 12-hour graduate certificates, or an accelerated pathway for new PA grads—gives students the skills, and the confidence, to be leaders in healthcare.

One degree. Two paths.

Whether you’re a practicing PA or you recently graduated from an ARC-PA accredited program, Butler University offers a path to the Doctor of Medical Science (DMS) degree that fits you.

DMS Degree Program
Our fully online 50-credit hour DMS program serves PAs who are interested in building on their PA training and clinical experience with more in-depth medical knowledge, leadership skills, and business acumen to advance within their workplace. Students may choose from two, degree concentration areas—Healthcare Practice and Administration and PA Educator. Two, 12-hour graduate certificates are also available in these same concentration areas.

DMS Bridge Program
The online DMS Bridge program is an accelerated path to the DMS exclusively for new PAs who have graduated within six months from an accredited ARC-PA program. The Bridge Program incorporates 36-credit hours already completed during supervised clinical practice and combines them with the 14 credit-hours of didactic courses and a semester-long Capstone Project.

Request More Information

Featured Alumnus

I wanted to get above and beyond the roles that PAs typically have.

“Right now, if you look at administrative structures within hospitals there are physicians, nurses, and sometimes nurse practitioners, but it’s hard for PAs to crack into that upper-level echelon without advanced education.

The Butler DMS provided me the opportunity to grow beyond my former role. By acquiring new leadership skills and advancing my clinical knowledge, I was able to move into a leadership position within a few months of graduation.”

Joel Ruetz DMS ’22
Vituity at Ascension Indianapolis
APP Internship Lead

Two Certificate Options

The Butler DMS program offers two, 12-hour certificates: Healthcare Practice and Administration, which is aimed at developing a student’s business operation and management acumen, and PA Educator, which broadens a student’s understanding of teaching and medical education for PAs.

View Curriculum Admission Information

Jumpstart your PA Career with the DMS Bridge Program.

Admission Information Browse Curriculum

internal resources

internal resources

One degree. Two paths.