DMS Bridge Program Curriculum
The DMS Bridge Program incorporates 36-credit hours already completed during supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPE) from your entry-level master’s degree program. The program curriculum includes two phases—the initial seven-week didactic course portion, followed by a semester-long Capstone Project.
During the didactic course portion, the student is encouraged to not work due to the intensive, full-time nature of the program. Students must be available for synchronous and asynchronous online activities during that time.
The program’s Capstone Project is firmly grounded in biostatistics and research design and can be taken on a part-time basis. It is anticipated the typical student will complete their Capstone Project in one semester. If the Capstone Project is not completed at the end of the term, students will be required to enroll in a Capstone Continuation Course to maintain active enrollment with the program. The Capstone must be completed within one year of starting the project or unless permission is obtained by the DMS Bridge Program Director. During the semester-long Capstone Project, students may choose to work clinically.
| Supervised Clinical Practice Experience Equivalence | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Behavioral / Mental Health | 4 credit hours |
| Emergency Medicine | 4 credit hours |
| Adult / Internal Medicine | 4 credit hours |
| Family Medicine | 4 credit hours |
| Pediatric Medicine | 4 credit hours |
| General Surgical Care | 4 credit hours |
| Women’s Health | 4 credit hours |
| Elective Experiences | 8 credit hours |
The previously earned SCPE are combined with the 14 credit hour online, 700-level Bridge courses.
| Didactic Courses | Credit Hours |
| DMS-BR778, Issues in Clinical Practice | 3 credit hours |
| DMS-BR780, Biostatistics | 3 credit hours |
| DMS-BR782, Research Design | 3 credit hours |
| Capstone | |
| DMS-BR784, Capstone Project | 5 credit hours |
This module extends students’ understanding of leadership and the impact of quality and patient safety on patient care. Topics will include 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. Topics within leadership will include fundamentals of leadership, leadership and professionalism self-assessment, and leadership philosophy. Learners will model professionalism skills, best leadership practices and behaviors, and handling conflict. Learners will apply this to their personal and professional life through a series of practical exercises. Prerequisites: Completion of entry-level PA program, NCCPA certification, and admission to the Bridge Program. (G)(3) Summer, Spring, Fall
This course is designed to prepare the student to apply concepts of introductory statistical analysis to health-related investigations. Skills developed in this course emphasize a systematic and scientific approach to problem solving and a process for interpreting biomedical literature. The course provides the student with instruction in descriptive and inferential statistics, properly selecting the most appropriate statistical test for a given research question and data set, conducting hypothesis testing, and constructing confidence intervals. Statistical software is used to analyze datasets that demonstrate each of the most commonly encountered statistical tests. This course will primarily focus on conducting and interpreting the results of the most commonly employed statistical methods in the most commonly used designs in health research. Prerequisites: Completion of entry-level PA program, NCCPA certification, and admission to the Bridge Program. (G)(3) Summer, Spring, Fall
This course is designed to prepare the student to apply concepts of research design to health-related investigations. Skills developed in this course emphasize a process for interpreting biomedical literature. The course will primarily focus on designs and analysis and provide an overview of the various steps of the clinical research process such as problem formulation, hypothesis generation, study design, measurement, data collection, and analysis. Prerequisites: Completion of entry-level PA program, NCCPA certification, and admission to the Bridge Program. (G)(3) Summer, Spring, Fall
The course will primarily focus on clinical quality improvement design and analysis. The class will provide an overview of the various steps of the clinical research process such as problem formulation, hypothesis generation, study design, measurement, data collection, and analysis. The course will be dedicated to applying research design and biostatistical analysis concepts. In this independent study course, the student will complete a research/ clinical project and present the results of the research or the project. Prerequisite: Completion of DMS-BR778, DMS-BR780, and DMS-BR782 (G)(5) Fall, Summer, Spring
For any additional semester after the initial Capstone Project, the student will register for a Capstone Continuation Course with a continuing service charge to maintain the students’ enrollment. At the end of each semester, students who do not finish but demonstrate progress on their Capstone will earn a DEF (deferred) grade. A student’s progress through capstone continuation may increase their total number of degree credits beyond the required credits. Prerequisite: DMS-BR784 (P/DEF/F) (G)(3) Fall, Spring, Summer
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