DMS Degree Courses

DMS 846 Mental Health Assessment of Individuals and Families

This course focuses on psychiatric disorder assessments, screening skills, and competencies. Students will develop skills in evidence-based and evidence-informed assessments and screenings for common health, mental health, substance use and other behavioral health concerns which impact and/or compromise health and well-being will be the focus of this course. Holistic approaches which are developmentally appropriate across the life span and relevant in a variety of settings will be applied. Grounding of the assessment process in person in environment perspective (PIE), strengths-based approaches, the nature of the patient/family and social support systems, cultural, spiritual, and religious beliefs and other socio-economic resources that impact health and patient well-being will be included.

DMS 850 Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Disorders

This course explores the theoretical foundations of child and adolescent psychiatric disorders, psychotherapy, and strategies to implement evidence-based therapeutic modalities. Learning focuses on a variety of psychotherapeutic modalities across the child and adolescent lifespan, including those most often seen in the pediatric and adolescent population aged 0-18 years of age. Differential diagnoses and treatment plans will include genetic, age, gender, cultural influences, and developmental milestones, as well as laboratory findings, and diagnostic studies. Strategies and interventions in education, family support, and facilitated family and group communication specific to mental health will be incorporated into the plan of care.

DMS 856 Adult Psychiatric Disorders

This course explores the foundations of adult psychiatric disorders, psychotherapy, and strategies to implement evidence-based therapeutic modalities. The population of interest for this course is adult women, men, and aging adult. Topics will include the genetic, age, gender, and cultural influences on psychiatric and mental health of older adults, as well as laboratory findings and diagnostic studies. The physical, ethical, and social aspects of providing mental health care to adults and aging adults will be explored.

DMS 860 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.

DMS 760 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.

DMS762 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 analyzes 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.

DMSS764 Op. 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.

DMS800 Adv Resuscitation 1

This module will focus on the foundational knowledge and skills required to care for critically ill patients suffering from cardiopulmonary failure. The module will outline the pathophysiology and mechanisms that contribute to developing cardiopulmonary decompensation, evaluating the severity of decompensation, and diagnostic aids and treatments available to intervene in critically ill patients.

DMS810 Adv Resuscitation 2

This module focuses on the management of critically ill patients suffering from failure of organ systems outside of the cardiopulmonary system. Specifically, this module identifies mechanisms of pathogenesis, methods of evaluation, and interventions required to address dysfunction in patients with renal, metabolic, infectious, neurologic, traumatic injury, operative stress, and hematologic causes and/or contributors to critical illness and/or decompensation.

DMS816 Critical Care Pharmacology

This module provides students with the information required to appropriately utilize drugs and blood products typically encountered in the care of critically ill patients. Students will gain detailed knowledge of these pharmacologic agents and how to select the most appropriate therapy based on patient specific factors.

DMS820 Critical Patient Care

This module addresses areas of patient care that are essential to the practice of critical care. It focuses on special populations including management trauma and post-operative care, general management of critically ill patients, downgrading patients to general medical floors, introduction of palliative and hospice care, and ethical issues pertaining to critical care.

DMS710 Advanced Clinical Immunology and Genetics

This module covers clinical immunology, focusing on the physiology/pathophysiology of the immune system and its implications for disease state as related to allergy and rheumatology medicine, and the treatment of such states.  Additionally, the module includes basic principles of human genetics and their application to clinical medicine, including pharmacogenetics.

DMS712 Biochemical Basis of Disease States and Drug Action

This module emphasizes the fundamentals of modern molecular biology and biochemistry as applied to medicine. This module will enhance the student’s understanding of proteins, nucleic acids, macromolecular machines, and their regulation on a molecular level. Further, it delves into the fundamentals of carbohydrate, amino acid and lipid metabolism with applications given to major disease states and their treatments.

DMS826 Upper Extremity

This module will focus on the foundational knowledge and skills required to care for upper extremity injuries in adult and pediatric orthopedic patients, including avascular necrosis, dislocations, and fractures. The module will outline the pathophysiology and mechanisms of injury that contribute to upper extremity injury, evaluation, diagnostic aids, and management techniques available to intervene. The module focuses on ethically appropriate, culturally sensitive, rehabilitative, and pre/post-operative care.

DMS830 Lower Extremity

This module will focus on the foundational knowledge and skills required to care for hip and lower extremity injuries in adult and pediatric orthopedic patients, including avascular necrosis, dislocations, and fractures. The module will outline the pathophysiology and mechanisms of injury that contribute to lower extremity injury, evaluation, diagnostic aids, and management techniques available to intervene. The module focuses on post-operative care, as well as ethical issues pertaining to these areas.

DMS836 Soft Tissue, Spine, Trauma, and Tumor Orthopedic Care

This module addresses areas of adult and pediatric patient care that are essential to the practice of orthopedic care of soft tissue injuries and disorders. The module will outline the pathophysiology and mechanisms that contribute to developing complications, preoperative and postoperative disorders, diagnostic aids, and management techniques available in soft tissue, spine, and benign and malignant tumors. The module focuses on post-operative care, as well as ethical issues pertaining to these areas.

DMS840 Orthopedic Wound, Complication Management, and Pharmacology

This module addresses areas of adult and pediatric patient care that are essential to the practice of orthopedic care, including wound management, pre and postoperative complications, surgical intervention, and pharmacology. The module focuses on post-operative care, as well as ethical issues pertaining to these areas. Students will gain detailed knowledge of pharmacologic agents and how to select the most appropriate therapy based on patient specific factors

DMS770 Program & 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.

DMS772 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.

DMS774 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.

DMS776 Assessment & Evaluation

The module will identify best practices associated of 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.

DMS750 Aging (2 credit hours)

This module aims to provide an understanding of competent, compassionate care of older patients, including attitudes, basic scientific knowledge, disease states and clinical knowledge.

DMS752 The Healthy Patient

This module is concerned with the sociocultural, behavioral, psychological, and biological factors contributing to wellness, including disease prevention, substance abuse prevention and program planning; nutrition and fitness; health promotion; and general public health issues.

DMS 754 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.

DMS720 Neurology

This module will systematically approach the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of neurologic diseases as they relate to primary care. Each module will integrate relevant clinical anatomy, imaging, and pharmacotherapy to maximize the applicability in clinical practice.

DMS722 Pulmonary

This module will systematically approach the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of pulmonary diseases as they relate to primary care. Each module will integrate relevant clinical anatomy, imaging, and pharmacotherapy to maximize the applicability in clinical practice.

DMS724 Cardiology

This module will systematically approach the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of diseases affecting the heart and vasculature as they relate to primary care. Each module will integrate relevant clinical anatomy, imaging, and pharmacotherapy to maximize the applicability in clinical practice.

DMS726 Renal/Urinary

This module will systematically approach the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of renal and urologic diseases as they relate to primary care. Each module will integrate relevant clinical anatomy, imaging, and pharmacotherapy to maximize the applicability in clinical practice.

DMS728 Gastroenterology

This module will systematically approach the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of gastroenterological diseases as they relate to primary care. Each module will integrate relevant clinical anatomy, imaging, and pharmacotherapy to maximize the applicability in clinical practice.

DMS730 Endocrinology

This module will systematically approach the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of endocrinologic diseases as they relate to primary care. Each module will integrate relevant clinical anatomy, imaging, and pharmacotherapy to maximize the applicability in clinical practice.

DMS732 Hematology

This module will systematically approach the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of hematologic disorders and malignancies as they relate to primary care. Each module will integrate relevant clinical anatomy, imaging, and pharmacotherapy to maximize the applicability in clinical practice.

DMS734 Rheumatology

This module will systematically approach the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of rheumatologic diseases as they relate to primary care. Each module will integrate relevant clinical anatomy, imaging, and pharmacotherapy to maximize the applicability in clinical practice.

DMS736 Infectious Disease

This module is systematic approach to the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of diseases as they relate to primary care. This module will integrate relevant clinical anatomy, imaging, and pharmacotherapy of infectious diseases to maximize the applicability in clinical practice.  The course will provide an understanding of the classes of medications used to treat infectious diseases.