Doctor of Medical Science

Bachelor’s to Doctorate Pathway

The bachelor’s to doctorate pathway provides an opportunity for U.S. licensed PAs with a bachelor’s degree to qualify for admission to the SCU Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program. To meet the bachelor’s to doctorate pathway, the PA applicant must have a bachelor’s degree in physician assistant/associate and meet at least one (1) of the criteria below:

• An approved military or civilian post-professional PA residency or fellowship.
• An approved medical specialty certificate program (e.g. public health certificate).
• A Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) offered by the NCCPA.
• At least 15 credit hours of post-secondary education toward a master’s degree.
• Currently certified by the NCCPA with a minimum of at least ten years of continuous certification maintenance.

The following guidelines are used in determining the equivalency:

1. Completion of an approved PA specialty certificate, residency, or fellowship (3-month minimum to complete requirements). These programs generally provide PAs with more in-depth coursework and are specifically designed for working PAs to enhance their skills and proficiency in a field of their choice. The following are examples of certificate/residency/fellowship programs but do not represent the only programs that will provide credit.
   1. The Emory Critical Care Center NP/PA Post-graduate Residency is a one-year training program that teaches residents to become highly skilled in the multidisciplinary, collaborative, and evidence-based management of complex and challenging patients in the intensive care unit.
   2. YNHH Emergency Medicine APP Residency Program. The primary goal of this residency program is to provide an intense clinical and educational experience that will produce a highly competent provider of emergency medicine.
   3. Mayo Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant Emergency Medicine Fellowship.
   4. NP/PA Certificate of Advanced Education. The NP and PA Certificate of Advanced Education in Obesity Medicine offers physician assistants an opportunity to earn a certificate in obesity medicine and demonstrate to their patients an extensive knowledge of evidence-based obesity treatment approaches and an ongoing commitment to their health. Verification of equivalency: Signed certificate of completion by the sponsoring organization, documenting a minimum of 3 months to complete the program.
2. Completion of a Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) offered by the National Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
   • Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery
   • Emergency Medicine
   • Hospital Medicine
   • Nephrology
   • Orthopedic Surgery
   • Pediatrics
   • Psychiatry(Verification of equivalency: CAQ certificate signed by the NCCPA.)
3. Completion of at least 15 credit hours of post-secondary education toward a master’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (or Pass for P/F).(Verification of equivalency: Official transcripts listing a minimum of 15 completed master’s-level credits and a 3.0 minimum GPA.)
4. Currently certified by the NCCPA with at least ten years of continuous certification maintenance.(Verification of equivalency: NCCPA verification of current certification with at least ten years of continuous certification maintenance.)

Frequently Asked Questions