List of Doctorate Programs for PA's

[EMEDPA]

 

[MedicinePower]

16 hours ago, rpackelly said:

mass college of pharmacy has a you tube video on line advertising a doctor of science for PAs as their terminal degree.  It does not yet seem to be linked to their web site and how it is linked to th masters is unclear.  

 

 

[DizzyJ]

On ‎7‎/‎6‎/‎2017 at 9:39 PM, MedicinePower said:

MCPHS Univ now has an online Doctor of Science in PA Studies degree open to PAs who already possess a masters as a PA.

 

https://www.mcphs.edu/academics/school-of-physician-assistant-studies/physician-assistant/physican-assistant-studies-doctor-of-science

The curriculum looks pretty weak compared to other doctorate programs and why why why do schools keep using "PA studies"? They should at least keep it to just Doctor of Science (DSc).  DScPAS is just too long and I see no courses studying physician assistanting in the curriculum. 

[rpackelly]

23 credits, focused on EBM.   Approximately same number of units as Lynchburg.  

[SoCalPA]

Ok im just struggling with the name. We have enough branding problems do not have so you have a doctorate degree in physician assistant studies. What does that even mean?

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[mmchick]

I think this would be extremely beneficial to any PA who is trying to get into biomedical/clinical research. That is the only advantage I can see of this program as it seems to be really research-heavy in the curriculum. Otherwise it's just a tricky way to get "Dr" in front of one name which is always a gray area in the health care field for non-medical/osteopathic doctors to be called Dr for obvious reasons.

[SoCalPA]

The only reason I would consider getting a doctoral degree is because I know one day I'm going to want to teach. Also I acknowledge the competitive nature of our business with nurse practitioners. Also I'm likely to do a residency or Fellowship so I might as well get the doctorate medical science degree at the same time with Lynchburg College

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[DizzyJ]

1 hour ago, rpackelly said:

23 credits, focused on EBM.   Approximately same number of units as Lynchburg.  

Perhaps weak was poor choice of word.  With this degree it seems very specific to research/EBM.  Most PAs I have met that wanted to pursue a doctorate wanted to go to admin, academics, or expand their fund-of-knowledge/personal growth.  Learning how to conduct a literature review, research methods, and evidence in healthcare just doesn't seem very appealing to me, but I'm sure there are several this program will be perfect for.  With the physician assistant studies focus they should at least rename the classes to Physician Assistant Research Methods and Evidence in Physician Assistant Practice...Lynchburg has a little more variety and is 38 credits for the distance program. 

[PACali]

I don't like the title DSc in "PA studies." Physician Assistant is already a confusing title. It gets worse with the word "Doctorate" in front of it. However, I do support doctorate degrees for PAs. I preferred DMS (Doctor of Medical Science). 

With OTP and the push for PA doctorate degrees, we need to change our title as soon as possible. We already know "Physician Assistant" no longer represents what we do. We are not assistants or physicians.  As a profession, we need to think ahead. We shouldn't be associated with another profession in term of our name. I suggest Medical Practioner or Medical Care Practitioner. These names work better with a doctorate degree. 

For example: 

John Doe, DMS, Medical Practitioner

John Doe, DSc,  Medical Practitioner

or 

Dr. John Doe, DMS, MP

 

 

 

 

 

 

[corpsman89]

5 hours ago, PACali said:

I don't like the title DSc in "PA studies." Physician Assistant is already a confusing title. It gets worse with the word "Doctorate" in front of it. However, I do like doctorate degrees for PAs. I preferred DMS (Doctor of Medical Science). 

With OTP and the push for PA doctorate degrees, we need to change our title as soon as possible. We already know "Physician Assistant" no longer represents what we do. We are not assistants or physicians.  As a profession, we need to think ahead. We shouldn't be associated with another profession in term of our name. I suggest Medical Practioner or Medical Care Practitioner. These names work better with a doctorate degree. 

For example: 

John Doe, DMS, Medical Practitioner

John Doe, DSc,  Medical Practitioner

or 

Dr. John Doe, DMS, MP

 

 

 

 

 

 

Totally agree!! Medical Practitioner is the way to go.

[TheLastStone]

With already being an advanced medical practitioner, and since NP's have the luxury of finishing their DNP while also working, would it make sense to make an online option to complete the doctorate part? This is coming from someone still finishing undergrad, but as this continues, it could really become a hotter topic as I prepare for my post-bacc medical education.

[EMEDPA]

2 of the 3 DMSc programs are online

[TheLastStone]

Oh... I didn't know that ha. I don't really feel the need to get it unless I want a higher position other than practitioner. I feel like it may start getting into the red tape with MDs and how or when to draw the line. I was in the ER a few times before my procedure last month and got 3 different ER docs opinions and they all said shoot for PA, and they all have very similar reasons, but what struck me was how they were all older and they said the line is coming somewhat invisible to where doctors and PAs are doing a lot of the same stuff, and in the future things could really get cloudy in the respect, but doctors would still have the ultimate say. That in itself is confusing to me, if you're trusted enough to do the things but under someone else's name? I mean, just from how they explained it to me, it's made the future for the profession seem odd in the way that it does almost become seamless. I may be over-bounding here, but those were the conversations I had with them. 

[EMEDPA]

I don't think the line is as close as those docs think it is, except in specific situations like the PA working solo in a rural practice, ER, or ICU. that is maybe 5% of all PAs.

[TheLastStone]

I have no idea as I'm still finishing my bachelors, so I can't give any input, but I take your word for it. I live in a very big city with huge healthcare systems, and from what I've researched, the pa and np openings are pretty similar. Atleast, in the hospital setting. I've seen them on different job sites and even the hospital sites list the same requirements for pa or np, but they did require dnp or acnp for hospital over fnp, and ms for pa. I'm still going to shoot for my masters as that's the bench mark, and will take it from there! I'm not too worried about the future, as there seems to be a need for midlevels forever. 

[EMEDPA]

yup, just don't say midlevels. repeat after me: "PAs and NPs" or "advanced practice clinicians (or providers)".

:)

[TheLastStone]

Ok, sorry. Good thing to break the habit before starting it! I do agree with some on here that the name has become a bit phased out as PAs have set the tone they're not really assistants. But deciding on a name to take that place is tough. I just feel that calling this profession assistant doesn't glorify or credit enough what is done by PAs. Just me $0.02.

[EMEDPA]

just say PA, never say physician assistant

[TheLastStone]

Gotcha. PA it is. I've been sidelined the last month after a nasty illness that I'm still working on with my PCP and the specialists, so I haven't been able to study like I would need to for the GRE come mid july. I don't want to jeopardize my score so I'm just going to wait a later time to take it. I still have another 1.5 years of school and PCE anyway, so I'm not worried. I just had the summer to do it. Kind of sucks I became ill but atleast it happened now and not during the semester. 

[Cideous]

The whole idea of a doctorate of Physician Assistant studies is degree creep at its worst.  This is for career students, not for those in the trenches.

[Cobb31]

The whole idea of a doctorate of Physician Assistant studies is degree creep at its worst.  This is for career students, not for those in the trenches.

You are 100% correct. However is this something unavoidable in our profession, because of the DNP becoming standard for NPs?

I hate degree creep, and all of the redundancy in our education system. It just seems that pressure outside of our profession will lead to doctorates for PAs.

One day every educated person may have a doctorate.

[DizzyJ]

Join my FB group for current, former, and perspective PA doctoral students

https://m.facebook.com/groups/1374949992625314

[EMEDPA]

On ‎8‎/‎17‎/‎2017 at 8:57 AM, Cobb31 said:

 

 

You are 100% correct. However is this something unavoidable in our profession, because of the DNP becoming standard for NPs?

I hate degree creep, and all of the redundancy in our education system. It just seems that pressure outside of our profession will lead to doctorates for PAs.

One day every educated person may have a doctorate.

 

PA programs should give a doctorate TODAY. we already have more academic credits to get a masters than many other professions do to get their doctorates. ...

[samuel]

I was doing a google search online for some job postings and noticed that one of the job posting required a Doctorate of Physician Assistant Studies. Until then I didn't know that this program had already started. I have been a P.A. for 9 years now. Initially, I want to get into M.D. program, but due to several years of education  and commitment I couldn't. Later, I researched if there is a bridge program for PA;s to MD's and couldn't find one. Then I stopped looking into it. I feel that PA's are more trained in terms of didactic education than NP's. PA's also do cadaver dissection during their PA school and what I have noticed or heard that NP's don't. Lately, I have been noticing more jobs for NP's than PA's. I have come across and also heard from several other PA's that they are always looked down when compared to the doctor's in the same workplace setting. Everybody gives respect if its a doctor and under-look if he or she is a PA; whether it is management, ancillary clinical staff etc. Some have no clue what a PA means and thinks oh its just an assistant. PA's do most of the same stuff and work very hard, but are under respected and at the end doctor's have more respect. It's sad, but its the reality. I thought to myself several times, I should have done M.D. instead of a PA as I am not given any respect. I read all the reviews on this post today about the DMS program and got very excited. I am thinking of considering it as I can earn a doctorate degree and at least be called a doctor. I am not sure why there are some negative postings about the DMS program, but to me I feel this will give more respect, higher qualification and maybe a better pay. Of course, it is individual's opinion as to how they would like to look into this.

I am going to do more google search on this, but I also would like to ask if there are more universities besides Lynchburg College and couple of other universities. I will consider looking more into this college and maybe apply to it. Also, if one does DMS program do they still need an M.D. for supervision and delegation purpose? Any help is greatly appreciated and I thank you in advance.

[SoCalPA]

Has anyone heard of this or know anyone attending the program? Doctor of Medical Science at AT Still. Wondering how it compares to the Lynchburg program. 

https://www.atsu.edu/doctor-of-medical-science