Physician Assistant Studies, Post-Professional (DMSc)

Format(s)
Online
Degree Type
Doctor of Medical Science
Duration

1 year
(3 terms, including 1 summer term)

Flexible plans of study are available.

Request Info
Format(s)
Online
Degree Type
Doctor of Medical Science
Duration

1 year
(3 terms, including 1 summer term)

Flexible plans of study are available.

Request Info

Have Questions?

Contact this program’s enrollment specialist(s):

Haley Geisler
Haley Geislerhne3@pitt.edu

Job-Integrated Internship and Capstone

Job-Integrated Internship

The job-integrated experiences in each term enhance classroom learning and provide an opportunity to apply skills in the clinical, academic or administrative setting.

  • These experiences may be completed in the learner’s current place of practice/job-integrated (take place where the applicant currently works), aspirant or service-oriented in nature.
  • The integrated internship opportunity allows students to use what they’re learning in the DMSc program to directly impact and align with their current workplace needs and goals. Students will not need to search for an internship opportunity on top of their current workplace, unless desired.
  • Although each internship consists of a set of fundamental learning objectives, students will have the opportunity to personalize the objectives of each internship experience to provide the most benefit to their scholarly work and future goals.
    • Options for the internship component include a service internship, choosing to do a service or community engagement project or complete your internship where you work.

DMSc Capstone

Each student will complete a quality improvement capstone project. Part of what makes PAs so unique is their ability to collaborate as members of the health care team. A huge benefit of the DMSc program is having the option to collaborate with one or more colleagues on the capstone project. Collaborative groups have a maximum size of four people. Collaboration allows projects to have greater impact and can help balance the academic workload.

  • Determine a problem that exists in your place of practice and learn how to solve it.
  • Design your project built around applying evidence-based knowledge to enhance your place of practice.
  • Work with your faculty mentor and stakeholders, and if working with other in the program, collaborate with colleagues and co-workers in larger group projects!
  • Develop, execute, evaluate and present findings to peers, faculty and professionals.
    • This includes a written document and oral presentation via videoconference.

Past Student Project Examples

Clinical Projects:

Project Name Setting
Digital Discharge Instructions: Surveying Patient Perceived Health Literacy of Laceration Care Discharge Instructions with Digital Document Delivery Emergency Department/Urgent Care
The Sustainable Effect of Staff Education on Utilization of Oral COVID-19 Therapeutics in Southwestern Pennsylvania Long-term Care Facilities Over Time Long-Term Care Facilities
The SMART Standards: Improving the Non-Technical Skills of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Teams Critical Care Medicine
Improving Access to Comprehensive Care for Pediatric Sickle Cell Patients Through the Creation of Multispecialty Clinics Pediatric Hematology and Pulmonary Clinics
Socioeconomic Barriers and Poor Health Outcomes: The Detrimental Correlation in the Pediatric Population and How Resource Awareness Yields Improvement Pediatric Practice
Improving Hepatocellular Carcinoma Screening Education for Primary Care Providers

and

Satisfaction and Confidence with Physician Assistants Conducting Orthopedic Telemedicine Appointments

 VA Health System

Projects with an Administrative or Process-oriented focus:

Project Name Setting
Improving Order Entry for Emergency Department Observation Unit Patients Emergency Department
The Role of Wellness in Reducing Burnout in Health care Workers Family Medicine Practice
Improving Triage Time for Patient Messages in the Office Setting Pain Management
Implementing a Workflow Change to Better Facilitate Hospitalist Consults for Orthopedic Patients Hospitalist Medicine
Impact of Executing a Triage System in the Outpatient Bone Marrow Transplant Clinic Medical Oncology

Academic Projects:

Project Name Setting
Improving Professionalism Competency in Clinical Year Physician Assistant Students through the Use of an Online Learning Module Medical Oncology

Share your ideas with faculty prior to applying!

Contact an enrollment specialist to schedule a 1-on-1 meeting with faculty to discuss your problem of practice and potential project.