Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)

Overview

The College of Idaho’s Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program is a post-professional doctorate, specifically crafted for PAs. It is designed for PAs who are currently, or have previously been, certified or licensed to practice as a PA and delivered with flexibility in mind through an online, asynchronous learning model, allowing PAs to continue to practice or teach full-time while obtaining their doctorate.

The DMSc program offers a rigorous and innovative curriculum leveraging implementation science to lead change using evidence-based practices across disciplines. It offers two pathways: a traditional pathway and an accelerated pathway.

The traditional pathway is a 36-credit hour program that is completed in 18 months and offers PAs the option to choose a concentration in either Health System Leadership or Health Professions Education. The Health System Leadership concentration is based on the American Academy of PA’s Competencies for PAs in Healthcare Administration and is designed to empower PAs to lead in a healthcare setting and meaningfully contribute to the safe, effective, and equitable delivery of healthcare services. The Health Professions Education concentration expands the knowledge and aptitude of established educators and prepares new or aspiring educators with educational skills based on the PA Education Association's Physician Assistant Educator Competencies.

The accelerated pathway grants eligible students 12-18 credits of advanced standing, allowing the doctorate degree to be completed in 9-12 months. The Early Career PA accelerated pathway is designed exclusively for new PAs who have graduated within the past two (2) years from an ARC-PA accredited program and are seeking to further than PA career through the DMSc degree. The Experienced PA Educator pathway is designed exclusively for PA faculty who have been teaching full-time at an ARC-PA accredited program for at least five (5) years and are seeking to expand their knowledge and skills through the DMSc degree. The PA Fellow pathway is designed exclusively for PAs who have graduated within the past two (2) years from an eligible PA fellowship program (also referred to as a clinical postgraduate PA program or a PA residency) and are seeking to accelerate their career through the DMSc degree.

For more information about the curriculum for the traditional pathway and the accelerated pathways, see DMSc Program Requirements.

Admission

The Admission Office is responsible for managing the admission process for prospective students. Admission is granted on a selective basis. The Admission Committee, consisting of College administrators, faculty, and staff, reviews policy set by the Admission Office to admit students who show promise of success at the College. The College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, age, religion, disability, national and ethnic origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity in administration of its admission and financial aid policies.

Admission Requirements

The Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program is a post-professional program for PAs. Persons eligible to matriculate in this program must satisfy all of the following criteria:

1. Completion of the DMSc Application, which includes:
   1. Requirement to upload a current and comprehensive curriculum vitae; and
   2. Once admitted, payment of a $300 non-refundable deposit (which will be applied to the first semester’s tuition).
2. Proof of active state licensure and/or NCCPA certification (if retired, NCCPA PA-C Emeritus designation or proof of previous licensure and/or certification will also be accepted).
3. Completion of a master’s degree from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
   1. PAs without a master’s degree may be eligible for the Master’s Equivalency Option* (see below).
   2. Applicants who graduated from a college/university outside the United States should submit acceptable evidence of U.S. degree/course equivalency** (see below).
4. A minimum overall graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
5. Transcripts from qualifying degree institution(s), to include at least:
   1.  Transcript showing completion of an accredited physician assistant program of study.
   2. Transcript showing completion of a graduate degree (if physician assistant program did not confer a graduate degree).
6. Ability to meet College technology requirements during the entirety of the doctoral program.
7. If applicable, for applicants who speak and/or write in English as a second language, submit:
   1. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores;
   2. IELTS Score;
   3. Duolingo Score; or
   4. Proof previously graduated from a college or university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education with a bachelor’s degree (or higher).

*Master’s Equivalency Option:

To meet the master’s equivalency, the PA applicant must have (i) either a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution awarding a physician assistant studies degree or a physician assistant certificate from an accredited institution along with a bachelor’s degree in any discipline; AND (ii) meet and document in a portfolio at least one (1) of the criteria below:

• An approved military or civilian post-graduate PA program, residency or fellowship
• A Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) offered by the NCCPA
• Currently certified by the NCCPA with a minimum of at least ten years of continuous certification maintenance

**Degree Equivalency Evaluation:

Applicants who have graduated from a college or university outside of the United States must submit acceptable evidence of U.S. degree/course equivalency. All course work taken at an institution outside of the U.S. must be evaluated for American institution equivalence by one of the following services:

• World Education Services
• Educational Credential Evaluators
• American Association of Collegiate Registrars & Admissions Officers
• Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. International Education Consultants
• International Education Research Foundation, Inc.

Application Deadlines

The College of Idaho’s DMSc program offers four start dates per year, allowing students to start their degree at a time that works best for them. Our curriculum allows students to graduate in just 18 months, completing coursework over six 10-week terms.

To apply for the DMSc program, students select their preferred start term below and then submit the online DMSc Application by the associated deadline.

2024-25 AY	Start Term	Term Dates	Application Deadline
24-25 Fall Block 1	July 2024	07/15/24 - 09/22/24	June 15, 2024
24-25 Fall Block 2	Sept 2024	09/30/24 - 12/15/24	August 30, 2024
24-25 Spring Block 1	Jan 2025	01/06/25 - 03/16/25	December 6, 2024
24-25 Spring Block 2	March 2025	03/24/25 - 06/01/25	February 24, 2025

Selection of Applicants

Applicants for the next start date are reviewed on an ongoing basis by the DMSc Admission Committee. The committee reserves the right to accept, reject, or defer an application. Applicants receiving a letter of acceptance are granted a specific time period to notify the program of their intention to enroll.

Enrollment Deposit

The College of Idaho requires a $300 deposit before enrolling. This one-time, non-refundable deposit reserves a student’s place in the graduate program and will be applied to their first term’s tuition.

DMSc Academic Calendar

2024-25 Academic Calendar
Fall 2024 - Block 1
July	15	M	Instruction Begins
	22	M	Last Day to Drop
			Census Date
	25	Th	Last Day to Drop/Withdraw for a Refund
August	23	F	Last Day to Withdraw
September	02	M	Labor Day - College Offices Closed
	22	Su	Last Day of Classes
	25	W	Final Grades Due - 12:00 p.m.
			Grades Available on Self Service - 5:00 p.m.
Fall 2024 - Block 2
September	30	M	Instruction Begins
October	07	M	Last Day to Drop
			Census Date
	10	Th	Last Day to Drop/Withdraw for a Refund
November	08	F	Last Day to Withdraw
	28-29	Th-F	Thanksgiving Holiday - College Offices Closed
December	15	Su	Last Day of Classes
	18	W	Final Grades Due - 12:00 p.m.
			Grades Available on Self Service - 5:00 p.m.
	24-27	T-F	College Offices Closed
	30-31	M-T	College Offices Closed
Spring 2025 - Block 1
January	01	W	College Offices Closed
	06	M	Instruction begins
	13	M	Last Day to Drop
			Census Date
	16	Th	Last Day to Drop/Withdraw for a Refund
	20	M	Martin Luther King Day - College Offices Closed
February	14	F	Last Day to Withdraw
March	16	Su	Last Day of Classes
	19	W	Final Grades Due - 12:00 p.m.
			Grades Available on Self Service - 5:00 p.m.
Spring 2025 - Block 2
March	24	M	Instruction Begins
	24-28	M-F	Spring Break - College Offices Closed
	31	M	Last Day to Drop
			Census Date
April	03	Th	Last Day to Drop/Withdraw for a Refund
May	02	F	Last Day to Withdraw
	26	M	Memorial Day - College Offices Closed
June	01	Su	Last Day of Classes
	04	W	Final Grades Due - 12:00 p.m.
			Grades Available on Self Service - 5:00 p.m.
	07	Sa	Commencement

Registration and Enrollment

Upon receipt of a student’s enrollment deposit, the College will enroll the student in the courses for the DMSc program for the 2024-2025 academic year and any future academic year until program completion. To complete enrollment, the student must be registered full-time for the semester/term and must either be paid in full for the semester/term or on a payment plan (see Payment Options) on or before the first day of class.

Full-time enrollment for the DMSc program is 6 credits per block/term (and within the program, there are two blocks per semester). To remain eligible for financial assistance, students must be enrolled in at least five (5) credit hours each semester.

Failure to make satisfactory payment arrangements by the stated deadline will result in expulsion from classes and charges calculated according to the refund rate for withdrawal (see Institutional Refund Policy).

Traditional Pathway

The College of Idaho’s Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) is a 36-credit hour program that provides students with critical tools to become an implementation scientist and leader. The traditional pathway is completed in 18 months and offers PAs the option to choose a concentration in either Health System Leadership or Health Professions Education. The Health System Leadership concentration is based on the American Academy of PA’s Competencies for PAs in Healthcare Administration and is designed to empower PAs to lead in a healthcare setting and meaningfully contribute to the safe, effective, and equitable delivery of healthcare services. The Health Professions Education concentration expands the knowledge and aptitude of established educators and prepares new or aspiring educators with educational skills based on the PA Education Association's Physician Assistant Educator Competencies.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the traditional pathway, individuals must meet the DMSc admission requirements (see Admission).

Curriculum

For detailed information about the curriculum for the traditional pathway, see DMSc Program Requirements.

Tuition and Fees

The curriculum for the traditional pathway for the DMSc program involves 36 credit hours that are completed in 18 months. The tuition and fees for the traditional pathway are as follows:

Tuition: $695 per credit hour*
Graduate Program & Technology Fee: $50 per block

*For the tuition and fees for the accelerated pathways option, see Accelerated Pathways.

Tuition and fees for the Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program are due on or before the first day of class. For more information, see Financial Arrangements. For additional information about cost of attendance for the DMSc program, see Cost of Attendance.

Accelerated Pathways

Early Career PA Pathway

The College of Idaho’s Early Career PA pathway is designed exclusively for new PAs who have graduated within the past two (2) years from an ARC-PA accredited program and are seeking the Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree. With the grant of 12 credits of advanced standing for coursework and clinical practice experiences in a student’s PA program, the Early Career PA pathway’s curriculum involves 24 credit hours that are completed in 12 months.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the Early Career PA pathway, individuals must meet the DMSc admission requirements (see Admission) and have graduated from an ARC-PA accredited PA program within two (2) years of starting their DMSc degree.

Curriculum

For detailed information about the curriculum for the Early Career PA pathway, see DMSc Program Requirements.

Tuition and Fees

With the grant of 12 credits of advanced standing for coursework and clinical practice experiences in a student’s PA program, the Early Career PA pathway’s curriculum involves 24 credit hours that are completed in 12 months. The tuition and fees for the Early Career PA pathway are as follows:

Tuition: $835 per credit hour
Graduate Program & Technology Fee: $50 per block

Tuition and fees for the Early Career PA pathway are due on or before the first day of class. For more information, see Cost of Attendance and Financial Arrangements.

Experienced PA Educator Pathway

The College of Idaho’s Experienced PA Educator pathway is designed exclusively for PA faculty who have been teaching full-time at an ARC-PA accredited program for at least five (5) years and are seeking the Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree. With the grant of 12 credits of advanced standing for professional experiences as an experienced faculty member, the Experienced PA Educator pathway’s curriculum involves 24 credit hours that are completed in 12 months.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the Experienced PA Educator pathway, individuals must meet the DMSc admission requirements (see Admission) and have worked as a principal member of the faculty at an ARC-PA accredited PA program for at least five (5) years prior to starting their DMSc degree.

According to the 5th edition of the ARC-PA standards, principal faculty actively participate in the processes of: developing, reviewing and revising as necessary the mission statement, goals and competencies of the program; selecting applicants for admission to the PA program; providing student instruction; evaluating student performance; academic counseling of students; assuring the availability of remedial instruction; designing, implementing, coordinating, and evaluating the curriculum; and evaluating the program.

Curriculum

For detailed information about the curriculum for the Experienced PA Educator pathway, see DMSc Program Requirements.

Tuition and Fees

With the grant of 12 credits of advanced standing for professional experiences as an experienced faculty member, the Experienced PA Educator pathway’s curriculum involves 24 credit hours that are completed in 12 months. The tuition and fees for the Experienced Faculty PA pathway are as follows:

Tuition: $835 per credit hour
Graduate Program & Technology Fee: $50 per block

Tuition and fees for the Experienced Faculty PA pathway are due on or before the first day of class. For more information, see Cost of Attendance and Financial Arrangements.

PA Fellow Pathway

The College of Idaho’s PA Fellow pathway is designed exclusively for PAs who are currently enrolled in, or within the past two (2) years, have graduated from, an eligible PA fellowship program (also referred to as a clinical postgraduate PA program or a PA residency) and are seeking the Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree. With the grant of 18 credits of advanced standing for the didactic and clinical instruction in a student’s PA fellowship, the PA Fellow pathway’s curriculum involves 18 credit hours that are completed in nine (9) months.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the PA Fellow pathway, individuals must meet the DMSc admission requirements (see Admission) and are either currently enrolled in, or within the past two (2) years, have graduated from, an eligible PA fellowship program (also referred to as a clinical postgraduate PA program or a PA residency).

An “eligible PA fellowship program” means either:

• A program accredited by the ARC-PA; or
• A program that meets all of the following criteria:
  • Program Length: A minimum of six (6) months of full-time training (incorporating both clinical and didactic instruction).
  • Clinical Skills and Practice Experiences: A minimum of 1,000 hours of instruction in clinical skills and practice experiences, including appropriately progressive direct patient care.
  • Program Didactic Instruction:
    • A minimum of 52 hours of didactic instruction, including but not limited to grand rounds, workshops, coursework, and research/scholarly activities; and
    • Instruction in at least four (4) of the following topics:
      • Biomedical and clinical science;
      • Quality improvement;
      • Patient safety;
      • Interprofessional teamwork;
      • Performance improvement;
      • Care of diverse patient populations;
      • Healthcare disparities; and/or
      • How to search, interpret and evaluate medical literature.

Curriculum

For detailed information about the curriculum for the PA Fellow pathway, see DMSc Program Requirements.

Tuition and Fees

With the grant of 18 credits of advanced standing for the didactic and clinical instruction in a student’s PA fellowship, the PA Fellow Pathway’s curriculum involves 18 credit hours that are completed in 9 months. The tuition and fees for the PA Fellow Pathway are as follows:

Tuition: $1,000 per credit hour
Graduate Program & Technology Fee: $50 per block

Tuition and fees for the PA Fellow Pathway are due on or before the first day of class. For more information, see Cost of Attendance and Financial Arrangements.

Graduation Requirements

To earn a DMSc degree at The College of Idaho, all students must complete all prescribed courses and pass all courses with a grade of B or better. This in turn requires all students to graduate with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Grading

Students must achieve a minimum of 80 percent to pass each course with a grade of a B in accordance with the grading policy outlined in the syllabus for each course.

Students are permitted to repeat a course once in which they have earned a grade of B- or lower. Both attempts appear on the student’s transcript. Only the most recent grade will be used in calculation of the cumulative GPA, and only one attempt may be counted toward meeting degree requirements.

Students who wish to file an academic appeal concerning a course grade should review the Grade Change Policy.

Program Policies

Identity Attestation

Upon matriculating into the DMSc program, all students are required to attest to the following:

• I hereby affirm and attest that I am the individual who is enrolling in courses at The College of Idaho. I understand that all the academic work I will submit for evaluation and grading will be my own original work.
• I understand that misrepresentation of my identity is a violation of the College’s Honor Code and may result in disciplinary action including but not limited to failure in the course, dismissal from the College, and legal action.
• I affirm that all the information I have provided for my enrollment is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge.

Plagiarism and Use of AI

The College of Idaho maintains that academic honesty and integrity are essential values in the educational process. Earning a Doctor of Medical Science degree requires the development of scholarly writing and critical appraisal skills, among other competencies. Engaging in plagiarism is an example of academic dishonesty and violates the College’s Honor Code.

Plagiarism is the presentation of another's product, words, ideas, or data as one's own work. When a student submits work for credit that includes the product, words, ideas, or data of others, the student must use proper and complete citation and reference in accordance with AMA style guidelines.

Students may not use content sourced from generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools and applications as a substitute for their own academic work nor claim ownership or authorship of any content generated by these tools. However, for purposes of the College’s DMSc program, students may use AI applications, including but not limited to ChatGPT, Claude, and Microsoft Copilot, to augment development of doctorate-level competencies but must do so with appropriate caution.

The following outlines the DMSc program’s policies concerning plagiarism and use of generative AI applications, including circumstances when student AI use is allowable and forbidden, warnings about the limits of AI, and requirements for disclosing AI use.

Allowable AI Use

AI applications may be used to complement personal creativity.  Students may use AI applications in the following circumstances:

• To brainstorm and generate ideas for assignment topics or components that students develop further through critical assessment and creativity.
• To edit written material using communication assistance programs like Grammarly.
• To supplement literature reviews using AI Research Assistants that search across a defined body of academic papers, like Elicit or Consensus.
• To create images for use within assignments using image-generating AI applications.
• To create slide shows for use within assignments using slide-generating AI applications like Canva.

Basic tools used to check grammar and spelling and to manage citations are allowed as they are not considered generative AI applications.

When AI applications are used to develop allowable content for DMSc assignments, students must disclose which AI applications were used, and if applicable, include a summary of the associated prompts (see “Disclosing AI Use” below for more information).

It is NOT permitted for students to use AI-generated content as a substitute for personally generated written content.  In other words:

• Students are not permitted to use AI applications to generate written content to submit for credit for any assignments associated with DMSc degree completion.
• While students may use applications to edit written material, students may not use applications like Grammarly to paraphrase content created by others.  For example, students may not copy a sentence from a publication and use Grammarly to paraphrase it.  Students must competently paraphrase this type of material on their own.

Using AI-generated text within written assignments constitutes academic dishonesty and shall be considered plagiarism.  The reason for this policy is as follows:

• Cultivating doctorate-level writing and critical analysis skills requires effort and practice.  Replacing this effort with AI-generated content denies students the opportunity to develop and execute doctorate-level competencies. 
• Individuals who take credit for the work of others demonstrate a lack of integrity.  Integrity requires giving appropriate credit.  AI-generated text commonly lacks reliable source information, making appropriate attribution of credit difficult and sometimes impossible.
• To maintain academic integrity, students may only claim credit for personally generated work and provide appropriate attribution for the products, work, ideas, or data created by others in accordance with the American Medical Association (AMA) Manual of Style.

AI Limitations

Generative AI applications have three key limitations that are important for all students to understand:

• Source Content – Text created by generative AI applications like ChatGPT, Claude, and Copilot is created from indiscriminate assimilation of material contained on the internet. Because the internet contains unregulated and potentially biased material of questionable quality and accuracy, AI-generated text should be suspicious of being inaccurate, low quality, and biased. Students are encouraged to confirm the accuracy of all AI-generated ideas and to critically assess the quality and risk of bias of all AI-generated content.
• Hallucinations – AI hallucinations describe the tendency of AI applications to generate fake information in response to prompts or inquiries. Examples include providing nonexistent articles when asked to provide references for generated text. Generative AI applications, such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Copilot, have a high risk of hallucinations. Generative AI applications with a low risk of hallucinations include AI Research Assistants like Consensus and Elicit, because these draw from a defined body of academic papers. Regardless of the type of AI application used, students should always confirm the accuracy of AI-generated output.
• Confidentiality – Students must be diligent in avoiding disclosure of confidential information when interacting with an AI application. In accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), DMSc students should not enter patient protected health information into any AI applications. It is also important to avoid sharing content from a student’s educational record, in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Violating HIPAA or FERPA regulations can result in serious legal consequences.

Disclosing AI Use

Students should maintain appropriate transparency and disclose when AI applications were used to create allowable assignment content. Students who use AI to brainstorm assignment ideas or edit written material do not need to disclose AI applications. AI use must be disclosed in the following circumstances:

• When AI Research Assistants or other AI applications are used to conduct a literature review or find publications for use within a DMSc assignment.
• When AI applications were used to create images, slide shows, or other allowable content for use within a DMSc assignment.

How AI applications are credited depends on how students deployed them. In general, students should err on the side of over-disclosure. When required, students should include a description of the content that was created (i.e., literature searches, images, slide shows, etc.), the name of the AI application along with the version and its manufacturer. Specific circumstances are as follows:

• AI applications used to augment literature reviews should be disclosed within the appropriate section of the written assignment. For example, if the assignment includes a methods section, students should include the name of the AI application, version, and manufacturer and an example of the research prompt used. If disclosure requirements for literature reviews are unclear, consult with the associated faculty member for clarification.
• The name, version, and manufacturer of AI applications used to create images should be credited within the footnote of the image.
• AI applications used to create slide shows should be credited on the reference page of the slide show. The name of the AI application, version, and manufacturer should be AMA-formatted as a reference and should appear as the last entry on the reference list (see Section 3.14.3 of the AMA Manual of Style for appropriate reference entries for apps).

Student Accountability

When a student submits work for credit that includes the product, words, ideas, or data of others, the source must be acknowledged by the use of complete, accurate, and specific references, such as footnotes. By placing one's name on work submitted for credit, the student certifies the originality of all work not otherwise identified by appropriate acknowledgments. A student will be charged with plagiarism if there is not an acknowledgment of indebtedness. Acknowledgment must be made whenever:

• One quotes another person's actual words or replicates part of another's product.
• One uses another person's ideas, opinions, work, data, or theories, even if they are completely paraphrased in one's own words.
• One borrows facts, statistics, or other illustrative materials, unless the information is common knowledge (already published in at least three other sources without citation).
• One uses AI application to create allowable assignment content.

While programs exist that detect AI-generated text within student assignments, their accuracy is lacking and the risk of falsely accusing students of using AI-generated material is too great to justify their use. As such, The College of Idaho’s DMSc program will not use AI detection programs on student assignments. Faculty members may still apply professional expertise and critical assessment to the determination of originality on student assignments and may report concerns for AI-generated text within written assignments to DMSc program leadership for consideration.

Whether they use AI applications or not, DMSc students are ultimately held responsible for the accuracy, originality, and appropriate attribution of material contained within every assignment that they submit for credit.

Penalties

Though the burden of proof of student academic dishonesty or misconduct lies with the faculty member, the imposition of penalties is also the responsibility of the faculty member. The consequences of plagiarism vary based on whether the incident is a first, second, or third occurrence. Faculty members have the discretion to require that the student repeat the assignment or exam, or may give a failing grade for the assignment, exam, or courses, or may otherwise deal with the academic dishonesty in a manner they determine to be appropriate within the context of their course.

A first occurrence of plagiarism is generally believed to result from inexperience and/or a lack of familiarity using AMA guidelines or AI-generated material and is perceived as a misuse of sources, and the sanctions for a first offense generally include, but not limited to a grade of zero on the assignment or resubmission of the assignment for a reduced grade. A second occurrence of plagiarism is a more serious academic offense and is not attributed to naiveté, ignorance of guidelines, or a misunderstanding of what constitutes acceptable graduate scholarship at the College, and therefore, the sanction includes, but is not limited to a failing grade in the course. A third occurrence of plagiarism is seen as a student’s chronic inability or refusal to produce acceptable graduate-level scholarship. In such cases, the matter is referred to the Dean of Graduate Studies or their designee for disciplinary proceedings pursuant to the College’s “General Student Conduct Procedures” as articulated in the Student Handbook, and the sanction includes but is not limited to dismissal from the program.

Academic Probation

Progression in the Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program is contingent on continued demonstration of satisfactory completion of program objectives and course content. Lack of academic progression will result in the student being placed on academic probation and may be grounds for academic dismissal (see Dismissal).

Students who fail any course(s) in the DMSc program are automatically placed on academic probation until they have successfully passed the failed course(s). A student who believes that a course grade does not accurately reflect their performance must attempt to resolve the matter with the faculty member within two weeks from posting of the final grade in Self Service. If the student and faculty member are unable to reach a solution, then the student may request grade mediation (see Grade Mediation Policy).

Dismissal

Dismissal from the DMSc program may be determined as the result of, but not limited to, the following conditions:

• Failure of two or more courses;
• Continued academic probation;
• Violation of the Honor Code or Student Code of Conduct; or
• Failure to receive a passing grade in every course.

If a student meets the requirements of the probationary period, they are removed from academic probation and returned to good academic standing. DMSc students in poor academic standing when withdrawing from all courses in a term/block are required to petition the director/chair of the program for re-entry.

Continuous Enrollment

DMSc students who are finished with all coursework but have not completed all Practicum requirements must maintain continuous enrollment until completion of all graduation requirements. As an exception to the College’s Incomplete Grade Policy, students will be issued a grade of Incomplete (I) in the requisite Practicum course. Upon approval of an incomplete grade, the student will have a maximum of two 10-week blocks to complete all Practicum requirements. During this time, students will be enrolled in Practicum Completion (DMSC-840) for each relevant term/block. If the Practicum requirements are not completed by the end of the second 10-week block, a grade of an F will be issued for the relevant Practicum course.

Academic Standards and Guidelines

The Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program requires students to receive a grade of a B or better in every course. To earn a B grade, students must achieve a minimum of 80 percent in each course in accordance with the grading policy outlined in the syllabus. To maintain good academic standing, students must receive a B grade or better on all courses. Academic standing is evaluated after each term/block.

Additionally, the following outlines the standards and expectations that the College expects of doctorate students enrolled in the DMSc program:

Course Access

Students are granted access to their orientation course two weeks prior to the first day of class upon starting their DMSc program. For all other courses, students are granted course access on the Thursday prior to the first day of class. Classes begin on Mondays.

Participation and Attendance in Courses

Weekly continuous participation is expected in all class activities. The academic week is from 12:00 a.m. Idaho time on Monday through 11:59 p.m. Idaho time the following Sunday. Participation is defined as having completed one or more of the activities required in any week, which may include posting or responding to a discussion post; submitting a paper; completing a quiz or examination; or completing some other assignment as presented in the course syllabus.

Attendance for each course is taken the first week of class. As the DMSc program is an online program, students are required to complete the Acknowledge the Syllabus assignment to have attendance accepted. Students failing to complete this requirement may be removed from the course and administratively withdrawn from the DMSc program.

Late Assignment Policy

All assignments must be submitted on the assigned due date/time via Canvas to earn full credit. Assignment deadlines are listed in Mountain Standard Time and therefore students should adjust submissions in their local time zones accordingly.

In rare and exceptional cases, an instructor may grant a student permission to submit an assignment late; however, such late submission may result in point deductions and will be graded at the instructor’s discretion. If an assignment is submitted late without instructor permission, the assignment will be subject to point deductions, and at the instructor’s discretion, may result in a zero for the assignment.

In the event a student is unable to submit work to Canvas by the deadline due to technology issues, the student must:

• Notify the instructor; and
• Open a ticket with IT by emailing helpdesk@collegeofidaho.edu or schedule an appointment with IT during office hours (keep the ticket number as documentation the issue has been reported).

Once the IT issue has been resolved, the student should then submit their work through Canvas for grading.

For more information on contacting IT, see Information Technology Canvas course.

Inclement Weather/Power Outage Policy

In the event a major weather occurrence or wide-spread power outage prevents a student from accessing a class, instructors will work with the student to set reasonable accommodations to accept assignments after a due date. Instructors may request documentation from a student if a weather or power-outage occurrence is not widespread.

Changing Concentrations

Upon receipt of their enrollment deposit, students are enrolled in the concentration track identified during the admissions process and will receive a copy of their Academic Degree Plan, which outlines the required courses to complete the DMSc program. Students wishing to change concentrations either before or during the program MUST contact the DMSc program manager.

Changing Semester Load

All DMSc degree pathways require completion of two courses (6 credits) per block, which are outlined in the Academic Degree Plan provided to the student at the time of enrollment. Students experiencing extenuating circumstance who wish to decrease their per block course load from two courses (6 credits) to one course (3 credits) MUST contact the DMSc program manager.

To remain eligible for financial assistance, students must be enrolled in at least five (5) credit hours each semester.

Changing Degree Pathways

Upon receipt of their enrollment deposit, students are enrolled in either a traditional pathway or an accelerated pathway identified during the admissions process and will receive a copy of their Academic Degree Plan, which outlines the required courses to complete the DMSc program.

Students who are eligible for an accelerated pathway, but in the admissions process elect to start their DMSc in a traditional pathway, and who then subsequently desire to change to the accelerated pathway MUST contact the DMSc program manager before the first day of the first term of their DMSc program.

Students who matriculate into the accelerated pathway and subsequently decide to switch to the traditional pathway MUST contact the DMSc program manager, and if approved, must continue to pay the accelerated tuition rate for courses taken as part of the traditional pathway.

Course Cancellation

In the unlikely event that the institution has to cancel a course, any student enrolled prior to a course cancellation will receive a full refund of tuition paid.

Program Cancellation

Should the College cancel a program, currently enrolled students are permitted to complete a program before it is discontinued. No new students are permitted to enroll in a program the College has cancelled.