Admission

Admission Requirements

The Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program is a post-professional degree for licensed and/or certified PAs. Persons eligible to matriculate into this program must satisfy all of the below criteria. Additional criteria may apply for accelerated pathways (see Accelerated Pathways Admission Requirements).

1. Completion of the online DMSc application for the preferred start term, which includes:
   1. Requirement to upload a current and comprehensive curriculum vitae (CV); and
   2. Once admitted, submit a $300 nonrefundable deposit that is applied to the first semester's tuition.
2. Provide proof of active state licensure and/or National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistant (NCCPA) certification.
   1.  Retired applicants may submit NCCPA-PA-C Emeritus designation or proof of previous licensure/certification.
3. Hold a master’s degree from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education with a minimum overall graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
   1. PAs without a master’s degree may qualify for the Master’s Equivalency Option (see below*).
   2. International applicants should submit evidence of U.S. degree and course equivalency (see below**).
4. Submit 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).
5. Demonstrate the ability to meet The College of Idaho's technology requirements for the duration of the doctoral program.
6. For applicants who speak and/or write in English as a second language, submit one of the following:
   1. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), IELTS or Duolingo scores.
   2. Proof of a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from a U.S. Department of Education-accredited institution.

* Master's Equivalency Option:

Applicants without a master’s degree can meet equivalency requirements by holding a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution awarding physician assistant studies degrees or a PA certificate from an accredited institution, along with at least one of the following:

• Approved military or civilian postgraduate PA program or fellowship
• NCCPA Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ)
• NCCPA certification with a minimum of 10 years of continuous maintenance

Applicants being considered for the Master's Equivalency Option are only eligible to apply to the College's 18-month-track programs.

**Admission Requirements for International Students:

Internationally trained applicants must hold a master's degree and are only eligible to apply to the College's 18-month-track programs. For admission requirements, see Admission Requirements for International Students.

Important note: Earning a Doctor of Medical Science degree does not qualify PAs who trained outside of the United States to be certified by the National Commission on the Certification of PAs.

Admission Requirements for International Students

The Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program is a post-professional degree for licensed, certified and/or registered PAs or PA-like professionals (such as clinical officers (COs) and clinical associates (CAs) ready to elevate their expertise. To qualify for admission to the DMSc program’s 18-month tracks, international students must meet all application requirements listed below pursuant to their country of origin.

Important note: Earning a Doctor of Medical Science degree does not qualify PAs who trained outside of the United States to be certified by the National Commission on the Certification of PAs.

Degree Equivalency Evaluation

Applicants with a degree from a college or university outside the U.S. must provide evidence of U.S. degree and course equivalency for both their bachelor's and master's degrees. Approved evaluation services include:

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

Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Sierra Leon, & South Africa

For physician assistants (PAs) from Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, clinical officers (COs) from Kenya and clinical associates (CAs) from South Africa, the admission criteria to the College’s DMSc program is as follows:

1. Complete the online DMSc application for your preferred start term.
   1. Upload a current and comprehensive curriculum vitae (CV).
   2. Once admitted, submit a $300 nonrefundable deposit that is applied to the first semester’s tuition.
2. Provide proof of successful passage of the associated national certification examination for PAs/COs/CAs and current licensure/certification/registration as a PA/CO/CA by the national entity that regulates health professionals in the country.
   1. Retired applicants may submit proof of previous licensure/certification/registration.
3. Hold a PA/CO/CA-related bachelor’s AND master’s degree from an institution accredited by the appropriate governmental, regional or institutional entity at the time of graduation with a minimum overall graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
4. Submit evidence of U.S. degree and course equivalency (see below).
5. Submit transcripts from qualifying degree institution(s).
   1. This should include transcripts or proof of successful completion of any required pre-bachelor’s or pre-master’s degree diplomas.
6. Attest to having at least 3 years of clinical practice experience as a PA/CO/CA completed outside of an academic requirement and submit a narrative describing your clinical practice experience.
7. Submit a copy of your passport for verification of identification, full name and citizenship.
8. Demonstrate the ability to meet The College of Idaho's technology requirements for the duration of the doctoral program.
9. For applicants who speak and/or write in English as a second language, submit one of the following:
   1. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), IELTS or Duolingo scores.
   2. Proof of a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from a U.S. Department of Education-accredited institution.

Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom

For physician assistants/associates (PAs) trained and/or practicing in Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), the admission criteria to the College’s DMSc program is as follows:

1. Complete the online DMSc application for your preferred start term.
   1. Upload a current and comprehensive curriculum vitae (CV).
   2. Once admitted, submit a $300 nonrefundable deposit that is applied to the first semester’s tuition.
2. Provide proof of successful passage of the associated national certification examination and current licensure/certification as a PA.
   1. Retired applicants may submit proof of previous licensure/certification.
3. Hold a master’s degree from an institution accredited by the appropriate governmental, regional or institutional entity at the time of graduation with a minimum overall graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
4. Submit evidence of U.S. degree and course equivalency (see below).
5. Submit transcripts from qualifying degree institution(s).
6. Submit a copy of your passport for verification of identification, full name and citizenship.
7. Demonstrate the ability to meet The College of Idaho's technology requirements for the duration of the doctoral program.
8. For applicants who speak and/or write in English as a second language, submit one of the following:
   1. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), IELTS or Duolingo scores.
   2. Proof of a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from a U.S. Department of Education-accredited institution.

Advanced Standing

DMSc applicants who are applying for advanced placement of coursework based on work experiences (i.e., a course in the Health System Leadership track) must submit a detailed explanation of how they meet the learning outcomes of the identified course through their work experiences. They must also submit a signed letter from a supervisor specifying the nature and extent of program-related work experiences.

DMSc students may apply for advanced placement if they hold an active, nonexpired, nonrestricted PA-qualified external clinical certification that meets the requirements for the Lifestyle Medicine & Advanced Clinical Practice track’s Advanced Clinical Preparation (DMSC-821 and -822) courses. The eligibility criteria for PA-qualified external clinical certifications are as follows:

• Certificate eligibility requirements include being a licensed or certified healthcare professional.
• Certificate requires a credentialing exam and/or completion of continuing education (CE)/continuing medical education (CME) hours.
• If a certificate only requires completion of CE/CME hours, the requirement is for 30 or more CE/CME hours.

To apply for advanced placement for the Lifestyle Medicine & Advanced Clinical Practice, applicants must provide the following:

• Title of the PA-qualified external clinical certification and a description of requirements for earning the credential that meet or exceed those required for the Advanced Clinical Preparation coursework.
• Date the student earned the certification.
• Date the certification expires.
• A description of credential maintenance requirements and a description of how the student is accomplishing these.

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 9-18 months, completing coursework over three to 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.

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.