Advancing Physician Associate/Assistant Careers
Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences has opened applications for its new Doctor of Medical Science program — the first of its kind in Iowa.
Drawing on DMU’s strong reputation in physician associate/assistant education and related health sciences disciplines, the fully online DMSc is a four-term, 30-credit, cohort-based degree designed for PAs seeking to advance into clinical leadership, education or research roles.
“The DMSc program provides PAs with an opportunity to build on their professional expertise while developing advanced skills in leadership and scholarship,” says Angela Grundmeyer, DMSc, PA-C, program director. “We are excited to offer this pathway at DMU and to prepare PAs for expanded roles in health care administration, public health and health sciences education, equipping them to lead, educate and advance the PA profession.”
As health care systems nationwide face increasing complexity, workforce shortages and a growing emphasis on team-based, evidence-driven care, the demand for highly trained clinician leaders continues to rise. The DMSc program addresses this need by providing PAs with an accessible pathway to expand their expertise and drive improvements in patient outcomes, health systems and medical education.
Applicants must either be currently enrolled in the DMU Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program or be a graduate of an ARC-PA–accredited master’s-level PA program.
The program’s first class started in Fall 2026 with recent graduates of DMU’s MSPAS program. It is delivered fully online in an asynchronous format, featuring eight-week courses designed to provide flexibility for working professionals.
Students can personalize the program through a 12-credit concentration in one of the following:
- Health Sciences Education: Prepares PAs for teaching, mentoring and academic leadership roles, with coursework in instructional design, educational technology and learner assessment.
- Public Health: Emphasizes population health, health advocacy and community engagement, equipping students to address health disparities and improve outcomes through policy, leadership and program development.
- Health Care Administration: Develops leadership and management expertise in health care economics, policy, analytics and population health management to enhance health care quality, efficiency and patient-centered care.
“As a graduate medical and health sciences university, DMU is highly successful and experienced in offering top quality, high-demand programs like the DMSc,” says Wallace Boeve, EdD, PA-C, DFAAPA, dean of the College of Health Sciences. “This unique program aligns with DMU’s mission to educate diverse groups of highly competent and compassionate health professionals to meet the health care imperatives around the world.”
For more information or to apply, visit dmu.edu/dmsc.