This Idaho institution is now offering doctorates

After 133 years of education, the College of Idaho is launching a program that’s a first for the institution.

On April 16, the college announced it will now offer a Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree, with the inaugural class of 25 students to start this summer.

The degree program is being targeted towards physician assistants and physician associates who are looking to further their education, the college reported. Dr. Kari Bernard will act as the program director, which “leverages implementation science to drive change through evidence-based practices across various fields,” the school stated in a release. “This degree empowers PAs to advance into senior-level leadership roles in today’s evolving health care landscape or to excel in academia or clinical practice.”

Bernard said The College of Idaho was thrilled to offer the program.

“We’ve taken what is so special about The College of Idaho, especially the personalized attention and respect paid to each on-campus student, and recreated it in our online space,” she said. “Each DMSc student will be paired with a doctoral-trained PA advisor, someone who knows what the students are going through and can provide meaningful support from day one of the program through to graduation.”

Cohorts of 25 students will be added in three-month intervals, with a maximum of 125 students in the program at one time.

Bernard pointed out that a centralized process for program students to navigate enrollment and other requirements has been instituted through a program manager.

Latonia Haney Keith, the dean of Graduate Studies and vice president of High Impact Practices, said the college has been working on offering a DMSc program for “some time now.”

This expansion of the college’s academic offerings will provide an accessible and flexible pathway for working PAs to advance their education while receiving the personalized attention The College of Idah is known for.”

Dr. Tonya George, associate program director, said the program’s curriculum has been designed as “rigorous” and “doctoral-level.”

“Understanding the importance of a curriculum that is based on known competencies, our course designers, who are all experienced PAs, intentionally created our courses using doctorate-level competencies from recognized organizations such as the Physician Assistant Education Association and the American Association of Physician Associates.”

The program is 100% online, allowing flexibility for working PAs and can be completed in nine to 18 months. More information for those interested can be found at collegeofidaho.edu/dmsc.