The Doctor of Medical Science (DMS) is designed to prepare graduate-level PAs with the advanced skills needed in today’s dynamic healthcare environment as doctorally-prepared clinicians. Applicants must have a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies or a related PA master’s degree. Please view the program-specific PDF below for complete admission requirements.
| ACADEMIC PROGRAM INFORMATION | APPLICATION DEADLINE | APPLICATION |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor of Medical Science |
Start term – Summer (May) 2025:
Priority: March 1, 2025 Final: April 15, 2025 Start term – Spring (January) 2026
|
Summer (May) 2025 & Fall (August) 2025: The Spring 2025 Admissions cycle for this program has closed. The 2026 application will open in July. |
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until each cohort is full. We recommend submitting by the priority deadline as applicants may be waitlisted if a cohort reaches capacity.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to this program must hold an accredited Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies or a related PA degree approved by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) from a regionally accredited institution.
- Graduate Application for Admission and $30 Application Fee
- Unofficial (initial admission only) or official transcript (required)
- Applicants can choose to submit unofficial transcripts for initial review. If admitted, the applicant must submit an official transcript for each unofficial transcript upload. Official transcripts must be sent to Shenandoah directly from your institution(s), not uploaded or sent by the applicant. See our full policy for more details.
- Transcripts from all institutions where a degree was earned (list any associate or bachelor degrees as well as master’s). Applicants must have a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies or be graduating prior to courses beginning to apply.
Shenandoah University PA current students and alumni do not need to provide their Shenandoah transcript. The Office of Graduate Admissions can retrieve that transcript after application submission. Official transcripts that were submitted in CASPA within the last five years can also be retrieved. - All transcripts from non-U.S. based institutions must be course-by-course evaluated by a NACES or AICE academic credential evaluation company to obtain equivalency information on courses, grades, and degrees earned. Upload a copy of this course-by-course evaluation to serve as your unofficial transcript from that institution. Please note: If choosing to upload an unofficial evaluation, please contact the evaluating agency to ensure the same official version can be sent at a later date. The same evaluation company must conduct unofficial and official evaluations to ensure consistency.
- Resume or C.V.
- Personal Statement (250-300 words): Why would you like to pursue the DMS degree at Shenandoah University?
- Language Proficiency Requirement must be met. Submission of TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo English Test (DET) may be required. See our policy for full details.
Visit Options
The Office of Graduate Admissions offers campus visits, program-specific webinars and information sessions throughout the year. These events include time to speak with graduate admissions representatives and program faculty or deans.