As of 2024, the landscape of Physician Assistant (PA)-specific postprofessional doctorates reveals key insights for those considering advanced education. Most programs take 12 to 16 months to complete after a master's degree, with an average cost of $30,000 in tuition. These programs are typically flexible, allowing working PAs to pursue their degree outside of clinical hours, and only a few require on-campus attendance.
In terms of time commitment, students can expect to spend 10 to 20 hours per week on coursework, depending on their course load. The curriculum usually includes courses in evidence-based medicine and medical writing, often culminating in a capstone project or research paper that involves publishing a peer-reviewed manuscript.
PA doctoral programs focus on key areas such as healthcare delivery, organizational theory, leadership, and management. Many programs offer concentrations or tracks, with the most popular being PA education (preparing faculty for PA schools) and healthcare administration (preparing leaders for broader healthcare roles). Some programs also focus on enhancing clinical skills. According to McQuillan and colleagues, these programs align with several of the key competencies for the PA profession.
The number of PAs with doctorates grew slightly by 0.6% between 2019 and 2023, representing 2.4% of the total PA workforce. With 79 concentrations across 28 doctoral programs, there could be nearly 790 new doctoral PAs graduating annually. While this is small compared to the more than 11,000 master’s degree graduates each year, the benefits of a doctorate are becoming clearer. A 2023 survey of University of Lynchburg DMSc alumni found that 17% received a promotion directly linked to their degree, 91% reported taking on more leadership roles, and 20% saw salary increases.
While the post-professional doctorate for PAs is growing, it remains to be seen if it will eventually become the entry-to-practice degree for the profession. However, as more data on its benefits emerge, we expect the number of programs to continue rising.
For a comprehensive list of post-professional doctorate PA programs and additional information, the original article can be found here.
Elevate-Derm Alliance Editorial Board