Medical Science, DMSc

Mission

The mission of the South College Doctor of Medical Science program is to educate highly qualified healthcare professionals, endeavoring to create teachers, educators, researchers, and academic leaders for the future within their area of expertise. The program provides students with career-focused curricula designed to cultivate students’ successful learning and ability to apply knowledge, think critically, and communicate effectively.

Program Overview

The Doctor of Medical Science program is designed for those qualified individuals who hold a terminal master’s degree in Physician Assistant (PA) Studies who wish to continue their academic journey to gain formal education in the field of education or healthcare leadership.

The Doctor of Medical Science program requires completion of 10 courses (50 total quarter credit hours). Two concentrations are offered: Instructional Leadership or Healthcare Leadership. The program is designed to be delivered in an in a Competency Based Education (CBE) format with all courses completed through distance education.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the program will demonstrate the following:

1. Respond to complex ideas or situations utilizing research evidence, thoughtful reflection, and ethically sound reasoning.
2. Develop advanced leadership knowledge and skills.
3. Advance knowledge through scholarly endeavors.
4. Apply educational theory to student-centered instruction and ongoing assessment of effectiveness (Instructional Leadership Concentration).
5. Apply leadership theory to improve healthcare practice as a part of a healthcare team (Healthcare Leadership Concentration).

Admissions Requirements

Applicants interested in the Doctor of Medical Science program are required to meet individually either in person or via electronic means with an admissions representative and program faculty to discuss the program and all requirements. Those selected for admission will provide the following:

• Completion of a master’s degree leading to certification as a Physician Assistant from a regionally accredited college or university.
• Official transcripts reflecting cumulative graduate grade point average (CGPA) of a minimum of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Completed application for the Doctor of Medical Science program.
• Submission of a typed Professional Statement outlining professional goals and objectives.

All applicants must be computer literate given the nature of the program.

Given the curriculum, all applicants must be fluent in speaking, writing, and comprehending the English language. TOEFL may be required of those individuals in whom English is not their primary language.

Academic Participation and Withdrawal

Participation Policy

Students in their first term must participate and complete one competency/module within the first 28 days of the term. Failure to participate within this period will result in the student being withdrawn from the program. Additionally, students must complete one formative or summative assessment within the first 28 days of any subsequent term to remain active for the term. If a student completes a course within the first 28 days of their new term, they will be billed for tuition for the term.   

Continuing students, those in their second and subsequent terms, must submit at least one assessment within the first, 28 days of a continuing term. Failure to participate within this period will result in the student being administratively withdrawn from the program. Students in the research/dissertation/capstone phase may submit a progress update to their faculty to meet this requirement. If a student completes a course within the first 28 days of their continuing term, they will be billed for tuition for the term. 

If a student wishes to withdraw from the program, a withdrawal is considered to be official when the student notifies the Registrar’s Office or the Dean of Academic and Students Services, CBE. No other college official has the authority to accept official withdrawals from the program. Students are requested to submit a withdrawal request in writing via their South College email address.

Administrative Withdrawal Policy

If at the end of a term, at least 50% of one course has not been completed and the student has been inactive for more than 60 days, the student will be administratively withdrawn from the program. If a student, who has been administratively withdrawn (due to non-participation), wishes to continue with the program, the student must formally re-apply through standard admissions process.

Reinstatement and Re-entry after Withdrawal

Within 7 days of a withdrawal request, a student may request to be reinstated to the program. The student must send their written reinstatement request to the President of Competency-Based Education. Reinstatement is not guaranteed and is at the discretion and approval of the President of Competency-Based Education.

If a student would like to re-enter the CBE program after withdrawal outside of the 7-day grace period for reinstatement, the student must apply for re-entry to the CBE program by sending a written re-entry request to the President of Competency-Based Education. Re-entry, if approved, may not be within the same 6-month term and will only be approved in a subsequent 6-month term.

Withdrawal Policy (within term)

If a student withdraws before the 5th month of any 6-month term, the student will be issued a W grade for any uncompleted courses, unless the student was on academic probation for not completing a course the prior term. In this case, the student will receive a letter grade of F for the course.

If a student withdraws after the 1st day of the 5th month of any 6-month term, any course that is not completed will be assigned the letter grade of F.

Academic Standards, Progression, & Grading

Upon entering the graduate program, students are encouraged to confer with their Student Success Mentor as needed. Student academic progress is monitored each 6-month term to ensure satisfactory progression, which is considered mastery of at least 8 credits per 6 month term. A student who has not completed one course by day 1 of the 4th month of the term will be placed on Academic Warning. Students who do not meet satisfactory academic progress (SAP) within 60 days of being placed on Academic Warning must complete an Academic Plan by day 1 of the 6th month outlining how they will reach course completion. The Academic Plan must be signed, approved, and on file prior to the start of the next term.

Students who complete the minimum requirement of 8 credits by the end of the term will be removed from Academic Warning and return to Good Standing. Students who do not complete the minimum requirement of 8 credits per term will be placed on Academic Probation at the end of the term. Students who do not complete an Academic Plan before the end of the term are not eligible for the 28 day probationary period and will be dismissed from the program. A student may only be placed on Academic Probation one time.

Students on Academic Probation who do not complete the required 8 credits within 28 days of the next consecutive term start are not eligible to progress and will be notified of dismissal from the program.

Students who were dismissed or voluntarily withdrew from the program and who wish to return to the program must submit an application for re-entry. Program requirements in effect at that time of approved reentry must be met. A student may only be readmitted to the  program one time.

Student deficiencies that may impact academic standing, which may include probation or dismissal from the program, are monitored by the Student Success Mentor.

Categories of Academic Standing for Program Candidates are:

• Good Standing: Status of a student who has met academic requirements in a satisfactory manner.
• Academic Warning: Status of a student whose academic performance places him/her in jeopardy of falling below the minimum stated grade required or progression. Students who have not completed a course by the 1^st day of the 4^th month of the term will be placed on Academic Warning.
• Academic Probation: Status of a student who has failed to receive mastery in at least 8 credits within a 6-month term. Following a 28-day period of Academic Probation during the next consecutive term with an Academic Plan approved and in process, the student will either return to Good Standing by satisfactorily completing the minimum required credits during the probationary period or be dismissed from the program for not completing the minimum required courses. Students may only be placed on Academic Probation one time.

Grading

Course Instructors determine mastery of competencies and the resulting final grade in all courses. The requirements of each course are found in the course syllabus.

Letter Grade	Q.P.	Percentage Score Range
A (Mastery)	4.00	90-100%

Graduation Requirements

For a student to graduate from the Doctor of Medical Science program, the student must be in good academic and professional standing, have had satisfactory progress in all quarters of the academic program, and satisfactorily complete the following:

1. Satisfactorily complete all courses with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0.
2. On approval of faculty, successfully complete the Capstone Research.
3. The student must abide by all college rules and regulations and settle any financial obligations to the college prior to graduation.
4. Complete the Graduate Exit Survey.

Matriculation and attendance at the College are privileges granted to the student in consideration of performance of specified assignments and the maintenance of established standards of personal and professional conduct. The College reserves the right, and the student, by the act of matriculation, concedes to the College the right to require withdrawal at any time the College deems it necessary to safeguard the standards of scholarship, conduct, and compliance with regulations, or for such other reasons deemed appropriate by the College as set forth in this manual and/or the South College Catalog.