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 15 courses (50 total quarter credit hours), which can be completed full-time in consecutive quarters over a period of 24 months. Two concentrations are offered: Instructional Leadership or Healthcare Leadership. The program is designed to be delivered in an asynchronous online format 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 Standards, Progression, & Grading

The Program will review each student’s scholastic achievement record and professional behavior at the end of each quarter. If a student fails to meet academic and/or professional standards, the Program Director will determine the status of the student’s academic and professional standing, which may include good standing, probation, or dismissal.    

The Categories of Academic Standing for DMSc students are:

• Good Standing: Status of a student who has met course requirements in a satisfactory manner and has demonstrated good professional behavior.
• Probation: Status of a student whose performance in the program has fallen below the minimum stated standards, or who has exhibited unacceptable professional behavior.
• Dismissal: Action whereby a student will be dismissed from the Doctor of Medical Science program due to failure to adhere to academic, professional and program requirements.

Probation

A student will be placed on Probation if: (1) his/her cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or (2) he/she fails to exhibit appropriate professional behavior.

• (1) Students with a Cumulative GPA Below 3.0. A student with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 at the end of any quarter will receive notification and meet with the Program Director to discuss details of Probation. If the student fails to raise his/her cumulative GPA to 3.0 or higher at the end of the next quarter, he/she will be dismissed from the Doctor of Medical Science program. If the student raises his/her cumulative GPA to 3.0 or higher at the end of the next quarter, he/she will be removed from probation. If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 a second time, he/she will be dismissed from the Doctor of Medical Science program.
• (2) Students Cited for a Professional Behavior Issue. A student may be placed on probation or dismissed from the program depending on how egregious the offense. A student who fails to exhibit appropriate professional behavior must meet with the Program Director. If the student fails to fulfill or achieve the minimum outcomes of meeting, he/she will be dismissed from the Doctor of Medical Science program. If the student fulfills the outcomes, he/she may be removed from probation. If the student has an unsuccessful outcome for a second time, the student will meet with the Program Director to determine dismissal.

Dismissal

Students will be dismissed for failure to comply with academic, or professional standards. Students will be dismissed from the Doctor of Medical Science Program when:

1. A student fails (grade below a 69.5%) any course.
2. A student’s cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 for a second time (at the end of a quarter);
3. A student fails to achieve the plans and outcomes of the program.
4. A student fails to successfully complete the Capstone research project with a minimum grade of 80%.
5. A student’s professional conduct violates the performance standards set forth in the program’s Honor Code, the South College Student Code of Conduct, state, or federal law, or for moral turpitude, unprofessional behavior, criminal activity, violation of patient privacy, or other reasons as defined by the College.
6. South College reserves the right to dismiss at any time a student who, in its judgment, is undesirable and whose continued enrollment is detrimental to him/herself or his/her fellow students or whose presence is disruptive to the learning environment or the orderly operation of the College.

Following dismissal, a student may appeal the dismissal by providing the Program Director with a written letter of appeal. The appeal will be considered by the Program Director. If the appeal is approved, the student will be allowed to return to the program for the designed period in a probationary status. All stipulations of the approved appeal must be met for the student to be returned to Good Standing. Failure to meet appeal stipulations will result in program dismissal.

If a student voluntarily withdraws from the program, a formal application for reentry is required, and program requirements in effect at that time must be met. The student will be required to meet with the Program Director for approval to reenter the program. Students will only be readmitted to the Doctor of Medical Science program once unless in the case of mitigating circumstances.

Grading

The following grades are used in the determination of a student’s grade point average unless otherwise indicated. The range indicated is generally used, but there may be exceptions. Students should refer to the grading scale listed in each course syllabus.

Grade	Quality Points	Range	Interpretation
A	4.0	90-100%	Excellent
B	3.0	80-89%	Above Average
C	2.0	70-79%	Average
D	1.0	60-69%	Minimum Passing
F	0.0	Below 60	Failure

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.