Admission Requirements

The Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program is a post-professional degree for licensed and/or certified PAs. Persons eligible to matriculate into this program must satisfy all of the below criteria. Additional criteria may apply for accelerated pathways (see Accelerated Pathways Admission Requirements).

1. Completion of the online DMSc application for the preferred start term, which includes:
   1. Requirement to upload a current and comprehensive curriculum vitae (CV); and
   2. Once admitted, submit a $300 nonrefundable deposit that is applied to the first semester's tuition.
2. Provide proof of active state licensure and/or National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistant (NCCPA) certification.
   1.  Retired applicants may submit NCCPA-PA-C Emeritus designation or proof of previous licensure/certification.
3. Hold a master’s degree from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education with a minimum overall graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
   1. PAs without a master’s degree may qualify for the Master’s Equivalency Option (see below*).
   2. International applicants should submit evidence of U.S. degree and course equivalency (see below**).
4. Submit transcripts from qualifying degree institution(s) to include at least:
   1. Transcript showing completion of an accredited physician assistant program of study.
   2. Transcript showing completion of a graduate degree (if physician assistant program did not confer a graduate degree).
5. Demonstrate the ability to meet The College of Idaho's technology requirements for the duration of the doctoral program.
6. For applicants who speak and/or write in English as a second language, submit one of the following:
   1. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), IELTS or Duolingo scores.
   2. Proof of a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from a U.S. Department of Education-accredited institution.

* Master's Equivalency Option:

Applicants without a master’s degree can meet equivalency requirements by holding a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution awarding physician assistant studies degrees or a PA certificate from an accredited institution, along with at least one of the following:

• Approved military or civilian postgraduate PA program or fellowship
• NCCPA Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ)
• NCCPA certification with a minimum of 10 years of continuous maintenance

Applicants being considered for the Master's Equivalency Option are only eligible to apply to the College's 18-month-track programs.

**Admission Requirements for International Students:

Internationally trained applicants must hold a master's degree and are only eligible to apply to the College's 18-month-track programs. For admission requirements, see Admission Requirements for International Students.

Important note: Earning a Doctor of Medical Science degree does not qualify PAs who trained outside of the United States to be certified by the National Commission on the Certification of PAs.