In the last several decades, Physician Assistants (PAs) have positively impacted the health and patient care landscape by providing exceptional medical services and improving the lives of their patients. The Doctorate of Physician Assistant (DPA) program is the only 100% online professional doctorate program without residency requirements, can be achieved while working full-time, and utilizes lessons learned in your accumulated clinical expertise.

The Touro University Worldwide (TUW) Doctorate of Physician Assistant (DPA) program is designed to advance the career of post-professional students practicing in any area of medicine, surgery, medical education or other health-related areas through the application and engagement in scholarly and professional activities commensurate with the doctoral level. The program will provide students with a comprehensive underpinning of the theories and research needed to optimize their experience in their current and/or future careers, as they face the challenges and the evolving demands of today’s healthcare industry.

The DPA program enhances existing knowledge and expands upon competencies applicable to your role as a PA. The doctoral degree adds to your life-long education, clinical experience, and career accomplishments. By earning a Doctorate of Physician Assistant (DPA) degree, PAs, educators, and administrators, advance their careers to excel above others in the field by positioning themselves for a wide range of opportunities to apply innovation, conduct scholarly research, and exercise leadership in a current or future practice.

Students in the DPA program can choose from two concentrations:

Global Health provides graduates of the Doctorate in Physician Assistant with skills and knowledge to manage global and international healthcare organizations, emergency disaster management and policies for global health systems. Students learn how to efficiently manage in global healthcare systems.

Healthcare Leadership provides graduates of the Doctorate in Physician Assistant with leadership skills and knowledge to aid healthcare organizations in reaching their goals. Students learn how to efficiently manage healthcare systems by learning about topics such as financial management, healthcare leadership, strategies in healthcare organizations and best practices in healthcare leadership and management.

The TUW Doctorate of Physician Assistant (DPA) program is open to all qualified students, and is carefully designed to work well for busy professionals and working adults just like you. New advances in educational technology enable you to take your courses to fit the way you live and work, even when you travel. All you need is a computer and Internet connection to participate in the virtual classroom.

Note: This degree does not lead to any form of licensure or certification.

What makes this Doctorate of Physician Assistant program different?

  • 100% online
  • Affordable tuition
  • Nonprofit Accredited University
  • No residency required
  • No GRE required
  • Accelerated admissions process
  • 6 starts throughout the year
  • 8 weeks session
  • Learn from scholar-practitioners with expertise in the industry.

The TUW Doctorate of Physician Assistant (DPA) has several unique features:

  • Instructors themselves are scholar-practitioners with expertise as PAs, MDs, and or Healthcare Professionals and actively involved in their own professional work and/or research areas of interest.
  • Curriculum design is directly applicable to your background which allow you to excel in the global healthcare industry in your area of interest.
  • The unique pedagogy in an online delivery method provides you the flexibility to conveniently advance your education while maintaining busy schedules and family lives.

What Can You Do With a Doctorate of Physician Assistant (DPA) Degree?

The Doctorate of Physician Assistant (DPA) degree from Touro University Worldwide offers the highest degree level a physician assistant can attain. The degree prepares graduates to work as a PA in a variety of settings. Students can choose the Global Health concentration, which teaches them how to manage in a global healthcare system, or the Healthcare Leadership concentration, where they learn the best practices for leading healthcare organizations.

The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median annual salary for physician assistants is $126,010. The BLS also projects 27% job growth in the field over the next decade. The TUW DPA prepares physician assistants for leadership in their field.

BLS: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physician-assistants.htm

DPA Required Core Courses (No Concentration)

30 Semester Credits

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course provides students an orientation to the Doctorate of Physician Assistant Program and the scholar-practitioner model. This course is designed to provide an overview of the scholar-practitioner perspective in professional settings. Students will learn about the process of the Scholar-Practitioner model to apply theory to practice that lend to their Doctoral Research Project in their area of clinical practice/specialty.

CREDITS

3

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course aims to allow candidates to implement the principles of evidence-based practice and policy, practice guidelines, and information utilization for practice modeling.

CREDITS

3

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This is the first of 3 courses that focus on pharmacology and therapeutics used in the treatment of the disease process. Students will use this first course to select a specialized area of interest that will be utilized in the doctoral project proposal and research processes.

CREDITS

3

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is designed to provide the student with both fundamental and complex legal and policy issues surrounding the financing and delivery of healthcare in the United States.

CREDITS

3

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course will enhance the student’s awareness of the current dynamics of management and delivery systems as they relate to population medicine.

CREDITS

3

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This is course is the second of 3 courses and is a continuation of DPA 702, which expands upon the pharmacology and therapeutics used in the treatment of the disease process. Students will build upon the specialized area of interest that will be utilized in the Doctoral Research Project proposal and research processes.

CREDITS

3

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This is course is the last of 3 courses and is a continuation of DPA 705, which expands upon the pharmacology and therapeutics used in the treatment of the disease process. Students will refine their specialized area of interest that will be utilized in the Doctoral Research Project proposal and research processes.

CREDITS

3

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is designed to allow the student to examine and understand the contemporary issues they are faced with in the clinical practice of medicine.

CREDITS

3

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In this first of two courses in research methods, students learn the fundamentals of the research process, underlying theories in healthcare, and the relationship of conceptual models to perform scientific investigations.

CREDITS

3

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In this second course of research methods, students expand on concepts learned in DPA 708. Students evaluate research findings in the field of medicine. Quantitative reasoning, and statistical analysis and are introduced as applicable to performing scientific investigations in contemporary medicine.

CREDITS

3

DPA in Healthcare Leadership Required Core Courses

30 Semester Credits

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course provides students an orientation to the Doctorate of Physician Assistant Program and the scholar-practitioner model. This course is designed to provide an overview of the scholar-practitioner perspective in professional settings. Students will learn about the process of the Scholar-Practitioner model to apply theory to practice that lend to their Doctoral Research Project in their area of clinical practice/specialty.

CREDITS

3

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course aims to allow candidates to implement the principles of evidence-based practice and policy, practice guidelines, and information utilization for practice modeling.

CREDITS

3

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is designed to provide the student with both fundamental and complex legal and policy issues surrounding the financing and delivery of healthcare in the United States.

CREDITS

3

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course will enhance the student’s awareness of the current dynamics of management and delivery systems as they relate to population medicine.

CREDITS

3

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is designed to allow the student to examine and understand the contemporary issues they are faced with in the clinical practice of medicine.

CREDITS

3

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In this course, students examine the purpose and application of financial management tools for leadership roles in healthcare. Students explore financial management literature to learn about assessment and functions to include its influence on personnel management for specific settings in healthcare. Special topics include economics relevant to healthcare, financial benchmarking and ethics associated with financial management.

CREDITS

3

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course provides students with vital healthcare leadership and management strategies to increase leadership skillsets in various types of healthcare organizations. Students will identify best practices in strategic planning and management congruent with internal and external environmental challenges and opportunities in healthcare settings.

CREDITS

3

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In this course, students explore foundational leadership theories along with evidence-based management practices to address organizational relationships and structures in healthcare settings. Organizational management is viewed from a holistic perspective that addresses both the individual and team in various healthcare settings. Special emphasis includes the leadership role in effective program assessment and evaluation in organizational management.

CREDITS

3

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In this first of two courses in research methods, students learn the fundamentals of the research process, underlying theories in healthcare, and the relationship of conceptual models to perform scientific investigations.

CREDITS

3

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In this second course of research methods, students expand on concepts learned in DPA 708. Students evaluate research findings in the field of medicine. Quantitative reasoning, and statistical analysis and are introduced as applicable to performing scientific investigations in contemporary medicine.

CREDITS

3

DPA in Global Health Required Core Courses

30 Semester Credits

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course provides students an orientation to the Doctorate of Physician Assistant Program and the scholar-practitioner model. This course is designed to provide an overview of the scholar-practitioner perspective in professional settings. Students will learn about the process of the Scholar-Practitioner model to apply theory to practice that lend to their Doctoral Research Project in their area of clinical practice/specialty.

CREDITS

3

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course aims to allow candidates to implement the principles of evidence-based practice and policy, practice guidelines, and information utilization for practice modeling.

CREDITS

3

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is designed to provide the student with both fundamental and complex legal and policy issues surrounding the financing and delivery of healthcare in the United States.

CREDITS

3

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course will enhance the student’s awareness of the current dynamics of management and delivery systems as they relate to population medicine.

CREDITS

3

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is designed to allow the student to examine and understand the contemporary issues they are faced with in the clinical practice of medicine.

CREDITS

3

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course provides an introduction to examining global and international health challenges and opportunities for professionals in a variety of healthcare settings. Students explore literature both within and across borders to learn about fostering interagency collaboration between local, national and global health agencies. Special topics include the impact of transnational health on the global population, identification of various determinants of health across international borders, and evidence-based solutions for international and global health challenges.

CREDITS

3

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course highlights the importance of the leadership role within local, national, and global health care systems regarding emergency and disaster management. Students explore the impact of natural and man-made disasters in a variety of health care settings to include but not limited to healthcare services, personnel services, training and development, preparedness and applicable emergency and disaster management policies at all agency levels. Students will identify and conduct external research to conduct a critical analysis on the relationship between a public health system and its interagency cooperation with local, national and or international emergency and disaster management system during an emergency and or disaster.

CREDITS

3

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In this course, students will examine the influential role of management in healthcare policies and legislation on global health. Students will examine evidence-based healthcare policy analysis literature to identify best practices in effective delivery of global health interventions. Students have an opportunity to explore a variety of contemporary issues that impact global health policies that may contribute to their final research project such as maternal health, HIV policy, global child health, family planning, access to medication, and impact of the economic environment.

CREDITS

3

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In this first of two courses in research methods, students learn the fundamentals of the research process, underlying theories in healthcare, and the relationship of conceptual models to perform scientific investigations.

CREDITS

3

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In this second course of research methods, students expand on concepts learned in DPA 708. Students evaluate research findings in the field of medicine. Quantitative reasoning, and statistical analysis and are introduced as applicable to performing scientific investigations in contemporary medicine.

CREDITS

3

Doctoral Research Project Proposal Phase

6 Semester Credits

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In this course, with the assistance of a selected Chair and committee, students prepare a selected clinical research project or thesis that contributes to their area of interest. In this phase, students conduct external research of clinical practices to codify lessons learned and propose fundamental methods to collect data/content, which may contribute to but not limited to scholarly publications, field specialty publications, professional conferences and more. Additionally, students are introduced to the Doctoral Management System (DMS), which serves as the primary learning platform throughout the entire Doctoral Research Project process.

CREDITS

3

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In this course, students continue to work with the Chair and Committee to finalize their selected clinical research project or thesis proposal. By the conclusion, students present their oral and written culminating proposal to the Chair and committee.

CREDITS

3

Doctoral Research Project Phase

6 Semester Credits

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In this course, students continue to work with the Chair and Committee on their selected doctoral research project or thesis that contributes to their selected area of interest. Students gather evidence for the research project or thesis as applicable with pre-approval from TUW’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) including but not limited to data collection/content, permissions to use previous and/or concurrent clinical studies, interviews, etc.

CREDITS

3

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In this course, students work with Chair and committee members to finalize the doctoral research project or thesis compiling findings, results, and or implications. Students will integrate and synthesize all components of the doctoral research project or thesis and submit to the Chair in preparation of the final oral and written presentation of the doctoral research project or thesis.

CREDITS

3

Credit Hours

42

Class Type

100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer Credits

Transfer in up to 6 credits

Accreditation

WSCUC

Request Information

Tuition Information

TUW’s tuition for the Entire Doctorate of Physician Assistant is $29,400, There are no additional fees such as e-text.

TUW’s tuition for the Doctorate of Physician Assistant is $700 per semester credit unit.

Your employer may offer a tuition assistance program so speak with your human resource representative to find out if financial support is available to you. A TUW Tuition Assistance Counselor is available to you in order to determine your eligibility for financial aid and other tuition assistance programs.

The program includes several phases. The first phase includes required courses in the scholar-practitioner model, associated topics in the healthcare and medical fields, and applicable research methods for healthcare professionals.

Upon completion of the required courses, the student begins the first phase of the research project with each student working closely with a faculty chair and committee in completion of the research project phase proposal. In this phase, students personalize their academic journey for greater outcomes, by selecting a topic of interest to apply lessons learned in their field and or developing skills applicable to a research area of interest.

In the final phase, students finalize their research area of interest with a product that lends to real-world solutions while simultaneously achieving their desired goal in the program as a Doctor in the Doctorate of Physician Assistant Program.

For additional information, please visit the TUW Catalog.

Students seeking to enroll in Touro University Worldwide’s Doctoral program must meet the following criteria to be considered for admission:

  1. Have earned a Master’s degree from an accredited institution. If the degree was awarded overseas, it must be from an institution that is approved by the Ministry of Education.
  2. Cumulative GPA of 3.4 in the accredited Master’s Program.
  3. Current licensure or possess an Emeritus status.
  4. NCCPA certification or Emeritus status
  5. Clinical practice/experience is a plus

Students, who meet the above criteria, will be required to complete the following steps in order to be admitted and enrolled at TUW:

  1. Submit an application to the University. There is a non-refundable $25 application fee. (Click here to apply)
  2. Submit official transcripts from all institutions attended. Transcripts must come directly from the issuing institutions. Students who completed college coursework outside the United States must have their transcripts translated and evaluated. (See Foreign Credit for additional information.)
  3. Submit two letters of recommendation from Physicians and or Administrators who can verify clinical experience and provide a recommendation for the candidate.
  4. Submit a verification of NCCPA certification or Emeritus status.
  5. Submit a Curriculum Vitae that demonstrates clinical practice/experience as a Physician Assistant or a Physician Assistant Educator.
  6. Submit a Doctoral Entrance Essay. The entrance essay is an essential part of the Doctoral Program and serves as the way the Doctoral selection committee become familiar with the candidate. The entrance essay is the means by which the candidate presents oneself to the committee, which include the following:
    1. Brief Biography;
    2. Career plan; and
    3. Goals in pursuing the doctorate at Touro University Worldwide.

The Doctoral Admissions Committee will evaluate the essay. Committee members seek evidence regarding critical qualities and abilities including:

  • Motivation, maturity of judgment, and creativity;
  • Evidence of a sound personal agenda that includes achievable personal and professional objectives;
  • Awareness of intellectual strengths as well as skills needing development;
  • Awareness of program requirements;
  • Proficiency with standard written English including the ability to express concepts and communicate meaning in concise writing.

The Doctoral Entrance Essay components should include the following:

  1. Biographical Component Earlier learning experiences, both formal and informal, should be described. Characterize in terms of the nature and general outcome prior study, related work experience, and participation in scholarly research (if any).
  2. Career Plan Component Explain how a doctoral-level education fits with stated career plan and goals. How will doctoral study, in conjunction with background and interests, further those goals?
  3. Goals in Pursuing the Doctorate Briefly discuss the reasons for enrolling in doctoral study at Touro University Worldwide, including but not limited to:
    1. The reasons for selecting the TUW program rather than another doctoral program;
    2. The particular goals anticipated to be attained through completion of the doctoral curriculum;
    3. Provide the proposed topics to consider for the doctoral research project.

The program is designed to:

  • Provide students with the professional skills and tools to design evidence-based solutions in their professional area of expertise
  • Provide a doctoral level environment that includes faculty research guidance, technology and learning opportunities that lead to the development of research professional competencies needed to translate theory into practical solutions that lead to success in a selected setting
  • Provide a support system dedicated to student success at the Doctoral level

The time it will take to complete the Doctorate of Physician Assistant (DPA) degree online can vary. The duration of the program depends on several factors, including the number of credits accepted for transfer and whether or not students take time off between semesters.

The typical length of time for the Doctorate of Physician Assistant (DPA) is two (2) years.

Disclaimer:
Students who enroll full-time (12 credits per semester for three semesters each academic year) can complete the degree in one and half (1.5) years. Students who enroll part-time (six credits per semester for three semesters each academic year) will complete the DPA program in 2.5 years.