Online Doctorate of Physician Assistant (DPA)

Program Requirements

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.

Admission Requirements

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 oversees, 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.