DMS Certificates Curriculum

The Healthcare Practice and Administration Certificate includes four, three-credit modules for a total of 12 hours, which can be completed in just two semesters.

DMS710 Advanced Clinical Immunology and Genetics

This module covers clinical immunology, focusing on the physiology/pathophysiology of the immune system and its implications for disease state as related to allergy and rheumatology medicine, and the treatment of such states. Additionally, the module includes basic principles of human genetics and their application to clinical medicine, including pharmacogenetics. Prerequisite: Admission to the DMS degree or certificate program.

DMS712 Biochemical Basis of Disease States and Drug Action

This module emphasizes the fundamentals of modern molecular biology and biochemistry as applied to medicine. This module will enhance the student’s understanding of proteins, nucleic acids, macromolecular machines, and their regulation on a molecular level. Further, it delves into the fundamentals of carbohydrate, amino acid and lipid metabolism with applications given to major disease states and their treatments. Prerequisite: Admission to the DMS degree or certificate program.

DMS762 Business of Medicine

This module examines how market dynamics and government reforms are driving changes in revenue models. The module will analyze different types of integrated delivery models and address how PAs and non-PA providers are reimbursed within these models. Prerequisite: Admission to the DMS degree or certificate program.

DMS764 Operations Management

This module explores quality management concepts and tools with a focus on healthcare. It provides an understanding of how operations management concepts and tools can produce better quality, lower costs, and improve revenue. Examines how to improve productivity, maximize asset utilization, reduce waiting lines, shorten throughput times, and enhance the overall patient experience. Prerequisite: Admission to the DMS degree or certificate program.

The Medical Science Certificate includes a choice of four, three-credit modules for a total of 12 hours, which can be completed in just two semesters.

DMS720 Neurology

This module will systematically approach the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of neurologic diseases as they relate to primary care. Each module will integrate relevant clinical anatomy, imaging, and pharmacotherapy to maximize the applicability in clinical practice.

DMS722 Pulmonary

This module will systematically approach the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of pulmonary diseases as they relate to primary care. Each module will integrate relevant clinical anatomy, imaging, and pharmacotherapy to maximize the applicability in clinical practice.

DMS724 Cardiology 

This module will systematically approach the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of diseases affecting the heart and vasculature as they relate to primary care. Each module will integrate relevant clinical anatomy, imaging, and pharmacotherapy to maximize the applicability in clinical practice.

DMS726 Renal/Urinary

This module will systematically approach the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of renal and urologic diseases as they relate to primary care. Each module will integrate relevant clinical anatomy, imaging, and pharmacotherapy to maximize the applicability in clinical practice.

DMS728 Gastroenterology 

This module will systematically approach the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of gastroenterological diseases as they relate to primary care. Each module will integrate relevant clinical anatomy, imaging, and pharmacotherapy to maximize the applicability in clinical practice.

DMS730 Endocrinology

This module will systematically approach the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of endocrinologic diseases as they relate to primary care. Each module will integrate relevant clinical anatomy, imaging, and pharmacotherapy to maximize the applicability in clinical practice.

DMS732 Hematology

This module will systematically approach the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of hematologic disorders and malignancies as they relate to primary care. Each module will integrate relevant clinical anatomy, imaging, and pharmacotherapy to maximize the applicability in clinical practice.

DMS734 Rheumatology

This module will systematically approach the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of rheumatologic diseases as they relate to primary care. Each module will integrate relevant clinical anatomy, imaging, and pharmacotherapy to maximize the applicability in clinical practice.

DMS736 Infectious Disease

This module is systematic approach to the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of diseases as they relate to primary care. This module will integrate relevant clinical anatomy, imaging, and pharmacotherapy of infectious diseases to maximize the applicability in clinical practice.  The course will provide an understanding of the classes of medications used to treat infectious diseases.

The PA Educator Certificate includes four, three-credit modules for a total of 12 hours, which can be completed in just two semesters.

DMS770 Program and Leader Development

This module identifies and investigates required areas of PA program sponsorship including characteristics such as institution responsibilities, resources, personnel, operations, fair practice and admission processes, and record keeping required for PA programs to establish and maintain accreditation. Prerequisite: Admission to the DMS degree or certificate program.

DMS772 Curricular Theory and Practice

This module identifies required areas of curriculum and instruction to establish and maintain accreditation. Additionally, it provides fundamentals in teaching and learning that can be applied to instruction in didactic and supervised clinical practice experiences. Prerequisite: Admission to the DMS degree or certificate program.

DMS774 Technology and Simulation

This module focuses on instructional design and the impact of technology on learning. This module emphasizes development of knowledge, skills and disposition to effectively select and use technology to enhance learning in PA programs. Prerequisite: Admission to the DMS degree or certificate program.

DMS776 Assessment and Evaluation

This module identifies best practices associated of performing an ongoing self-assessment to review the quality and effectiveness of educational practices, policies and outcomes using the Accreditation Standards for PA programs as the point of reference. Prerequisite: Admission to the DMS degree or certificate program.

The Foundations in Orthopedic Care Certificate provides high level education on the core concepts of adult and pediatric orthopedic care. The certificate covers a range of topics including upper and lower extremities as well as spine, soft tissue, pharmacology, and complications related to orthopedic care. Each of the courses for the certificate are 3 credit hours for a total of 12 hours.  

DMS826 Upper Extremity

This module will focus on the foundational knowledge and skills required to care for upper extremity injuries in adult and pediatric orthopedic patients, including avascular necrosis, dislocations, and fractures. The module will outline the pathophysiology and mechanisms of injury that contribute to upper extremity injury, evaluation, diagnostic aids, and management techniques available to intervene. The module focuses on ethically appropriate, culturally sensitive, rehabilitative, and pre/post-operative care.

DMS830 Lower Extremity

This module will focus on the foundational knowledge and skills required to care for hip and lower extremity injuries in adult and pediatric orthopedic patients, including avascular necrosis, dislocations, and fractures. The module will outline the pathophysiology and mechanisms of injury that contribute to lower extremity injury, evaluation, diagnostic aids, and management techniques available to intervene. The module focuses on post-operative care, as well as ethical issues pertaining to these areas.

DMS836 Soft Tissue, Spine, Trauma, and Tumor Orthopedic Care

This module addresses areas of adult and pediatric patient care that are essential to the practice of orthopedic care of soft tissue injuries and disorders. The module will outline the pathophysiology and mechanisms that contribute to developing complications, preoperative and postoperative disorders, diagnostic aids, and management techniques available in soft tissue, spine, and benign and malignant tumors. The module focuses on post-operative care, as well as ethical issues pertaining to these areas.

DMS840 Orthopedic Wound, Complication Management, and Pharmacology

This module addresses areas of adult and pediatric patient care that are essential to the practice of orthopedic care, including wound management, pre and postoperative complications, surgical intervention, and pharmacology. The module focuses on post-operative care, as well as ethical issues pertaining to these areas. Students will gain detailed knowledge of pharmacologic agents and how to select the most appropriate therapy based on patient specific factors

The Foundations in Critical Care Certificate provides opportunities for PAs to pursue education in critical care medicine, improving access for PAs to engage in critical care curriculum. The 12-credit hour program provides education on the core concepts of critical care including advanced resuscitation, critical care pharmacology, and general care of the critical patient and their family. There are 4 3-credit hour courses in this certificate program. 

DMS800 Adv Resuscitation 1

This module will focus on the foundational knowledge and skills required to care for critically ill patients suffering from cardiopulmonary failure. The module will outline the pathophysiology and mechanisms that contribute to developing cardiopulmonary decompensation, evaluating the severity of decompensation, and diagnostic aids and treatments available to intervene in critically ill patients.

DMS810 Adv Resuscitation 2

This module focuses on the management of critically ill patients suffering from failure of organ systems outside of the cardiopulmonary system. Specifically, this module identifies mechanisms of pathogenesis, methods of evaluation, and interventions required to address dysfunction in patients with renal, metabolic, infectious, neurologic, traumatic injury, operative stress, and hematologic causes and/or contributors to critical illness and/or decompensation.

DMS816 Critical Care Pharmacology

This module provides students with the information required to appropriately utilize drugs and blood products typically encountered in the care of critically ill patients. Students will gain detailed knowledge of these pharmacologic agents and how to select the most appropriate therapy based on patient specific factors.

DMS820 Critical Patient Care

This module addresses areas of patient care that are essential to the practice of critical care. It focuses on special populations including management trauma and post-operative care, general management of critically ill patients, downgrading patients to general medical floors, introduction of palliative and hospice care, and ethical issues pertaining to critical care.