JAAPA Podcast Episode Summary

Episode Title: Hot Topic: PA Doctorate Programs—Their History, Diversity, and Accreditation
Date: March 5, 2026
Guests: Dr. Carrie Bernard, Dr. Aisha Hussain
Host: Joe, JAAPA Podcast

Overview

This episode centers on the rapid growth and evolving landscape of post-professional doctoral programs for Physician Assistants (PAs), specifically the Doctor of Medical Science (DMS/DMSC) degrees. The discussion delves into the history of these programs, the distinctive diversity among them, ongoing debates around centralized versus institutional accreditation, efforts by the programs' consortium, and guidance for PAs considering doctoral education. The conversation is candid, practical, and forward-thinking, aimed at both educators and clinicians.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Guest Introductions & Personal Stories

• [01:09] Dr. Aisha Hussain: Traces her journey from clinical practice to academia, inspired by her experience in a DMS program. Emphasizes her advocacy for clinical colleagues and the importance of accreditation aligning with program and career goals.
  • “In the clinic world, accreditation is like the gold seal, right? It's like this is quality.” [01:56]
• [02:29] Dr. Carrie Bernard: Details her motivation stemming from burnout in emergency medicine, a move into PA education, and her pursuit of a PhD to study workforce mental health. Experience in designing a DMSC program shaped her views on flexible accreditation responsive to workforce needs.

2. The History and Growth of PA Doctorate Programs

• [06:00] Dr. Aisha Hussain: Describes the genesis of PA-specific doctorates:
  • 2007: U.S. Army & Baylor College of Medicine create first for military PAs.
  • 2016: Lincoln Memorial University launches first Doctor of Medical Science for PAs, soon followed by other universities.
  • Rapid expansion: From 1 program (2016) to 40+ in 2026.
• Growth reflects responsiveness to community needs—programs evolved to fill gaps in rural clinicians, educators, and branching into specialties such as informatics and business.

3. Diversity by Design: Specialization & Flexibility

• [08:14] Dr. Carrie Bernard:
  • Credits guest (Dr. Hussain) for coining “Diverse by Design.”
    • “DMSC programs do two things really, really well. First ... are great at responding to the ever evolving needs of the health care system … Second, they leverage their local campus resources.” [08:41]
  • Most programs are online—improving accessibility.
  • Tracks exist for lifestyle medicine, business, global health, informatics, and more, based on institutional strengths and market needs.
  • Memorable metaphor:
    • “PAs as the neutrophils of the health system: we're always rushing where the need is.” [10:46]
• [11:07] Dr. Hussain: Draws parallels to other doctoral tracks (PhD, EdD, DrPH) that add specialized expertise rather than change licensure, underscoring how PA doctorates follow this model.

4. The DMS/DMSC Consortium: Collaboration and Advocacy

• [12:43] Dr. Carrie Bernard: Explains the formation and ninefold purpose of the Consortium of DMS/DMSC Programs:
  • Collaboration, alumni data sharing, research, professional development, curriculum discussion, publication, quality assurance, advocacy, and degree promotion.
  • Quote: “It’s an incredibly collaborative group … partnering on a ninefold purpose.” [13:27]
  • Cooperative approach distinguishes the field and aims to shape future standards.

5. The Debate: Centralized vs Institutional Accreditation

• [16:25] Dr. Aisha Hussain: Shares that 2025 brought urgency—a “critical breakdown in professional dialogue” as the accreditor ARC-PA unveiled centralized standards (effective Sept 2025) without collaboration.
• [19:44] Dr. Carrie Bernard:
  • Institutional accreditation supports innovation and flexibility, essential for non-licensure-track doctorates.
  • Centralized standards designed for scope-of-practice degrees risk limiting innovation, raising costs, restricting faculty hires, and creating “one-size-fits-all” requirements that can mismatch with diverse PA doctoral tracks.
  • Quote:
    • “Accreditation costs money ... that’s going to naturally be reflected in tuition.” [22:06]
    • “Centralized accrediting bodies ... are often what you see accrediting scope of practice programs ... The DMSC program does not extend PA scope of practice.” [21:26]

6. Consortium’s Response and Concerns

• [24:34] Dr. Aisha Hussain: Major issues with centralized standards include:
  • Redundancy (dual accreditation),
  • Restrictive faculty and curriculum mandates,
  • Increased cost for students,
  • Risk of stifling program diversity and utility.
  • The Consortium’s formal resolution called for:
    1. Justification for the timeline,
    2. Evidence supporting the approach,
    3. Transparent, meaningful dialogue involving all stakeholders.

7. The Role for Accreditors & Needed Research

• [29:10] Dr. Carrie Bernard: Advocates for accreditors to partner in research—evaluating long-term impacts, compensation outcomes, employer feedback, and whether doctorate programs fulfill their own promises to the profession and patients.
  • Calls for more than self-reported data to truly understand the programs’ effects.
  • “I keep thinking of setting stretch goals ... That’s what I think of accreditation standards doing. And as they currently exist, these standards do not do that.” [30:11]

8. Future Vision & Advice for PAs

• [32:56] Dr. Aisha Hussain:
  • Healthy ecosystem means programs align with PAs’ mission and personal goals.
  • “The true value is not in the credential itself...it's the knowledge that you get from the degree and the impact that you leave on the community.” [33:13]
  • Advice: Research program choices carefully; seek those that fit your impact goals.
• [33:48] Dr. Carrie Bernard:
  • Encourages PAs to reflect on and pursue the route best suited to their interests—whether DMS, DMSC, PhD, etc.—and highlights the growing range of specialties.
    • “You’re going to be able to find a program ... that is well aligned with what makes you unique and ... what unique contribution you want to make to your community.” [35:21]

9. Final Thoughts

• [36:16] Dr. Carrie Bernard:
  • Pursuing a doctorate can be transformative and should spring from passion and curiosity.
    • “Research is me-searching ... Listen to that voice ... you’ve got the wisdom inside of you to know what your right path is.” [36:40]
• [37:05] Dr. Aisha Hussain:
  • The post-doctoral PA community is uniquely supportive and collaborative, easing transitions from clinical work and fostering professional growth.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “Accreditation is truly about alignment and the program that you matriculate into should align with the accrediting body that it's being supported by.”
  — Dr. Aisha Hussain [01:57]

• “DMSC programs do two things really, really well. ... responding to the ever evolving needs ... and leveraging their local campus resources.”
  — Dr. Carrie Bernard [08:41]

• “PAs as the neutrophils of the health system: we're always rushing where the need is.”
  — Dr. Carrie Bernard citing a mentor [10:46]

• “This is a true market analysis of the epitome of growth as our response.”
  — Dr. Aisha Hussain [12:15]

• “If you're not at the table, you're on the menu.”
  — Mentor of Dr. Bernard [15:51]

• “A one-size-fits-all model will unintentionally stifle the existing diversity and quality and the choices that are available to matriculating students.”
  — Dr. Aisha Hussain [24:36]

• “The true value is not in the credential itself that you earn ... Rather, it's the knowledge that you get from the degree and the impact that you leave on the community with that knowledge.”
  — Dr. Aisha Hussain [33:13]

• “Research is me-searching ... listen to that voice ... you’ve got the wisdom inside of you to know what your right path is.”
  — Dr. Carrie Bernard [36:40]

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-----------|--------------| | 01:09 | Guest introductions and PA career stories | | 06:00 | History of PA doctorate programs | | 08:14 | Diversity and market relevance of DMS/DMSC programs | | 12:43 | The DMS/DMSC consortium’s role and goals | | 16:25 | 2025 developments and urgency around accreditation | | 19:44 | Institutional vs centralized accreditation explained | | 24:34 | Concerns with proposed centralized standards and consortium’s response | | 29:10 | Research needs and impact assessment | | 32:56 | Vision for the future and advice for PAs considering a doctorate | | 36:16 | Final thoughts and encouragement |

Conclusion

This episode provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution, strengths, and current challenges of PA doctorate programs. Dr. Bernard and Dr. Hussain advocate for flexible, data-driven accreditation and encourage PAs to seek doctoral training that aligns with their unique ambitions and the evolving needs of patients and the healthcare system. The tone is supportive, practical, and honest, emphasizing both the promise and the responsibility that come with advanced PA education.