{"id":129348,"date":"2026-02-05T01:56:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T07:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/?p=129348"},"modified":"2026-02-05T08:55:38","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T14:55:38","slug":"unmc-confers-first-doctor-of-medical-science-degrees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/2026\/02\/05\/unmc-confers-first-doctor-of-medical-science-degrees\/","title":{"rendered":"UNMC confers first Doctor of Medical Science degrees"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

UNMC conferred degrees upon its first cohort of Doctor of Medical Science graduates at the medical center\u2019s 2025 winter commencement Dec. 19. A class of 18 now hold the voluntary, advanced doctorate degree for physician assistants who seek to enhance knowledge, advance clinical practice and explore new career opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The University of Nebraska added the new program in 2023, and UNMC welcomed its inaugural class of DMSc students in fall 2024. The program is housed within the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis innovative degree pathway was designed to support practicing physician assistants who wish to continue their academic and professional development while remaining actively engaged in clinical practice,\u201d said program director Shaun Horak, PhD, DMSc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNMC\u2019s first class of graduates included three from Nebraska and several from across the country and from other countries. The graduates include active-duty military personnel, clinical preceptors, faculty members and clinicians from a wide range of specialties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The program\u2019s fully online 40-credit hour curriculum may be completed on a full-time or part-time basis and includes didactic courses and clinical experiences. Distance learning technologies and onsite clinical preceptors under the guidance of UNMC faculty allowed students to complete the program in their home communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCollectively, their scholarly work, leadership efforts and professional contributions are already being recognized throughout the broader health care community,\u201d said Dr. Horak, who completed his own DMSc degree in 2018 from the University of Lynchburg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As health care becomes increasingly complex, advanced education may become essential for PAs to maintain clinical expertise, assume leadership roles and meet evolving professional and regulatory standards, said new UNMC grad Julian Ray Tayag, DMSc, an active-duty military PA based in Texas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fellow new graduate Darcy Jones, DMSc, completed the program while working full time as a PA at CHI Health. She described the online format as allowing the flexibility needed to balance coursework with work and family responsibilities, while also providing the opportunity to explore areas of medicine beyond what she was previously taught during her initial PA training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know I will be a better PA as a result of completing the program,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though they completed UNMC\u2019s DMSc program through distance learning, several of the out-of-state graduates made a special trip to Omaha to graduate in person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNMC\u2019s DMSc program has grown to now admitting two classes a year, and curriculum has been streamlined to better support practicing PAs managing clinical responsibilities, personal commitments and academic goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more on the program, visit this UNMC College of Allied Health Professions webpage<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The DMSc degree can be essential for some physician assistants to maintain clinical expertise and grow with 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