Updated Doctor of Medical Science Bridge Program offers flexible, fully online options for recent graduates and experienced healthcare professionals

Butler University is making it easier for physician associates (PAs) to pursue doctoral education at any stage of their careers through an expanded Doctor of Medical Science (DMS) Bridge Program.

Designed to serve both recent PA graduates and experienced practitioners, the updated program introduces flexible pathways that allow students to build on their clinical education, strengthen their research and leadership skills, and pursue a doctoral degree while balancing professional and personal commitments.

“Our goal is to meet PAs where they are in their careers,” said Adrian Banning, Interim Program Director of Butler’s DMS Bridge Program. “Whether someone has just completed PA school or has been practicing for years, the DMS Bridge Program provides an opportunity to build on their experience and pursue a doctoral degree in a way that can fit alongside their professional and personal commitments.”

A distinguishing feature of Butler’s DMS Bridge Program is its recognition of prior clinical education. The program applies 36 credit hours from students’ previous PA school clinical rotations toward the doctoral degree, allowing them to build on their existing knowledge and experience rather than repeat coursework and complete the 14-credit program in approximately 6-14 months, depending on their chosen pathway. 

Previously designed primarily for recent PA graduates, the program now offers two pathways to accommodate different schedules and professional needs. Students pursuing the Accelerated Pathway complete foundational coursework in one seven-week term before beginning a semester-long Capstone Project. The Flexible Pathway allows students to complete the same coursework over two or three semesters before advancing to the Capstone Project.

Both pathways feature a fully online curriculum with doctoral-level coursework in Biostatistics, Research Design, and Issues in Clinical Practice. Students then apply their knowledge through a personalized Capstone Project focused on an area relevant to their professional interests and career goals.

Projects may explore a medical specialty, an issue affecting the PA profession, or a clinical or operational challenge encountered in practice. This individualized approach allows students to strengthen their research and analytical skills while examining questions that have direct relevance to their work.

The program’s primarily asynchronous format provides additional flexibility for working professionals. Each seven-week foundational course includes just two live Zoom meetings, with day and evening options typically available, creating opportunities for faculty and peer engagement without the demands of a traditional classroom schedule.

“PAs bring valuable clinical experience and perspective to the classroom, regardless of whether they graduated six months ago or have spent years caring for patients,” Banning said. “This evolution of the DMS Bridge Program allows us to bring those professionals together and create a learning community that reflects the breadth of today’s PA profession.”

The expanded DMS Bridge Program reflects Butler’s commitment to developing innovative educational models that recognize prior learning, respond to the needs of working professionals, and create opportunities for continued growth throughout their careers.

Interested students can now submit their applications for Butler University’s DMS Bridge Program. To learn more about the DMS Bridge Program, admission requirements, curriculum, and upcoming information sessions, visit Butler’s DMS Bridge website.