RESOLUTION OF THE CONSORTIUM OF DMS/DMSc PROGRAMS

Adopted by the Consortium of DMS/DMSc Programs — August 1, 2025

OPPOSING THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROGRAMMATIC ACCREDITATION BY THE ACCREDITATION REVIEW COMMISSION ON EDUCATION FOR THE PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT (ARC-PA) FOR POST-PROFESSIONAL PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE DOCTORAL PROGRAMS

WHEREAS, the Consortium of DMS/DMSc/DPA Programs is a collaborative group of current

educators and administrators of developing and established DMS/DMSc/DPA programs formed to support growth and innovation for the PA profession; and

WHEREAS, the Consortium is also an approved special interest group (SIG) of the Physician

Assistant Education Association (PAEA); and

WHEREAS, the Consortium of DMS/DMSc/DPA Programs represents a forward-thinking

initiative designed to strengthen and advance medical science education through collaborative excellence. The consortium fosters an environment where best practices, innovative curricula, and research findings can be exchanged to benefit all members, and

WHEREAS, this collaborative approach enables programs to develop more robust educational offerings that align with emerging trends in healthcare, while simultaneously promoting professional development opportunities for faculty and administrators through workshops, conferences, and seminars, and

WHEREAS, the consortium's commitment to quality assurance and advocacy positions it as a

leading advocate for advancing the recognition and value of the Doctor of Medical Science and Doctor of Physician Associate degrees.

WHEREAS, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant

(ARC-PA) has announced its intention to implement accreditation standards effective September 2025 for post-professional PA doctoral programs (DMS/DMSc/DPA programs); and

WHEREAS, the ARC-PA's stated mission is to assure the general public and professional,

educational, and licensing agencies that accredited programs meet defined educational standards to protect public safety; and

WHEREAS, according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), the

approved scope of recognition for ARC-PA is limited to "Programs preparing individuals for

entry into PA practice located in institutions in the United States that are accredited by

recognized regional accrediting bodies. ARC-PA-accredited programs are located in institutions offering associate, baccalaureate, or master’s degrees in conjunction with the PA credential award. (2015)"; and

WHEREAS, the CHEA-approved scope of recognition for ARC-PA explicitly excludes

doctoral-level programs and is limited to entry-level PA programs, and

WHEREAS, Graduation from DMS/DMSc/DPA programs is not required for additional

licensure nor expands the clinical scope of practice for PAs, making the added value of ARC-PA accreditation highly questionable for public safety purposes; and

WHEREAS, DMS/DMSc/DPA programs are thoroughly evaluated through existing institutional accreditation and state regulatory processes, ensuring their academic integrity and public accountability without the need for further oversight.

WHEREAS, DMS/DMSc/DPA programs operate under the rigorous oversight of regional and

national institutional accreditors, which are already empowered and experienced in evaluating doctoral-level academic integrity and outcomes, and

WHEREAS, the proposed accreditation approach prioritizes standardization over innovation,

potentially stifling the unique adaptations and specializations that DMS/DMSc/DPA programs offer to meet the nuanced needs of advanced PA practitioners, educators, and administrators; and

WHEREAS, the ARC-PA's draft standards have not been formulated with a comprehensive

evidence base that reflects the current operations and outcomes of DMS/DMSc/DPA programs, as these programs are in the early stages of developing comprehensive data to inform such decisions; and

WHEREAS, these new standards may potentially hinder the diversity, innovation, and

accessibility that characterize current DMS/DMSc/DPA education; and

WHEREAS, the PA Education Association (PAEA) has expressed similar concerns and called

on the ARC-PA to demonstrate greater transparency, evidence-based decision-making, and

stakeholder engagement; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Consortium of DMS/DMSc/DPA Programs opposes the current trajectory of the ARC-PA regarding the implementation of accreditation standards for post-professional PA doctoral programs (DMS/DMSc/DPA programs); and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Consortium calls upon the ARC-PA to immediately

cease its current accreditation process for post-professional doctoral programs until:

1. Scope of authority clarification is obtained from the Council for Higher Education

   Accreditation (CHEA), confirming that ARC-PA has the appropriate recognition to

   accredit doctoral-level programs, given that their current approved scope is limited to

   entry-level PA programs at the associate, baccalaureate, or master's degree level.

   
   

2. Comprehensive stakeholder engagement occurs, including meaningful dialogue with

   all DMS/DMSc/DPA program directors, the PA Education Association (PAEA), the

   American Academy of PAs (AAPA), and other relevant professional organizations.

   
   

3. Evidence-based standards development is conducted using comprehensive data that

   accurately reflects the current operations, outcomes, and unique contributions of existing DMS/DMSc/DPA programs.

   
   

4. Mission alignment is demonstrated, illustrating how the accreditation of non-licensure

   doctoral programs supports the ARC-PA's core mission of protecting public safety.

   
   

5. Innovation preservation mechanisms are established to ensure that standardization does

   not stifle the diversity, specialization, and innovation that currently characterize

   DMS/DMSc/DPA education.

   
   

6. Global accessibility is maintained, allowing programs to continue serving military personnel, international students, and other populations that may not be geographically

   located within the United States; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Consortium urges the ARC-PA to engage in a more

collaborative, data-informed, and mission-consistent approach before moving forward with any accreditation standards that might be premature and potentially detrimental to the field of post-professional PA doctoral education; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Consortium supports the position taken by the PA

Education Association (PAEA) Board of Directors in advocating for transparency, evidence-based decision-making, and meaningful stakeholder engagement in this matter; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be transmitted to:

• Sharon Luke, EdD, PA-C, Executive Director, ARC-PA

• The ARC-PA Board of Commissioners

• Loretta C. Waldron, MBA, Vice President for Recognition Services, Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)

• The PA Education Association (PAEA) Board of Directors

• The American Academy of PAs (AAPA) Board of Directors;

• All DMS/DMSc/DPA programs

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Consortium will continue to advocate for the interests

of post-professional PA doctoral education and will work collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure that any future accreditation processes serve the best interests of the PA profession, students, and the public.

ADOPTED this First Day of August 2025, by the Consortium of DMS/DMSc/DPA Programs.

This resolution represents the collective voice of the Consortium of DMS/DMSc/DPA Programs and its member institutions in opposition to the current ARC-PA initiative to accredit post-professional PA doctoral programs without proper stakeholder engagement, evidence-based standards development, and consideration of the unique characteristics and contributions of DMS/DMSc/DPA education.