The PA Doctoral Programs Respond to ARC-PA Task Force
- angelurielraziel
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
As the discussion of doctoral education within the PA profession has gained increased attention, many people have inquired about the value of the degree and the direction of
doctoral PA education. Many in the doctoral sphere of PA education are moving toward what is being labeled as a DMS/DMSc 2.0 version. Some may wonder why changes in the programs are needed when doctoral education has gained ground as a sought-after degree
in the profession, and as we move toward the entry-level PA degree. It is based on the
changing needs of the profession.
What is the strategic overhaul of the doctoral degree education? It is student-focused. It is
not institutionally focused. Programs are reaching out to new potential students and
listening to current cohort students about what they need to make strides in leadership,
advanced professional practice, and scholarship. We are talking about a reengineered
approach to healthcare, education, or administration. It's a declaration that the programs
have evolved to meet new challenges, technologies, and expectations. It is not about the
rigidity of a curriculum defined by another organization, but responding to the changing
needs of the PA profession.
The doctoral programs (currently 38 post professional doctoral degree programs) are
incorporating AI, predictive analytics, telehealth, and exploring cloud-based platforms for
education. Much more of the education focuses on the ongoing shifts in healthcare systems from provider-driven to patient-empowered models of healthcare delivery. Much more is being provided in shared decision-making, personalized care, and digital engagement. The students are bringing to the programs their desires for concentrations in wellness medicine, global health, emergency management, wilderness survival medicine, infectious tropical diseases, behavioral medicine (wellness psychiatry), critical care, and many others, in the face of a changing healthcare system.
Is the doctoral degree for the PA worth it? Numerous publications, including the most
recent AAPA 2025 Publication of the Year, address the issue.1 There will be a new international publication this weekend (September 1) addressing the proposal for the PA
entry-level doctoral degree.2 The AAPA and PAEA are also addressing pathways to the entry- level doctoral degree. There will possibly be many changes in PA education as we move forward as a profession.
A recent announcement by the ARC-PA regarding the establishment of Post-Professional
Doctoral Program (PPDP) Standards and the offer of ARC-PA accreditation was met with a
swift response from the Consortium of Post-professional Doctoral Programs leadership.
The Consortium has raised several issues that need addressing that including scope of
authority clarification, comprehensive stakeholder engagement, evidence-based standards development, mission alignment is demonstrated, innovation preservation mechanisms are established to ensure that standardization does not stifle the diversity, specialization, and innovation that currently characterize DMS/DMSC/DPA education, and global accessibility is maintained.
Today, ARC PA sent out the following message. "In its Summer 2025 Newsletter, the ARC-PA
was remiss in not thanking the Post-Professional Doctoral (PPDP)Taskforce. These participants, who are also PPDP educators, were instrumental in the creation and development of the final PPDP Standards. The taskforce met monthly until the final draft of the Standards were complete. During that time, they reviewed, discussed, and revised the PPDP standards to create pertinent requirements for the PPDP programs that would allow
for a meaningful accreditation process through the ARC-PA. The ARC-PA extends its
gratitude to the diligent work put forward by this taskforce. The development of the standards was greatly enhanced by their diligent participation. Please find the taskforce
participants listed below".
This has been met with swift feedback from several members who "served" on the task
force. I will refer you to the letter sent to ARC-PA from the Consortium and can assure you
that the members of the task force and the Consortium still have the same concerns as
they voiced in their recent letter to ARC-PA, AAPA, PAEA, and CAHEA.3 The questions
remain.
The PPDPs are moving forward with innovative approaches that are focused on the PA
profession. They remain committed to resistance against any moves to restrict innovation
in the developing programs. All PPDP programs are currently Regionally Accredited.
1. Kilgore, James R. DMSc, PhD, PA-C; Colletti, Thomas DHSc, PA-C Emeritus; Rolfs,
Jenna DMSc, PA-C; Shuler, James A. Jr. DMSc, PA-C; Watkins, Elyse DHSc, PA-C, DFAAPA;
Welsh, Jeremy M. DHSc, JD, PA-C; Lewia, Stephen Jr. DMSc, PA-C. Characteristics and
career effect on PA graduates of a doctor of medical science program. JAAPA 38(1):p e16-
e19, January 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/01.JAA.0000000000000170
2. Rolfs, J., et al., 2025. Review of Post Professional Doctoral Education for the Physician
Assistant/Associate: Recommendations for Entry-level Curriculum. Medical Research
Archives, [online] 13(8).https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v1 3i8.6835
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