Evidence Based Capstone Project Doctor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies | MCPHS (2024)

FAQs

What is an example of a doctoral capstone project? ›

Examples of doctoral capstone projects may include but are not limited to proposed curriculum plans, education technology solutions for the classroom, community education initiatives, published research papers, or a proposed teacher training plan.

Physician assistants/associates with a doctoral degree held more leadership roles: 30.1% held an informal leadership role and 28.9% held a formal leadership role. A larger proportion of PAs with doctoral degrees had an annual salary above the median (62.3%) compared with PAs without doctoral degrees (40.0%).

The Doctor of Medical Science is a post-professional doctoral degree for physician assistants (PAs) who have successfully completed PA professional training.

In any setting, except the clinical setting, a PA with a doctorate degree can be and should be addressed with the “Dr” moniker. It is the opinion of the ADPA that in the clinical setting, PAs may and should use the doctor title as well as their professional title.

The capstone project offers students the opportunity to acquire skills and knowledge to advocate for best practices and promote the translation and utilization of the evidence.

Good Capstone Project Ideas

Health and Wellness Program Design for Senior Citizens. Meditation Effects Investigation on Stress Reduction. Marketing Strategy Development for Small Business. Online Course Creation for High School Students on Financial Literacy.

For those already in academia, a doctorate may qualify you for a more responsible leadership position, such as PA program director, academic director, or clinical director. PAs in academia with a doctoral degree are more likely to fill such a leadership role than those lacking a doctoral degree.

No, you do not call a physician's assistant doctor.

A physician's assistant is not a doctor. If you want to address a physician's assistant in a formal manner, you use the honorific of "PA" before the physician assistant's name.

Do PA ever become doctors? ›

As you grow in your career as a physician assistant (PA), you may decide you're ready for a new set of responsibilities. You can take steps to continue your education and earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) to become a medical doctor .

PhD programs for PAs include programs that focus on a number of healthcare and scientific specialties. These programs range from 2-7 years in length and give students enhanced career opportunities, including more specialized PA opportunities or healthcare leadership roles.

But some patients are unsure what title to use since “doctor” doesn't apply. Many NPs and PAs prefer to use their first name. Some prefer Mr. or Ms. with their last name, and some physician assistants use the title PA (as in “PA Smith”).

Since the AAPA House of Delegates passed a resolution affirming “physician associate” as the official title of the PA profession in 2021, AAPA has made progress in building public awareness of this new title while simultaneously elevating the PA brand.

The capstone project will typically be a digital project related to the student's area of study, accompanied by a 20-25 page double-spaced white paper. Students may produce a website, a platform, a tool, or another digital project in consultation with their faculty advisor.

The length of the doctoral capstone experience is a minimum of 14 weeks (560 hours).

The doctoral capstone experience allows for exploration in an in-depth, customized experience specific to the doctoral pursuit of the occupational therapy student, and the opportunity to extend and refine knowledge and skills acquired in the curriculum.