School of Health Sciences & Education
Online Master of Medical Science
Introduction
Complete Your Clinical Rotations While Earning Your Master’s Degree in Medical Science from Saint Francis University
The Master of Medical Science (MMS) Program partners with affiliated physician assistant certification programs throughout the United States to allow students to earn a master’s degree in an affordable, flexible, online format while they complete their clinical rotations. This option permits these graduates to be competitive with entry-level master’s degree physician assistant practitioners.
Offered: Online
4-course online program is flexible and affordable
start during your clinical year or up to 5 years from your PA program graduation date
long track record working with affiliate PA students resulting in more than 1,000 MMS graduates
The SFU Learning Experience
Master of Medical Science the Saint Francis Way
Consistent with the Franciscan tradition, the MMS Program encourages students to identify and address service needs, utilizing an evidence-based approach, while capitalizing on the student’s clinical experience. This unique strategy prepares graduates to creatively and effectively respond to complex practice issues, both now and in the future.
Did you know?
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The online format provides flexibility for the students to complete the MMS Program during the clinical year of Physician Assistant (PA) studies. The program accepts 20 transfer credits from your PA clinicals.
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The program consists of structured coursework with prescribed due dates, yet you can complete courses when your schedule permits.
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If you are concerned about the academic load for dual enrollment (PA Program and MMS) you can choose to begin the MMS program anytime within five years of your PA program graduation.
- The success of each MMS student is supported through the collaborative academic advising between your academic advisor, MMS faculty and staff, and affiliate PA program faculty and staff.
CURRICULUM & COURSES
What You’ll Learn in the Master of Medical Science Program
Graduates of the MMS program will have demonstrated competence in both scholarship and research and are prepared to deliver health care more effectively in a variety of clinical practice and administrative settings. The MMS Program is typically completed during the clinical year of PA studies. As designed, students can also complete the program shortly after the completion of their Physician Assistant studies.
Program Snapshot
- Online program (accepts 20 transfer credits from your PA clinicals)
- 4 courses over 4 semesters
- 18-months estimated completion time
- Rolling enrollment
- Program cost: Tuition Information
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Degree Paths
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Learning Objectives
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Affiliate Programs
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Degree Awarded
Master of Medical Science
Course Catalog Major Requirements | Plan of Study
Curriculum
- MMS 503 Research Methodologies (3 credits)
- MMS 507 Advanced Pharmacology (3 credits)
- MMS 513 Clinical Residency Project (4 credits)
- MMS 521 Clinical Applications in Primary Care (3 credits)
Admissions Requirements
See FAQ section below.
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Learning Objectives
As a graduate of our online Master of Medical Science program, you will be able to:
- Use research to develop evidence-based regimes/programs to address unmet needs.
- Critically analyze current pharmacotherapeutics and apply them to disease processes in clinical practice.
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MMS Affiliates: PA Certification Programs
Former MMS Affiliations
- Anne Arundel Community College
- San Joaquin Valley Community College
- Riverside Community College: Moreno Valley
- Red Rocks Community College
- Stanford University Primary Care Associates Program
- Penn College of Technology
Contact Dr. Theresa M. Horner, NCC, LPC, MMS Program Chair, if you are an accredited PA program and wish to pursue a collaborative agreement with Saint Francis University to provide your students with a means to obtain a MMS degree concurrently with their PA training.
Experienced Faculty Who Love to Teach
In our online degrees and certificate programs, your instructors share their classroom knowledge and industry expertise in ways that are proven to work best for adult learners. The right technology, coupled with small class sizes, will allow you to build relationships with fellow students and have meaningful interactions with your instructors.
Dr. Theresa M. Horner, Program Chair
Assistant Professor of Public Health
814.471.1332, thorner@francis.edu
Career Outlook with a Master of Medical Science
Our Master of Medical Science Program permits graduates to be competitive with entry-level master's degree physician assistant practitioners. Graduates of our MMS programs are prepared to deliver health care more effectively in a variety of clinical and administrative settings.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About the Master of Medical Science and Saint Francis University
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What are the admission requirements for the Master of Health Science Program?
All application material must be received by the application deadline. Applications with outstanding material after the published deadline will be processed for enrollment in the following semester.
Materials required for application:
- Completed MMS Online Application.
- Submit non-refundable $55.00 application fee
- Must be a full-time Physician Assistant student at one of our MMS affiliate programs, in good standing, and qualified to begin clinical clerkships or a recent PA graduate.
- Official transcript from PA Program to verify either status in the program or graduation from program within 24 months.
- Completed baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with minimum GPA of 2.5.
- For any prospective MMS student anticipating the use of Title IV (federal financial aid), all post-secondary transcripts must be submitted.
- Ideally, MMS candidates should have a 3.0 GPA in their PA Program. For those that do not, a recommendation from their PA Program Director is required.
Prospective Students Residing Outside of Pennsylvania
Saint Francis University and its online programs must be authorized by certain states prior to offering courses or programs to students residing in those states. Saint Francis University has been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to participate in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA).
As a SARA approved institution, Saint Francis University is in compliance with the regulations of each SARA state and is approved to offer online courses and programs to residents of SARA-member states. Prospective students residing outside of Pennsylvania should determine their eligibility for admission to an online program at Saint Francis University by consulting the State Authorization Status List found at https://www.francis.edu/State-Authorization/ or by contacting program enrollment counselor at 814) 472-3012 or email worldwide@francis.edu.
International applicants will be considered for admission if they reside in countries where the University has proper authorization. Contact the program admission representatives for additional information.
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What if my degree is from outside of the United States?
For students with degrees from Universities outside of the United States, a degree assessment must be completed, at the student’s expense, by a NACES (www.naces.org) approved independent credentialing agency such as the World Education Service. An original report from this agency must be submitted as part of the admission application.
All application material must be received by the application deadline. Applications with outstanding material after the published deadline will be processed for enrollment in the following semester.
Materials required for application:
- Completed MMS Online Application.
- Submit non-refundable $55.00 application fee
- Must be a full-time Physician Assistant student at one of our MMS affiliate programs, in good standing, and qualified to begin clinical clerkships or a recent PA graduate.
- Official transcript from PA Program to verify either status in the program or graduation from program within 24 months.
- Completed baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with minimum GPA of 2.5.
- For any prospective MMS student anticipating the use of Title IV (federal financial aid), all post-secondary transcripts must be submitted.
- Ideally, MMS candidates should have a 3.0 GPA in their PA Program. For those that do not, a recommendation from their PA Program Director is required.
Prospective Students Residing Outside of Pennsylvania
Saint Francis University and its online programs must be authorized by certain states prior to offering courses or programs to students residing in those states. Saint Francis University has been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to participate in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA).
As a SARA approved institution, Saint Francis University is in compliance with the regulations of each SARA state and is approved to offer online courses and programs to residents of SARA-member states. Prospective students residing outside of Pennsylvania should determine their eligibility for admission to an online program at Saint Francis University by consulting the State Authorization Status List found at https://www.francis.edu/State-Authorization/ or by contacting program enrollment counselor at 814) 472-3012 or email worldwide@francis.edu.
International applicants will be considered for admission if they reside in countries where the University has proper authorization. Contact the program admission representatives for additional information.
For students with degrees from Universities outside of the United States, a degree assessment must be completed, at the student’s expense, by a NACES (www.naces.org) approved independent credentialing agency such as the World Education Service. An original report from this agency must be submitted as part of the admission application.