Doctoral Education: Degrees of Separation

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Nearly a decade ago, physician assistant (PA) educators debated whether or not a master’s degree should be considered the entry-level credential for a profession. The Association of Physician Assistant Programs (APAP), now the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), established the Degree Task Force to examine the issue. After concluding that education in accredited PA programs was “conducted at the graduate level,” the task force stopped short of recommending a hard-and-fast credential standardization at the level of the master’s degree.1 It was believed at the time that institutional mission and local needs might present compelling reasons to offer an alternative academic credential. The task force also took no stand as to whether a traditional academic degree or a professional degree would be preferred. The task force ended its 2000 report, as would any prudent deliberative body, with the caveat that the situation was fluid and would no doubt require future study.1 The report of the APAP Degree Task Force foreshadowed future controversy, even anticipating “the development of a new professional degree.”1 That anticipated controversy is now here. The US Army and Baylor University have developed the first doctorate degree specifically for PAs — the doctor of science in physician assistant studies (DScPAS) degree.2 This is a postgraduate degree; however, the entire profession is now considering the merits and drawbacks of a PA doctoral degree in general, including as an entry-level credential. This debate echoes, even compounds, the “degree question” of a decade ago. As the current dialogue continues, I hope these next few paragraphs will provide some important insights from the broader world of academia and its history.