<iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-TJCKC2" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe> Online Degree in Doctorate of Health Science (DHSc) | Drexel Online

For a better experience, click the Compatibility Mode icon above to turn off Compatibility Mode, which is only for viewing older websites.

  • Online Doctor of Health Science (DHSc)

    ***The DHSc will not be accepting new students for the Academic Year 2023-2024. The program should be available again for Fall 2024. More information to follow.***

    Drexel University’s online Doctor of Health Science (DHSc) program will prepare you to be a leader in healthcare by acquiring skills as educators, administrators, members of research teams, and advocates for best practice. This program is open to health professionals seeking leadership roles in education and/or clinical practice including, but not limited to:

    • Health Administrators
    • Physician Assistants
    • Nurses
    • Dietitians/Nutritionists
    • Physical or Occupational Therapists
    • Couple and Family Therapists
    • Creative Arts Therapists
    • Behavioral or Mental Health Specialists
    • Complementary and Integrative Health Practitioners
    • Other Healthcare Professionals

    The Doctor of Health Science provides a foundation for research, focused study in a student’s specialized area of clinical practice, and competency in healthcare education.

    What is a Doctor of Health Science (DHSc) Degree?

    The Drexel DHSc is a comprehensive preparation for academia and clinical leadership, specifically designed to accommodate working professionals by offering online learning supplemented with onsite sessions during select terms.

    What Our Students Say

    Drexel University online students, Kara Kobal and Debbie Schwind, share their story via an infographic outlining 10 Reasons to Check Out Drexel's Online Doctor of Health Science Program.

    What is the difference between DHSc vs a PHD?

    The online DHSc is designed for those who want to expand their MS level subject expertise with broad-based knowledge needed to translate research evidence into real world practice.

    In comparison, a PhD, which stands for Doctor of Philosophy, is designed for those who want to be able to demonstrate expertise in a narrowly defined discipline and pursue research to advance knowledge in the discipline.

    Both degrees prepare you for academic teaching opportunities, the DHSc in preparing leaders in the health sciences, and the PhD in preparing discipline scholars. 

    What Can You Do With A Doctorate Degree in Health Science?

    A Doctor of Health Science degree will help you learn the skills required to work as educators, administrators, members of research teams, and advocates for best practice in healthcare.

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) defines these roles as postsecondary teaching, which means instructing students beyond the high school level. Most of these roles are in community colleges or public and private colleges and university settings.

    What’s the Salary for a Doctor of Health Science?

    According to the BLS, the job outlook is favorable – 15% growth, which is much faster than the average, is expected by 2026. The median salary is $76,000, as of 2017. A further breakdown shows median annual wages for postsecondary teachers are as follows:

    Type of Institution

    Median Annual Wage

    Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools - State

    $79,340

    Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools - Private

    $77,170

    Junior Colleges - Local

    $76,890

    Junior Colleges - State

    $56,030

     

    These projections are for academic positions only. Salaries within health care organizations and across disciplines vary greatly and are not included here.  In addition, salaries in settings and disciplines also vary across regions.  Applicants are encouraged to seek salary comparisons within their own professional organizations.  Every college, university and healthcare institution has a different pay structure.  Postsecondary teachers typically see higher wages in colleges and universities.

    Doctor of Health Science Online Program Features

    Upon completion of the DHSc degree, you will be able to:

    • Assume health care and public health leadership positions in professional, academic, clinical, and/or community organizations
    • Educate students and practitioners in the health professions in academic, clinical, and community settings
    • Collaborate with key stakeholders, communities, and professionals in healthcare and other fields, to foster interprofessional practice, education, and research
    • Contribute to and disseminate scholarship for transfer to knowledge in the health sciences to promote excellence and best practice

    Skills you will acquire:

    • Information literacy
    • Big data management, visualization, and mining for decision support, policy development, and advocacy
    • Evaluation, integration, synthesis, and application of evidence to best practice
    • Global and cultural awareness
    • Professional ethics and values
    • Research designs and methodologies
    • Proficiency with statistical applications
    • Teaching/learning methodologies across settings and populations
    • Lifelong learning skills and reflection for continuous professional growth and development
    • Scientific writing skills
    • Working knowledge for interpretation and application
    • Interpersonal and collaboration skills
    • Health policy – working knowledge of system to advocate, influence, and transform health systems
    • Visionary and transformational leadership skills and competencies

    For questions, please contact:

    Gladys Clapano-Mozdzonek
    gc346@drexel.edu


    State restrictions may apply to some programs. Learn more.

    Curriculum

    This program is organized into four 10-week quarters per year (as opposed to the traditional two semester system) which means you can take more courses in a shorter time period. One semester credit is equivalent to 1.5 quarter credits.

    Core Courses  
    NHP 760 Academia for Health Professionals 2.0
    NHP 762 Health Professional Education 3.0
    NHP 767 Leadership & Professional Issues 3.0
    NHP 769 Population Health: An Interprofessional Approach 3.0
    Research Courses  
    NHP 810 Biostatistical Applications 2.0
    RSCH 519 Introduction to Biostatistics 3.0
    RSCH 770 Foundations in Research Methods 3.0
    RSCH 813 Measurement Theory in Healthcare 3.0
    Scholarship  
    NHP 818 Scholarship Question Development 2.0
    NHP 827 Scholarship I 2.0
    NHP 828 Scholarship II 2.0
    NHP 829 Scholarship III 2.0
    RSCH 741 Foundations in Scholarly Inquiry & Writing 3.0
    Practicum Experience
    3.0-5.0
    IPS 860
    Interprofessional Research Experience  
    NHP 822
    Teaching Practicum *  
    Concentration (Select One) 12.0
    Education 
     
    CRTV 615
    Neuroscience, Creativity, and Innovation  
    EDHE 620
    Mind, Brain, and Learning  
    EDHE 621
    Neuropedogogy and Assessment  
    EDHE 622
    Neurodiversity in Education and Workforce  
    IPS 763
    Teaching Strategies and Learning Technologies in Health Professions Education  
    IPS 765
    Assessment, Measurement, and Evaluation in Health Professions Education  
    Individualized (Courses chosen with academic advisor)
     
    Total Credits 48.0-50.0

    *Those pursuing the individualized concentration may choose to not complete the 2-credit teaching practicum

    View Course Descriptions

    Admissions Criteria

    • Master’s or clinical doctoral professional degree in a health profession
    • Minimum overall GPA of 3.0
    • Current, active US or Canadian license or credential to practice in your discipline

    Required Documents

    With multiple ways to submit documents, Drexel makes it easy to complete your application. Learn more by visiting our supporting document submission guide.

    • A completed application
    • Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions attended (including trade schools)
    • Two letters of recommendation from advisors, supervisors, professors, or mentors
    • Personal statement reflecting:
      • Career goals
      • How this program will enable you to contribute to the profession and society
      • Topic of scholarship interest
        • Applicants are highly encouraged to review the list of faculty mentors and reach out to possible faculty mentors to discuss their topic of interest to determine if there is a 'fit'
        • Personal statement must identify possible faculty mentor(s) and describe how scholarship area matches the research of one/two of the DHSc mentors
        • Questions about the content of the personal statement can be directed to Gladys Clapano-Mozdzonek at gc346@drexel.edu
    • Curriculum Vitae or Resume
    • Copy of current professional license (if applicable)
    • Writing sample on a topic of your choice or a previously written paper/manuscript
    • Additional requirements for International Students

    Additional materials/qualifications may be required depending upon the admitting department.

    Tuition

    The tuition rate for the academic year 0-1 is $0 per credit.

    For the academic year 2023-2024, students enrolled in an online graduate academic program will be charged a graduate online program fee of $125 per year.

    • This program is eligible for Financial Aid.
    • Special tuition rates available for Drexel University AlumniMilitary members, and members of our Partner Organizations
      • These rates apply only to new online students and students being readmitted.
      • Tuition rates are subject to increase with the start of each academic year in the fall term.
      • All students must contact applyDUonline@drexel.edu within the first two weeks of the term to request tuition savings for which they qualify.
      • Special rates cannot be combined. If you qualify for more than one special rate, you'll be given the one with the largest savings.
      • When receiving special tuition plans with Drexel University Online, you may not combine them with other tuition benefits that may be available from Drexel University.

     

    Academic Calendar

    2023-2024 Academic Year

    Term

    Classes Begin

    Classes End

    Exams Begin

    Exams End

    Fall 2023

    September 26, 2023

    December 9, 2023

    December 11, 2023

    December 16, 2023

    Winter 2024

    January 8, 2024

    March 16, 2024

    March 18, 2024

    March 23, 2024

    Spring 2024

    April 1, 2024

    June 8, 2024

    June 10, 2024

    June 15, 2024

    Summer 2024

    June 24, 2024

    August 31, 2024

    September 3, 2024

    September 7, 2024

     

    Apply for admission to Drexel University

    This program is not currently accepting new applicants.

    Previously enrolled at Drexel? Learn more about readmission.

    Any problems? Find help or contact us.