Online Doctor of Health Science (DHSc)

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:

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.