The healthcare industry continues to show high demand for employees with advanced skill sets and practical leadership skills in practice and higher education settings. Furthermore, there is currently a national shortage of doctoral-trained health science faculty qualified to teach at the master’s or doctoral level.
If you are interested in filling this gap, consider a Doctor of Health Science (DHSc) online degree. With a DHSc, candidates can shape their careers and make their mark on the future of healthcare and health professions education as scholar-practitioners who address complex problems of practice.
A DHSc degree leads students to careers in administration, teaching, or applied research or practice—where advanced capabilities in conceptual thinking, original research, data analysis, and writing are essential when advancing to high-level executive positions or academic appointments.
But what are the Doctor of Health Science requirements at the University of Bridgeport (UB)? First, let’s explore the five essentials for succeeding in this 61-credit program.
1. Core Courses
The core DHSc curriculum meets current healthcare professionals’ needs with advanced coursework focused on qualitative and quantitative research. Our program allows students to hone their skills in research, evidence-informed care delivery, education, curriculum development, and public health.
At UB, DHSc candidates are required to complete core coursework consisting of 18 credits, including:
- HSCI 710 – Introduction to the U.S. Health Care System
- HSCI 715 – Research Methods for Health Sciences
- HSCI 720 – Global Health Issues
- HSCI 725 – Fundamentals of Clinical Trials
- HSCI 730 – Healthcare Informatics
- HSCI 735 – Data Analysis and Interpretation
2. Specialized Track Selections (Clinician, Education, and Clinical Nutrition)
In addition to the core coursework, the Doctor of Health Science Degree has three different 12-credit concentrations that students can choose from—Clinician, Education, and Clinical Nutrition. Students should choose the degree specialization that best aligns with their career goals.
The clinician track (12 credits) includes:
- HSCI 840 – Advanced Disease Processes and Treatment
- HSCI 845 – Lifestyle and Health Issues
- HSCI 850 – Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
- HSCI 855 – Integrative and Complementary Medicine
The education track (12 credits) consists of the following:
- HSCI 848 – Teaching in the Health Professions
- HSCI 849 – Educational Assessment
- HSCI 858 – Curriculum and Syllabus Development in Higher Education
- HSCI 859 – Pedagogy and Teaching Strategies for College Instructors
Lastly, the clinical nutrition track (12 credits) involves:
- HSCI 851 – Advanced Clinical Nutrition I
- HSCI 852 – Advanced Clinical Nutrition II
- HSCI 853 – Advanced Clinical Nutrition III
- HSCI 854 – Advanced Clinical Nutrition IV
3. Electives
In addition to the core coursework and one of the specialized tracks, students can select 18 credits of electives in the Doctor of Health Science online degree program.
The electives are:
- HSCI 860 – Evidence-Based Practice
- HSCI 865 – Principles of Health Policy and Management
- HSCI 870 – Principles of Environmental Toxicology
- HSCI 875 – Infectious Diseases
- HSCI 888 – Medical Toxicology
- HSCI 889 – Comparative Healthcare Systems
4. Dissertation and Seminar
The fourth requirement for the University of Bridgeport’s Doctor of Health Science online degree is a dissertation and seminar comprising 13 credits.
UB’s required courses include:
- HSCI 890 – Dissertation Seminar
- HSCI 891 – Dissertation I
- HSCI 892 – Dissertation II
- HSCI 895 – Virtual Seminar (described below)
5. Four-Week Virtual Seminar
The DHSc degree culminates in a four-week seminar course, offered entirely online. This virtual residency involves intensive study where students listen to lectures from established leaders in the healthcare industry and attend online workshops led by experienced clinicians.
An important component of the virtual residency is the final dissertation. Students present their dissertations and submit a report of their experiences at the seminar, as a culmination of their time in the online Doctor of Health Sciences degree program. As students listen to others’ presentations, they gain an even wider breadth of knowledge in the health sciences field.
To graduate, candidates must complete and receive a grade of “C+” or better in all program coursework, obtain approval for a dissertation from the dissertation committee, and attend the four-week virtual seminar.
Upon completion of this course and graduation of the program, DHSc graduates will:
- Become leaders with the skills and knowledge to initiate changes in healthcare environments.
- Have the ability to analyze and influence public policy related to health care services.
- Possess the skills needed to utilize evidence to support best practice clinical decisions effectively.
- Be able to manage a health care practice/facility.
- Have the ability to use research to solve problems and make ethical decisions in healthcare settings.
- Effectively serve as consultants to patients, clients, community organizations, and professional colleagues.
Learn more about UB’s admission requirements here.
Health science careers comprise a substantial sector of the U.S. economy, and the U.S. Department of Labor predicts growth to be “faster than average.” Hence, the University of Bridgeport’s Doctor of Health Sciences online degree is an excellent program to consider if you want to enhance your career in this high-demand industry.
Our graduates go on to successful and fulfilling careers in healthcare administration, advanced clinical practice, teaching in higher education, and research. Apply today and be on your way to earning your DHSc online degree in as little as 40 months!