Program: Health Sciences (Ph.D.) - University of South Dakota

Apr 14, 2025

2021-2022 Graduate Catalog

Program Overview

This online program is designed for the practicing health care professional who wants to assume leadership roles in academia, research and/or health and human services practice settings. The core curriculum is comprised of four content themes: teaching, leadership, advanced practice and scholarship. There are limited expectations for face-to-face contact through resident experiences at an initial orientation, a one-week dissertation boot camp and the defense of your dissertation. Learn more at usd.edu/onlinephd-hs .

DELIVERY: Online

Master of Science, Health Sciences

*Note: The M.S. in Health Sciences is not offered as a terminal degree. Students who are [accepted to and] enrolled in the Ph.D. in Health Sciences program but are unable to complete the dissertation for personal or academic reasons, may earn the M.S. in Health Sciences.

Major Area Coursework - 30 Credit Hours

Discipline-Related coursework (9 credit hours):

*Subject to Advisor and Graduate Committee Approval

Doctor of Philosophy, Health Sciences

Major Area Coursework - 75 Credit Hours

Teaching (12-15 credit hours):

AHED 701 - Adult Learning Theories 3 cr
AHED 751 - College Curriculum 3 cr
HSC 795 - Practicum (C) 3 cr (Teaching Practicum in Health Sciences)
Select 3-6 credit hours from the following courses:
AHED 710 - Social Justice and Cultural Issues in Adult Education 3 cr
AHED 735 - Instructional Strategies for Adult Education 3 cr
AHED 752 - Organization and Administration in Higher Education 3 cr
AHED 753 - Financing Higher Education 3 cr
AHED 765 - Distance Learning 3 cr
AHED 792 - Topics in Adult & Higher Education (C) 3 cr (Topic: Adult Development & Aging)
AHED 882 - Seminar in College Teaching 3 cr
EPSY 735 - Child/Adolescent Learning and Development 3 cr
EPSY 741 - Cognitive Approaches to Educational Psychology 3 cr
OCTH 770 - The Healthcare Professional as Academic and Clinical Educator 2-3 cr (minimum 3 credit hours required)
Advisor Approved Elective

Leadership & Issues in Health & Human Services (12-15 credit hours):

HSC 700 - Globalization and Health 3 cr
Select 1 course from the following:
MAIS 710 - Ethical Leadership 3 cr
OCTH 760 - Leadership in Health Care 3 cr
Select 6-9 credit hours from the following courses:
ACP 754 - Public Policy & Addiction 3 cr
HSAD 515 - Strategic Management of Long Term Care 3 cr
HSAD 560 - Long-Term Care Administration 3 cr
HSAD 710 - Contemporary Issues in Health Services Administration 3 cr
HSAD 740 - International Health Systems 3 cr
HSAD 770 - Managing Health Services Resources 3 cr
NURS 740 - Population Health and Healthcare Technologies 3 cr
OCTH 733 - Promotion of Health and Prevention of Disability 3 cr
OCTH 759 - Trauma Informed Care: Pediatrics 3 cr
OCTH 792 - Topics (C) 1-3 cr
POLS 715 - Nonprofit Administration 3 cr
PUBH 740 - Introduction to Health Systems and Policy 3 cr
PUBH 750 - Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health 3 cr
PUBH 760 - Public Health and Native American Communities 3 cr
SOCW 600 - Social Policy Analysis 3 cr
SOCW 640 - Diversity and Social Justice in Rural and Urban Communities 3 cr
SOCW 700 - Advanced Social Policy 3 cr
SOCW 742 - Advanced Practice in Supervision 3 cr
Advisor Approved Elective

Discipline-Related coursework (15 credit hours):

Subject to Advisor and Graduate Committee Approval

Research (15-21 credit hours minimum):

HSC 703 - Grant Writing and Grantmanship 3 cr
OR CPHD 703 - Grant Writing and Grantmanship 3 cr
PUBH 701 - Biostatistics for Public Health 3 cr
Complete one of the following:
EDER 761 - Graduate Research & Design (C) 3 cr
NURS 773 - Clinical Scholarship and Analytical Methods 3 cr
Select 3-9 credit hours from the following:
HSC 763 - Qualitative Research Methods in the Health Sciences 3 cr
OCTH 783 - Applying Evidence Based Practice in Occupational Therapy 1 cr
PUBH 710 - Epidemiology 3 cr
Advisor Approved Elective

Dissertation (15 credit hours):

HSC 898 - Dissertation (C) 3-9 cr (15 credit hours required)

Note:

60% of coursework must be completed at USD. Up to 36 credits from USD or 30 credits from another regionally-accredited institution may be transferred in from the master’s or professional doctorate, subject to approval by the advisor and Graduate Committee.

Application Requirements

Completed application
$35 application fee
Official transcripts*
Letters of recommendation*
Admission test scores*
Statement of purpose
Resume/CV*

*Requirements for admission vary by program and may require different documentation and have different deadlines. For specific program requirements and submission deadline, visit: catalog.usd.edu.

State Authorization - It Matters Where You Live

If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference USD’s State Authorization webpage.

State Authorization

Questions?

School of Health Sciences
605-658-6500 | health@usd.edu | usd.edu/health

Graduate Admissions
605-658-6200 | gradadmissions@usd.edu | usd.edu/grad

Health Sciences (Ph.D.)