Health Sciences (Ph.D.)

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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 and healthcare issues, discipline related and research (including dissertation). There are limited expectations for face-to-face contact through resident experiences at an initial orientation and a one-week dissertation boot camp. Learn more at usd.edu/onlinephd-hs .

DELIVERY: Online

Doctor of Philosophy, Health Sciences

Major Area Coursework - 75 Credit Hours

Teaching (9-15 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 0-6 credit hours from the following courses:
AHED 752 - Organization and Administration in Higher Education 3 cr
AHED 775 - Trends and Issues in Training and Development 3 cr
AHED 882 - Seminar in College Teaching 3 cr
Advisor Approved Elective

Leadership & Issues in Health & Human Services (9-15 credit hours):

HSC 700 - Globalization and Health 3 cr
MAIS 710 - Ethical Leadership 3 cr
HSC 760 - Leadership in Health Care 3 cr
Select 0-6 credit hours from the following courses:
ACP 754 - Public Policy & Addiction 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 812 - Leadership Development in Healthcare Policy and Advocacy 3 cr
NURS 861 - Leadership Development in Quality Improvement in Nursing for Health Systems 3 cr
NURS 863 - Leadership Development in Healthcare Business 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):

May choose 15 credits from prior master’s or professional doctorate coursework - Subject to Advisor Approval

Research (15-27 credit hours minimum):

EDER 761 - Graduate Research & Design (C) 3 cr
HSC 703 - Grant Writing and Grantmanship 3 cr
OR CPHD 703 - Grant Writing and Grantmanship 3 cr
HSC 890 - Seminar (C) 1-3 cr (taken 3 times at 1 cr hr each) 3 credit hours required
HSC 890 Seminar (taken 1 time at 3 cr hr) 3 credit hours
PUBH 701 - Biostatistics for Public Health 3 cr
Select 0-12 credit hours from the following:
HSC 763 - Qualitative Research Methods in the Health Sciences 3 cr
PUBH 710 - Epidemiology 3 cr
PUBH 711 - Topics in Applied Biostatistics 3 cr
Advisor Approved Elective

Dissertation (15 credit hours):

HSC 898 - Dissertation (C) 1-9 cr (15 credit hours required)

Note:

60% of coursework must be completed at USD. Up to 30 credits from an institutionally-accredited institution (including USD) may be transferred in from the master’s or professional doctorate, subject to approval by the Program director and the Graduate School.

General Application Requirements

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

*Requirements for admission vary by program and may require different documentation and have different deadlines. This list is not all-inclusive, to view specific program requirements and submission deadlines, follow the “Admissions Information” hyperlink at the top of this page OR visit the specific program/dept. page found here: link.usd.edu/grad-catalog

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
605-658-6140 | gradadmissions@usd.edu | usd.edu/grad