Doctor of Health Science
Encyclopedia
The Doctor of Health Science (D.H.Sc.) is a post-professional academic degree for those who intend to pursue or advance a professional practice career in Health Arts and Sciences, and Health Care Delivery Systems, to include clinical practice, education, administration, and research. Individuals who complete the D.H.Sc. face the particular challenge of understanding and adapting scientific knowledge in order to achieve health gain and results. This degree leads to a career in high-level administration, teaching, or practice, where advanced analytical and conceptual capabilities are required. The Doctor of Health Science is a degree that prepares scholarly professionals in healthcare.
In Europe and Australia, the degree is awarded after completion of two to three years of coursework and research beyond the Master's degree
. The degree found its place in the United States in the early 2000’s when Nova Southeastern University
, the largest independent institution of higher education in the southeastern United States and seventh-largest not-for-profit independent university nationwide, began to offer the D.H.Sc. degree to clinician and non-clinician health professionals. Like its European counter-parts, an individual typically has to complete three to four years of study beyond the Master's degree. In order to be accepted into the program a person must possess a Master's degree in a health related discipline from an accredited university in the US. To bolster academic rigor, many prospective students have been required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) prior to admission. In addition to completing two to four years of intensive course work, candidates must complete one to three on-campus institutes, internships, and an applied research project
or practicum
. In 2008, the Arizona School of Health Sciences of A.T. Still University, the first Osteopathic medical school in the nation began to offer the D.H.Sc. degree.
The D.H.Sc. has been compared in course content to the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and Doctor of Philosophy
in Health Science (PhD) degrees, but distinguishes itself from these degrees in focus and dissertation requirements. Furthermore, Master's credentialed paramedical professionals (i.e., Respiratory Therapist, Radiology technologist, Athletic trainer
, Physical therapy
, Occupational Therapy
), advanced practice clinicians/diagnosticians with Master's degrees (Physician Assistant
/Physician Associate (PA), Nurse Practitioner
(NP), Nurse anesthetist
, Anesthesiologist Assistant, Nurse Midwife
, Dental hygienist
), as well as mid- and executive-level healthcare administrators and educators are drawn to the D.H.Sc. credential in effort to advance their careers toward top executive echelons and academic appointments.
In Europe and Australia, the degree is awarded after completion of two to three years of coursework and research beyond the Master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
. The degree found its place in the United States in the early 2000’s when Nova Southeastern University
Nova Southeastern University
Nova Southeastern University, commonly referred to as NSU or Nova, is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian, research university located in Broward County, Florida, with its main campus in the town of Davie...
, the largest independent institution of higher education in the southeastern United States and seventh-largest not-for-profit independent university nationwide, began to offer the D.H.Sc. degree to clinician and non-clinician health professionals. Like its European counter-parts, an individual typically has to complete three to four years of study beyond the Master's degree. In order to be accepted into the program a person must possess a Master's degree in a health related discipline from an accredited university in the US. To bolster academic rigor, many prospective students have been required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) prior to admission. In addition to completing two to four years of intensive course work, candidates must complete one to three on-campus institutes, internships, and an applied research project
Applied research
Applied research is a form of systematic inquiry involving the practical application of science. It accesses and uses some part of the research communities' accumulated theories, knowledge, methods, and techniques, for a specific, often state, business, or client driven purpose...
or practicum
Practicum
A practicum is a college course, often in a specialized field of study, that is designed to give students supervised practical application of a previously or concurrently studied theory. Practicums are common for education and social work majors...
. In 2008, the Arizona School of Health Sciences of A.T. Still University, the first Osteopathic medical school in the nation began to offer the D.H.Sc. degree.
The D.H.Sc. has been compared in course content to the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
in Health Science (PhD) degrees, but distinguishes itself from these degrees in focus and dissertation requirements. Furthermore, Master's credentialed paramedical professionals (i.e., Respiratory Therapist, Radiology technologist, Athletic trainer
Athletic trainer
An athletic trainer is a certified, health care professional who practices in the field of sports medicine. Athletic training has been recognized by the American Medical Association as an allied health care profession since 1990....
, Physical therapy
Physical therapy
Physical therapy , often abbreviated PT, is a health care profession. Physical therapy is concerned with identifying and maximizing quality of life and movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, diagnosis, treatment/intervention,and rehabilitation...
, Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy
Occupational therapy is a discipline that aims to promote health by enabling people to perform meaningful and purposeful activities. Occupational therapists work with individuals who suffer from a mentally, physically, developmentally, and/or emotionally disabling condition by utilizing treatments...
), advanced practice clinicians/diagnosticians with Master's degrees (Physician Assistant
Physician assistant
A physician assistant/associate ' is a healthcare professional trained and licensed to practice medicine with limited supervision by a physician.-General description:...
/Physician Associate (PA), Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioner
A Nurse Practitioner is an Advanced practice registered nurse who has completed graduate-level education . Additional APRN roles include the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist s, CNMs, and CNSs...
(NP), Nurse anesthetist
Nurse anesthetist
A nurse anesthetist is a nurse who specializes in the administration of anesthesia.In the United States, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist is an advanced practice registered nurse who has acquired graduate-level education and board certification in anesthesia...
, Anesthesiologist Assistant, Nurse Midwife
Nurse midwife
In the United States, a Certified Nurse-Midwife is an Advanced Practice Nurse who has specialized education and training in both Nursing and Midwifery. CNM's function as primary healthcare providers for women and most often provide medical care for relatively healthy women, whose birth is...
, Dental hygienist
Dental hygienist
thumb|right|300px|Dental hygienist holding a scalerA dental hygienist is a licensed dental professional who specializes in preventive oral health, typically focusing on techniques in oral hygiene. Local dental regulations determine the scope of practice of dental hygienists...
), as well as mid- and executive-level healthcare administrators and educators are drawn to the D.H.Sc. credential in effort to advance their careers toward top executive echelons and academic appointments.
See also
- Health Science
- Doctor of Public Health
- Doctor of Public AdministrationDoctor of Public AdministrationThe Doctor of Public Administration is a terminal applied-research doctoral degree in the field of public administration , which is a sub-discipline of political science. The D.P.A. requires significant coursework beyond the masters level and a dissertation that contributes to theory or practice...
- Doctor of Health AdministrationDoctor of Health AdministrationThe Doctor of Health Administration or D.H.A. degree was started in the U.S. in the late 1990s at the Medical University of South Carolina as an advanced professional doctorate in health leadership. The founding director and chief architect for the degree was Dr. James A. Johnson. Prior to this the...
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
North America
- Nova Southeastern UniversityNova Southeastern UniversityNova Southeastern University, commonly referred to as NSU or Nova, is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian, research university located in Broward County, Florida, with its main campus in the town of Davie...
- A.T. Still UniversityA.T. Still UniversityA.T. Still University is the world's first osteopathic medical school. Founded in 1892 by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still , the school is based in Kirksville, Missouri, and has other campuses in Arizona...
- Midwestern UniversityMidwestern UniversityMidwestern University is a graduate degree-granting institution specializing in the health sciences with eight colleges and two campuses....
- University of St. Augustine
Europe
- University of NottinghamUniversity of NottinghamThe University of Nottingham is a public research university based in Nottingham, United Kingdom, with further campuses in Ningbo, China and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia...
- De Montfort UniversityDe Montfort UniversityDe Montfort University is a public research and teaching university situated in the medieval Old Town of Leicester, England, adjacent to the River Soar and the Leicester Castle Gardens...
- Staffordshire UniversityStaffordshire UniversityStaffordshire University is a university with its main campus based in the city of Stoke-on-Trent, and with other campuses in Stafford, Lichfield and Shrewsbury.- History :...
- University of PortsmouthUniversity of PortsmouthThe University of Portsmouth is a university in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. The University was ranked 60th out of 122 in The Sunday Times University Guide...
Employment and salary information
- Salary and Employment Info for a Doctor of Health Science Degree from Education-Portal.com