Online Doctor Of Health Sciences

Our DHSc program offers an original approach to doctoral education that meets the needs of learners throughout their careers. Health professionals earning a doctorate from our School of Health Sciences acquire the higher level of skills and training needed to be true leaders and to even change the course of healthcare in a variety of settings.

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Now Enrolling for Fall 2025

Reach the Pinnacle of a Career in the Health Sciences

The University of New Haven’s Online Doctor of Health Sciences (DHSc) program takes you to the top of your field — to a career in administration, teaching, or applied research or practice – where advanced capabilities in conceptual thinking, original research, data analysis, and writing are essential in order to advance to high-level executive positions or academic appointments. With our Doctor of Health Sciences degree in hand, you will have achieved the highest formal degree in the field and can increase your earning potential, job prospects, and respect from your peers.

The healthcare sector continues to show high demand for employees who have advanced skill sets and can provide effective leadership in both practice and higher education settings. In fact, there is currently a national shortage of doctoral-trained health science faculty with the qualifications to teach at the master’s or doctoral level. You can help fill that gap by earning your Doctorate in Health Sciences.

Our program is one of only 12 similar programs in the entire nation and one of only three in New England that offers a Doctor in Health Sciences degree. Within that group, no other program places as strong a focus on health leadership in the domains of education and administration as ours does.

A Novel Approach to the Doctorate

This degree doesn’t just give you more knowledge. It prepares you to be a leader and a change agent in the numerous settings where healthcare is taught, practiced, or delivered. It starts with an innovative curriculum in a flexible, online format. Students can choose to study full-time or part-time.

In addition to the core courses, our program offers a choice of two concentrations,  Educational Leadership or Healthcare Leadership which will prepare students to be leaders in their field and will align with their career aspirations.  Supporting students during their doctoral program is our top priority!  This is accomplished by offering two short in person residencies during the program where students will meet their peers and faculty, as well as fully supporting students throughout the duration of their doctoral thesis project.

Students work with their thesis instructor and selected committee members as they develop and complete their thesis projects. This individual guidance will ensure the student has ample support as they complete their doctoral thesis. Thesis topics can include formal research, a high-impact project, or another project of interest.

All students are assigned a thesis advisor to oversee their project and mentor them throughout the experience.

A Program That Transforms You

You will emerge from the program prepared to direct the course of events in healthcare rather than to simply keep up with them. Through the program, you will acquire the advanced leadership skills that will set you apart as a go-to expert who doesn’t simply react to challenges in 21st century healthcare education and delivery but innovates solutions to them. You will become that expert by building competencies in:

  • health sciences systems thinking,
  • evidence-based practice,
  • professional ethics,
  • pedagogy,
  • research methods, and
  • professional writing

This suite of high-level skills is the toolkit you will use to evaluate, plan, and implement solutions in either higher education or in practice settings such as hospitals, physician groups, managed care plans, long-term care, and nursing homes.

The Natural Pathway to the Degree

Students who join our program come from a variety of academic backgrounds in the health sciences (including the MPH and MHA degree programs) and have a variety of diverse practical experiences. Those who have previously earned a master’s degree in any discipline can complete the program in 45 credit hours.

Students who are currently completing their master’s degree can apply to be conditionally accepted to support seamless progression in achieving their educational goals.

Students can complete the program on a full-time or part-time basis, depending on their needs and interests.

DHSc Student Thesis Projects
  • The Social Media Impact on COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in Pregnant People
  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Evaluating the Diagnostic Process for Children and Adolescents in the Connecticut School System
  • Factors Associated with Referral to Genetic Testing Among Patients at High Risk of Cancer
  • A Healthcare Business Micro-credential Curriculum for Residents and Fellows
  • Achieving Health Equity in Connecticut: an Examination of the Role of Local Health Departments
  • Public Health Emergency Management Curriculum for Interprofessional Learners
  • An Exploratory Study on the Experiences of Burnout and Compassion Fatigue on Athletic Trainer Who Managed Catastrophic Injury
  • Nursing Leadership Preparation: Exploring Value and Effects
  • A Comparative Effectiveness Study of Bipolar and Linked Quadripolar Techniques for Eliciting Transcranial Motor Evoked Potentials During Surgery
  • Disclosure of Concussion Symptoms: Perspectives of NCAA Division II Student-Athletes
  • Relationship between Trait Emotional Intelligence and Burnout among Nurses in Intensive Care Units
  • Addressing Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Stigma and Discrimination in Higher Education
  • Perceived Influence of Cancer Center Leadership Diversity on Care Experiences and Clinical
  • Health-Related Social Needs and Demographic Correlates Among Veterans Screened for Social Determinants of Health
  • Exploring Barriers to Recruitment and Retention in Cancer Clinical Trials among Underrepresented Populations: Perspectives of Clinical Trial Research Coordinating Staff
  • Exploring Tensions in Innovation Processes (TIPs) for Telehealth Implementation in Health Systems
  • Investigating the relationship between economics and policy factors and nurse retention: A qualitative exploration
Who Can Enter the Program

Students who join our program have a variety of academic backgrounds and diverse practical experiences. They include:

  • Those who have previously earned a master’s degree in any discipline can complete the DHSc program with 45 credit hours.
  • Exceptional students who are currently pursuing a Master’s degree can apply to the DHSc program and be conditionally accepted to allow for seamless educational progression.
  • Transfer students can enter the program. Transfer credits from other institutions may also be accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Ph.D. and a DHSc?

Both the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Doctor of Health Sciences (DHSc) are doctoral degrees, the terminal degree in the field of health sciences. The goal of a Ph.D. program is to train students for careers in research and so Ph.D. curriculum is generally very methods and analysis oriented. The DHSc is an advanced professional degree which aims for students to develop advanced leadership and management skills. Graduates from both Ph.D. and DHSc programs can go on to careers in the public and private sectors, academia, and clinical settings. The DHSc degree also leads to a career in high-level administration, teaching, and applied research or practice, where advanced analytical and conceptual capabilities are essential to advance careers to top executive and academic appointments.

What are the goals of the DHSc program?
  1. Apply advanced knowledge in health sciences systems thinking, scholarship, pedagogy, and evidence-based practice.
  2. Develop an evidence based, innovative solution for a contemporary issue in healthcare.
  3. Demonstrate advanced communication skills by disseminating research findings to targeted audiences.
  4. Explain how Interprofessional Education (IPE) and Interprofessional Collaboration (IPC) relate to each other and why IPC is important in healthcare practice.
How many credits is the DHSc program?

The DHSc program is 45 credits.

Do I need a graduate degree to apply?

Yes.

How long does it take to complete the program?

Between 2-3 calendar years depending on full time or part time progression.

Is the program online or in-person?

The DHSc program is designed to be a flexible online asynchronous program for adult learners. However, there are two required in-person meetings, called ‘residencies’ where students interact with peers and instructors. Students earn course credit while at the residencies. The first residency is in late August at the beginning of the program for 2 days (weekend) and the second is in May between the first and second year for 3 days (weekdays). All week-to-week coursework will be asynchronous and online.

What are the two DHSc Concentrations?

The DHSc coursework prepares students to critically analyze ongoing challenges in the health sciences, with a focus on one of two select concentrations: educational leadership (EL) and healthcare leadership (HL). Those in the EL concentration are generally interested in pursuing or continuing their careers in higher education. EL concentration courses include Theories and Principles of Teaching and Learning in the Health Sciences, Curriculum Design and Development in the Health Sciences, Curriculum Assessment and Evaluation in the Health Sciences, and Evidence-Based Leadership in Health Sciences Education. Those in the HL concentration are generally interested in pursuing or continuing their careers in health administration or public health practice. HL concentration courses include Change Management in Healthcare Organizations, Quality Improvement in Healthcare Organizations, Population Health Management for Healthcare Leaders, and Health Informatics for Healthcare Leaders.

What classes are offered in this program?

For a list and description of DHSc courses, please visit here.

How does the doctoral thesis work?

DHSc students are expected to complete a culminating project which integrates knowledge and experience. The project can be clinical in nature (i.e., quality improvement), practical (i.e., course development), or research (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods). Students receive support in the form of 18 credits taken over three semesters as well as a doctoral thesis chair and committee members.

What type of writing sample are you looking for?

If you’ve completed an academic program within the last five years, you can submit a writing assignment from a course. Please make sure it’s an assignment that you are proud of and reflects your writing ability. Please also make sure it’s not a group project and only written by you. If you’ve been out of school for more than five years or prefer submitting a professional writing sample, please submit a written document from your job such as a memo, white paper, brief report, etc. There is no page length expectation or requirement for the writing sample.

What should I write about in my personal statement?

The DHSc Admissions Committee is looking for a 2-3 page, double-spaced statement that describes why you are interested in pursuing a doctoral degree, what attracts you to our DHSc program, and what you hope to do with the DHSc once you graduate. Please do not summarize information that is found in your resume/CV.

Can international students apply to the program?

Unfortunately, because of the online nature of the DHSc program, we are unable to legally enroll international students on the F-1 visa to this program. The use of B-2, ESTA, VWP, or other temporary visitors' visas for the required in-person residencies is not possible because these visas do not permit study toward degree attainment.

Who do I contact for more information?

For program-related questions, please contact Dr. Jill Moore at JCMoore@rf518.com. For questions related to the application process or information sessions, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at graduate@rf518.com.

Distinguished, Expert Faculty

Our faculty are leaders and innovators in their fields, bringing both deep professional experience and academic rigor to the classroom.

Meet the DHSc Faculty
Spotlights

DHSc '24 Graduate Breaks Ground with Cancer Trial Diversity Research Published in Journal of Healthcare Leadership

Applications
Application Submission
  • Applications are accepted throughout the calendar year, apply early to save your spot! The DHSc Admissions Committee will review completed applications monthly.
Candidate Meetings
  • Upon admission, candidates will be invited to meet with the program director to discuss their application, academic goals, and program course schedule.
Admissions Notification
  • Applicants will be notified within one month following their interview.
Priority Deposit Deadline
  • April 15 (note: the priority deposit deadline is the same regardless of when you apply or receive an admissions decision). Candidates accepted past April 15 have four weeks to submit their deposit. Failure to submit your deposit by the deadline may open your seat in the program to other applicants. We have a limited number of seats available each fall.
Program Start
  • Late August.
Selected Courses

  • Contact the DHSc Program Director to create your unique academic schedule.

    Jill Moore, EdD, MHA, BSDH, RDH
    Lecturer
    Director, Doctor of Health Sciences Program
    (203) 479-4725
    JCMoore@rf518.com

      • HLTH 7701 Academia for Health Professionals serves as the first course in the program. The course includes a 2-day on-campus residency where students will earn course credit while interacting with their peers and interact with DHSc faculty to support student success within their DHSc program.
        HLTH 7707 Foundations of Scholarly Inquiry and Processional Writing in Health Sciences includes a 3-day on-campus residency where students will engage with each other and their scientific writing instructor as they begin to plan their Doctoral Thesis Projects.

  • See a full list of courses in the course catalog.

    Doctor of Health Sciences (DHSc)

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