Doctor of Health Sciences Online
Doctor of Health Sciences (DHSc) Degree Requirements
Program Prerequisites
- Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, or a first professional doctorate from a regionally accredited institution and professionally accredited program of study.
- Healthcare experience, professional credentials, or licensure in a health-related field is preferred. Applicants without health care experience will be evaluated on their potential for success, such as significant leadership in education, health sciences, nutrition, and the clinical environment.
Required Materials
- Application
- Official transcripts for the last degree earned.
International transcripts must include an official course-by-course evaluation of all academic work from an accredited academic evaluating service - Two recommendation letters
- Personal statement
In 500 words or more, detail your reasons for wanting to undertake doctoral studies, your most significant personal and professional accomplishments, the extent to which your personal and professional responsibilities will allow you to devote the necessary time and effort to the program, and a description of your potential dissertation topic. - Résumé
- Optional: Writing sample
Publications authored by the applicant as first or second author in peer-reviewed publications - Optional: Interview
An interview may be required at the discretion of the Office of Admissions
International Applicants
Please consult the International admission requirements page, or for specific queries, contact your admissions officer.
Deadlines
Completed application and all supporting documents must be received by:
- July 15 for the fall semester
- December 1 for the spring semester
- April 15 for the summer semester
Online Doctor of Health Science Courses
The online Doctor of Health Sciences DHSc degree at University of Bridgeport is a 61-credit program including core courses, a specialized track, electives, and a graduate project or dissertation. There is also a one-week, on-campus residency at the end of the program. There are three 12-credit tracks to choose from Clinician, Education and Clinical Nutrition. In addition, students have the option to select 18-credits of electives.
Core Coursework (18 credits)
HSCI 710 Introduction to the U.S. Health Care System
HSCI 715 Research Methods for the Health Sciences
HSCI 725 Fundamentals of Clinical Trials
HSCI 730 Healthcare Informatics
HSCI 735 Data Analysis and Interpretation
Clinician Track (12 credits)
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
Education Track (12 credits)
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
Clinical Nutrition Track (12 credits):
HSCI 851 Advanced Clinical Nutrition I
HSCI 852 Advanced Clinical Nutrition II
HSCI 853 Advanced Clinical Nutrition III
HSCI 854 Advanced Clinical Nutrition IV
Electives (18 credits)
HSCI 860 Evidence Based Practice
HSCI 865 Principles of Health Policy and Management
HSCI 870 Principles of Environmental Toxicology
HSCI 889 Comparative Healthcare Systems
Dissertation and Seminar (13 credits)
Transfer Credit
For students with graduate coursework beyond the master’s degree from a regionally accredited university: no more than two (graduate) courses (6 credits) may be transferred into the program at the discretion of the Program Director.
Grading Policy
A grade of "C+" or better is required for credit toward graduation in all program coursework. Students must maintain a semester GPA of 3.0 or better throughout their studies. Those students that earn a GPA below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. A GPA of 3.0 or better is required to graduate from the program.
Requirements for Graduation
- Successfully complete all coursework
- Approval of dissertation by the Dissertation Committee
- Attendance at one week on-campus seminar
Doctor of Health Science Career Opportunities
Health Science careers make up a very large sector of the US economy. For most positions in this area, the US Department of Labor predicts growth to be “faster than average” or “much faster than average.” The University's Health Sciences program broadly addresses this area of growth.
Graduates of the program will be well-prepared to take advantage of this high demand industry, fulfilling needs in the following areas:
- Health Care Administration
- Advanced Clinical Practice
- Teaching in Higher Education
- Research
