Why Earn a Doctor of Healthcare Science?
The Doctor of Healthcare Science (DHSc) degree was developed specifically for the allied health professional (certified/licensed), advanced practice clinician, health profession educator, healthcare administrator/manager, or public health professional who has the desire to continue their education as a means of advancing their career within diverse healthcare settings.
Applicants must be currently working in a healthcare role that includes direct patient/client care, healthcare profession student teaching, or public health community service interaction, or submit documentation that you have an agreement or partnership with an organization in one of these areas in order to complete the doctoral research project.
In the four-semester Doctor of Healthcare Science program, students complete an original doctoral research project that culminates in a manuscript suitable for publication, and graduates are prepared to present research findings in a peer-reviewed environment. Throughout the program, students will reflect on the role of healthcare leaders as change agents for social justice. Program goals and objectives are designed to support meaningful systemic change in diverse healthcare settings as well as the four competency areas for interprofessional collaborative practice as defined by the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC).
What Can You Do with a Doctor of Healthcare Science Degree?
Pacific graduates with a doctor of healthcare science degree are well prepared to be leaders within diverse healthcare settings who are committed to academic excellence and evidence-based practice and knowledge.
Graduates with a DHSc degree from Pacific University have the skills to:
- Understand how theory informs the practice of leadership, and can apply ethical awareness in decision-making and problem solving.
- Integrate critical thinking techniques, along with advancing knowledge and skills, to evaluate problems effectively and design improvement plans for professional settings.
- Apply learned leadership competencies to their roles as strategic change agents, scholars, collaborators, educators, and advisors.
Online DHSc Program
The 36-credit curriculum for the online Doctor of Healthcare Science degree is presented primarily asynchronously with limited synchronous instruction on the Moodle™ learning management system. Synchronous sessions will facilitate collaborative learning and discussion of content. Students will participate in nine credits each semester.
Designed for Working Professionals
The Doctor of Healthcare Science program at Pacific is designed for working professionals. With a flexible asynchronous online format, most DHSc students report that they spend approximately 6-12 hours per week, per class. In each semester there are two 7-week courses (half-semester) and one 15-week course (full-semester). Students take one 7-week course at a time. Once the first 7-week course ends, the second 7-week course begins. This means at any one time, students are working on one semester-long course, and one 7-week course. This makes the courses manageable, especially for those whose work schedules vary.
Supporting Veterans
The Pacific Doctor of Healthcare Science program has been approved by the Veteran’s Administration, and Veterans can use their VA benefits to enroll in the program.
Pacific University is proud of its commitment to the Yellow Ribbon program, which covers tuition costs for veterans when G.I. Bill benefits are insufficient. Pacific provides full tuition and fees funding to all eligible veterans and eligible dependents who are admitted and enrolled at Pacific under the Department of Veterans Affairs program. The program applies to graduate as well as undergraduate programs.
U.S. News & World Report has recognized Pacific’s support for student veterans; Pacific was the only private university in Oregon on the publication’s list of best colleges for veterans. Pacific University was also named one of the West’s most supportive schools for military veterans by MilitarySupportiveColleges.com, a coalition of web publishers that provides guidance to veterans seeking college information.
Earn AAPA Credits
Four-semester DHSc students who successfully complete the program earn 36 AAPA Category 1 CME credits.
ADMISSIONS
Emily Josi | Assistant Director of Graduate and Professional Admissions and Marketing
503-352-7219 | emcdaniel@pacificu.edu
GENERAL INFORMATION
Amber Vanzant, MAT | Program Administrator
School of Healthcare Administration and Leadership
Phone 503-352-7369 | amber.vanzant@pacificu.edu
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Katie Bell, EdD, RDH | Director | School of Healthcare Administration and Leadership
Director and Professor | Doctor of Science Program
Phone 503-352-7359 | Fax 503-352-7290 | kathryn.bell@pacificu.edu
