Doctor of Health Sciences (Ph.D.) Online Degree
Online Degree ProgramThe purpose of our online Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences degree program is to help professionals from health and health sciences related fields prepare to pursue roles of leaders, educators, executives, researchers, consultants, and scholars. Work to help to improve society as a competent and caring professional by earning your Ph.D. HS online in our doctoral degree program.
Our Ph.D. in Health Sciences online degree program focuses on learning, developing, and applying innovative research methods to help improve your understanding of and ability to influence the field of health sciences.The Ph.D. represents the highest level of achievement in any academic discipline. We are proud to offer a rigorous research-based degree program resulting in a Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences. We offer concentrations in global health and health policy and administration.
Our online doctoral degree program is designed to help you:
- Articulate, in a comprehensive manner, research theories and their applications to specific areas of health sciences.
- Create scholarly work based on rigorous research and present it verbally to general and specialized audiences.
- Develop evidence-based assertions through application of appropriate research methods and statistical tools.
- Formulate research questions based on gaps identified through critical evaluation of information sources.
- Utilize critical thinking to construct and execute a scientific research study and defend it through the prospectus, proposal, and dissertation process.
- Investigate core issues in health sciences from diverse viewpoints, through a variety of methods of inquiry.
- Identify ethical challenges within the context of the health sciences and design strategies for functioning with integrity.
The Trident Difference
EdActive™ Learning Approach
Students are presented with a question or issue. They do their own research, apply their own experience and present their solution. Feedback and suggestions are received and the student applies the learning to their next task.
Flexibility
With flexible, 100% online classes you can manage your own time to deliver on deadline, with milestones to keep you on track. Faculty is responsive to student needs without daily micro-management.
Transfer Credit
Total required credits may be reduced based on potential transfer credits from other accredited institutions*; we may also consider awarding potential credits for prior learning.
Accreditation
Trident University International is a member of the American InterContinental University System. The System is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.
Meet your Doctoral Faculty
Doctoral Faculty teach content courses in the online degree program and serve as committee members for doctoral research projects to support and guide students
Stephanie Yackel
Dean
College of Health and Human Services
Dr. Gayl M. Anglin
Department Chair
College of Health and Human Services
Shannon Cox-Kelley
Full-Time Faculty
College of Health and Human Services
A dissertation committee and dissertation chairperson will be established for you. Each committee will consist of three faculty members with one serving as chair of the committee. One member of the committee or the chairperson must be external to Trident and at least one of the members are considered as a subject matter expert in the area of your dissertation research. The chairperson and the committee will be responsible for guiding you during the dissertation process.
You will show a synthesis of your doctoral study, knowledge, and scholarship with a significant independent research project that contributes to general principles of knowledge in the field(s) potentially affected by the research. Following the completion of the course work including the Dissertation Prospectus, you will work on the dissertation and register in subsequent sessions in the dissertation series.
View all facultyPh.D. Health Sciences Online Degree Program Milestones
There are several milestones in the development of your doctoral study. Here is a brief overview of milestones.
- 1Complete Core, Research, and Concentration Coursework
- 2Develop Prospectus
- 3Draft a Doctoral Dissertation Proposal
- 4Obtain IRB Approval
- 5Defend the Doctoral Dissertation Project
A dissertation committee and dissertation chairperson will be established for you. Each committee will consist of three faculty members with one serving as chair of the committee. The chairperson and the committee will be responsible for guiding you during the dissertation process.
Online Degree Program Overview
The College of Health and Human Services offers the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Health Sciences degree program with two concentrations to choose from. Our Ph.D. HS students conduct studies in various fields including public health, global health, health disparities, epidemiology, health education, nursing research, health research, allied health research, health policy, health administration, environmental health, physical therapy, occupational health, molecular biology, and many others.
Key aspects and offerings of the program include:
- Core courses covering research methods and theory within the field of health science, and concentration courses to immerse the student in current topical research
- A comprehensive exam which allows the student to measure progress and demonstrate their ability and preparedness to complete their dissertation research
- A dissertation committee selected by the student based upon research interests, consisting of a minimum of three Trident faculty members to provide guidance through the entire dissertation process
- Resources including ePortfolio and 800 Dissertation Tasks Course—a single place to record and save everything related to dissertation development
- Valuable webinars for any-time access to numerous recordings covering a wide range of research related topics
- Trident’s Student Gateway, with links to helpful resources for the doctoral candidate
See the Trident University Catalog for full descriptions of all program course offerings.
You are required to take at least five research methods courses and two required theory courses in the field of health sciences. These courses will provide the foundation for your pursuit in specialized concentrations. All courses are four semester unit courses.
Trident accepts eligible doctoral level credits from regionally accredited doctoral granting institutions provided the transferred course meets the same content standards as the Trident course.*
Note: Students are required to purchase IBM SPSS Statistical Software for the quantitative research courses and dissertation research.
*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible for transfer. See the Trident University Catalog for transfer credit policies.
You may choose one of the concentrations offered in the Ph.D. Health Sciences degree program. Twelve elective credit units are needed to fulfill the concentration requirements:
- Global Health -
This concentration focuses on global health and will explore how globalization impacts determinants of health and disease. Courses include Current Issues in Global Health Research, Global Epidemiology, and Health Equity. - Health Policy and Administration -
This concentration helps leaders in health policy and administration prepare through evaluation, development, analysis, and implementation of health and health policies. Courses include Health Care Law, Regulation and Ethics, Current Issues in Health Administration and Strategic Planning for Health Care Organizations.
Graduation Requirements
You will be required to complete 11 core courses (44 credits) and 3 elective courses within the chosen concentration (12 credits) for a total of 56 credits. Also, you must successfully complete both the oral and written comprehensive exam and complete the dissertation seminar/prospectus. Lastly, you will need to successfully complete a dissertation prospectus as part of the qualifying exam process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trident's online Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Health Sciences degree program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills for conducting research, education, and management career paths in government. We emphasize research-based critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills, legal and ethical issues in the health field from Health Care Administration to Global Health.
Students in this program will design and evaluate research; translate findings to promote evidence-based approaches to health; propose policies that have the potential to impact health at local, national, or global levels; and synthesize data to create context-specific ethical and culturally competent interventions based upon situational analysis and health outcomes goals.
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Health Sciences degree offers a No Concentration option or the following concentrations: Global Health, and Health Policy & Administration.
The Ph.D. in Health Sciences degree program with no concentration requires 44 credits. With a concentration, 12 semester hours of specialized coursework are required in addition to the program core courses, bringing the degree unit total to 56 semester hours.
Trident accepts eligible doctoral level credits from regionally accredited doctoral granting institutions provided the transferred course meets the same content standards as the Trident course.*
Note: Students are required to purchase statistical software for research courses and dissertation research.
*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible for transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.
You can begin your education at Trident now. Classes at Trident begin monthly. Completion of the applications and admissions processes will depend on how quickly you begin.
Speak to an Admissions Advisor over the phone (1-800-579-3197) or request information online.
Once you have completed the online request, you may hear from an advisor within 24 hours to discuss the next steps toward starting your degree program.
Trident offers flexible courses in a curriculum tailored to skills and training utilized in the field of education today. In addition, it was developed for working adults. Trident goes the extra mile to evaluate military training and traditional academic credit to maximize potential credit transfer. We also offer several non-traditional ways to earn academic credits that can accelerate your ability to meet graduation requirements. Degree candidates can pursue an education degree online, allowing the flexibility to study on their own schedules.
Ways to Save
Scholarships & Grants
Trident offers an assortment of scholarships and grants to help make college more affordable for our students.*
*University grants or scholarships are based on established criteria as published in the University’s Catalog or on its website and are awarded after verification that the conditions of eligibility have been met.
Credits for Prior Learning
Trident may award doctoral credit for professional experience in the discipline. Students may submit an experiential portfolio for assessment to the appropriate Doctoral Studies Director. The request can be submitted during the admissions process using the Doctoral PLA Request Form. For questions or assistance contact an Admissions Advisor at doctoraladmissions@trident.edu.**
**Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.
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