Health Sciences

1. Tailored to the working professional, our doctoral program can be completed 100% online, with no residency requirement.
2. The capstone, an intense scholarly project similar to a “mini-dissertation” is required of all students. This project prepares the student for future high level evidence-based work at an academic institution or in the healthcare industry.
3. Online classes are engaging and use the latest technologies to allow the student to interact with the professor and classmates. These technologies give the student a feel for “being in the classroom” even though most courses are self-paced.
4. Though most students take a course load of 2 classes per semester (6 classes per year), a student may opt to slow down or speed up the program according to student needs.

As a doctoral candidate, you may select a focus area:

• Healthcare Administration
• Community and Public Health
• Education and Academia

You will evaluate, synthesize, and apply an integrative approach to solving healthcare problems from public policy to community health assessment, and pursue a scholarly research agenda in an emphasis area that is suitable for dissemination to a peer-reviewed venue.

The wide range of career opportunities in healthcare make this program attractive for anyone seeking to pursue a terminal degree in health sciences.

The deadline for applications is January 30th. The program is highly selective. New DHSc cohorts start in the Fall semester and are capped at 12 students per academic year.

Radford University requires a master’s degree awarded by a regionally accredited institution in the field of healthcare, public health, education, management or other health-related discipline; a strong grade point average; a personal statement detailing how this program will enhance your academic and/or professional career goals; a current resume/CV documenting professional experience and educational achievements; and two letters of reference (1 academic related and 1 professional). An online interview is also required for applicants to be considered for acceptance.

Four (4) years experience working and/or teaching as a(an):

• Professional clinician
• Public health practitioner
• Educator in a health-related field or healthcare administration
• Healthcare manager/administrator

and a master's level statistics course and/or master’s or doctoral level research methods course are strongly preferred. 

Note: The GRE is not required for admission to the program.

The DHSc degree is a 42 credit hour program which can be completed in as little as two years plus one semester.  View the DHSc course details in the academic catalog.

For more details, please contact the program director Kim Baskette at kgbaskette@radford.edu or 540-831-1699.

Once you graduate, you will have the ability to use your degree in a variety of meaningful ways:

• Instructor/Professor in the healthcare industry or in higher education
• Health Services Management
• Clinic Management
• Public Health Education
• Health Research

Many of our graduates teach at the university level. Others hold high administrative positions at healthcare systems, physician practices or at healthcare nonprofits. Other options include work as a grant writer. These professionals create proposals seeking funding for a research project or other needs. Without a helpful, expert communicator, many stellar discoveries in oncology, pediatrics and cardiology may have been missed due to a lack of research funding.

Radford University Carilion is authorized by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) to offer postsecondary education in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
 
Radford University Carilion is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award Associate, Baccalaureate, Masters and Doctorate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Radford University Carilion.