The Doctor of Health Science is a PhD degree offered by Thomas Jefferson University on the Center City campus in Philadelphia, United States of America. The program is delivered online as a Full Time course in English and requires approximately 4 years to complete. Students study at the Center City campus while gaining the knowledge and practical experience expected for this area of study. The next intake is available from May 1, 2027.

About Doctor of Health Science

The Jefferson College of Health Professions' Doctor of Health Science (DHSc) Program is the doctorate program for professionals seeking advancement in healthcare practice, education and policy. Our fully online program will accommodate students who are working healthcare professionals. All students will experience in-depth, individualized, multi-disciplinary training in a comprehensive range of healthcare leadership, teaching and learning, and research skills that support their development as leaders in a burgeoning health professions career landscape.

Interdisciplinary health professions education and practice is the foundation of the program. Accordingly, our curriculum comprises courses drawn from five colleges at Jefferson, ensuring that the program is relevant to professionals that span the full gamut of healthcare. This breadth of coverage provides students an ideal opportunity for interprofessional study and practice, as well as robust support for a broad range of healthcare research topics.

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Program Highlights

Innovative Electives

The Institute of Emerging Health Professions (IEHP), which is part of JCHP, supports education and research in rapidly growing disciplines at the frontier of healthcare. Offering elective concentrations in Integrative Nutrition, Digital and Telehealth, and Mind-Body Medicine, IEHP provides JCHP DHSc students with ready access to education and training in fields with great growth potential.

Interprofessional Education & Collaborative Practice Opportunities

The Jefferson Center for Interprofessional Practice & Education (JCIPE) offers DHSc students with novel courses on the pedagogy of interprofessional teaching and learning that prepare them to train the future healthcare workforce to excel in an increasingly interprofessional landscape.

Interdisciplinary Healthcare Research Training

Students will engage in a four-course sequence that provides a mentored, stepwise approach to conducting a research project that addresses an unmet clinical or educational need. The project will be conducted with the guidance of college and university content experts and among fellow scholars from a diversity of healthcare disciplines. The project culminates in the writing of an academic paper for publication in a peer-reviewed journal, and the construction and oral delivery of a poster suitable for presentation at an academic conference.

Innovative Electives

The Institute of Emerging Health Professions (IEHP), which is part of JCHP, supports education and research in rapidly growing disciplines at the frontier of healthcare. Offering elective concentrations in Integrative Nutrition, Digital and Telehealth, and Mind-Body Medicine, IEHP provides JCHP DHSc students with ready access to education and training in fields with great growth potential.

Interprofessional Education & Collaborative Practice Opportunities

The Jefferson Center for Interprofessional Practice & Education (JCIPE) offers DHSc students with novel courses on the pedagogy of interprofessional teaching and learning that prepare them to train the future healthcare workforce to excel in an increasingly interprofessional landscape.

Interdisciplinary Healthcare Research Training

Students will engage in a four-course sequence that provides a mentored, stepwise approach to conducting a research project that addresses an unmet clinical or educational need. The project will be conducted with the guidance of college and university content experts and among fellow scholars from a diversity of healthcare disciplines. The project culminates in the writing of an academic paper for publication in a peer-reviewed journal, and the construction and oral delivery of a poster suitable for presentation at an academic conference.

Disciplines

College of Health Professions

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Doctor of Health Science at Thomas Jefferson University

Entry Requirements

International applicants may be required to submit results from an English Language Proficiency Exam. Additional information about the English Language Proficiency requirement can be found on the Admissions Information page for your program of interest.

Students who have taken coursework outside of the United States should submit a course-by-course academic credential evaluation from a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member credentialing organization. Applicants who do not have a NACES evaluation are required to submit official transcripts, along with an official English translation, to Jefferson for review. Thomas Jefferson University reserves the right to outsource student academic credentials to our NACES member partner for evaluation.

English Requirements

PTEMin 53
IELTSMin 6.5
TOEFLMin 80

Fee Information

Application Fee 50

How to Apply

After submitting the application, you will receive instructions on how to submit the supporting application materials listed below through your online MyJefferson account. If you prefer, you may also mail your materials to:

Thomas Jefferson University
Application Document Processing
4201 Henry Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19144

You will receive a MyJefferson identification number via email once you submit your application for admission. Be sure to include your name and MyJefferson ID on all documents that you mail to Jefferson.

Supporting Materials

The Admissions Committee emphasizes a holistic review process that examines the entirety of an applicant's academic aptitude, motivation, problem-solving skills, leadership potential and life experiences. Admission decisions are individualized to the specific attributes of the applicant.

Transcripts: Submit official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from all regionally accredited institutions you have attended and/or from which you earned credit. Official transcripts must be sent electronically by the institution to [email protected] or mailed to the address above. Before applying to Jefferson, please review the prerequisites required for admission for this academic program.

Personal Statement: Submit a statement of purpose outlining your interest in the program, how the course of study relates to your desired career path, and your academic and job-related experiences that are relevant to the program.

Letters of Recommendation: Submit three letters of reference that provide insight into your academic and/or professional competence. References from college or university faculty members or professional sources are accepted. You may request recommendations through your MyJefferson account.

Résumé: A current professional résumé is required.