DHSc?

Discussion in 'Nursing and medical-related degrees' started by Notiswas, Jan 11, 2013.

Loading...
  1. Notiswas

    Notiswas New Member

    I am interested in the Doctor of Health Sciences (DHSc) from A. T. Still University. What an oddity indeed! I have more of a healthcare administration background, and even though it is advertised on the website as a multidisciplinary program pulling from a multitude of specialties and experiences - I cannot help but wonder if the curriculum is geared more toward the hard medical sciences (RN, MD, DO, PA).

    I am wondering what level of freedom exists during the dissertation process. Would love to incorporate a public health/medical anthropological focus to my studies.

    Does anybody have any insight on this program whether through firsthand experience or first impression?

    Thank you!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 11, 2013
  2. soupbone

    soupbone Active Member

    Is this a DL program? I'm going to take a look at the curriculum later and maybe give an opinion.
     
  3. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Yes, it's DL. You'll have to ask them to be sure, but if it's anything like their DHEd program then there's a great deal of flexibility in the topic you could research, although you'll have to recruit external committee members with the expertise to supervise you.
     
  4. Notiswas

    Notiswas New Member

    The Doctor of Health Education (DHEd) looks very interesting and certainly encompasses a range of personal interests... however my concern is that it might have too narrow of a focus for a professional doctorate. I'm not trying to take away from the degree by any means, but I definitely want to consider the full range of utility before committing to a program on that scale, if that makes sense.

    I imagine that one benefit of the Doctor of Health Sciences (DHSc) might be the marketability between disparate industries (i.e. contributing to the fields of: health care administration; research; clinical professions; and education). The question may then be posed: How credible is the Doctor of Health Sciences in academia, health care administration, or the plethora of other occupations out there? Is the real power of the degree derived from being paired with other credentials? A prime example would be a physician assistant looking to teach.

    I have been window-shopping for a doctorate for some time now, and no program piques my interest like the DHSc from A. T. Still University. What do you think?
     
  5. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Two things. The degree of latitude that you will enjoy in regards to your dissertation will depend primarily on your dissertation supervisor and committee. Choose carefully. Look at their research and try to discover the people that they have supervised in the past. Look at their dissertations. That will tell a lot.

    Then go look at the program at Walden. Compare and contrast.
     
  6. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    *****************
     
  7. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Check out Nova's Doctor of Health Science - Doctor of Health Science Program | NSU
    I was close to picking this one but did not want to take on the cost.
     
  8. Notiswas

    Notiswas New Member

    Thank you Randell. Regarding NSU; I have in fact explored their DHSc offering but the overall vibe that I have with the program is that it might be a little too heavy on clinical-based research than I would be willing to commit to. The DHSc to PhD in Health Sciences bridge program is the icing on the cake, but I honestly have trouble imagining myself measuring up to the strong science background of the program whereas ATSU appears to offer room to explore systems-based inquiry and public health which I am currently more aligned with professionally.

    Kizmet -- great advice! What better way to build competence in dissertation writing and methodologies than to simply read through them? This is definitely on my inexhaustible "to-do" list. :)
     

Share This Page