Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences

The limited-residency Health Promotion and Wellness track prepares students to be researchers with a multidimensional knowledge of wellness, including the physical, psychological, spiritual, social, and emotional aspects of wellness.

The program offers expanded study in the areas of behavior change theory and principles of health promotion, nutrition, population health, and ecological issues. The curriculum includes coursework in risk factors and risk reduction strategies, motivational coaching and resilience, integrative therapies, healthcare reform, and controversial topics in health promotion. The curriculum also integrates the International Consortium of Health and Wellness Coaches national competencies, which develops graduates who can serve as instructors and professors in health and wellness coaching programs.

We are currently seeking “Approved Program Status” through the International Consortium for Health and Wellness Coaching, which would allow students who successfully complete the required prerequisites to sit for the National Board Certification Exam to become a Certified Health and Wellness Coach. Those prerequisites are as follows.

1. Successfully complete the courses, WE623, WE710, and WE711 including all synchronous hours.
2. Pass the Coaching Practical Examination at the end of WE711.
3. Complete all other requirements set forth by the ICHWC, which currently includes, completion and documentation of 50 coaching sessions after passing the practical exam in WE711, and paying the application/exam fees.
4. As ICHWC requirements are subject to change, students should refer to the website, https://ichwc.org/hwc-certifying-examination-application/ for the most updated information.

The Healthcare Leadership and Administration track prepares students to function as administrators, researchers, and scholars in a variety of healthcare settings, including public and private sectors and higher education.

This limited-residency track allows students to maintain professional obligations while earning a terminal degree that will distinguish them as leaders and scholars in healthcare. As healthcare continues to transform and demand fiscally-responsible outcomes, this program educates students in strategic change management, healthcare delivery science, and organizational change. Research theory is addressed to enhance evidence-based practice, health systems, communication, and healthcare law and ethics.

The limited-residency Healthcare Professions Education track prepares professionals to function as academicians and researchers in the scholarship of teaching and learning. Graduates can become leaders in the healthcare professions education community through the completion of the doctoral program.

The curriculum offers a variety of courses with an emphasis on adult learning theory including practical applications for the development of healthcare education students. The adult learning emphasis affords students an interactive environment focusing on the designing and assessment of learning. Coursework includes instructional theory, design and delivery, and assessment of learning. The program also provides students an understanding of experiential and interprofessional education content, education technology, and curriculum development explicitly focused on healthcare professions.

The limited-residency Human & Sport Performance track is designed to increase the student’s competency of exercise science, injury prevention, health, and sport or occupational performance. Students will be trained in applied sport science, human performance evaluation, strength and conditioning methods, training program design for various populations, the use of advanced coaching theories and strategies, advanced nutrition, and the development and use of technology in various areas of sport and occupational performance.

Program faculty are highly-regarded scholars and clinicians, which allows students to learn the latest research in the field, integrate theory into professional practices to increase knowledge and refine hands-on skills, and become effective scholars and connoisseurs of research and evidence-based practices.

The limited-residency Neurologic Rehabilitation track builds upon the professional’s clinical degree and expertise, with rigorous coursework in evidence-based practice, rehabilitation systems physiology, applied neuroscience/neurophysiology, motor control and learning, clinical technology, and advanced neurologic interventions.

Courses embrace current evidence and integrating technology while focusing on advancing clinical practice and research with an emphasis on predicting movement systems diagnosis, prevention, plasticity, and participation. Students will gain the tools to further research and clinical practice, the degree required to teach in post-professional programs, and the experience to serve the growing aging population in the United States.

The limited-residency Pediatric Science track prepares pediatric therapists to develop and conduct research related to children or families and to teach in academic and clinical settings. The curriculum offers opportunities to expand expertise and professional contributions for children and families across multiple settings.

The concentration area focuses on the development of research, teaching, leadership, and scientific writing competencies specific to pediatrics. Coursework options include research practicum and specialty courses involving evidence-based therapeutic approaches from infancy through adolescence. The pediatric science concentration operates in a dynamic, interactive, interdisciplinary learning environment through a blended model of online and in-class learning.