Health Sciences Doctoral Degree now offered online

MESA, Ariz. (May 15, 2008 ) – A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Health Sciences announces the launch of an online doctoral degree in Health Sciences. The Doctor of Health Sciences (D.H.Sc.) is a post-professional degree designed for master’s degree prepared healthcare professionals and is offered through blending online and residential education. The program is designed to develop and enhance professional skills needed to provide competent leadership in the health sciences and will be an asset to all healthcare professionals.

ATSU is implementing the doctorate program to meet the challenges of a complex healthcare system. This advanced degree will prepare graduates to better understand and effectively manage healthcare issues including access, cost, and quality of care; and skillfully analyze, plan, implement, and evaluate solutions to the challenges in healthcare. The D.H.Sc. program will provide healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills to excel in project management, decision-making, managing organizational behavior, establishing evidence-based practice standards, and gaining competence in applying research.

The program is now accepting applications and is scheduled to launch in late August 2008, at the start of the fall quarter. D.H.Sc. program director Helen Ewing, R.N., D.H.Sc., is excited to initiate the program and believes it will fill a void through meeting the advanced educational needs of healthcare professionals. “The program is designed to develop progressive knowledge and analytical skills required of healthcare professionals in areas of practice, education, and research,” according to Dr. Ewing. “Educators, administrators, researchers, and clinicians will gain the necessary tools to better navigate through our complex healthcare environment. This advanced degree is tailored to offer unique skill development in critical analysis and decision making based on appropriate evidence.”

“This post-professional doctorate is best described as the degree of the scholarly professional, in contrast to the Ph.D., which is the degree of the professional scholar,” said Eric Sauers, Ph.D., ATC, CSCS, associate professor and chair of the Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. “Individuals completing the degree will become better clinicians, administrators, educators, or researchers due to their enhanced clinical and research knowledge, and will gain skills and understanding in evidence-based medicine and applied research techniques.”