PhD in Health Sciences

A multidisciplinary education that prepares students for careers in emerging areas of healthcare.

Students are equipped with key competencies in both rehabilitation theory and clinical skills, as well as health administration expertise. Internationally-renowned faculty will educate you in the art and science of medicine and health care so you are prepared to provide ethical, holistic, culturally competent, and population-based, collaborative care. Dedicated to excellence and imbued by a sense of purpose, faculty engage in scientific investigation and evidence-based practice, and model spiritual and moral values throughout our research and teaching. We will prepare youto be a leader who is well-equipped to advance your field of study. We value a culture of inclusion and openness for faculty, staff and students, and our community partners in pursuit of teaching/learning, scholarship, research and service locally, nationally and globally.

Our new and innovative 72-credit PhD in Health Sciences program offers courses for international students to complete a program of advanced study with an emphasis in Physical Therapy, Speech Language Pathology, Public Health, or Health Care Administration, and related areas. The well-planned educational programs prepare you for careers in academia, research, grant writing, and cutting-edge delivery of clinical services. The PhD program will start in Fall 2021, and will ultimately include cohorts of international students from China, the Middle East and areas within Asia.

With a Ph.D. in Health Sciences, you will be prepared to provide excellent care, conduct research in the realms of rehabilitation and related health fields, work in academia and assume managerial positions within health systems, hospitals, government agencies, public and private research institutes or centers.

What makes our program unique?

• (A minimum of) two year residency during Ph.D study on DU campus
• Qualified Ph.D students, upon completion of Ph.D qualification/comprehensive exams and Ph.D dissertation proposal defense, can choose to return to their home countries to work or teach for their employers while they are collecting and analyzing research data for, and writing the Ph.D dissertation. It is expected the research data collected and analyzed will be pertinent to the society and people in the students' home country, which ultimately will be beneficial to the societies and people in the home country.
• Upon successful completion of Ph.D dissertation defense at DU campus and filing the dissertation to DU accordingly, Ph.D degree will be conferred.

Curriculum

(Up to) 18 credits - Transferred in from Master's degree based on close review and analysis of previous MS transcripts
18 credits - Core curriculum (at least 9 credits of Research Design / Statistics)
18 credits - Specialty Area
18 credits - Dissertation

Application Requirements

• Previously earned Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, Health Management Systems or Health Administration at Duquesne University; or from health, medicine, or rehabilitation universities/colleges in China, in accredited domestic universities, or from accredited/reputable international universities.
• Application
  • Personal Statement / Essay
  • 2 Letters of Recommendation
  • GRE score of at least 310
  • Transcripts of all prior coursework
• 2 of the 3 following language competencies:
  • Test of language competence:
    • 6.5 IELTS
    • 80 TOEFL
    • 100 Duolingo
  • Verification of a Master's degree received from Duquesne University, or another accredited university in the U.S., Canada, U.K., New Zealand, or Australia
  • Interview (via phone or video) with members of the Admissions Committee
• Statement of Financial Sponsorship from personal bank account, a medical institution, university, research institute or governmental agency (we do not offer financial support to students in this program)