The increasingly complex health care system in the United States relies heavily on quality improvement, interprofessional collaboration, patient outcomes, health policy legislation, and advocacy. While important, most of these issues are outside the scope of the traditional entry master’s-level or entry doctoral level education program—necessitating the development of methods to help advanced practice providers obtain additional skills. The solution of choice, for many professions, has been the introduction of the professional doctorate as a complementary alternative to the typical research-focused doctoral program, such as the PhD.

Rather than theory, the workplace demands the application of knowledge geared toward daily professional duties. The DHSc graduate is seen as doctorally-prepared practitioner who has less skill in the creation or validation of pure, theoretical research but who is able to apply theory to everyday problems in the workplace. Rather than devalue the contributions of classical PhD training, this model proposes the creation of a hybrid curriculum that would prepare individuals to use applied, transformational research.

The Bay Path University Doctor of Health Sciences (DHSc) program is a 48 credit online nonresidency program that will prepare healthcare professionals for the challenges in healthcare now and in the future. The DHSc prepares students to complete an academic terminal doctoral degree which will provide opportunities for employment in institutions of higher education, healthcare and research clinics, hospital settings and other healthcare venues. This advanced online health science degree program provides health professionals with the knowledge and skills to excel in leadership, project management and decision-making, teaching to evidence-based standards, and gaining competencies to apply research in their professional practice. Challenging coursework takes students from theory to concept to practice. Academic learning is complemented by extensive online collaboration with faculty and peers. Students will grow into visionary leaders in the healthcare industry who inspire effective teams, companies, and communities.

The Doctor of Health Science program requires the completion of 48 credits to meet degree requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

The DHSc Program is committed to the development of the healthcare professional who can:

• Demonstrate advanced expertise in health science with a specialized focus on leadership, applying theoretical concepts to real-world healthcare settings.
• Communicate complex health science and leadership concepts effectively, ensuring clarity and impact across diverse stakeholders.
• Exhibit strong leadership capabilities by inspiring, influencing, and guiding teams while committing to continuous professional growth.
• Translate theoretical frameworks into practical leadership strategies, driving effective decision-making in healthcare organizations.
• Conduct applied research in health science and leadership, contributing to evidence-based best practices.
• Critically analyze healthcare leadership challenges, evaluating evidence, identifying gaps, and proposing innovative solutions.
• Apply advanced ethical reasoning to leadership roles, fostering integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct.
• Promote a culture that respects and values the unique perspectives, experiences, and needs of all individuals.