Doctor of Health Science

The Doctor of Health Science is a combination of 120 points from courses and a research thesis of 240 points.

A distinguishing feature of this doctoral degree is the clear focus on practice and on research that can inform professional practice. Students are encouraged to build collaborative relationships with health system managers, policy makers and practice experts while going through the planning, enacting and dissemination phases of their research project.

You provide a full research proposal when you're close to completing the coursework courses, before you start the thesis course.

• HEAL910 Health Systems Analysis (40 points)
• HEAL911 Practice and Philosophies (40 points)
• HEAL912 Research Practice and Methodology (40 points)
• HEALX99 Thesis in Health Science (240 points)

1. It is expected that a candidate will meet with the Programme Leader Felicity Bright about suitability of the programme and to organise a supervisor.
2. Apply to gain entry to the programme and provide a current CV and transcripts, showing evidence of postgraduate qualifications and research capability (like publications). This will be assessed to ascertain eligibility for entry to this doctoral programme
3. Link with your supervisor to work on and gain approval of your research proposal
4. Once the research proposal, qualifications and practice experience have been approved by the faculty, this will be sent to the Graduate Research School for approval and to issue an Offer of Place.

You need to complete three courses (HEAL910, HEAL911 and HEAL912) over three semesters (part-time) followed by a thesis component, which you should complete within two years full-time or four years part-time.

The three courses in the Doctor of Health Science are designed to help you prepare the research proposal for your thesis. For admission we simply require an idea of your likely area of interest, and leanings towards which research approach. This enables us to link you with a suitable supervisor. Students within the Doctor of Health Science often change and refine their thinking once in the programme.

Admission to a doctoral programme

We require the following information:

• Faculty and/or field you wish to conduct your study in
• Academic transcripts
• Grading scale for postgraduate qualification
• Degree certificates (undergraduate and postgraduate)
• Title of the thesis/dissertation/research project
• 1-2 page document (maximum) outlining your proposed research project
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• If English is not your first language you need to provide evidence of English language proficiency - IELTS (Academic) test results or recognised equivalent. If your postgraduate study was completed in English within 3 years, this may be waived
• Evidence of a minimum of five years' professional experience in your specific area of research

Once the required information is received, we will forward your enquiry to the relevant faculty who will communicate to you about the outcome of your application, possible research areas and supervisors.