PhD in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences (DHSc)

The Doctor of Health Sciences (DHSc) is a professional doctorate offered fully online by Western University. The program takes a practice-oriented approach, focusing on leadership development, critical analysis of real-world challenges, and the application of knowledge to improve health services, workforce performance, and policy implementation. Full-time study is structured over three years. Applicants typically hold a master's degree in health sciences, public health, nursing, rehabilitation sciences, kinesiology, or a closely related field, together with a minimum GPA of 78 percent (B+) calculated over the last two years of full-time study or the last ten half-credit courses. As a professional rather than thesis-based doctorate, the program emphasizes applied research and evidence-based practice over original laboratory or archival research. Graduates are prepared for senior leadership, administrative, and policy roles across health services and health systems, applying doctoral-level analysis to workforce performance, program evaluation, and health policy implementation in professional and organizational settings.