The PhD in Health Services program examines healthcare delivery and healthcare systems in the U.S. and internationally. Students are trained by scholar-practitioners to identify problems and solutions based on social science theories and models as well as a knowledge of historical and contemporary issues in health services and management. The program of study places an emphasis on healthcare practice and applied research. The program prepares students for careers in which doctoral-level education is desired, such as academia, research, government, and private sector positions within healthcare organizations.
At the end of this program, students will be able to:
All PhD students are required to complete one advanced-level research course that mirrors the methodology of their intended dissertations. The university offers three advanced courses; individual programs may have other advanced options. Students should refer to their specific programs of study to determine program-specific requirements. One of the following three courses is required:
Courses composing the Foundation Research Sequence are conducted online and require weekly readings, participation in discussions, and assignment completion. Course instructors guide discussions and evaluate discussion and application assignments. RSCH 8100 or 8110 must be completed prior to Residency 2 of the academic residencies. RSCH 8200 or 8210 and RSCH 8300 or 8310 must be completed prior to beginning the dissertation or attending Residency 3.
These courses are dependent upon the particular specialization. Please see the course list on each specialization page.
Select two elective courses from other doctoral-level programs with the approval of the program director.
Dissertation Writing Courses
Students take this course for a minimum of four quarters and are continuously enrolled until completion of their dissertation with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval. In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation/doctoral study course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation/doctoral study course shell.
To complete a doctoral dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Students must also publish their dissertation on ProQuest before their degree is conferred. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Dissertation Guidebook.
Students who hold a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) degree now have the opportunity to complete Walden’s PhD in Health Services in less time. The special program of study recognizes the academic progress previously achieved with an MHA degree and waives 30 credits of core courses and one elective course required for the PhD in Health Services, significantly reducing the time and money needed to complete the doctoral degree.
The program is available to current students and alumni of the Walden MHA program, as well as to students who hold an MHA degree from another accredited university.
The recommended course sequence is as follows:
Quarter | Course | Credits |
---|---|---|
Quarter 1 |
HLTH 8003 - Building a Multidisciplinary Approach to Health |
3 credits |
HLTH 8051 - Contemporary Topics in the U.S. Healthcare Delivery |
5 credits | |
Complete Residency 1 in Term 1; required in order to advance into RSCH 8110 in Term 2. | 0 credits | |
DRWA 8000G - Doctoral Writing Assessment |
0 credits | |
Quarter 2 |
HLTH 8500 - Human Resources Management and Organizational Development and Leadership for Healthcare Administrators |
5 credits |
RSCH 8110 - Research Theory, Design, and Methods |
5 credits | |
Complete Residency 2 between Terms 2 and 5; required in order to advance into HLTH 8551. | ||
Quarter 3 |
HLTH 8401 - Healthcare Financial Management and Economics |
5 credits |
HLTH 8300 - Law, Ethics, and Policy in Healthcare Administration |
5 credits | |
Quarter 4 |
RSCH 8210 - Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis |
5 credits |
HLTH 8201 - Principles of Population Health in Healthcare Administration |
5 credits | |
Quarter 5 |
RSCH 8310 - Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis |
5 credits |
HLTH 8800 - Marketing Management and Business Communication |
5 credits | |
Quarter 6 | Specialization Course 1 | 5 credits |
Specialization Course 2 | 5 credits | |
Complete Residency 3 between Terms 6 and 7; required in order to advance into HLTH 9001. | 0 credits | |
Quarter 7 | Elective Course 1 | 4–5 credits |
Elective Course 2 | 4–5 credits | |
Quarter 8 | Specialization Course 3 | 5 credits |
HLTH 8551 - Preparing for Dissertation |
5 credits | |
Quarter 9 |
RSCH 8360 - Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis ORRSCH 8260 - Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis ORRSCH 8460 - Advanced Mixed-Methods Reasoning and Analysis |
5 credits |
Specialization Course 4 (if required) | 5 credits | |
RESI 8403 - PhD Residency 3 |
0 credits | |
Quarter 10 |
HLTH 9001 - Health Services Dissertation |
5 credits |
Quarter 11 |
HLTH 9001 - Health Services Dissertation |
5 credits |
Quarter 12 |
HLTH 9001 - Health Services Dissertation |
5 credits |
Complete Residency 4 after your prospectus is approved and you are enrolled in EDUC 9000 or EDPD 8990, complete residency 4 during your third year or beyond as:
|
0 credits | |
Quarter 13 |
HLTH 9001 - Health Services Dissertation |
5 credits |
Quarter 14+ |
HLTH 9001 - Health Services Dissertation (if needed and until completion) |
5 credits |
Optional: Complete a PhD dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during your dissertation. Contact Student Success Advising to register. Note: Intensives are not included in Fast Track tuition. |
The recommended course sequence is as follows:
Quarter | Course | Credits |
---|---|---|
Quarter 1 |
HLTH 8003 - Building a Multidisciplinary Approach to Health |
3 credits |
RSCH 8110 - Research Theory, Design, and Methods |
5 credits | |
Complete Residency 1 in Term 1; required in order to advance into RSCH 8110 in Term 2. | 0 credits | |
DRWA 8000G - Doctoral Writing Assessment |
0 credits | |
Quarter 2 | Elective Course 1 | 4–5 credits |
RSCH 8210 - Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis |
5 credits | |
Complete Residency 2 between Terms 2 and 5; required in order to advance into HLTH 8551. | ||
Quarter 3 | Specialization Course 1 | 5 credits |
Specialization Course 2 | 5 credits | |
Quarter 4 | Specialization Course 3 | 5 credits |
RSCH 8310 - Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis |
5 credits | |
Quarter 5 | Specialization Course 4 (if required) | 5 credits |
HLTH 8551 - Preparing for Dissertation |
5 credits | |
Quarter 6 |
RSCH 8360 - Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis ORRSCH 8260 - Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis ORRSCH 8460 - Advanced Mixed-Methods Reasoning and Analysis |
5 credits |
Complete Residency 3 between Terms 6 and 7; required in order to advance into HLTH 9001. | 0 credits | |
Quarter 7 |
HLTH 9001 - Health Services Dissertation |
5 credits |
Quarter 8 |
HLTH 9001 - Health Services Dissertation |
5 credits |
Quarter 9 |
HLTH 9001 - Health Services Dissertation |
5 credits |
Complete Residency 4 after your prospectus is approved and you are enrolled in EDUC 9000 or EDPD 8990, complete residency 4 during your third year or beyond as:
|
0 credits | |
Quarter 10 |
HLTH 9001 - Health Services Dissertation |
5 credits |
Quarter 11+ |
HLTH 9001 - Health Services Dissertation (if needed and until completion) |
5 credits |
Optional: Complete a PhD dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during your dissertation. Contact Student Success Advising to register. Note: Intensives are not included in Fast Track tuition. |
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