College of Management and Human Potential - Doctoral Programs:

PhD in Health Services

• Doctoral Writing Assessment
• Foundation course (3 credits)
• Core courses (30 credits)
• Research courses (20 credits)
• Specialization courses (20 credits)
• Electives (8–10 credits)
• Dissertation Preparation course (5 credits)
• Proposal, dissertation, and oral presentation (20 credits min.–120 credits [8 yr. max.])
  • Dissertation writing courses (continuous enrollment in 5 credits per term for a minimum of 4 terms until completion)
• Four PhD residencies

Foundation Course (3 credits)

Core Courses (30 credits)

Research Courses (20 credits)

Advanced Research Course (5 credits)

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:

Foundation Research Sequence (15 credits)

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.

Specialization Courses (20 credits)

These courses are dependent upon the particular specialization. Please see the course list on each specialization page.

Elective Courses (8–10 credits)

Select two elective courses from other doctoral-level programs with the approval of the program director.

Dissertation Preparation (5 credits)

Completion of the Dissertation (minimum of 20 credits)

• 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.

Residency Requirements

• Complete Residency 1 in Term 1; required in order to advance into RSCH 8110 in Term 2.
• Complete Residency 2 between Terms 2 and 5; required in order to advance into HLTH 8551.
• Complete Residency 3 between Terms 6 and 7; required in order to advance into HLTH 9001.
• 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:
  • Residency 4 General (RESI 8404) OR
  • Residency 4 Proposal Writing (RESI 8404Q) OR
  • Residency 4 Methods & Data Collection: Qualitative (RESI 8404R) OR
  • Residency 4 Methods & Data Collection: Quantitative (RESI 8404S) OR
  • Residency 4 Publishing & Presenting (RESI 8404T) OR
  • a dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500). Contact Student Success Advising to register. Note: Intensives are not included in Fast Track tuition.
• Optional: Complete a PhD dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during your dissertation. Contact Student Success Advising to register.

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.

Degree Requirements for Students Who Hold an MHA Degree

• Doctoral Writing Assessment
• Foundation course (3 credits)
• Research courses (20 credits)
• Specialization courses (20 credits)
• Electives (4–5 credits)
• Dissertation preparation course (HLTH 8551; 5 credits)
• Completion of Dissertation
  • Dissertation writing courses (continuous enrollment in 5 credits per term for a minimum of 4 terms until completion)
• Four PhD residencies