Health Professions Education, PhD

Overview

A master’s degree (e.g., MHPE, MPH, MEd, or MS degree) is a prerequisite for the PhD in HPE. Learners entering the program without an MHPE or USU’s MEd-HPE should expect to complete all masters level coursework before beginning the PhD level coursework. The PhD degree is meant to serve those select students with the desire to be at the forefront of the scholarship, leadership, and teaching of health professions learners. The PhD in HPE provides additional education and training in the three broad areas of HPE: (1) research; (2) leadership; (3) education (e.g. teaching, learning, and assessment). The dissertation requires more focused and thematic investigation (i.e., a series of related studies) with demonstration of expertise in research methods in HPE. The leadership and teaching curricula are also more challenging, requiring a higher level of mastery than the MHPE. The PhD in HPE is targeted toward deans (associate, senior, and vice level), chairs, vice chairs of research and education, directors of research and teaching programs, and other leaders in health professions education to further enhance their knowledge and skills beyond the core areas of the MHPE program. Like the MHPE program, the doctoral degree places emphasis on the practical application of core principles. Ultimately, graduates are expected to serve as leaders, scholars, and educators in the DoD’s health professions programs.

The PhD in HPE is sequenced to be completed in four years on a full-time basis. Part-time learners are expected to complete the PhD in HPE in five to six years. The program requires 24 months of full-time study -- or 36 months of part-time study -- beyond the MHPE degree. The satisfactory completion of a dissertation is required for graduation (resulting in at least four papers accepted for publication in peer-reviewed journals), as are completion of a written portfolio, oral exam, and oral dissertation defense.

*Note: all three programs in HPE can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. To be eligible for admission into any of the HPE programs, an individual must be an employee of the federal government (either civilian or uniformed).

Degree Requirements

Complete the following: