Although a master’s degree (e.g., MHPE, MPH, MEd, or MS degree) is not a prerequisite for the PhD in HPE, it is highly desirable. 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 students and residents. 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, vice or dean level), chairs, vice chairs of research and education, directors of research and teaching programs, and other senior leaders in health professions education to further enhance their knowledge and skills in core areas of HPE. 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 program consists of at least 24 months of enrollment following completion of the MHPE degree. For individuals pursuing a PhD in HPE without a MHPE or other related master's degree, core MHPE courses must be completed first. 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).