Overview
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).
Degree Requirements
Complete the following:
| HPE 500 | Leadership Roles in HPE | 2.25 |
| HPE 502 | Philosophies of Science | 1.5 |
| HPE 504 | Principles of Instruction in Clinical Settings | 1.5 |
| HPE 505 | Quantitative Research Methods in HPE | 2.25 |
| HPE 506 | Principles of Online Instruction | 2.25 |
| HPE 507 | Qualitative Research Methods in HPE | 2.25 |
| HPE 550 | Learning Theories | 2.25 |
| HPE 555 | Theory to Practice in HPE II: Instructional Methods | 2.25 |
| HPE 560 | Measurement, Assessment & Evaluation | 2.25 |
| HPE 565 | Curriculum Development | 2.25 |
| HPE 605 | Masters Seminar in HPE | 1.5 |
| HPE 800 | Fundamentals of Systems Thinking | 1.5 |
| HPE 801 | Advanced Theories in HPE | 2.25 |
| HPE 802 | Advanced Qualitative Research Methods in HPE | 2.25 |
| HPE 803 | Advanced Quantitative Research Method in HPE | 2.25 |
| HPE 804 | Advanced Instructional Methods and Curriculum Development in HPE | 2.25 |
| HPE 805 | Advanced Measurement, Assessment, and Evaluation in HPE | 2.25 |
| HPE 806 | Advanced Principles of Leadership in HPE | 2.25 |
| HPE 807 | Advanced Online Learning and Instruction | 2.25 |
| HPE 400 | Master’s Practicum in HPE | 7.5 |
| HPE 911 | Doctoral Practicum in HPE | 7.5 |
| HPE 905 | Master’s Thesis in HPE | 0-7.5 |
| HPE 910 | Doctoral Dissertation in HPE | 11.25 |
| HPE 912 | Independent Study in HPE | 0.75 |
| HPE 503 | Practice of Assessment of Competence | 1.5 |
| Electives | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 108 |
Students must complete a minimum of 108 credit hours which includes required elective and research courses not shown above.