The Ph.D. Program in Health Related Sciences is an innovative
distance-learning course of doctoral study. It is designed for self-motivated, mature and
experienced professionals who are seeking doctoral education for continued career
advancement in:
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Clinical Laboratory Sciences |
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Gerontology |
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Health Administration |
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Nurse Anesthesia |
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Occupational Therapy |
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Physical Therapy |
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Radiation Sciences |
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Rehabilitation Leadership |
The coursework of this Ph.D. program is divided into two semesters per year, each of which is six months long and composed of both on- and off-campus sessions. The mix of on/off campus study is designed to minimize the students’ time away from employment and home as well as cutting travel expenses.
During the course of study, students spend periods on campus ranging from seven to fourteen days each during the months of June/July and December/January. At these times, they attend lectures and seminars and interact with faculty and fellow students.
During off-campus sessions, each five and a half months long, students continue their studies at their home/work site, using a carefully planned array of learning technologies that very by course. The Internet, via the World Wide Web, is the primary mode for communicating during off-campus class sessions.
The Ph.D. in Health Related Sciences admits students with diverse educational, work, and life experiences who have demonstrated a capacity to pursue a rigorous course of doctoral study and assume increasingly responsible scholarly and research positions in health care. To be considered for admission, applicants must hold a baccalaureate and masters degree from an approved institution of higher learning; have a 3.3 grade point average for all graduate work completed; and have completed a graduate course in statistics with a grade of "B" or above. Standardized aptitude tests (GRE or Miller’s Analogy) are also required of applicants.
Before submitting an application, both applicant and employer should recognize the demanding nature of the program. Completion of the Ph.D. Program will require commitment, hard work, and the ability to manage time effectively. It is a research degree with considerable methods and theory content included in the curriculum. Applicants should contact faculty in the department of the school corresponding to the track they are considering to determine research interest compatibility.
Common Interdisciplinary Core: 24 Credits
AHP 701 Health Services Delivery Systems
AHP 702 Finance and Economic Theory for Health Care
AHP 704 Health Care Policy and Political Theory
AHP 708 Ethics and Health Care
AHP 710 Curriculum Design for Health Care Professionals
AHP 711 Multi-media Technology in Health Sciences Curriculum Design and Communications
AHP 716 Grant Writing and Project Management in Health Related Sciences
AHP 718 Health Informatics
Research Methods Core: 12 Credits
AHP 760 Biostatistical Methods for Health Related Sciences
AHP 761 Health Related Sciences Research Design
AHP 762 Multivariate Statistical Methods for Health Related Sciences Research
AHP 763 Clinical Outcomes Evaluation for Health Related Sciences
AHP 764 Advanced Methods for Health Related Sciences Research (Elective)
Specialty Track: 9 Credits
AHP 781 Doctoral Seminar in Health Related Sciences
AHP 792 Independent Study
AHP 793 Research Practicum
Dissertation Research: 12 Credits
AHP 890 Dissertation Seminar
AHP 899 Dissertation Research
All three specialty track courses and both dissertation research courses are taken in one of the specialty fields (Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Gerontology, Health Administration, Nurse Anesthesia, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Radiation Sciences, and Rehabilitation Leadership).
Equipment
and Software Requirements
All students must have access to a contemporary IBM compatible personal computer equipped with a printer and 56K baud modem. Although students can use a personal computer at the office, we strongly recommend that they have one at home. We use the Microsoft Office Suite of software applications. This includes MS Word for word processing, MS Excel for spreadsheet applications, and MS Powerpoint for developing presentations. A basic knowledge of these three software packages is strongly recommended before entry into the program.
The Ph.D. Program is located in the School of Allied Health Professions on the Medical College of Virginia Campus of Virginia Commonwealth University. VCU, the Commonwealth’s largest public urban university, offers 138 different degrees to nearly 22,000 students on its Academic and MCV Campuses. Richmond, the capital of Virginia, is a seat of government and public policy and a major educational, cultural, and recreational center for the mid-Atlantic region.
To request an application packet, write or call:
The Ph.D. Program in Health Related Sciences
School of Allied Health Professions
Virginia Commonwealth University
P.O. Box 980233
Richmond, VA 23298-0233
(804) 828-7247
E-mail: mlwhite@hsc.vcu.edu
Click here to request more
information.
Domestic and International applicants and go to
Graduate School Application web site for more information.
If you are a International Admissions Applicant
click here
for more information.
Tuition and fees are established by the University’s Board of Visitors and are commonly made public in May of each year.
In addition to tuition and fees, students will need to budget for the following expenses: a personal computer, printer, and 56K baud modem; textbooks and computer software; and travel, meals, lodging, and personal expenses while attending the on-campus sessions in Richmond. All expenditures associated with expanding competency in one’s profession (tuition and fees, materials, equipment, travel expenses, etc.) may be tax deductible, subject to certain constraints and exclusions.
Financial Assistance
For information regarding financial aid, write or call:
Financial Aid Director
Medical College of Virginia Campus
Virginia Commonwealth University
P.O. Box 980244
Richmond, VA 23298-0244
(804) 828-0523
web site: http://www.vcu.edu/enroll/finaid/
School of Allied Health Professions
Virginia Commonwealth University
1200 E. Broad St.
P.O. Box 980233
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0233
(804) 828-7247
(804) 828-8656 fax
Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in education with regard to race, creed, gender, national origin, age, or handicap.
Updated 03/31/2003
by Jeff Lodge