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DHSc Leadership in Clinical Practice and Education

Doctorate of Health Sciences (DHSc) Leadership in Clinical Practice and Education

Gain a mastery of the design, implementation, and evaluation of health care programs, lead interprofessional teams, and evaluate evidence to advance health care. The program prepares those in clinical health positions from a range of backgrounds who seek to build competencies in advanced professional practice, whether that be in the clinical or academic environments.

The curriculum is primarily online, meaning you continue in your profession full-time, learning when and where it is most convenient to you. There are two residencies required over separate weekends, and the program culminates with a finalized manuscript ready for submission to a peer reviewed journal.

The program offers two concentrations in either clinical or educational practice.

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Quick Facts

48

total credits

100% online

2.5 years

average duration

Accreditation and Rankings

  • Fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
  • #62 Best National University*

* The U.S. News & World Report – 2023 Rankings

Program Highlights

  • Graduate in as few as 30 months
  • Two concentration options to choose from
  • Design programs to advance the practice of health professionals in academic and clinical settings

Curriculum

The online Doctorate of Health Sciences (DHSc) Leadership in Clinical Practice and Education program is a 48-credit-hour program that helps students build competencies in advanced professional practice, whether that be in the clinical or academic environments.

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Clinical Practice Leadership Track

Manage the clinical aspects of a health care facility and improve its outcomes. By graduation you’ll be able to:

  • Design strategies to improve clinical practice guidelines, clinician performance, and improved outcomes in a health care environment
  • Collaborate with interprofessional teams to address a common goal such as improved efficiency and effectiveness, or improved satisfaction among patients and health care providers
  • Analyze gaps between the outcomes of best practice and current practice in health care practice environments

Clinical Practice Leadership Track Courses:

  • CML 6203 Health Information, Quality, and Outcomes – 3 credits
  • HCQ 6200 Introduction to Health Care Quality – 3 credits
  • HFR 8313 Knowledge Translation in Health Care – 3 credits
  • HFR 8314 Health Care Research – 3 credits

Educational Practice Leadership Track

Improve your health or higher-education staff’s student outcomes and meet the rigorous standards for leadership positions in this field. By graduation you’ll be able to:

  • Create educational programs that prepare participants to serve as effective health professionals in complex health care environments
  • Collaborate with interprofessional stakeholders to build educational practices that foster teamwork in patient-centered care
  • Analyze gaps in educational research to support the effective preparation of health professionals
  • Design and test an educational innovation to support improved outcomes in health care education

Educational Practice Leadership Track Courses:

  • HFR 8212 Teaching Strategies in the Health Professions – 3 credits
  • HFR 8213 Curriculum Development in the Health Professions – 3 credits
  • HFR 8214 Assessment in HP Education – 3 credits
  • HFR 8215 Technology and Education in HP – 3 credits

Who Is the Ideal Student for This Program?

Professionals with clinical backgrounds who are interested in pursuing a career as a clinical manager or as an educator in higher education. Professionals who are interested in pursuing a career in a leadership position, either in a clinical or educational role, to improve outcomes in health care. The program delivers the advanced skills and credentialing needed to meet expectations associated with higher-level positions.

Career Outlook

Obtaining the experience and credentials provided by GW’s rigorous DHSc Leadership in Clinical Practice and Education makes you the competitor to beat in a rapidly growing market.

  • Medical and health service manager positions are expected to grow by 18% from 2018 to 2028.1
  • Faculty and administrators for post-secondary education are expected to grow faster than average at 7% from 2018 to 2028.2

Admission Requirements

To apply for the Doctorate of Health Sciences (DHSc) Leadership in Clinical Practice and Education program, you’ll need:

  • Completed application
  • 3.0 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale
  • Master’s degree
  • Resume/CV
  • Personal statement
  • Two letters of recommendation
See All Requirements

Tuition Details

The Doctorate of Health Sciences (DHSc) Leadership in Clinical Practice and Education program at GW consists of 48 credit hours. Please find the cost per credit hour and total estimated program costs here.

Note: Tuition rates are subject to change and additional fees may vary by program. Please call at (844) 386-7323 for more information.

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Meet the Program Director

Joyce Maring
Chair, Department of Health, Human Function, and Rehabilitation Sciences; Associate Professor of Health, Human Function, and Rehabilitation Sciences

Dr. Maring serves as the chairperson of Health, Human Function, and Rehabilitation Sciences department at The George Washington University. She has received multiple teaching awards throughout her academic career. She is an active participant in national professional organizations and an on-site reviewer for the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.

Dr. Maring has an extensive clinical background in physical therapy management of pediatric populations and adults with neurological dysfunction. In conjunction with her research interest, she continues to perform physical therapy evaluations for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

As you explore an online program at the George Washington University, our dedicated staff is here to support you. If you have a question we don’t cover here, request more information or call 844-386-7323.

Visit our FAQ page

Sources:

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2019 September 4). Medical and Health Services Managers. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved September 12, 2019, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm.
  2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2019 September 4). Postsecondary Education Administrators. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved September 12, 2019, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/postsecondary-education-administrators.htm.