A Doctor of Health Science (DHSc) differs from most other healthcare degrees in that it’s designed to help professionals become leaders in their field. These degrees operate on the cutting edge of healthcare and ensure that professionals are ready to face the challenges of an ever-changing healthcare landscape.

Combines research with practical outcomes

DHSc degrees take the best of theoretical research and combine it with practical outcomes geared towards solving real-world problems. Study isn’t skewed in either direction. Overly research-based degrees can leave practitioners struggling to apply theory in the real world, whereas degrees that focus purely on the practical side of healthcare can leave them bereft of new ideas. For example, by studying a DHSc degree online at TUW, healthcare professionals will be able to pursue research theories and then learn how to implement them to drive organizational change across multiple healthcare settings.

Widely applicable

This fusion of research and practical outcomes makes a DHSc degree applicable to a whole host of healthcare settings and organizations. Opportunities are leadership based, and the degree allows you to be a catalyst for real change that leads to more positive outcomes within the healthcare industry. Just some of the potential career paths for degree holders include health service managers, researchers/scientists and even educator specialists. Critical thinking skills, a creative mindset and leadership abilities all open doors and give graduates the chance to proceed down a career path that’s fulfilling, with tangible benefits for the wider world.

Encourages personal development

A DHSc encourages healthcare professionals to be flexible in both their mindset and research goals. Those who are studying the degree are encouraged to pursue their own research angles with different results and aims. Independence and creative thinking are defining traits of the DHSc, as are leadership skills. Not only will this degree encourage you to develop intellectually within your chosen research area, but it will foster interpersonal skills too. Group management, conflict resolution and the ability to inspire others are all parts of a DHSc. The result is personal as well as professional development.

Open to a range of professionals

While some postgraduate degrees can be restrictive, the strength of the DHSc lies in its openness. Healthcare professionals from a range of backgrounds with an array of different specialities will find a home on the course. This includes (but is certainly not limited to) occupational therapists, public health officials, nutritionists, radiologic technologists and mental health specialists. The list is long and exhaustive, and the open ended nature of the degree is reflected in its wide curriculum. Regardless of your background in the healthcare industry, you’ll be able to advance your career on the course.

Increased salary

Since many of the careers associated with a Doctor of Health Science degree are leadership based, you can expect a higher salary that will continue to grow. Health service managers can reasonably expect to see their salaries grow by around 32% between 2019 and 2029, for example, while researchers have a projected rise of 6%.