Exploring three advanced health sciences degrees: PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences, Doctor of Health Sciences, and PhD in Health Professions Education

Pursuing advanced education through a doctoral degree opens doors to specialized knowledge, research opportunities, and impactful career outcomes. If you are already working in a health field, choosing the right program depends on your goals, interests, and desired career trajectory. Three options for you to consider are a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences, a Doctor of Health Sciences (DHSc), or a PhD in Health Professions Education. Each pathway offers unique training, research experiences, and career opportunities that set it apart. Below, we’ll explore these three programs offered by MGH Institute of Health Professions to help you decide which path best aligns with your aspirations.

 

PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences

The PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences program is designed for individuals who wish to pursue research-based careers focused on advancing health and rehabilitation science, which includes fields like physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology. This program prepares students for academic and research-oriented careers, emphasizing the generation of new knowledge in health and rehabilitation to improve the quality of life for individuals with developmental or acquired disabilities and chronic health conditions.

Educational Pathway: Students entering the PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences program typically hold a master’s degree or clinical doctorate in a healthcare-related field, such as physical therapy (DPT), occupational therapy (OTD), or speech-language pathology (SLP). The program is research-intensive, offering rigorous training in research methodologies, advanced statistics, and scientific inquiry. Students work closely with faculty mentors, conducting original research that contributes to the field of health and rehabilitation sciences.

Career Outcomes: Graduates of the PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences program often pursue careers as faculty members and researchers at universities, research institutions, and healthcare organizations. They may lead research teams, design studies that evaluate treatment interventions, and contribute to scientific advancements in healthcare, education, and rehabilitation. Additionally, they may work in clinical settings to implement evidence-based practices derived from their research. Career outcomes include positions such as science researcher, principal investigator, academic faculty, and clinical scientist, all of which emphasize creating and disseminating new knowledge in the field.

 

Doctor of Health Sciences (DHSc)

The fully-online Doctor of Health Sciences program is an interprofessional clinical doctorate that emphasizes applied research, quality improvement, and practical application of knowledge. The DHSc is ideal for healthcare professionals who want to move into administrative and leadership roles or address complex issues in healthcare delivery without the focus on academic research. This program focuses on applying best practices in education and leadership and advocating for equity in healthcare and education.  

Educational Pathway: Applicants to the DHSc program typically have a master’s or clinical doctorate in a health profession, along with several years of clinical experience. The curriculum covers topics such as healthcare leadership, quality improvement, health policy, and leadership. Unlike the PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences, which focuses on generating new research, the DHSc program emphasizes applying research to solve real-world challenges in healthcare settings. Students also complete a capstone project, in which they address a healthcare problem or implement an evidence-based improvement initiative.

Career Outcomes: Graduates of the DHSc program are well-prepared for leadership roles in healthcare administration, policy, and advanced clinical practice. Career outcomes include positions such as healthcare administrator, clinical program director, policy analyst, and health services researcher. DHSc graduates may work in hospitals, healthcare systems, government agencies, and community health organizations, where they apply their skills to improve healthcare quality and access. The DHSc is particularly suited for those who want to make an impact on healthcare delivery, whether by leading clinical teams, managing healthcare programs, or influencing health policy.

 

PhD in Health Professions Education

The fully online PhD in Health Professions Education program is tailored for individuals who are passionate about scholarship in health professions education. This degree prepares graduates to become researchers and leaders in health professions education, focusing on evaluation of innovations, curriculum development and analysis, learner and program assessment, simulation-based education, and leadership. The PhD in Health Professions Education is ideal for those who aspire to conduct research on teaching and learning in health-related fields, lead innovative educational activities, and enable high quality, equitable learning environments.  

Educational Pathway: This program is designed for individuals who already have a background in a health profession and a strong interest in education. Students in the PhD in Health Professions Education program receive advanced training in quantitative method and predictive analytics, qualitative methods, interprofessional educational theory, cognitive science of learning, systems thinking, and customized assessment methods. The program is research-oriented, equipping students with the skills to conduct original research on topics such as leadership, clinical education, competency-based training, educational innovation, and simulation-based education.

Career Outcomes: Graduates of the PhD in Health Professions Education program are equipped to pursue careers in academia, healthcare education, and leadership across healthcare and educational institutions. Career outcomes include leadership roles in academic and healthcare institutions, scholarship related to educational innovation, and collaborative research globally with an international community of practice. Graduates often work in universities, teaching hospitals, and healthcare systems, where they contribute to the scholarship of teaching and learning directly and indirectly in their professional roles. They often lead educational initiatives that tackle some of latest challenges in the field. This degree is particularly valuable for those interested in advancing the quality and effectiveness of health professions education.

 

Choosing the Right Doctoral Pathway for Your Career Goals

Selecting the right doctoral degree program involves assessing your career aspirations and the specific impact you want to make in your field. If your goal is to contribute original research to the field of rehabilitation sciences and work in academia or research, the PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences offers the focused training needed for a research-intensive career. For those interested in applying research to improve healthcare systems, advancing in clinical practice, or taking on healthcare leadership roles, the Doctor of Health Sciences program provides the applied skills necessary to effect change in healthcare settings.

Alternatively, if your passion lies in educating and training the next generation of health professionals, the PhD in Health Professions Education equips you to excel in academic and educational roles. This pathway emphasizes state-of-the research, application of the best educational methods to improve learning outcomes, making it the ideal choice for future educators and educational researchers in the health professions.

Why Choose MGH Institute of Health Professions?

MGH Institute of Health Professions, the only degree-granting affiliate of Mass General Brigham, offers each of these doctoral programs with an emphasis on interprofessional collaboration, clinical excellence, and evidence-based education. As a leader in health professions education, MGH IHP provides students with access to renowned faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and valuable networking opportunities within one of the nation’s leading healthcare networks. Students at MGH IHP benefit from a robust academic environment that prepares them to make meaningful contributions to their fields, whether in research, clinical practice, or education.