Online PhD in Health Science: Program Details & More

Featured Online Health Science PhD Programs

You’ll find that the path to an online PhD in Health Science is as varied as the outcomes of this degree program. Many students choose accelerated health science degree options, earning their degrees quickly to pursue their future career as soon as possible. Alternatively, others are coming from a certificate program, looking for that terminal degree in an area of focus. Some professionals are coming from another field altogether, looking to transition to healthcare and a fulfilling future.

But while the students entering the degree path come from diverse backgrounds, you can expect some consistency among the programs. Namely, these programs are often designed with flexibility in mind, where online components cater to those with multiple obligations. Online PhDs sometimes have in-person elements, but they’re mostly completed remotely. Some programs have capstones, while others have dissertations.

To give you an idea of what you can expect from an online PhD in Health Sciences, here are three best-in-class programs to consider.

FAQs for Online Health Science PhD Degrees

Now that you’ve reviewed some of the available programs, let’s take a deeper dive by answering frequently asked questions that are common for students considering a PhD in Health Sciences. Here are those questions and answers:

What is the difference between a PhD and doctoral degree in health science in terms of career?

PhD graduates are typically focused on a more specialized area of expertise and can pursue roles in research and management, while Doctor of Health Science (DHSc) candidates receive training that tends to be more broadly focused and practical in nature, with both current and future clinicians in mind.

One of the greatest distinctions between a PhD and DHSc relates to the different healthcare career roles offered for each, but degree earners in both groups leave their university well-prepared to further promote positive health outcomes wherever they find employment. Our guide for negotiating healthcare job offers features valuable insight for evaluating the best roles offered to you in your career.

What is the duration of a typical doctoral program in health sciences?

As a general rule, PhD programs are longer — in many cases by twice as much — as more general doctorates. Some PhD programs can be completed relatively quickly (18 to 24 months), normally. These programs, however, run anywhere from three to five years due in large part to the dissertation component.

Online programs tend to be a little less standardized in their estimated durations or completion times. Many students study part time to accommodate work schedules, while others leverage the online format to fast-track their education and reduce time to graduation. As such, it’s important to treat these estimates as guidelines rather than absolutes.

What does a PhD program in health sciences cost, and do they offer financial aid?

Between variable tuition costs, financial aid opportunities, scholarship potential, and reimbursement arrangements with healthcare employers, you can expect to pay roughly $1,000 to $2,000 per semester in tuition fees on the very low end and as much as $1,000 (or more) per credit hour on the higher end.

Financial aid can also be a little difficult to estimate beyond standard FAFSA support. Unfortunately, many universities offer far fewer financial aid options for post-graduate programs than their undergraduate counterparts. But scholarships and online resources for health science students are available to help fund your academic pursuits.

What is the career and salary outlook for a someone with a PhD in health science?

Your career outlook is very promising upon earning your PhD online, making it a great way to advance into the top reaches of the health science field. As an example, data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for epidemiologists reveals promising long-term (2022-2032) job growth projections for the U.S. The national projection of 27% is nearly 10 times the 2.8% estimate for all U.S. jobs across all occupations combined for the same time period.

Earnings for epidemiologists are also promising, with state median annual salaries ranging from around $60,000 to over $100,000, and top positions reaching $150,000 and higher.

What are typical admissions requirements for PhD programs in health sciences?

Admission requirements for these kinds of post-graduate programs can be competitive. Some will be slightly more flexible than others (for example, programs focused specifically on administration will usually have lower GPA requirements). In general, though, you should expect to see some variation of the following:

• A master’s degree or higher from an accredited institution in a relevant field
• A cumulative GPA minimum of between 2.5 and 3.0 — or higher — on a 4.0 scale
• Verifiable professional experience relevant to both the program and your desired future career
• Letters of recommendation from both former instructors and supervisors

Career Profile: What Can You Do with a PhD in Health Science?

Let’s wrap things up with a closer look at some career options and specializations ideal for PhD holders. Remember, there will be a lot of common ground among these careers, so you’re bound to gain a broad understanding of several health-related topics in your PhD program. It’s how you decide to use those learnings that can inform your future career. Here are five common careers for graduates of a PhD in Health Sciences program.

Healthcare Administrator/Executive

If you’re interested in being the top decision maker in how a healthcare institution operates, you’ll want to consider this role. You’ll need top-notch leadership qualities as you guide efficiencies and direct company culture. In this role, you’ll often determine budgets, make hiring decisions, and guide a strategic path toward success for a diversity of entities such as practices, clinics, and even entire health systems.

Health Educator

A career as an educator may be ideal for you if you’re interested in teaching future healthcare students. You can first work as a lecturer, teaching students about core concepts and guiding hands-on learning and projects. You may also have a research component of your employment, splitting time between your classroom and clinical commitments.

Clinical Researcher

Programs focused on clinical research teach students about laboratory science, diagnostic efficiency, and research leadership. Much of the coursework centers on leveraging laboratory services to support, enhance, and improve clinical outcomes for providers and patients. Graduates can use their degree to pursue roles in laboratory science, medical research, and leadership roles for non-clinical teams.

Epidemiologist

In a post-COVID environment, few areas of specialty feel as critical as those that attempt to prevent further global pandemic events: that’s where epidemiology comes in. Graduates in these roles learn about how diseases spread through a population; how they can be researched and monitored; and how data and technology can provide the tools to more effectively steer the ship out of troubled waters.

Healthcare Policy and Management Consultant

Programs in public health, health policy, and healthcare administration focus heavily on the monitoring, analysis, predictions, and responses to trends in a given demographic. Depending on the area of specialization, this may be as narrow a focus as a single clinic or facility, or as broad as an entire nation. Regardless of the scope, the goal is the same: Use data in your career to identify areas of potential risk and/or opportunity, while leveraging policy and organizational efforts to pursue more positive outcomes for the population in question.

Ranking the Best Online PhD in Health Science Degrees

If you’re looking for a ranking of the best online PhD in Health Science programs, we’ve got you covered. Our data scientists have compiled this resource using data from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). They first compiled a list of schools and programs that meet specific eligibility requirements, then assign weightings based on factors such as (among others):

• Number of online programs
• Percent of total students taking at least one distance education class
• Average in-state tuition for undergraduate students studying full time
• Student/faculty ratio

The results are then tabulated, producing this ranking. Explore top schools below to see if your program of choice made our list.