Courses & Curriculum

Chatham University’s Doctor of Health Science (DHSc) is a fully online, part-time post-professional program completed in 4–5 terms (16–20 months). This page shows an example of a student's degree progression for a part-time track.

Chatham's DHSc program requires 36 credits; licensed healthcare professionals may receive up to 6 transfer credits (30 credits total), while non-licensed applicants complete all 36 credits. 

The example below shows a degree progression and schedule for a part-time student. This is for representative purposes only. Students' degree progression is determined by their concentrations, start dates, and other choices in conjunction with an academic advisor.

Example Part-Time Schedule, Year One
FALL SPRING SUMMER
HSC 701—Foundations of Healthcare (3) HSC 793—Capstone I: EBP & Project Identification (3) HSC 794—Capstone II: Project Design (3)
HSC 703—Introduction to Research in Evidence-Based Healthcare (3) HSC 725—Technology in Healthcare (2), 1st 7.5 weeks HSC 727—Healthcare Outcomes Measurement (3), 1st 7.5 weeks
  HSC 725—Leadership & Professional Identity (2), 2nd 7.5 weeks Administration or Academic Elective (3), 2nd 7.5 weeks
6 credits 8 credits 9 credits

Example Part-Time Schedule, Year Two
FALL SPRING
HSC 795—Capstone III: Proposal Development (1) HSC 796—Capstone IV: Implementation & Dissemination (6)
HSC 728—Policy, Ethics & Advocacy (3), 1st 7.5 weeks  
Administration or Academic Elective (3), 2nd 7.5 weeks  
7 credits 6 credits

 

DHSc Program Electives

The DHSc program requires 6 elective credits, allowing students to tailor their education to their professional goals. Elective options are offered in healthcare Administration and Academia. Students choose a single concentration or create a personalized plan by combining courses across both areas to align with their background, strengths, and career aspirations.

Electives provide opportunities to:

  • Build leadership and management expertise in complex healthcare systems
  • Enhance teaching, curriculum design, and assessment skills for healthcare education
  • Develop a personalized pathway that strengthens professional competencies and career readiness

Administration Electives

These electives are ideal for students aiming for leadership roles in hospitals, clinics, healthcare systems, or community organizations. 

  • HSC 710: Population Health, Promotion, & Prevention (3 credits)
    This course focuses on population health, health promotion, and disease prevention and management. Students apply strategies to manage health for the individual, the community, and the world at large.
  • HSC 711: Healthcare Finance & Resource Management (3 credits)
    Preparing the healthcare leader to function across a variety of settings, this course focuses on healthcare economics, budgeting, and financial management skills. Current human resources practices that directly impact healthcare leaders will also be explored.

Academic Electives

These electives are ideal for students pursuing careers in teaching, training, academic program leadership, or other educational roles in healthcare.

  • HSC 719: Teaching & Learning in Healthcare Education (3 credits) 
    This course examines educational learning theories and equips healthcare professionals with strategies to design effective learning experiences for students, clients, caregivers, and others. Students explore pedagogy, current technology tools, and educator responsibilities outside the classroom, compiling a practical toolbox of teaching strategies to apply in diverse professional settings.
  • HSC 720: Curriculum Development & Evaluation (3 credits)
    This course focuses on the healthcare educator’s role in curriculum development and assessment, measurement of student performance, and professional accreditation.