Doctor of Health Science (HScD)

Note: No new intake in 2011. The information provided below is for continuing students only.

The focus of the Doctor of Health Science (HScD) program is on developing the researching professional, in comparison with the PhDs greater focus on preparing professional researchers and academics. Students extend their professional knowledge and practice, develop their research skills, and conduct relevant research in health professional settings. The program is interprofessional and multidisciplinary in its approach.

There are particular pathways between many of the faculty€™s master's by coursework degree programs and this degree program. Prospective students interested in developing a plan of advanced study connecting a master€™s by coursework to the Doctor of Health Science should consult with the academic coordinator for their chosen master€™s course and/or the academic coordinator for the Doctor of Health Science program.

Program aims

The broad aim is to strengthen the relationship between the University and the professional workplace through improving linkages between workplace practice and practice-based research. The program provides advanced professional development for professionals working in the health field who wish to acquire the knowledge and skills required to assume leadership. These roles might be, for example, as program planners, clinical managers, clinicians who conduct some research and/or educators. There is an emphasis on systematic and scientific investigation to interpret theory and research, critique current methods and interventions and translate these findings into a form which can direct present and future practice. Current health practice requires health professionals to take an evidence-based practice approach, to be more responsive to health systems issues, to be more focused on efficacy of clinical interventions and to be more flexible in the ways services are provided. These changes require current and aspiring leaders in the health professions to develop sophisticated intellectual and practical skills that have not, until recently, been in high demand, and to develop new ways of organising the delivery of care to clients in organisations with diminishing resources.

Graduates will have developed high-quality research and inquiry skills. These skills will enable them to conduct research that will contribute to the development of their professions and enhance health practice generally by means of promoting a greater understanding among health professionals of the knowledge, roles and practices necessary for high-quality health service delivery. This will enable them, for instance, to design, implement and evaluate health care programs to ensure they are responsive to meeting current health needs. The degree is thus not intended to be just profession specific: rather it is premised on the idea of greater professional flexibility and the development of new forms of practical knowledge through disciplinary and/or multidisciplinary study. The Doctor of Health Science program offers a path for professionals in health related areas to extend their expertise and to initiate research in workplace settings.

Admission requirements

The Dean may admit an applicant to candidature for the degree if the applicant holds or has fulfilled the requirements for:

• Bachelor of Applied Science or the Bachelor of Health Sciences with first or second class honours from the University of Sydney, or an undergraduate degree in the health sciences deemed to be equivalent, or
• Master of Applied Science from the University of Sydney, or
• Master of Health Science from the University of Sydney with a credit average of at least 70, or equivalent, and
• a minimum of three years recent, full-time experience in the health field, or equivalent.

Course design

The program, primarily designed for part-time study, has a normal expectation of the equivalent of three years full-time study, consisting of up to one-third coursework and the remaining in independent research and study, leading to production of a thesis. While a full-time study program is detailed in Table 19.1, units of study to suit an individual student€™s needs may not always be available.

The coursework component, comprising a minimum of six to a maximum of eight units of study, assists students to develop their expertise. Students are able to specialise in any of the profession-specific areas within the faculty, although not all areas will be available for any one intake. An outline of the coursework component is presented in Table 25.1. Course work is typically completed in the first third of candidature; however, this may be varied with the supervisor€™s approval where appropriate.

The research component is the conduct of a research project under the direction of a supervisor and one or more associate supervisors appointed by the University. The outcomes will be scholarly, reflect rigorous research and will make an original contribution to knowledge.

The degree is awarded when the candidate has completed all course requirements and the candidate€™s thesis has been successfully examined.

Coursework units of study

Core units

BACH5026 Special Investigation
DHSC7001 Theory in the Health Professions
DHSC7003 Foundations for Doctoral Studies
DHSC7005 Developing a Research Proposal
DHSC7006 Leading in the Health Professions

Required research methods
One unit selected from the following list and approved by the student€™s supervisor:
BACH5011 Survey Research Methods
BACH5068 Statistics for Clinical Research
BACH5253 Intermediate Statistics
BACH5255 Qualitative Research Methods
BACH5328 Evaluating Health Interventions
PUBH5018 Introductory Biostatistics
PHTY5190 Evidence-Based Decision Making

Students should note that some of the above may only be available by distance mode while others may only be available in on-campus mode. Details of mode and semester of availability are included in the unit of study descriptions. Students may also select a research unit of study offered elsewhere in the University, but not on this list, with permission of their supervisor.

Elective unit(s)
Students will normally complete one or two electives, approved by the student€™s supervisor, to extend their knowledge and capabilities in relevant research and/or practice in keeping with the aims of the Doctor of Health Science program.

Electives will usually be chosen from the range of graduate units of study currently offered within the faculty and University. Unit of study descriptions and a list of faculty electives are found in Chapter 20.

Students will select their electives in consultation with their supervisors. An initial agreed coursework program must be specified in the application for admission.

Students should note that some of the above may only be available by distance mode while others may only be available in on-campus mode. Details of mode and semester of availability are included in the unit of study descriptions.

Research and thesis

Thesis

The primary product of the student€™s research and study is the thesis. The topic of the research and thesis shall be approved by the faculty. The student shall submit for examination a thesis of 60,000 words (or equivalent), which shall be a substantial and original contribution to the subject concerned. The thesis may be presented in traditional form or as thesis including publication(s) according to University rules.

Research presentations
Students will be expected to present their work to their peers at least three times in research forums (one of which should be external to the University). Two will take the form of 'work in progress' colloquia. The last might be analogous to an oral defence of the nearly completed thesis.

Opportunities internal to the University will include both faculty research forums and University research conferences open to all health sciences researchers. Students are expected to participate regularly in University and faculty forums and conferences, virtual or campus-based, as active members of the research community. Flexible modes of communication are sometimes used to involve students located at a distance in on-campus activities. The level and frequency of participation is agreed in principle on admission.

Students completing the program in off-campus mode are normally expected to attend the faculty forums. During that period of residence and at other times by mutual agreement they are expected to make contact with significant academic staff within the faculty.

Credit transfer

An applicant applying for credit transfer will have satisfied the admission criteria listed above and have demonstrated a high level of competency. In general, no more than 50 percent of the total coursework credit points for the award of the degree will be granted credit transfer. Credit transfer will only be granted for units of study undertaken within the last five years. Application for credit transfer is made as part of the application for admission to the HScD program.

For credit for coursework, academic achievement will be at credit level of at least 70 in any unit of study for which credit transfer is sought, with the exception of BACH5186 Professional Development Skills where a distinction level of at least 75 is required. Approval for credit transfer will be granted by the Sub Dean (Research Students) on the recommendation of the Doctor of Health Science Program Coordinator, in consultation with the student€™s supervisors.

Normally, credit transfer will only be granted for previously completed units of study that can be demonstrated as directly contributing to the student€™s total program of study in the Doctor of Health Science degree. General faculty policy on credit transfer for the professional doctorate, together with specific policy in relation to core, elective and research units of study is listed below.

Core units of study
Credit transfer is granted for core units of study only in certain circumstances. Credit may be granted if the units of study were undertaken while enrolled in a Master€™s by coursework in the Faculty of Health Sciences as part of a planned pathway to doctoral research degree candidature. In exceptional circumstances, credit may be granted if students can show that they have completed these units of study, or highly equivalent units of study, at the required level in another award program.

Elective units of study
Prospective students will consult with their supervisor regarding credit transfer for elective units of study. Credit transfer will be granted for already completed units of study if the supervisor in consultation with the academic coordinator considers the completed units as relevant to the student€™s thesis research project. Credit transfer applications must be signed off by the student€™s supervisor and the program€™s academic coordinator and approved by the Sub Dean (Research Students).

Research units of study and thesis
For those with a part-completed candidature in a research master's degree, up to two semesters (full-time equivalent) credit transfer may be granted for the research thesis component. Students should take into account that while such credit transfer will reduce the minimum time of thesis submission, it may also reduce the amount of HECS exemption. The amount and nature of credit transfer in the research thesis will generally be given by the Sub Dean (Research Students) on the recommendation of the HScD program coordinator after consultation with the student's supervisor.

Progression

All higher degree research students complete an annual progress report and are interviewed annually. Satisfactory progress is indicated by:

• completing coursework requirements at the rate of two units of study per semester (part-time enrolment) or four units of study per semester (full-time enrolment)
• achieving at least a credit average in units of study undertaken in the course to date
• presenting to peers at least once in approximately the first, middle and final thirds of candidature
• Achieving approval of the student€™s research proposal
• Achieving objectives agreed with the supervisor for the year or other outcomes agreed equivalent.

Unsatisfactory progress is indicated by failure to achieve the milestones above. Additionally, requiring leave of absence for more than 12 months would be taken to indicate unsatisfactory progress.

Costs

Local students should note that under the Research Training Scheme (RTS) a maximum of four years full time equivalent enrolment in the course is allowable. During local enrolment the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) exemption applies at either a full-time rate (for local students enrolled full-time) or a part-time rate (for local students enrolled part-time).

International students must pay fees for part time or full-time study.

Thus, full-time students enrolled in the coursework component are required to enrol in four units of study per semester (24 credit points) and part-time students are required to enrol in two units of study per semester (12 credit points). Student should take this into account when planning their research and study program. Students who are unable to meet these requirements or wish to seek further information about progression rate in the program should seek advice.

Further enquiries

T: +61 2 9351 9355
F: +61 2 9036 7303
E:

Course outline

The course outline for the Doctor of Health Science is presented in Table 19.1.

Table 19.1: Doctor of Health Science