The courses in the Executive Doctor of Science (DSc) in Healthcare Leadership curriculum prepare executives to lead more effectively and proactively address current and future challenges. Our highly successful and unique blended course format – a mixture of online and on campus learning – means you will enjoy both lively face-to-face sessions with your instructors and classmates and the convenience of distance learning that allows you to continue your responsibilities at home and in the office.
The program is paced so you can complete your doctoral degree in only three years. There are two years of coursework and one year of dissertation research. The program includes three four and a half day, on-campus sessions each year.
For a sample three-year course list, download the following PDF document.
Courses
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Year One
- Complete 24 credit hours of doctoral-level coursework in three semesters.
- Travel to Birmingham for three four and a half day visits for face-to-face instruction.”
- Stay connected with faculty and classmates through distance learning technology.
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Year Two
- Complete additional 24 credit hours of coursework in three semesters.
- Travel to Birmingham for three four and a half day visits for face-to-face instruction.”
- Continue applying course content and refined analytical skills during the distance-learning component of each course.
- Engage with faculty and classmates via online discussions.
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Year Three
- Complete a comprehensive examination prior to initiating 18 credit hours of dissertation and non-dissertation research.
- Research an issue of interest to you and/or your organization as you write your applied dissertation.
- Immerse yourself in your research with three visits to UAB, up to one week each.
- Work closely with your Dissertation Chair and Committee during campus visits for progress review.
- Stay on track to finish your degree in three years by defending your dissertation proposal in the first semester, completing your data analysis in the second semester and completing your discussion sections and final defense in the third semester.
Here for You
From well before you officially apply to long after you earn your doctoral degree - we are here for you. We understand this is a monumental journey in your life. We are here to support you and guide you every step of the way. Contact
How to Apply
Prepare the following documents to upload to your application:
- Your updated resume/CV
- An organizational chart, highlighting your position within your organization
- Short essay responses to the following topics:
- Statement of career objectives that will be advanced by the program.
- Overview of professional experiences that will contribute to learning outcomes of other students.
- Years of management experience and areas of responsibility.
- Scope of experience in creating and managing budgets.
- Experience in managing human resources.
- Experience as a healthcare executive that has shaped your practice of leadership.
- Most significant professional leadership accomplishment.
- Personal traits that have been influential for professional advancement.
- Steps taken to secure your organization’s support and commitment to the program.
The following items are also required:
- Three recommendations from professional contacts. The online system will require you to enter the names and email addresses for all three recommenders. The system will send them an email with a link to the online recommendation form.
- Transcripts from all universities previously attended (including those from which you did not earn a degree). (Please note: If you are admitted, the Graduate School requires official transcripts to be sent from the issuing university to UAB. However, unofficial copies can be uploaded into the online system for the purpose of committee review.)
- Submit the application fee:
- Domestic Applicants - $50
- International Applicants - $60
The Executive Doctoral program is intended for healthcare executives who are seeking to engage in a rigorous course of study that will also permit them to retain their demanding work and life responsibilities. DSc students are interested in continuing a practice-focused career, as opposed to the academic career sought by most PhD students.
Admissions Requirements
Qualified applicants will have a minimum of five years of mid- to senior-level managerial experience in the healthcare industry.
In addition, qualified applicants will preferably have a master's degree in health administration; health informatics; business administration; or a related field.
Your degree(s) must be from an accredited institution.
As of January 2010, the UAB Graduate School has approved a waiver of the GRE/GMAT requirement for all applicants to the Executive Doctoral Program. Note: admission requirements to the Residential PhD Program are not affected by this change.
International students must submit recent scores from an English Proficiency Exam, unless you meet one of the following criteria.
The cost is $36,600 per year for each of the three years. A non-refundable deposit of $1,000 is required at the time of acceptance to the DSc program. The deposit is applied to the tuition and fees for the first semester.
Executive DSc Tuition includes:
- All tuition and fees.
- All books and learning materials.
- All meals during on-campus sessions.
- All required software that is necessary for coursework.
- Costs associated with supporting distance learning technologies.
- Speaker costs associated with national experts brought to Birmingham.
Students enrolled in the DSc program will not experience tuition increases during their three-year period of enrollment.
If you are interested in financial aid, visit the UAB Office of Student Financial Aid website.
Benefits to You as a Leader
- Increase your value to your organization.
- Open new doors to advancement.
- Obtain advanced problem-solving skills and depth of knowledge in areas vital to healthcare leaders.
- Network with healthcare leaders from across the country.
- Develop highly refined organizational leadership skills more advanced than you will find in a master's degree program.
Benefits to Your Organization
- Convenience
Students can continue in their executive roles throughout the program, remaining productive leaders for their organizations while engaging in an advanced educational experience. - Problem-Solving
The program prepares leaders to apply sophisticated analytical skills to solve problems within their organizations and to develop managerial recommendations based on the application of course principles and concepts. Applied research is supervised by our faculty, some of the top experts in the healthcare field. - Investment
Investing in executive doctoral education for its leaders is an investment in the future success of the organization. The program enriches the skills of senior leaders to better demonstrate the depth of knowledge in a variety of functional areas, plan strategically from a system-wide perspective, conduct applied research, and utilize evidence-based practices to make management decisions. - Leadership
Developing leadership skills specifically targeted to your healthcare organization is a primary objective of this program. UAB has a history of producing leaders who are respected on both a national and international level. Our alumni have received numerous awards from professional associations such as the American College of Healthcare Executives for their leadership in the field.
The 2019 Colloquium has concluded. Please check back for information on future events.
We hope you can join us on Friday, June 7th for our inaugural colloquium and the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the program.
In response to your requests for continuing dialogue and interaction with your colleagues in the DSc program, we invite you to the inaugural DSc Colloquium on Healthcare Leadership. The Colloquium will highlight organizational innovations and analytical work you, our DSc graduates and students, have undertaken in your organizations. Following this event, we will celebrate 10 years of the Executive Doctor of Science (DSc) in Healthcare Leadership program.
General Information
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Presenters
Sarah A. Long, MSc, CRCP, DSc Student (2018 Cohort)
Director of Research Operations, Augusta University
Presentation: Integrating Research Processes, Systems, and Organizational Structures during a University and Healthcare System
Consolidation: A Three-Year Post Consolidation AssessmentRaymond A. Snead, Jr., DSc, FHFMA, FACHE
Chief Financial Executive
Presentation: The Value Proposition of Clinical InterventionMary Temm, DSc, MHSA, FACHE, PCMH CCE
President, Temm & Associates Presentation: Patient-Centered Medical Home – Model for Value Based Care and Patient EngagementCharles Hagood, DSc, MBA
President/Partner, Strategic Consulting Division, Press Ganey
Presentation: Lean implementation and selected patient outcomes in acute care hospitalsKhanhuyen Vinh, DSc, MHA
Administrator, H. Vinh, MD. PA
Presentation: The Effects of Hospitalists on Hospital Length of StayMichael Wiechart, MBA, DSc Candidate
Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, TeamHealth
Presentation: A Crisis of Care: A Predictive Model for Evaluating the Causes, Costs and Consequences of Work-Life Balance Among Emergency Room PhysiciansCynthia Reistroffer, DSc, MBA, RN
Program Line Administrator, Primary Care, Bronson Health Care
Presentation: Patient Activation: Examination of the Relationship between Care Management with Coaching for Activation and Patient Outcomes -
Schedule
Friday, June 7
11:30 am – Lunch
12:30 pm – Colloquium presentations begin
5:00 pm – Colloquium ends
6:00 pm – 10th Anniversary Celebration
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Pricing
Colloquium
FREE, but you must still registerAnniversary Celebration
$100 per person -
Locations
Colloquium
UAB School of Health Professions
Executive Learning Center (SHPB 640)
1716 9th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294Anniversary Celebration
UAB National Alumni Society House
1301 10th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294
Questions?
Contact Leandra Celaya at
Who are our graduates?
They are some of the brightest leaders across the U.S. They are people like you who wish to engage in a rigorous course of study while retaining work and life responsibilities. They are people like you who wish to continue a practice-focused career rather than the academic career sought by most PhD students.
What are they saying?
100% of graduates who rated our program, rated their overall education experience as ‘excellent.’
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“This degree is the best return on investment for an executive with an MHA.”
— John McWhorter, Health System COO (DSc Alumnus, 2012)
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“I believe it to be an excellent learning experience that improved my ability to make evidence-based decisions.”
— Joseph Webb, Hospital CEO (DSc Alumnus, 2013)
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“The DSc credentials allow me as a physician to be considered for administrative health system posts. These same credentials allow my voice to be heard around the board table.”
— Thomas Hunt, III, MD, Chair of Orthopedic Surgery (DSc Alumnus, 2014)