Site Navigation (skip navigation)

Ph.D. in Health Professions Education

Doctoral education is essential for the advancement of academic and professional educators. The School for Health Studies and the College of Arts and Sciences at Simmons College are offering a unique intra-professional program of doctoral education. The Ph.D. program in Health Professions Education is an innovative interdisciplinary program which prepares expert health professionals to be academic leaders with skills in educational strategies and teaching technologies. This academic option has been developed in response to the growing need for health professionals who can function as effective educators within their respective fields of practice. Recent trends in the health care delivery system highlight the need for a cadre of health professions educators who will teach the next generation of health care providers.

The program is designed to offer a unique educational curriculum for health professionals in nursing, nutrition, physical therapy, health care administration,and other health related disciplines. Once admitted, doctoral students will focus on a course of study in health professions education followed by courses in research methodologies, advanced statistics, and academic leadership. A dissertation project is required of all students. The doctoral degree will be awarded by the Simmons College of Arts and Sciences.

Program Requirements

Candidates must have earned a master’s or higher academic degree in a health professions specialty from either a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an international post-baccalaureate institution recognized by the home country’s Ministry of Education. Applicants must have earned a 3.0 (B) grade point average in their graduate study. Practical experience within the health care arena within the past three years is required. All application materials must be submitted through the College of Arts and Sciences Office of Graduate Studies Admission. Applicants must submit official transcripts from all completed college course work, three letters of recommendation, documentation of recent employment in the health care field, and a statement of purpose which identifies areas of research interest. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all applicants whose first language is not English. Required scores, taken within two years prior to application, must be 600 (paper based), 250 (computer based) or 100 (internet based).

Coursework

Ph.D. Core Courses (32 credits)
  • DEDU 651 - Applied Statistical Analysis I
  • DEDU 652 - Applied Statistical Analysis II
  • DEDU 653 - Qualitative Research
  • DEDU 654 - Quantitative Research
  • DEDU 655 - Diversity in Education
  • DEDU 656 - Pedagogy for Adult Learners
  • DEDU 657 - Education Leadership
  • DEDU 670 - Dissertation Seminar
  • DEDU 699 - Dissertation
Health Professions Education Cognate Courses
  • HPED 506 - Organization, Leadership, and Change
  • HPED 507 - Teaching Modalities and Classroom Design
  • HPED 508 - Theories and Practice of Adult Education
  • HPED 501 - Issues in Health Professions
  • HPED 502 - Principles of Assessment
  • HPED 503 - Curriculum Development and Evaluation
  • HPED 504/5 - Education Preceptorship/Practicum

Faculty

All courses will be taught by doctorally educated faculty who have substantial experience as professionals in practice, education, research, and administration. Adhering to the educational value of scholarship and research, Simmons faculty members are widely published in books, journals, and professional publications, and are recognized by their colleagues for their expertise and leadership. Each faculty member has their own research agenda including such varied areas as: the effects of changing instructional methods, implementing evidence based practice, the effects of phthalate exposure on human reproduction, role socialization, herbal supplements, dietary patterns of college aged women, rehabilitation in skilled nursing facilities, and ethical decision making. As a graduate student, you will be mentored by these faculty members during the identification and implementation of your research.

Curriculum and Courses

Please download our PDF Document Ph.D. in Health Professions Education Program Fact Sheet for more information on this program's curriculum.

Contact Us

Carol Love, RN, Ph.D.
Professor Emertius
Director, Health Professions Education
Nursing Department
School for Health Studies
T - 617-521-2135
F - 617-521-3045
carol.love@simmons.edu

Download

Request Your Admission Kit

Download adobe reader plug-in to view and print PDF files

 

Site Tools

Page Footer

Top | Up to Page Content