
Health Sciences
As you earn your doctorate in health sciences, you will study teaching, leadership, advanced practice and scholarship to develop the skills needed to lead in academia, research and/or health and human services practice.
Be a leader who shapes the future of health care
In every area of the health care landscape – from the hospital setting to the classroom – we need expert, compassionate leaders. USD's Ph.D. in health sciences is designed for practicing health care professionals who are ready to take on the responsibility to shape the health care industry, improve patient outcomes or teach the next generation of practitioners.
As a health sciences student at USD, you will gain a robust education in teaching, leadership, advanced practice and scholarship as you prepare for the next step in your career. We emphasize evidence-based practice and a person-centered approach, equipping you with a range of skills that will be invaluable in a variety of settings. Course delivery is designed to be complementary to your working schedule, with classes offered online with limited expectations for face-to-face contact. The program's flexibility also accommodates your unique interests; you can choose elective coursework, project topics and dissertation directions that are tailored to your individual career aspirations and research interests. Whether you are interested in leadership roles in academia, research or the health and human services practice setting, the Ph.D. in health sciences can help you achieve your goals.
Degrees & Offerings
Health Sciences (Ph.D.)
DoctorateThe online interdisciplinary Ph.D. in health sciences is a 75 credit hour program. You'll study teaching, leadership, advanced practice and scholarship as you prepare for leadership roles related to health. Ideal for working professionals, you can tailor the curriculum to meet your individual career aspirations and research interests through elective coursework, projects completed within courses and your dissertation.
Program Details
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Departments & Facilities

Public Health & Health Sciences
The Department of Public Health and Health Sciences emphasizes collaborative learning, equipping students with a rich understanding of the health care field and preparing them to excel in careers such as advocating for health policy, promoting health through education, managing health data analytics and leading collaborative health care teams. The department offers degrees at the associate, bachelor's, master's and doctorate levels.
Faculty & Staff

Take Your Classes Online
We're committed to bringing our knowledge to you. USD serves the largest number of online students in the state of South Dakota. With competitive online tuition rates, we offer the same price whether you’re out-of-state or an in-state resident.
Surprisingly Affordable
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GA (Resident*)
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Online
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Non-Resident
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Tuition (1 cr.)
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180.3
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340.15
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470.45
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654.05
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GAF Fee (1 cr.)
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55.3
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55.3
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0
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55.3
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Total
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More About Tuition & Fees
Tuition rates are subject to change and may vary depending on the program or department. Visit the Graduate Tuition & Costs page for more information.
* Graduate Assistant (GA) rates are available for resident, non-resident and online students.