The Doctor of Health Science degree (DHSc) is a practice-focused doctoral degree program designed for experienced healthcare professionals who want to pursue leadership positions in healthcare organizations. Graduates are prepared to take on a variety of advanced roles, with many specializing in healthcare education, research, or administration. 

What Can You Do with a Doctorate in Health Science?

When you graduate with a DHSc degree, you are in a position to pursue a wide range of leadership opportunities. This degree program builds upon your existing healthcare knowledge and professional experience, allowing you to identify, manage and overcome the most pressing challenges faced by modern healthcare systems. Graduates move forward with an advanced understanding of organizational behavior and well-defined project management and decision-making skills.  

Career Pathways for DHSc Graduates

Graduates with a Doctorate of Health Science can pursue a wide range of career opportunities, allowing them to shape paths that align with their expertise and interests. Below, we will explore some of the most common DHSc careers. 

Healthcare Administration & Executive Leadership Roles

Effective healthcare administration has become increasingly challenging in recent years, particularly as healthcare organizations work to prioritize the needs of patients, address low staffing levels, and improve affordability. With the ability to apply research into professional practice, DHSc graduates can consider a variety of leadership roles in healthcare administration.  

Chief Health Officer

A chief health officer is an executive who oversees health strategy at an organization. According to Forbes, a chief health officer blends their business acumen with healthcare knowledge to create an evidence-based strategy for improving health outcomes at a facility. They may work at medical centers or at private companies to oversee health strategy.  

Director of Clinical Operations

The director of clinical operations is a healthcare administrator, who is responsible for overseeing the non-medical clinical services offered by an organization. In this role, a healthcare professional usually focuses on quality improvement and ensures that all services are delivered as effectively and efficiently as possible. 

Director of Health Services Administration

The director of health services administration is an executive-level role that involves overseeing the business activities of a healthcare organization. In addition to managing budgets and developing an effective recruiting strategy, they must manage general regulatory affairs. This role requires being both informed and resilient, as directors must adapt quickly to the ever-evolving healthcare landscape. 

Chief Quality/Clinical Officer

A chief quality officer, sometimes referred to as a chief clinical officer, is a senior-level executive responsible for quality assurance and regulatory compliance at a healthcare facility. They typically develop a long-term strategy that prioritizes patient safety and improves the delivery of healthcare services over time. 

Roles in Public Health

The DHSc degree equips healthcare professionals with the advanced knowledge and skills required to pursue a career in public health. Those who want to advance into leadership roles in public health will find that the DHSc degree prepares them for the following health science careers: 

Public Health Director

According to the American Psychosocial Oncology Society, a public health director is a senior-level executive who develops and manages public health departments. Through this role, you can directly impact current public policies, as well as the various health services available to the community that you serve. 

Public Health Program Administrator

Public health program administrators play a vital role in the field of public health, as they are responsible for developing and overseeing public health initiatives. Typically, they report to public health directors and help create and develop targeted initiatives that benefit the local community. 

Director of Population Health

Population health directors often collaborate with public health leaders to develop targeted strategies that improve health outcomes in a specific population. They usually have a strong background in healthcare and significant clinical expertise, making this an excellent opportunity for DHSc graduates. 

Director of Community Health

Community health directors work for public health departments or government agencies to develop and implement initiatives that improve the health and well-being of vulnerable community members. With an emphasis on health promotion, they create programs that directly address health disparities within a community. 

Health Policy Analyst

Health policy analysts evaluate and assess existing public health policies to provide targeted recommendations for improvement. They help shape and enhance public health policy through their reports and recommendations. This research-heavy role is ideal for DHSc graduates because of their ability to apply research in professional settings.  

Public Health Consultant

Relying on their background in healthcare and their advanced knowledge of community needs, public health consultants advise healthcare organizations and government agencies on how to improve overall public health. Their insight often enhances the design and development of key public health initiatives. 

Roles in Research & Education

Many graduates who earn a doctorate in health science go on to pursue careers in healthcare research and education. Some leadership research and education health science careers that you may consider include: 

Clinical Research Director

Clinical research directors are senior-level leaders who oversee the development and implementation of clinical trials for a health organization. They may be employed by hospitals, universities, or pharmaceutical companies, and they work to ensure that all clinical trials are conducted safely and successfully.  

Public Health Professor

A public health professor is an educational leader who conducts public health research and provides collegiate-level instruction to students pursuing a degree in public health. This role has a direct impact on the next generation of public health professionals.  

Public Health Program Director

A public health program director works to create and develop programming that benefits the community at large. For example, they may develop targeted campaigns designed to improve vaccination rates in an underserved community. 

Health Education & Training Director

Health education and training directors work with professionals to provide them with ongoing training and development. They may specialize in training healthcare professionals on the most advanced technology, or they may work with private corporations to provide employees with health education materials that improve quality of life. 

Medical Scientist

A medical scientist is a research professional who focuses on studying human health and diseases to develop improved interventions and better approaches to preventive healthcare. Medical scientists may work in laboratories or play an active role in clinical settings. 

Clinical Researcher

Similar to medical scientists, clinical researchers are health experts who study human health and diseases. Their research often focuses on developing new treatments or devices that can improve health outcomes for patients. 

Other Roles for DHSc Graduates

The DHSc degree is a versatile, in-demand program that allows graduates to pursue a wide range of leadership roles in healthcare. These are some of the other roles that you may be qualified for after earning a DHSc degree: 

Quality Improvement Director

Quality improvement directors work for healthcare organizations to develop strategies that improve the quality and safety of patient care within a facility. They are often responsible for creating patient satisfaction surveys, collecting data, and sharing insights that enhance the overall quality of care delivery. 

Occupational Health or Workplace Wellness Director

Occupational health coordinators and workplace wellness directors often work directly for organizations to improve workplace safety. In addition to creating a safe and effective working environment, these professionals often develop wellness initiatives that boost employee well-being and morale. 

Global Health Specialist or NGO Program Leader

Blending clinical knowledge and public health expertise, global health specialists conduct targeted research to improve health outcomes and reduce diseases on a global scale. They may also coordinate international health initiatives, oversee partnerships with local organizations, and ensure programs align with evidence-based practices.  

Prepare for the Leading DHSc Careers at Keiser University Graduate School

Designed for healthcare professionals with a background in clinical practice, the Doctor of Health Science degree (DHSc) at Keiser University Graduate School focuses on the advanced theory and skills required to pursue leadership opportunities in healthcare administration, healthcare education or healthcare research. With an emphasis on applying research in professional practice, this terminal degree program equips graduates with the key skills required for many of the leading doctorate of health science jobs. 

Contact a graduate admissions counselor today and learn more about the DHSc degree at Keiser University Graduate School.