Doctor of Health Sciences

The Professional Doctorate comprises coursework and a substantial research component leading to the submission of a thesis. The coursework component includes four compulsory research training courses (Quantitative Research Methods, Qualitative Research Methods, Scholarly Reading and Writing, and Developing a Research Proposal) to be completed as a prerequisite to your individual research project, followed by a supervised research component.

As a doctoral candidate, you are required to have a minimum of two supervisors who will provide support and academic guidance throughout your degree. Your academic supervisors will be complemented by a professional mentor, who has expertise in the industry or profession relevant to your research area. Your supervisors and professional mentors will assist you with the preparation of your research proposal, continuing to mentor and direct you throughout the research phase and through the process of examination.

The assessment of the coursework component consists of written assignments, while the research component is assessed by examination of the thesis by three external reviewers.

Most domestic research students are eligible to have all HDR course fees paid for by the Commonwealth Government through a Research Training Program (RTP) Fees Offset Scholarship. Domestic students are also encouraged to apply for stipend scholarships. International students may be supported through the Commonwealth Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships (Fees Offset and/or Stipend), or the University International Fee Remission Research Scholarship (IFRRS), which are very competitive and awarded to students of exceptional research potential.

In addition to academic qualifications, applicants are normally expected to have a minimum of 3 years of relevant professional practice and have the support of an industry or professional mentor.