Avg. Salary
$77,760
per year (2022)
Doctoral Degree
Health Professions Education (PhD)
Widener’s health professions education doctorate program puts you on the inside track to greater leadership through education, research, and innovation.
At a Glance
Click to Open
Offered as
Doctorate
Format
Hybrid (Online & On Campus)
Credits
57
Avg. Time to Completion
3 years
College/School
Campus Location
- Chester, PA
Explore the Health Professions Education Program
Widener's PhD program in health professions education empowers you to become an agent of change in an academic setting. Designed for students who already possess a master’s degree or clinical doctorate in a health professions-related field, the program focuses on three tenets:
- Community-engaged practice with a social justice lens
- Leadership development at the community, classroom, and administrative levels
- Interprofessional education, practice, and research
Offered in a hybrid (online and in-person) format, the doctorate in health professions combines both a teaching and research core, giving you the unique flexibility to be equally prepared for faculty positions in graduate health education programs and research positions within your realm of clinical expertise. You'll engage in authentic application of educational and research theory, supported by faculty who bring active clinical and academic research experience to the classroom. And through our on-campus, interprofessional pro bono clinics, you'll gain perspective on using evidence-based practice to impact the local community.
Today, health professions programs commonly require a doctoral degree beyond a clinical doctorate for tenure-track faculty. Given the expansion of health professions programs, the number of faculty retiring, and the shortage of doctorally-prepared educators, you'll graduate well-positioned to prepare the next generation of health professionals and emerge as a scholarly leader within your field.
Health Professions Education (PhD) Program Information
The PhD program in health professions education combines a teaching and research core.
- As part of the teaching practicum, you'll design and deliver components of a health professions education course with the guidance of an experienced faculty member. You'll engage in PhD boot camps that will foster an understanding of the key elements of serving as a faculty member, as well as practical matters such as syllabus and course design.
- The research core culminates in a doctoral dissertation with the goal of launching a sustainable research agenda. You'll learn about research ethics, research design, and qualitative and quantitative analysis. You'll apply this knowledge directly to the development, execution, and defense of the dissertation. And you'll receive mentorship on the dissemination process to successfully engage in peer-reviewed presentation and publication of your research.
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Outlook & Outcomes for Health Professions Educators
Why Study Health Professions Education at Widener?
Engage in Interprofessional Learning
Learn from faculty mentors who use their clinical and academic experience to fuel your journey. Engage with classmates who bring backgrounds in a wide range of health professions into class discussions and out-of-class conversations. Work collaboratively with professionals from neighboring fields as you focus on issues in health education, health care, and social justice. You'll graduate with an interprofessional perspective that sets you apart from your peers.
Benefit from a Flexible Career Path
Our PhD program will prepare you for two powerful roles: a faculty position in a graduate health education program and an educational researcher role within your discipline. No matter which path you choose, you'll graduate ready to impact health care and health professions education.
Strengthen Your Leadership Skills
Develop into a leader within your respective health profession. The initial peer-reviewed presentations and publications that arise from your dissertation will serve as the starting point for lifelong scholarship. And the knowledge and experience you gain will prepare you to educate the next generation of health care professionals.
Admissions & Aid
Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!
Admissions Information
- Master's degree or clinical doctorate in a related field
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate programs
- 3.0 GPA
- Written statement outlining your background, professional goals, prior clinical and/or academic teaching experience, and research interests
- One letter of recommendation from someone who can speak to your clinical and academic background and experience
- Complete the application form
Note: There is no test requirement for admission into this program.
Financial Aid
Paths to Savings
85% of Full-Time Grad Students Receive Aid
Simply apply to Widener and complete the financial aid process to be automatically considered for scholarships and grants. Because Widener is a private institution, we are able to offer financial assistance that brings our education within reach for individuals who might otherwise not be able to afford it. You might be surprised at how much we are able to offer in assistance.
Applying For Financial Aid as a Graduate Student
In order to receive your part of the financial aid pie, all you have to do is submit your FAFSA. "FAFSA" stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and helps identify whether you are eligible for aid awarded by Widener, the government, and other sources.
Graduate Assistantships
Widener offers a limited number of graduate assistantships to enrolled students. GAs receive tuition assistance for their work. Once you're a student, contact your program director for more information.
Employer Discounts & Tuition Reimbursement
Widener University also partners with many local organizations and corporations to offer discounted tuition and other incentives to their employees. Don't see your company on the list? Ask them to become a partner. In addition, employers often offer educational reimbursement benefits. We encourage you to explore these opportunities and will be glad to provide any necessary documentation.
Widener Scholarships
A limited number of university-based scholarships are made available to enrolled graduate students made possible directly from our academic department or thanks to the generosity of university donors. No extra steps are needed to be taken prior to admission. Once enrolled, contact your program director to learn more.
20% Discount for Widener Alumni
(some restrictions apply)
If you graduated with a degree from Widener, you may qualify for a 20% tuition discount. The first step to see what you qualify for is to submit your application. Widener offers students many paths to savings, and while we don't offer "double discounts", we'll make sure you'll get the biggest financial benefit you're eligible for. Only students who have completed an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree are eligible. Students who have pursued a 4+1, 4+2, or 3+3 pathway, graduate assistantship, Widener-funded scholarship, or other tuition discount may not be eligible if the financial discount granted surpasses 20%.
Program Cost
Graduate Admissions Office
-
Hyatt Hall
14th St
Chester, PA 19013 - 610-499-4282
- gcs@widener.edu
Kat LeConey
Assistant Director of Admissions & Enrollment
-
Hyatt Hall, Office #320
- (610) 499-1388
- ksleconey@widener.edu
