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PhD in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences

The PhD in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences is designed to respond to the growing national shortage of doctoral-level educated professionals in health-related fields and to address significant health-research needs related to communities in the U.S.-Mexico border region. The program embraces an interdisciplinary model of teaching and learning that seeks holistic perspectives on health-related issues. Thus, this degree encompasses classes taught by faculty from the various disciplines within the College of Health Sciences. Disciplines include, Physical Therapy, Health Promotion, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, and Kinesiology, as well as Public Health. Health-related courses from programs outside the College of Health Sciences are included.

Graduates from this program will have research skills, core knowledge in health sciences, and knowledge in their areas of specialization. The areas of core knowledge include theory, concepts, and literature in the health disciplines, methods of scholarly inquiry in applied and clinical health topics; cultural and ethnic diversity and their effects on health care and research; ethical issues in health care and research; and skills to enhance success in academia and other leadership roles. Individuals will be prepared to educate future health professionals, conduct needed research, and fulfill leadership roles.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the PhD program in Health Sciences requires completion of a master's degree in a health-related profession. The program admissions committee will make recommendations to the Graduate School based on an assessment of each applicant's academic achievement and potential. Applicants must submit:

• Transcripts according to the requirements of the Graduate School
• Applicants whose degrees are from non-English speaking institutions are required to demonstrate English proficiency.
• Three letters of recommendation from individuals qualified to assess the applicant's potential for doctoral work
• Evaluation from students' recommenders for academic and professional abilities using a structured survey.
• Personal statement describing career aspirations, potential research interests and faculty mentors, and research experiences, to assess candidate's writing skills.
• Other evidence of relevant personal or professional experience

Degree Requirements

Degree requirements consist of 60 credit hours beyond the master's degree. All graduate and doctoral level courses at The University of Texas at El Paso, or graduate courses at the UTHSC-Houston School of Public Health El Paso campus, can be used to fulfill elective requirements, as approved by the student's faculty mentor, the IHS PhD Program, and the respective department offering the course.

Degree Plan

Required Credits: 60

• Core Courses (All courses require a grade of B or better)
  • CHSC 6302: Legal & Ethical Issues in HSCI (3 hours)
  • CHSC 6303: Theories in Health Sciences I (3 hours)
  • CHSC 6304: Theories in Health Sciences II (3 hours)
  • CHSC 6305: Quantitative Meth-Hlth Sci I (3 hours)
  • CHSC 6307: Interdisciplinary Research (3 hours)
• Electives (All courses require a grade of C or better)
  • Select one from the following (3 hours)
    • CHSC 6306: Quantitative Meth-Hlth Sci II
    • CHSC 6350: Scientific and Grant Writing
    • CHSC 6396: Advanced Research Methods
  • Select fifteen hours from the following: repeated for credit (15 hours)
    • CHSC 6380: Special Topics in Health
    • CHSC 6385: Independent Study
    • CHSC 6388: Research Applications
    • CHSC 6390: Directed Study
  • Select 18 hours of interdisciplinary electives with advisor approval (18 hours)
• Dissertation (Complete CHSC 6398 and two semesters of CHSC 6399; CHSC 6399 may be taken multiple times but only twice for credit) (9 hours)
  • CHSC 6398: Dissertation
  • CHSC 6399: Dissertation (Two semesters required. May be taken multiple times but only twice towards the degree requirement) Total Hours: 60