Program Overview

Program Overview

The Doctorate in Medical & Health Professions Education is a professional doctoral degree designed for educators and leaders who want to apply research to real-world challenges in health education. This online program is ideal for professionals passionate about teaching, research, and leadership in health professions education.

Program Details

• The program can be completed in 48 credit hours.
• It is designed to be completed in four years, with cohorts starting in the Fall semester.
• The program offers three concentrations: Higher Education, Contemporary Human Anatomy Education, and Simulation Education.

Concentrations

• Higher Education: Prepare to lead and evaluate health professions education programs through research, curriculum design, and academic leadership.
• Contemporary Human Anatomy Education: Develop advanced skills in anatomy instruction, lab management, and modern teaching modalities for diverse academic settings.
• Simulation Education: Train to lead simulation-based education and manage simulation centers using instructional, assessment, and operational best practices.

Who Should Apply

This program is designed for professionals who are passionate about teaching, research, and leadership in health professions education. It is ideal for clinicians, faculty, instructional designers, and academic leaders seeking to advance their careers through doctoral study. Applicants with prior teaching experience in medical or health professions education are especially encouraged to apply.

Online Learning Environment

Access course materials online from any location. Many classes don't have a scheduled meeting time, so you can fit class into your personal schedule. The instructor may schedule assignments and exams at specific times. All courses follow ODU's regular academic calendar.

Program Faculty

The program is led by experienced faculty, including:

• Peggy E. Gesing, Ph.D., Associate Professor/Program Director
• Amanda K. Burbage, Ph.D., Assistant Professor/Concentrations Director
• Jeremy Amayo, Ph.D., Adjunct Assistant Professor
• Robert Armstrong, Assistant Professor
• Brielle Ashley, Ph.D., Adjunct Assistant Professor

Required Courses

The program requires 48 credit hours, including courses such as:

• Exploring Paradigms in Higher Education
• Designing Educational Experiences
• Program Evaluation
• Educational Scholarship Method

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have:

• A master's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
• One year of teaching experience in health professions or higher education (preferred) Additional requirements for International applications include a course-by-course evaluation of foreign transcripts, TOEFL scores (if applicable), and translated transcripts if not originally in English.

Tuition and Fees

• In-state Virginia Residents: $486 per credit hour
• Out-of-State Students: $817 per credit hour Rates are effective Fall 2025 and subject to change.

Career Paths

Our MHPE Ed.D. graduates are successful in applying research to improve instruction, programs, and systems in clinical, academic, and organizational settings. Career paths include:

• Director of clinical or academic education programs
• Educational specialist in graduate medical education or clinical training
• Curriculum and instructional design leader
• Academic affairs or faculty development coordinator
• Community-based health education leader or organizational change agent

Related Programs

• PhD Medical & Health Professions Education
• Graduate Certificate Medical & Health Professions Education - Scholarship
• Graduate Certificate Medical & Health Professions Education - Teaching
• Graduate Certificate Medical & Health Professions Education - Simulation Program Management