Doctor of Health Service Management (DHSM) Program
Aims, objectives and key features
The fundamental aim of the professional doctorate is to prepare health service professionals, senior managers, researchers, and health policy analysts for advanced leadership in their professional practice. Candidates will meet the objectives of the program through the study of relevant theory, research and current practice, and by engaging in their own research in the form of a thesis.
The program is offered both internally as a full-time degree as well as externally as a part-time degree. For details see type of candidature below. The program is accredited by the Australasian College of Health Service Executives.
Admission and enrollment
In broad terms, applicants seeking candidature would meet the following requirements:
- Hold a Masters degree in Health Services Management or relevant area, or an appropriate Honours degree; (this clause is under review) and
- Have relevant professional experience in health services management or equivalent activity; and
- Have demonstrated the ability to conduct independent research.
In the application of these requirements it is intended that preference would be given to applicants holding a masters degree with a thesis, dissertation or substantial research project component. However, there are prestigious universities in Australia and overseas that do not require candidates to complete a thesis or dissertation in their various Masters degrees. Candidates completing such degrees have frequently demonstrated a capacity to carry out independent research and as a consequence could be considered for the proposed degree.
Structure of the award
The degree contains three integrated components: advanced level coursework; professional development or fieldwork; and a thesis based on original research work.
Coursework
Each candidate completes four semester-length units of coursework. All units are designed specifically for this doctoral program. The assessment in each unit would be based on an expected word equivalent of 8,000 words. Credit for a maximum of one unit of coursework may be granted by the University.
Please refer to the University's database for following list units.
- Conceptualising Health Services Management (HSHM 701)
- Health Services Management in Context (HSHM 702)
- Health Services Managment Inquiry (HSHM 703)
- Professional Development in Health Services (HSHM 704)
Thesis
The advanced study units, including the professional development unit, are integral to the program of preparation for the thesis. The thesis is the culmination of the DHSM program. The thesis should reflect the high standard of scholarship anticipated in the university community and shall be an original contribution to knowledge of the subject. Given the nature of the proposed degree, the content of the thesis would be inclined to reflect the professional orientation of the candidates. However, it is important to stress that the thesis should be seen as research studies that are carried out in line with rigorous conceptual and methodological analysis. The thesis length varies and the maximum length is 70,000 words.
Full and Part-time Candidature Sequence
Full-time candidates will take three years
Part-time candidates will be allowed a maximum of six years
Residential Schools
Postgraduate research residential schools are held at UNE campus in Armidale each year. The main objectives of these residential schools are to provide students with a forum to obtain supportive feedback from academic staff and other students about various aspects related to their research; and to discuss their progress with one-to-one supervision sessions. Additionally, the residential schools provide an opportunity to learn more about different research methodologies, developing skills for electronic searching and referencing, demonstrations on appropriate software, and an opportunity to network with academics, students and health care providers.
Click here for more details on Residential School
Preparing your application
In preparing your application, you are required to submit a preliminary research proposal (4-8 pages) on the topic of your proposed research. The proposal should outline the aims and objectives, the significance, background (information from literature on the subject area) and a proposed methodology.
While your final research proposal will evolve in the first 6-12 months of the DHSM program, the School must nominate a supervisor to be available for your proposed thesis before you can be accepted for candidature. Consequently, we must have a reasonable description of your proposed area of research in the form of a preliminary research proposal.
Application Form
The postgraduate research degrees are managed by the Research Servcies arm of the University. Information on various aspects including application form for domestic students, postgraduate scholarships, research ethics and other forms and policies are available via the following web link: http://www.une.edu.au/research-services/
Information for international students is available on the following web link: http://www.une.edu.au/for/international-students/
For current course fee information download the brochure on International Prospectus: http://www.une.edu.au/imp/brochures.php#item3
Research proposal
There are several potential research topics that can be used to focus on your research proposal. These topics range from management of primary, secondary, tertiary care health facilities, human resource management, leadership, health information systems, clinical governance, health care reform, quality assurance, financial management inclduing health insurance.
Profile of Academic Staff
Profile of DHSM students
For more information on the DHSM program contact:
Dr David Briggs
Course Coordinator for Health Management
Email: dbriggs@une.edu.au
Tel: 61 2 6765 5398, Fax: 61 2 6765 5561