PhD in Applied Health Sciences

The College of Allied Health Sciences at the Augusta University offers an innovative, interprofessional, and highly applicable PhD in Applied Health Sciences for professionals seeking advanced study and research training opportunities in order to comprehensively solve health care problems.

Our mission

  • Provide advanced study and research training opportunities in a collaborative manner to comprehensively solve health care issues.
  • Prepare interprofessional, research-focused, and clinically-oriented, faculty in the health sciences.
  • Produce scholars capable of advancing the discovery, dissemination, and application of new knowledge in the health sciences.

The PhD program is of interest to the fields of

  • Clinical Laboratory Science
  • Dietetics
  • Health Administration
  • Health Informatics
  • Medical Illustration
  • Medical Imaging
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Physician Assistant
  • Physical Therapy
  • Radiation Therapy
  • Respiratory Therapy

Interests

Graduates of this collaborative program will be research-focused and clinically oriented, able to work on health care teams in evidence-based practice or as allied health faculty. The program is housed in the College of Allied Health Sciences. The degree is awarded through the Graduate School at the Augusta University’s Health Sciences Campus in Augusta.

3 Tracks

  • DIAGNOSTICS SCIENCE
  • HEALTH OUTCOMES
  • REHABILITATION SCIENCE

Why a PhD in Applied Health Sciences?

  • The Augusta University's PhD in Applied Health Sciences Program addresses the acute need for discipline-specific health care PhD programs.
  • We offer health care professionals a doctoral education that meets individual, professional, and societal needs.
  • Academic programs in many fields increasingly prefer PhD-trained faculty to meet accreditation standards. 
  • Many accrediting bodies also now require interprofessional education in curriculums.
  • Team-based research is increasingly emphasized for federal research funding.

Our program combines advanced health education with excellence in research. We provide graduates with the innovative research skills needed for health care in Georgia and beyond.

Program Information

PhD in Applied Health Sciences

train icon

3 Tracks

  • Diagnostic
  • Health Outcomes
  • Rehabilitation
calendar icon

Application Deadline
February 15

pencil icon

Minimum GPA
3.0

 

  • The program allows students to structure course work within three concentration areas: rehabilitation science, health care outcomes, and diagnostic sciences.
    • Courses are co-taught by doctoral faculty from the many CAHS disciplines and other Augusta University colleges with expertise in health informatics, public and community health, clinical outcomes, evidence-based practice, medical anthropology, early childhood education, neuropsychology, neurorehabilitation, database management, cardiovascular/metabolic health and more.
    • Student research is also interdisciplinary in nature, with faculty members from at least two disciplines serving on a student’s PhD committee.
    • Students must complete an original investigation demonstrating independent thinking, a collaborative approach, scholarly ability, critical judgment, and knowledge of research methods and techniques.
    • Students are assessed based on portfolios of written class assignments, self-reflection papers, peer evaluations of team collaboration, oral presentations, manuscripts, and grant submissions.
    • Students meet with their major research advisor regularly to review their portfolio and to assess progress.
  • Health professionals with a bachelor’s degree require a minimum of 72 credit hours to complete the program. 
  • Professionals holding a post-baccalaureate degree may be able to apply up to 9 credit hours of relevant course work.

The Doctor of Philosophy curriculum is not lock-step.

  • Students do not graduate as a class at the end of a specific semester.
  • Nevertheless, students are expected to follow the first 2 years of the full-time curriculum. The reason is that many courses run in sequence and therefore cannot be taken out of order. 
  • The average time to degree is approximately 4-5 years of full-time, year-round study.
  • Acceptable duration of the program is between 3 and 7 years.

  • Full-time students must register for at least 9 credits per semester. 

  • International students must be enrolled in the program as a full-time, i.e., must take 9 credits every semester. There is no part-time option.

  • A minimum of 72 credits is required to complete the program.

 

Request for more information  >>

 

Application Deadline

Fall Entry: February 15

  • This is a hard deadline. Applications will be reviewed after all documents have been received.

 

application checklist

Admission Requirements  »

Augusta University is an equal opportunity educational institution based on the student’s academic preparation and ability. The  admission decisions are made regardless of sex, gender, color, race, national origin, religion, marital status, age, disabilities or creed. The University follows the policy of not engaging in discrimination or harassment against any person regardless of sexual orientation, race, origin, religion, sex, unfavorable discharge from the military, or status as disabled veteran of the Vietnam period and fulfill with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and regulation.

Final Examinations

  • Written and oral doctoral comprehensive examinations in the area of concentration are taken after completing the required coursework.
  • Upon passing these examinations, the student is advanced to candidacy and must enroll in Dissertation (CAHS 9300) until graduation.
  • A final oral defense is held after completion of the dissertation and after all other degree requirements have been met.
  • Dissertation research and oral defense must be completed within three years of admission to candidacy.

 

Application

The Applied Health Sciences PhD program administered through a cooperative effort between The Office of Academic Admissions and The Graduate School. The Graduate School provides oversight to help set and ensure high academic standards in making the final decision.

  • Applications and references are submitted via the ApplyWeb (CollegeNet) online system.
  • Completed applications and references will be transferred from CollegeNet system to Augusta University’s Office of Academic Admissions (OAA) for processing into the Augusta University electronic applicant database system.
  • Programs will have access to applicant’s files and documents only after OAA has officially processed them into the Augusta University electronic applicant database system. 
  • Applicants can monitor OAA’s receipt and processing of their application and application documents into the Augusta University system using the online status check.  
  • Application decisions will not be made until all official documents have been received and processed into the Augusta University’s electronic applicant database system by Augusta University’s OAA. 
  • Upon review of the application and supporting documents, qualified applicants will be invited on campus for an interview.
  • Taken together, the applicant should demonstrate substantial preparation for graduate study in the field for which they are seeking admittance.

Exceptions and/or waivers of minimum requirements must first be supported and approved at the program level and then formally approved by the Dean of The Graduate School.

 

  • Upon recommendation of the interview/selection committee, the applicant's credentials and applicant profile will be reviewed and a formal, official decision for admittance to the PhD program will be made.
  • Official notice of admission can only come from the dean of The Graduate School via notification from Augusta University’s Office of Academic Admission.

Next Steps After Acceptance

Upon acceptance, the applicant must their Admissions Acceptance Contract and official final transcripts, if necessary to the address below or electronically to admissions@augusta.edu.

Augusta University
The Office of Academic Admissions  
1120 15th Street, Benet House
Augusta, Georgia 30912 

Technical Standards

(next step for accepted applicants)

  • For accepted applicants to qualify for enrollment into, retention in and graduation from academic programs in The Graduate School, the individual must satisfy certain technical standards.
  • For more information, review The Graduate School technical standards
  • The Applied Health Sciences PhD program may have additional specific standards that also must be met.
  • Please contact the program administration directly for additional program specific technical standards requirements. The contact information is given below. 
  • Immunizations must be submitted to Student Health prior to enrollment.