Doctor of Health Science

Overview

• Identify and address problems that are relevant to your health profession.
• Complete one year of coursework, and present a portfolio or research on workplace-based or industry-linked projects.
• Develop a critical understanding of contemporary health issues, including health promotion, nursing, occupational and environmental health sciences or public health.
• Complete in 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time.

QUT course code	HL90
Attendance	Part-time or Full-time
Course duration	3 years full-time 6 years part-time
Start month	2013 February, July
Delivery	On campus Kelvin Grove
Faculty	Faculty of Health
Course contact	Email: health.research@qut.edu.au Telephone: 3138 8290
CRICOS code	037680K
Careers	Community Health Officer Health Policy Officer Health Promotion Officer Health Researcher Health Services Manager Public Health Officer Statistician

Details

The Doctor of Health Science is a doctoral research program that allows students to identify problems that are relevant to their health profession and develop real outcomes that contribute to their workplace and prepare them for executive leadership positions.

This course is ideal for professionals interested in developing a critical understanding of contemporary health issues, reflective practice skills and competency in purpose-driven research methods.

Students complete one year full-time (or equivalent) of coursework units in a major study area and in research methods and theory. Students then undertake a research component which consists of a single or series of research workplace-based or industry-linked projects that may be presented as a thesis or portfolio.

Doctoral studies may be completed in any area of research supported by the Faculty of Health.

Study areas

We have a student research topic database to help you search for research projects and supervisors in your area of interest. See our current student topics.

Key areas of research strength include:

Ageing

The effects of an ageing population pose numerous health and social issues for Australia and globally. Research at QUT is investigating successful ageing strategies, innovative systems of care and the impact of age-related disease. The Dementia Collaborative Research Centre for Carers and Consumers leads research to improve the care, and quality of life of people with dementia and their carers.

Other research focuses on models of community and residential care, pain and symptom management, palliative care, ocular disease and the effects of vision impairment, foot health, gait, mobility and posture analysis, disorders of movement, injury in older people, social identity, families, mental health, nutrition, cognition and cognitive/memory deficits, the older driver, the older worker and active ageing.

Physical activity

The role of physical activity in the maintenance and restoration of health is a significant emerging area of research with implications for the prevention, treatment and management of a range of chronic disorders and occupational and sporting injuries. This program of research is aimed at the promotion of physical activity during childhood and adolescence, the prescription of exercise in the context of chronic disease, and community-based health behaviour interventions. 

Injury research involves assessment of biomechanical, physiological, metabolic, neurological, sensory and psychological factors, concentrating on high-risk groups. Research is also being conducted into a range of disorders including neurological injury, vision loss, emotional or behavioural disorders in children, peripheral arterial disease, and sleep apnoea.

Human health and wellbeing

Research activities in this area relate to health services, policy and management, and population health. Areas of strength include the management of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, obesity, coronary heart disease and other emerging health issues including quality of life and resilience; improving the care of hospitalised patients and managing early discharge; health outcomes for disadvantaged populations; women's and children's health; and prevention and management of mental health problems. Other research areas include environmental health, child maltreatment awareness and prevention, nutrition assessment and screening tools, and evaluation of nutritional status.

Human behaviour

Research in human behaviour embraces fundamental, social, cognitive and developmental processes in psychology. This includes research in attitude theory, group behaviour and decision making, child and adolescent development, memory, psycholinguistics and the development of reading. Opportunities include research in addictive behaviour, eating disorders, exercise, organic mental disorder, and health promotion. A range of research methods has also informed the development of psychological therapies and counselling, including rehabilitation, treatment of psychological trauma, anxiety disorders and depression, narrative therapy, family therapy and counselling supervision

Vision performance and improvement

QUT has an international reputation for research in optometry and vision science. Facilities that are unique in Queensland provide an important resource for the community, industry, government and the eye care professions. Vision research includes collaborative research with other programs deriving from the main vision research activities, which are visual optics, including aberrations of the eye and their correction, lens design and performance, myopia and optics of the eye; visual performance studies, including vision rehabilitation, vision and driving and vision and falls; and clinical research into the ocular surface, effects of refractive surgery, colour vision and electroretinography.

Social work

Social work research is committed to understanding the needs of the diverse communities with which social work and human services practitioners work. The goal of social work research is to improve the health and wellbeing of vulnerable groups through contributing to new knowledge that informs social policy and professional practice. Current areas of research activity include child safety and welfare, social exclusion (including the needs of specific communities such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander; migrant and refugee; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender; rural and remote; as well as exclusionary practices related to public space), disability studies, and workforce issues in human services.

Accident and injury prevention

Road safety and workplace accident prevention are key areas of research that have already led to the successful implementation of behaviour intervention and education programs. The Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety–Queensland (CARRS-Q) is a major collaborative research centre established as a joint venture initiative of the Motor Accident Insurance Commission and QUT.

The Centre was created to address the enormous human, economic and social costs resulting from road crashes. It has expanded its research scope to include the broader area of injury prevention with a particular interest in youth and risk-taking behaviours.

The goal of CARRS-Q is to reduce road trauma and other injury at the local, national and international level, by conducting innovative research and delivering high-quality education programs to practitioners. The Centre aims to strengthen and broaden research and intervention development in the areas of vulnerable road users, regulation and enforcement, school and community-based injury prevention, occupational road safety, and safety systems and technology.

Units

Course structure

Students undertake 96 credit points of coursework units and 192 research portfolio credit points. The coursework is chosen from the major study areas and must be completed before proceeding to the research component.

To achieve the appropriate advanced levels students must:

• choose one of the major study areas
• complete two units in research methods
• complete one unit in theoretical frameworks
• complete four units from the major study area plus one approved elective unit, or complete five units from the major study area
• students are required to attend a compulsory residential program of three days annually during their candidature.

A maximum of 72 credit points may be granted to candidates who have completed an appropriate masters qualification or its equivalent.

Study areas

• Health Promotion
• Health Services Management
• Nursing
• Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences
• Public Health

Entry requirements

• Four-year bachelor degree (or equivalent) with first-class honours or second-class honours division A
• Masters degree (or equivalent) in a relevant area
• Two years of professional practice in a position of appropriate professional responsibility.

At the discretion of the Executive Dean, candidates who do not have sufficient professional practice may be required to gain this experience during the course of the doctorate.

Before submitting an application, potential candidates should contact the course coordinator who will assist in the preparation of the application.

Candidates should apply on the appropriate form, supplying specified documentation. The application should be accompanied by a brief proposal for the course of study and the research field.

Course fees

Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. All fees are based on current fixed fee prices. We review fees annually.

Scholarships and financial support

You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.

View all scholarships