Health Science & Exercise Leadership, Doctorate

Student Learning Outcomes

• The DHSc candidate will synthesize adult learning theories into a working framework of instruction. 
• Bridging theory into practice the DHSc candidate will use his/her leadership skills and abilities to create and execute a service-learning project. 
• The DHSc candidate will compile, and synthesize original research to solve contemporary health, exercise, wellness, and fitness problems. 
• Develop proficiency in assembling, synthesizing, and delivering information and knowledge using technology, media, and other information services.

Admission Requirements

• Overall minimum graduate (master’s or doctorate) cumulative GPA of 3.50 on a 4.00 scale verified with official transcripts from a regionally accredited college or university.
• Official bachelor’s degree transcripts from a regionally accredited college or university.
• Evidence of a licensed or credentialed allied health care provider; health, wellness or exercise professional, or two years of recent experience as a practitioner, administrator, educator, clinician, or researcher in health, wellness or exercise discipline. If your MS is not aligned with the allied health, health, wellness, or fitness please contact the program coordinator to determine if you fit the minimum requirements to apply to the program.  
• Two (2) professional recommendations.
• If an applicant has any questions about the two recommenders, please contact the DHSc program coordinator, Marc Federico, federico@pennwest.edu
• Current resume or curriculum vitae including personal, educational, and professional achievements.  
• Submission of a personal statement that will be assessed by utilizing a standardized programmatic rubric to determine writing ability and skill at the doctoral level. 
• Some suggested additional materials to include to your application packet, which may strengthen your application, includes evidence of a Master’s Thesis; and/or a peer-reviewed, scholarly journal publication; and/or a professional presentation in your field.  Please contact the program coordinator if there are any questions about the accepted type of evidence (federico@pennwest.edu)
• The Fall 2025 priority application deadline is March 31^st with a first decision date of April 11^th. Final decisions will be made May 9^th.

Curriculum Requirements

Core

• EXSC 8040 - Evidence-Based Practice Theory Credit Hours: 3
• EXSC 8050 - Health Promotion and Wellness for the Individual Credit Hours: 3
• EXSC 8060 - Community and Corporate Wellness Credit Hours: 3
• EXSC 8250 - Research Methods in Exercise Science I Credit Hours: 3
• EXSC 8260 - Research Methods in Exercise Science II Credit Hours: 3
• EXSC 8300 - Leadership in Wellness Education and Professional Practice Credit Hours: 3
• EXSC 8350 - Values, Ethics and the Promotion of Health and Wellness Credit Hours: 3
• EXSC 8450 - Advance Delivery Techniques and Technology Credit Hours: 3
• EXSC 8500 - Theories and Foundations of Adult Learning Credit Hours: 3
• EXSC 8510 - Learning Concepts for the Adult Learner Credit Hours: 3
• EXSC 8520 - Curriculum and Course Design Credit Hours: 3
• EXSC 8990 - Evidence Based Project Seminar Credit Hours: 3
• EXSC 9150 - Evidence-Based Professional Portfolio I Credit Hours: 3
• EXSC 9250 - Evidence-Based Professional Portfolio II Credit Hours: 3
• EXSC 9500 - Evidence-Based Professional Portfolio III Credit Hours: 3
• EXSC 9000 - Dissertation Credit Hours: 5
• EXSC 9010 - Dissertation Continuation Credit Hours: 1 TO 3

Related Electives

*The DHSc candidate will take either EXSC 7600  or the free elective based on an advisement session with the program coordinator/advisor

• EXSC 7600 - Leadership and Professional Development Credit Hours: 3 *

Total Number of Credits to Complete the Program: 48 (53 With Optional Dissertation 53)