Doctor of Education
Health Professions Ed.D.
Educate the Next Generation of Health Workers
JWU's Health Professions Doctor of Education program (coming Fall 2027) is tailored for those who are currently working in health fields and wish to pursue leading and teaching roles. This unique program is offered in a hybrid model with a blend of synchronous and asynchronous online course sessions, as well as an in-person summer component in Providence, Rhode Island.
Healthcare is one of the largest and fastest growing industries in the U.S., and the increased demand for workers in healthcare has created a need for more qualified faculty and educators to prepare new workers for the field.
To meet this growing need, JWU — one of New England’s premier institutions for educational leadership — is launching the Health Professions Doctor of Education program. This program will equip you with the skills to create effective educational environments that prepare students to work, teach and lead in the healthcare industry.
Throughout the program, you’ll develop skills in seven major areas: leadership, collaboration, communication, research, critical thinking, problem solving and social responsibility.
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*The estimated cost per credit rate is effective for the 2026–27 academic year and is subject to change annually. The Cost of Attendance (COA) is the estimated total amount it will cost a student to attend JWU each year. For more information, contact Student Financial Services.
Advantages of Earning Your Health Professions Ed.D. at JWU
- Collaboration: Students will have several significant opportunities to collaborate with JWU’s College of Health & Wellness. This program is enriched by JWU programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, and public health.
- Innovative Program: You’ll learn through synchronous and asynchronous coursework remotely, accompanied by in-person learning opportunities with your peers at our Providence Campus.
- Professional Focus: Students travel through the program at the same pace, bonding through shared synchronous experiences, group/partner work, and feedback and guidance from full-time and practitioner faculty. We focus on problems of practice in your professional context.
- Accomplished Faculty: Our practitioner faculty work in authentic settings as educational leaders. Their experience enriches the learning in meaningful and authentic ways.
- Personal Connections: You’ll have access to full-time faculty, program offices, library and other services to augment and support the program. Program administration and faculty have a hands-on and student-focused outlook to speak with and guide students.
- Hybrid Schedule: A convenient hybrid weekend schedule provides a mix of remote and twice monthly face-to-face learning.
- Network for Life: JWU has more than 400 successful Ed.D. graduates, most of whom are active and connected members of the program’s alumni network.
Supportive, Cohort-Based Learning
As a practice-focused doctoral program, the Health Professions Ed.D. provides students the opportunity to learn with a cohort of talented practitioners while building research, leadership and dispositional skills to support career advancement and impactful change.
A cohort model means that the small group you start with (your “cohort”) stays together through the duration of the program, forming friendships and growing together. This cohort provides a supportive peer network to discuss, analyze and solve educational challenges collectively. Together, you’ll focus your investigation and discussion around theory, professional practice and research interests.
Sample Courses
- Andragogy and Curriculum Development in Higher Education
- Law and Policy in Higher Education
- Strategic Planning, Policy and Leadership in Health Education
- Outcome Assessment and Accreditation in Health Education
- Designing and Leading Interprofessional Education in Health Professions
A curriculum link will be added once the catalog is updated.
Career Possibilities
- Health system administrator
- Higher education administrator
- Clinical educator
- Healthcare policy analyst
- College president or provost
- Health curriculum specialist
- Higher education administrative leadership
Some professions may require additional study, background checks, certifications, licenses, exams and/or experience as required qualifications for employment. Students are responsible for verifying that they can meet the employment requirements of potential employers.
Featured Faculty
Our Ed.D. faculty are recognized leaders in their field, providing personalized advising during the dissertation phase to support on-time completion.
Professor
Professor Billups’ research focuses on collegiate culture/subcultures, qualitative and mixed methods research approaches, organizational effectiveness, and the doctoral student experience.
Associate Professor
Buglione’s experience includes over two decades of teaching, developing First Year Experience programming, outcomes assessment, prior learning assessment, and a center for service-learning and civic engagement.
Professor
Since 2007, Professor Kite’s research has focused on cyberbullying and internet risk, including student and parent perceptions of these topics.
Financial Assistance
The following options apply to Ed.D. students:
- Upon completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA), you may qualify for the Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan of up to $20,500 annually. In addition, you can also apply for the Federal Graduate PLUS loan (credit qualified) for up to the program’s cost.
- If you have questions about the FAFSA, the Federal Graduate PLUS loan or would like to discuss tuition payment plan options, contact your JWU financial planner.
