M.H.Sc. and D.H.S. Dual Degree

1. Prior to matriculation, applicants must have completed a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
2. Applicants should demonstrate a cumulative bachelor's degree G.P.A. at or above a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

3. Prior health care experience is required and is strongly considered in the admissions process. The M.H.Sc./D.H.Sc dual degree program is a post professional degree designed for health practitioners, public health professionals, and health care administrators from a wide variety of disciplines. The commonality exhibited by our students is the expert practice of a recognized health occupation at a professional level, or five years of administrative experience in a health care organization with progressively increasing responsibilities over that time frame.

   The successful applicant's health profession may emphasize delivery of services to individual clients (e.g., PA, PT, RN, LCSW, etc.) or be population-based (MPH, MHA). An appropriate level of professional practice is generally recognized by either health professions licensure (e.g., RN, PT), a national certification or registration (e.g., PA-C, RVT, RRT, CRNA, FACHE), a recognized health professions academic credential (e.g., M.P.H., M.S.N., M.S.W., M.H.A., M.B.A.), or a combination of the above. The successful administrative (non-clinical) applicant will demonstrate at least five years of professional administrative experience with increasing levels of responsibility in a health care setting. Professional experience will be documented by an organizational chart demonstrating the applicant's position within the organization. Health care administrators will also need to submit a statement concerning their career and professional goals within the health care environment. Fellowship or certification by a nationally-recognized health certifying body (FACHE, etc.) is desirable.

4. All applicants must show evidence of computer skills through coursework or self-study prior to the end of the fist semester. Students may obtain instruction through the NSU computer laboratory or other training facilities.

The University reserves the right to modify any requirement on an individual basis as deemed necessary by the Dean of the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine.

If you have any questions, please contact the MHSc/DHSc dual admissions counselor, Brian Tachick, at 954-262-7496 or at btachick@nova.edu. 

The MHS/DHS Dual Degree program admits students on a rolling basis. Students are considered for admission when all of their admission documents have been submitted to the Enrollment Processing Center. Anyone with a pending application packet that is not complete by the deadline will be automatically rolled over into the admission cycle for the next term.

The Office of Admissions processes applications on a rolling admission basis throughout the year. Applicants can apply for admission for any one of four starting dates during any academic year: January, April, July, and September. Each term runs for 12 weeks.

Applicants for admission must submit or be responsible for submission of:

• Completed MHS/DHS Dual application form
• $50 non-refundable application fee.
• Send transcripts and all required documents to:
  
  Nova Southeastern University
  Enrollment Processing Services (EPS)
  Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences
  Health Science Admissions
  P.O. Box 299000
  Fort Lauderdale, FL 33329-9905

• Official and final transcripts from all undergraduate, professional, and graduate institutions of higher learning (including ones currently in progress). Conferral degree and conferral date must be on the transcript(s) from where you earned a degree.
• All coursework from international institution(s), Applicant is responsible for contacting one of the evaluation services listed here. The evaluation must be course by course including a cumulative GPA. The official evaluation must be sent directly from the evaluation service to the NSU EPS address shown above for all documents:

• Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.
  International Education Consultants
  7101 SW 102nd Avenue
  Miami, FL 33173
  Phone: (305) 273-1616
  Fax: (305) 273-1338
  www.jsilny.com 
  Email: info@jsilny.org

• Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
  P.O. Box 415070
  Milwaukee, WI 53203
  (414) 289-3400
  www.ece.org

• World Education Services, Inc.
  P.O. Box 745
  Old Chelsea Station
  New York, NY 10113-0745
  (212) 966-6311
  www.wes.org

• Copy of national allied health professional certification or licensure, if applicable.
• Copy of current state licensure, registration or certification.
• Copy of BLS, ACLS, PALS and ATLS certificates (if applicable)
• An up to date resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Personal interview with Committee on Admissions MAY be required in some cases. Phone interview and/or advisement may be substituted upon approval.

Computer Requirements

• Pentium, 700 MHz minimum processor
• 128 MB RAM
• Video and monitor capable of 1024x768 resolution or better
• CD-ROM Drive
• Full duplex sound card and speakers
• 56.6 baud modem (DSL or CABLE modem is a plus in an online program)
• Internet connection with private Internet service provider (ISP) for access from home to the Internet
• Windows 98 2nd edition/2000/ME/XP or NT
• Microsoft Office 2000 or newer with Powerpoint, Word, and Excel minimum
• Surge suppressor electrical outlet
• Suggested option: ZIP drive or USB thumb drive

Nova Southeastern University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate’s, baccalaureate, master’s, educational specialist, doctoral, and professional degrees. Nova Southeastern University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Nova Southeastern University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

View all of NSU's accreditations.

Yes. You will need access to the Internet through one of several Internet service providers in order to access the course materials and online student center. We also recommend, though not required, cable or DSL access instead of dial-up.

Each professor has their own method of instruction. Typically, chat sessions are used less than discussion boards due to the geographical and time zone differences. But, one or the other may be required elements of each course.

No. Most instructors have due dates for assignments not unlike an in-class program. The online courses work very much like a classroom and you will be required to interact with the professor and the other students in your virtual classroom.

Yes. Each professor determines the need for a text book and Internet readings. You will be responsible for purchasing the required text for each course.

Courses are paid per semester hour. For the current cost, see the Tuition Page. All courses are paid for upon registration for any particular semester. If you take one course, you pay for 1 course and so on.

Yes. We have developed an online student center for the program. In this virtual student lounge, you can post messages, questions, and have chats with classmates. You will also find the schedule, course plans, links, library resources and much more.

The program is designed to be completed in an online format. There is no on campus residency for most students. The only residency requirement is a 2-week summer seminar for the students enrolled in the Child Development Specialist Track.

No. The program is designed for bachelor's level health care professionals. We currently have several disciplines represented including, but not limited to, PA's, PT's, RT's, NP's, both private and military. We currently have 90+ students of diverse health care backgrounds.

How much time you spend will be based on several factors to include your study style, time management, the professors methods, and your study area. It is generally felt by polling current students that approximately 6 to 8 hours per week per class will be the average.

We consider 6 credits per semester to be full time.

The program is designed to be completed in an online format. The only residency requirement is a 1-week summer seminar attended twice during your program of study.

No. The program is designed for masters level clinicians and public health professionals. We currently have several disciplines represented including, but not limited to, civilian and federally-employed physician assistants, physical therapists, nurses, respiratory therapists, radiologic and ultrasound technologists, nurse practitioners, and officers of the US Public Health Service. We currently have 200+ students of diverse health care backgrounds.

How much time you spend will be based on several factors to include your study style, time management, the professors methods, and your study area. It is generally felt by polling current students that approximately 12 to 15 hours per week per class will be the average.

No. The dissertation requirement has been replaced with an internship, practicum and the Doctoral Objective Analysis.

Students should start with Core block I classes for their first year, followed by Core Block II classes their second year and the Internship, Practicum, and Doctoral Analysis in their final or third year. Electives may be taken at any time. It is recommended to start with one class a semester; no more than two classes are recommended to be taken during a single semester throughout the program.

We consider one class per semester to be full time. At 1 class per semester, with the exception of one summer institute that will require 2 courses, and completing the internship or practicum while taking another course, the program can be completed in 3.5 years. At 2 courses per semester, a student may complete the program in just over 2 years.

Yes. As with most doctoral programs of study, papers compose a large portion. Many courses also require a journal to be kept as well as discussion board postings. Keep in mind, this is an online program. The majority of communications will be in writing.