Higher Degrees by Research

Professional Doctorate (Health Services and Implementation Science)

Professional Doctorate (Health Services and Implementation Science)

What is a Professional Doctorate (Health Services and Implementation Science)?

The Professional Doctorate (Health Services and Implementation Science) is a higher degree by research designed for master’s students seeking to improve health systems through evidence-based research and implementation and who are wanting to advance their careers to expert health professionals, clinicians, healthcare leaders and policymakers in Health Services and Implementation Science. Focusing on Health Services and Implementation Science, the program combines advanced research with professional practice to investigate how evidence can be translated into real-world healthcare settings. From improving patient outcomes and strengthening health service delivery to implementing innovative models of care and informing health policy, you will explore practical solutions to some of the most significant challenges facing modern healthcare systems.
This qualification prepares graduates to become leaders in health services and implementation science, enabling them to translate research into practice, influence healthcare policy and service delivery, and contribute original research that improves patient outcomes and strengthens health systems.

More

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate systematic and critical understanding in the profession by planning and generating a substantial and original contribution that advances scholarship for professional practice.
  • Synthesise, apply, and analyse existing and new knowledge using critical thinking, digital literacy and problem solving to develop new concepts for advanced professional practice.
  • Critically evaluate wide variety of research approaches and methodologies and select an appropriate research methodology and method(s) to conduct your research project.
  • Plan and execute ethical research that demonstrate the capacity to scope, design, and conduct research projects independently.
  • Use appropriate and coherent communication skills to report, present, publish and disseminate research data and findings to peers and the community.
  • Exhibit autonomy, authoritative judgement and leadership in workplace research and advanced professional practice.
Study mode
Online, On campus
Campus locations
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Online
Student
Domestic
Course duration
Full-time: 3 years Part-time: 6 years
Start date
14 Sep 2026
15 Feb 2027
31 May 2027
13 Sep 2027
Fee & scholarships

This course is delivered by Torrens University Australia Ltd, ABN 99 154 937 005, RTO 41343, CRICOS 03389E.

Be a catalyst for change
Become an innovative changemaker by challenging current research and finding new ways forward.

Transferable skills and a new career
Build upon your expertise, opening doors to unique career opportunities in academia and industry.

Contribute new knowledge to your field
Make a significant and original contribution through thought leadership, advanced professional practice, through a research thesis and advanced professional practice portfolio.
Higher Degrees by Research careers

Career opportunities

Graduates of the Professional Doctorate (Health Services and Implementation Science) are equipped to lead evidence-based improvement across healthcare systems, clinical services and public health organisations. By combining doctoral-level research with professional healthcare practice, graduates develop the expertise to implement research, improve service delivery and influence health policy through evidence-informed decision-making.

The qualification is ideal for professionals seeking to strengthen healthcare leadership, improve patient outcomes and shape the future of health services through implementation science. As healthcare systems continue to evolve, graduates will be well positioned to contribute to more effective, equitable and sustainable healthcare delivery across industry, government and community settings.

Higher Degrees by Research at Torren University champions the power of people to connect the world for good. Our values begin and end with people, being good, being creative, being bold, being well and being global. There is at the core of everything we do.
Professor Margee Hume
Dean, Higher Degrees by Research (ProfDoc, MRS, GCRS)

Subjects and units

Delivered both on campus and online, the Professional Doctorate (Health Services and Implementation Science) comprises five core subjects, three electives and 16 thesis units, totalling 240 credit points. The course combines advanced research training with specialised study in Health Services and Implementation Science and the completion of an independent research thesis. The course involves 20–30 hours of study per week, comprising 2–3 hours of facilitated study, 2–3 hours of independent research and 16–24 hours of self-directed study.

Core subjects

  • Critical Literature Review | RES611
  • Developing the Research Proposal | RES612
  • Methodology and Research Design | RES613
  • Preliminary Research Thesis | RES614
  • Contemporary topics in Health Services and Implementation Science | RES624

Requirements

Choose 3 subjects from elective bank shown below

Elective subjects

  • Innovation Creativity and Entrepreneurship | MGT607
  • Business Decision Analytics | MGT602
  • Technology Strategy | MGT614
  • Design and Business Strategy | DSG404
  • Service Design | DSG405
  • Design for Social Innovation | DSG501
  • User Experience Design | DID602A
  • Multi-Platform Experience Design | DID603A
  • Design Studio | DSG406
  • Open Studio | DSG502
  • Design Leadership | DSG503
  • Advanced Design Studio | DSG504
  • User Research | DSG407
  • Technology and Education | TED403
  • Design Thinking | EEDUSD402
  • Digital Health and Informatics | DHI401
  • Digital Health Management | DHI402 

  • Advanced Health Informatics | DHI502 
  • Advanced Therapeutic Communication | ATC401
  • Generative AI in Practice | BAN403 
  • Deep Learning | DLE602
  • Statistics and Applied Analytics | STA601
  • Distributed Development | DDE602
  • Data Modelling and Database Design | MIS602
  • Machine Principles | MLN601
  • Foundations in Business Analysis | BANASD600
  • Data Analytics in Business | BANASD601
  • Visual Analytics and Storytelling | BANASD602 

Thesis subjects

  • Thesis Unit | THE601 to THE616
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Research project

Through independent research supported by expert supervision, you will develop advanced research capability while examining complex issues relating to implementation science, healthcare quality, clinical practice, public health, service improvement and system performance. Your research will generate original knowledge that supports meaningful and sustainable improvements across healthcare organisations, government agencies and community health services.

To be awarded the Professional Doctorate (Health Services and Implementation Science) you will require a satisfactory examination of your final thesis and portfolio, and award recommendation from two examiners.

Entry details

Fees

Check the domestic course fee schedule for the cost of your course.

FEE-HELP

Eligible Australian students may choose to defer some, or all, of their tuition fees through FEE-HELP, a loan scheme repaid through the tax system based on income.

Learn more about fees and FEE-HELP

Scholarships

We're serious about supporting your studies from start to success, which is why we offer partial scholarships for both international and domestic students undertaking HDR. Please discuss these options with international and domestic admissions on application. For more information, please email HDR@torrens.edu.au

Admission criteria

Before you get started with your course application, check you meet all the requirements listed below.

Applicants with formal study: Direct Entry

A person may be considered for direct entry admission to study for the degree of Professional Doctorate (Health Services and Implementation Science) if they have been awarded from the University or other approved institution, based on prior cognate learning in the discipline of choice:

a) a relevant three or four-year Bachelor’s degree with a distinction average GPA; or
b) a relevant Honours degree; or
c) a relevant Master’s degree by coursework with a credit average GPA.

AND

Seven years’ practice at an advanced level in a position of responsibility or five years practice at an executive level and currently in a position of influence in the chosen profession,

OR

An extensive track record of executive achievement in the workplace or in professional practice. 

Applicants with work and life experience

Students without a Master's degree may pathway to the Professional Doctorate (Health Services and Implementation Science) with RPL based on:

Seven years' practice at an advanced level in a position of responsibility or five years' practice at an executive level and currently in a position of influence in the chosen profession in the area of cognate learning discipline;

OR

An extensive track record of executive achievement in the workplace or in professional practice in the cognate learning discipline;

AND

A discipline-specific portfolio based on competency-based learning and non-formal learning;

AND

A letter of recommendation from two most recent employers.

Guaranteed pathway and Recognition of Prior Learning

If you have already completed a qualification or gained skills through life or work experience, you may be able to credit this against your degree with us. Check information about Recognition of Prior Learning and Course Credit transfer. We also offer pathway opportunities to further your learning.

Learn more about study pathways

How to apply

Frequently asked questions

  • What is a Higher Degree by Research (HDR)?
  • What is the application process?
  • What is required in a Higher Degree by Research?
  • What is the time commitment for a Higher Degree by Research?

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