Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Ph.D.

Western Michigan University's Ph.D. in interdisciplinary health sciences program is an innovative interdisciplinary approach to educating Ph.D. professionals with research and leadership skills to improve health and human services in all areas of society.

The program is highly accessible to non-traditional working professionals, providing high quality doctoral education using a combination of:

• On-campus weekend sessions
• Intensive on-campus summer sessions
• Distance learning technologies

In any setting, the interdisciplinary skills of the graduates of this program prepare them uniquely to address complex problems and contribute to interdisciplinary evidence-based practice.

Experiences Shared by International Students and Alumni

A testimonial from Dr. Tendai Masiriri:

“As a native of Zimbabwe, I pursued a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences at Western Michigan University to address complex health challenges from a comprehensive and evidence-based perspective. The program's exceptional faculty, recognized for their expertise across a wide range of health disciplines, provided invaluable mentorship and fostered a collaborative environment that played a pivotal role in my academic and professional development. Their guidance in applying rigorous research methodologies and engaging in team-based, real-world projects helped me enhance my ability to critically evaluate and improve healthcare delivery systems.

In my role as Director of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at Providence St. Peter Hospital, I have been able to apply the advanced research skills I gained from the program to evaluate and refine healthcare programs. One such initiative, the St. Peter Hospital Mobile Health Clinic, led to a 33% reduction in emergency department visits among the unhoused population. Additionally, the program’s focus on healthcare policy and service delivery, supported by the expertise of the faculty, empowered me to design and implement innovative strategies that resulted in a 28% increase in inpatient mental healthcare access. The interdisciplinary training I received, coupled with the faculty’s mentorship, has given me the tools to lead with confidence, drive meaningful change and make a lasting impact on the healthcare needs of our community.”

A testimonial from Dr. Nurjannah, MD, MPH, Ph.D., an Indonesian Fulbright Scholar, earned her Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences at Western Michigan University through the Fulbright Doctoral Degree Scholarship.

She describes her experience as transformative, significantly shaping her academic and professional path. The IHS program offered a rigorous, interdisciplinary curriculum, exposure to distinguished faculty, and a global research network that fostered critical thinking, innovation and collaboration. Engaging with an international cohort of scholars broadened her perspectives and helped refine her research approach. The program provided invaluable mentorship, research resources and opportunities for cross-cultural collaboration, greatly enhancing her expertise in public health research and policy development. These skills have been crucial to her career.

Currently, Dr. Nurjannah serves as an Associate Professor at Universitas Syiah Kuala in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. Before this, she held a postdoctoral position at the Danish Institute Against Torture (DIGNITY) in Copenhagen, Denmark, where she contributed to global health initiatives and international partnerships.