Look for doctoral degree programs that lead to a doctor of science degree online. Determine what area of science you want to study based on what you studied for your 4-year bachelor's degree and 2-year master's degree programs. Your previous training will dictate the type of program to which you will be accepted.
For example, decide whether you want to earn a doctor of science degree in holistic nutrition, if you have a background in nutrition. Meanwhile, aim for a doctor of science degree in rehabilitation sciences if you have former training as a physical/occupational therapist, or strive for a doctor of science degree in health sciences if you have experience as a healthcare practitioner or administrator.
Apply to your chosen doctor of science degree program. Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended. Make sure you have a minimum grade point average of about 3.0. In addition, submit a copy of your Graduate Record Examination test scores. Turn in 3 recommendation letters and a statement of your educational goals and interests along with your resume/curriculum vitae. Be prepared to also complete a phone interview if required.
Attend an in-person orientation prior to beginning your doctor of science degree program online. Make sure you have access to a computer with high-speed Internet. Make sure you also have a personal printer, an appropriate word processing program to meet specifications and verify the hard disk size your computer must have.
Complete online doctoral degree courses such as clinical reasoning and instruction, research methods/design and a graduate level statistics course. Also, take your specialty courses such as risk management for health professionals, if studying health sciences or nutrition, and endocrinology, if studying holistic nutrition. In addition, complete a 1-week on-site seminar, if required by your program, to gain hands-on experience in your degree field.
Do the dissertation for your doctoral degree program. Complete a literature review, proposal development, data collection, data analysis and the research paper required as part of your research project.