phd in hospital administration online

Online Doctorate in Healthcare Administration Programs

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Healthcare administrators ensure the smooth operation of hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices. As the healthcare sector continues to grow, organizations will need more experienced leaders.

Healthcare administration doctoral programs prepare graduates to pursue high-paying, in-demand roles. Our ranking will help you find the right program for your career goals.

Popular Online Healthcare Administration Doctoral Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

College of Saint Mary

• Campus + Online
• In-State $21,800
• Out-of-state $21,800
• Retention Rate 71%
• Acceptance Rate 50%
• Students Enrolled 857
• Institution Type Private
• Percent Online Enrollment 46%
• Accreditation Yes

Franklin University

• In-State $9,552
• Out-of-state $9,552
• Retention Rate 100%
• Acceptance Rate 0%
• Students Enrolled 6,815
• Percent Online Enrollment 95%

University of the Southwest

• In-State $16,000
• Out-of-state $16,000
• Retention Rate 69%
• Acceptance Rate 45%
• Students Enrolled 1,064
• Percent Online Enrollment 100%

How We Chose These Schools

At TheBestSchools, we pride ourselves on our proprietary ranking methodology to help prospective students like you find the best fit. Our ranking system uses official government data to present schools without bias, taking into account key factors like academic quality, online offerings, and affordability.

For this page, we’ve ranked colleges by their online enrollment numbers. Learn more about how our formula works on our ranking methodology page .

Online Doctorate in Healthcare Administration Program Overview

A doctorate is the highest degree in healthcare administration and builds expertise for careers in healthcare leadership or academia. Before applying to doctoral programs, graduate students need to choose between a Ph.D. in healthcare administration and a doctor of healthcare administration (DHA).

What’s the difference between a Ph.D. in healthcare administration and a DHA? Both are doctorates in healthcare administration, but they prepare graduates for different career paths. An online Ph.D. emphasizes theory and research, leading to academic and research roles. In contrast, a DHA prepares practitioners for decision-making roles, including as a hospital administrator or CEO.

The doctoral requirements for a Ph.D. and DHA differ. In a Ph.D. program, you’ll explore administration theories and conduct original research for a dissertation. In a DHA, you’ll focus on applied leadership skills. Most DHA programs require an applied research project as the culminating experience.

Salary and Demand for Healthcare Administration Occupations

Careers in healthcare administration report strong demand and above-average salaries. Medical and health services managers report a six-figure median salary, and BLS projections predict much faster than average growth over the next decade.

Median Annual Salary

Medical and health service managers earn a median annual salary of $110,680, according to the BLS . The bottom 10% of earners make $67,900. The top 10% of earners report salaries of $216,750.

Job Outlook and Projected Growth (2022-2032)

The BLS projects medical and health service manager jobs to increase by 28% over the next decade — significantly faster than the average 3% for all occupations.

Paying for a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration Program

The cost of a doctorate in healthcare administration depends on the program and delivery format. For example, graduate students paid an average of $12,630 in 2020, according to the National Center for Education Statistics . However, in-person programs cost an average of $16,860, while online programs cost an average of $8,030. On top of tuition and fees, you’ll need to budget for textbooks and personal expenses.

Online doctoral students at accredited universities qualify for many forms of financial aid . You can submit the FAFSA annually to qualify for federal student aid programs. Universities may also offer grants, scholarships, and other forms of aid to help doctoral students cover costs.

Online vs. On Campus

What are the advantages of an online vs. on-campus program? Consider factors such as your schedule, budget, and learning style to find the right delivery format for you. And then think about what to look for in an online college .

Advantages of Online Programs

• Flexibility to accommodate a busy schedule
• Convenience of studying from home
• Cost-effective
• Limited or no access to campus community

Advantages of On-Campus Programs

• Access to campus amenities (gyms, libraries, technology, health and career services, etc.)
• Face-to-face contact with peers and professors
• Can provide a supportive and interactive learning environment
• Can be more expensive (tuition and fees, room and board, etc.)

Public vs. Private

Doctoral students have a choice between public and private universities. The best fit depends on your academic needs, budget, and preferences. And regarding cost, keep in mind that online universities may offer lower tuition rates than on-campus universities.

Advantages of Public Universities

• Higher admission rate
• May be more affordable
• Larger class sizes
• Less faculty availability
• More extracurricular activities
• Tend to have more diversity
• Bigger campus

Advantages of Private Universities

• Lower admission rate
• Tend to be more expensive
• More nuanced programs, but with fewer options
• Smaller class sizes
• More faculty availability
• Close-knit community
• Smaller campus

Applying to a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration Program

Before applying to doctoral programs, you’ll need to meet the admission requirements . DHA programs often require a master’s degree plus professional experience in healthcare. While many Ph.D. programs require a master’s degree, some admit applicants with a bachelor’s degree.

Common admission requirements include:

• An accredited master’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal statement

Some programs may also require GMAT or GRE scores, and DHA programs may require or recommend up to five years of experience working in a healthcare setting. Because each program sets different requirements, review them carefully before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions about Healthcare Administration Degrees

What is the future demand for healthcare administration.

Medical and health services managers will see strong demand from 2022-2032, according to projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While other management roles will see 5% job growth, healthcare administrators will benefit from 28% growth, with around 54,700 job openings projected annually.

What is the typical entry-level education required for healthcare administration?

Healthcare administrators typically need at least a bachelor’s degree plus five years of experience. Many organizations prefer to hire candidates with a graduate degree. A doctorate in healthcare administration prepares professionals for leadership roles in the field, including CEO positions.

What is the typical salary for healthcare administrators?

Medical and health services managers earn a median annual pay of $110,680. The top-paid professionals in this field earn more than $216,750. A doctorate in healthcare administration can lead to executive-level careers that typically report higher salaries.

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Online Doctorate in Healthcare Administration

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Healthcare professionals that want to advance their careers in the field or build competencies in research and policy can pursue a doctorate in healthcare administration online. With a Ph.D. in healthcare administration, individuals gain leadership and decision-making skills while developing expertise in healthcare systems.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics between 2016 and 2026,  healthcare administrators  and  top executives  have projected job growth rates of 20% and 8%, respectively. With a doctorate in healthcare administration, learners can also  teach at the postsecondary  level, a field projected to see 15% growth during the same time period.

Should I Earn an Online Doctorate in Healthcare Administration?

A Ph.D. requires dedication and perseverance, but the payoff personally and professionally can be multifaceted. Earning a doctorate in healthcare administration online increases earning potential and gives learners the opportunity to gain expertise in the field. With in-depth knowledge, individuals holding doctoral degrees can qualify for advanced careers and  earn more  than their counterparts with undergraduate degrees.

A doctoral program includes extensive coursework and requires substantial commitment, but the skills earned give learners the ability to contribute to their field in highly specialized and rewarding ways. Doctoral degrees train learners in research and writing, creating experts that can communicate and articulate complicated concepts, theories, and data effectively. Businesses and corporations stress the  importance of writing skills , which are essential to overall success.

With the opportunity to explore niche areas of the field, learners gain confidence in the knowledge and contributions they make to their professions. For example, advanced knowledge of healthcare policy can help professionals better advocate for clients and patients. Government agencies and public policy organizations benefit from employing experts, gaining individuals that are well-informed, skilled in research, and trained to think critically about important issues. With curiosity and passion for a subject, students can pursue a Ph.D. and delve into the theories, details, and intricacies of a specific field.

What Can I Do with an Online Doctorate in Healthcare Administration?

A doctorate in healthcare administration online prepares learners for careers in the public and private sectors. Current healthcare administration professionals can advance in their current roles, becoming healthcare administrators, managers, and chief executive officers. Individuals that work in hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities can become chiefs of staff or take on roles as directors of patient safety, risk management, or quality assurance. Healthcare administration doctoral degrees also give learners the skills needed to work in leadership positions within the insurance industry.

Policy and procedure knowledge covered in a doctorate of healthcare administration program delivers competencies applicable to healthcare associations and advocacy organizations.  Doctoral degrees in healthcare administration are ideal for directors of healthcare associations that work to cure diseases, unite practitioners, and build networks within healthcare. Groups, communities, and nonprofit organizations that work for patients’ rights and affordable healthcare options also benefit from experts in the field.

There are numerous government agencies at the local, state, and federal levels that have a role in healthcare, public health, and health-related areas.  Local boards of health, state departments of health and human services, and federal government agencies that work with specific groups of people need leaders that fully grasp the role of healthcare in daily life and can work to promote health initiatives. The federal government, for example, has healthcare agencies targeted to benefit Native American groups, children and families, and inner-city populations. The Centers for Disease Control, Medicaid and Medicare, and even the Department of Homeland Security include healthcare-related programs appropriate for healthcare administration professionals.

An additional career option for an individual who pursues a doctorate in healthcare administration online is teaching at the college or university level.  By becoming a postsecondary teacher, healthcare administration experts train the next generation of healthcare workers and researchers. Postsecondary teachers and other academic professionals also conduct research in healthcare administration, contributing to literature and influencing theories, practice, and policies in the field with their findings.

Career Profiles

Medical and health services managers.

Median Annual Salary : $98,350

Medical and health services managers work as healthcare administrators and directors, implementing health and medical practices, and procedures. They supervise staff workers, oversee regulation compliance, and monitor budgets and spending within a healthcare facility or department.

Chief Executive Officer

Median Annual Salary : $104,700

A chief executive officer (CEO) provides the direction for an entire organization, corporation, or business entity. CEOs work with other top executives to form plans and strategies for effective company or organizational output, including financial achievements and policy implementation.

Chief of Staff

Median Annual Salary : $101,806

A chief of staff often works with other top executives, including chief financial and chief information officers, to relay information about the day-to-day operations of a corporation or organization. Chiefs of staff oversee managers and department administrators, working in conjunction with them to implement policies, meet employee needs, and communicate organizational goals. As an intermediary, the chief of staff has strong communication and critical-thinking skills.

Postsecondary Teacher

Median Annual Salary : $76,000

Postsecondary teachers educate students at community colleges and universities, giving lectures and assessing learner outcomes. Healthcare administration instructors introduce students to the various aspects of healthcare administration in the public and private sectors. Postsecondary teachers also carry out research and present their findings at professional conferences and in academic journals.

Healthcare Program Director

Median Annual Salary : $80,226

A healthcare program director oversees a specific department or group within a larger healthcare facility, company, or organization. Healthcare program directors coordinate staff activities, internal and external communications, and monitor operational activities, such as patient record keeping and budget management.

Healthcare Administration PhD Program Overview

A Ph.D. in healthcare administration may vary in specific coursework and concentrations, but the curriculum generally teaches students advanced research skills and knowledge competencies.

Admission to a doctorate in healthcare administration depends on the school or program offering the degree. Schools may require applicants to take a GRE prior to admission, but some programs do not require exams for experienced professionals. Before applying, learners should consult individual admissions requirements and departments to ensure all criteria are met.

Types of Doctorate Degrees in Healthcare Administration

There are two types of doctoral degrees in healthcare administration. Learners can pursue a Ph.D. in healthcare administration or a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration (D.H.A.) based on their individual interests and professional goals. Both degrees emphasize research, but a Ph.D. focuses on original research while a D.H.A. trains students to conduct applied research.

Original research for Ph.D. students in healthcare administration involves the development of a research question, independent qualitative and quantitative research, and findings contained in a dissertation. Often generating new ideas not readily applicable to the healthcare industry, a Ph.D. can be more theoretical than practical. Over the course of a Ph.D. in healthcare administration program, learners study aspects of the field and identify issues or problems. With unique ideas, research, and findings, Ph.D. students contribute new knowledge to the field of healthcare administration research, often in anticipation of a career in an academic setting.

A D.H.A. program trains students to conduct applied research. With applied research, students use what has already been accumulated and applied by other healthcare researchers and professionals. The goal of a D.H.A. degree is to address and solve immediate problems facing healthcare administration and the healthcare industry. Unlike a Ph.D. dissertation project that may generate knowledge simply for the sake of producing new information, applied research can contribute more functional, practical findings to the healthcare administration field. D.H.A. students are more likely to enter an administrative or executive position within a healthcare organization than their Ph.D. counterparts.

Application Requirements & Admission Criteria

Applying to a program that offers a doctorate in healthcare administration online varies by school and department, but students will need to submit core materials for consideration. Applicants must have a master’s degree in health administration or a related field, such as public health, business administration, or public administration. The master’s degree requirement can be met through a separate professional degree or previous doctorate. Students must submit transcript information that demonstrates a 3.0 GPA or higher or successful completion of degree-related coursework.

Applicants must also have professional experience in the healthcare administration field. This requirement varies from 3-5 years, depending on the doctoral program. Admission requirements also include submission of a resume, a professional statement, GRE scores, and a writing sample or research paper. In addition to a formal application and fee, students should check with admissions officers and department representatives for information on financial aid opportunities .

Online doctoral programs in healthcare administration offer coursework that varies by school and department, with core classes that give learners fundamental information related to the field. Both Ph.D. and D.H.A. degrees begin their curricula with introductory coursework, at times requiring students to attend on-campus sessions. Learners complete classes on aspects of healthcare administration, including management, policy compliance, human resources, and healthcare finance.

Programs can present courses synchronously to cohorts. Coursework may be presented on focus areas such as leadership, policy, and research. Asynchronous coursework gives learners the opportunity to progress through the curriculum at their own pace.

Online doctoral programs also give students the opportunity to take elective classes or receive specializations. These classes are offered alongside advanced research methodology coursework designed to train students to use research tools, analyze data, and synthesize information. At the end of a doctoral degree, Ph.D. and D.H.A. students may take comprehensive exams over all knowledge and skills contained within the program. Learners also produce a dissertation based on their research. This written document accompanies an oral defense.

Program Outcomes

Doctoral degrees train experts in specific fields, producing highly-skilled individuals. Learners then apply their expertise to their careers, interactions with others, and future goals. By building communication and managerial skills, a doctorate degree in healthcare administration prepares effective leaders. Doctoral programs also open students to new ideas and diverse groups of like-minded individuals, offering experiences and perspectives that contribute to their personal and professional lives.

Healthcare administration doctoral programs provide students with skills to work in government, private, and academic settings as they innovate and contribute to the healthcare industry. By teaching students communication skills, research competencies, and decision-making proficiencies, doctoral degrees prepare students to take on leadership roles in their communities. As competitive and competent healthcare administration experts, learners can improve their individual positions within the field and better the industry as a whole.

Accreditation for Online Healthcare Administration Doctorate Programs

Schools and universities that offer online doctoral programs in healthcare administration hold either national or regional accreditation through an agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education. National accreditation indicates a school offers more career-focused, vocational, and technical programs, while regional accreditation is awarded to research-based, and more rigorous, degree-granting institutions.

The programs must earn this credential and may also hold programmatic accreditation. The main accrediting body for healthcare administration is the  Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education  (CAHME). The CAHME oversees healthcare management and administration degrees, ensuring they maintain academic quality, integrity, and fairness.

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30 Best Online PhD in Healthcare Administration Programs [2024 Guide]

Explore Online PhD in Healthcare Administration Programs for 2024. Compare doctorate specializations & career paths.

Hospitals and medical systems need strong leadership from professionals who understand both business and healthcare. Such roles are so important that the field is expected to grow 32% for the next ten years.

Earning your online Doctorate in Healthcare Administration can help you prepare for a career in this growing field.

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Universities Offering Online PhD in Healthcare Administration Programs

Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.

1. A.T. Still University

Founded in 1892, A.T. Still University (ATSU) is the world’s very first osteopathic medical school. It operates 2 campuses comprised of 6 schools across 200 acres of land. It has 3,100 students coming from 35 countries on average. ATSU offers both residential and online graduate degrees in the field of healthcare.

• EdD in Health Professions

A.T. Still University  is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

2. Arizona State University

Arizona State University or ASU has 5 campuses all in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. It was founded in 1885 as the Territorial Normal School. On average, they have about 80,000 students enrolled at the campuses and 30,000 online.

It’s ranked at the top 1% of the most prestigious schools by the Center for World University Rankings , and it is also considered to have the best graduate schools in the US.

• Doctor of Behavioral Health – Management

ASU  is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.

3. Atlantic International University

The Atlantic International University is a Hawaii-based distance learning university. The university was founded in 1998 and currently operates out of Honolulu. The idea for the university traces its origins in the 1980s when businesses wanted to provide their employees with continuing education.

Students can now enroll in undergraduate and graduate degrees.

AIU is accredited by the Accreditation Service for International Schools, Colleges and Universities.

4. Capella University

Capella University is an online university operating out of Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was founded in 1993 as The Graduate School of America. Today, there are about 200 full-time faculty members with over 1,300 part-time teachers. On average, about 38,000 students are enrolled.

• DHA – General Health Administration
• DHA – Health Care Leadership
• DHA – Health Care Quality and Analytics
• DHA – Health Policy and Advocacy

Capella  is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

5. Central Michigan University

Founded in 1892, Central Michigan University or CMU is one of the largest universities operating in Michigan. It also ranked in the largest publicly run universities in America by U.S. News & World Report .

There are about 20,000 students enrolled at their campus at Mount Pleasant, Michigan. They also have a strong online enrolment with 7,000 students enrolled in their online learning programs from over 60 different areas around the world.

CMU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

6. Clarkson College

Clarkson College is a private college with a campus in Omaha, Nebraska that specializes in healthcare. In 1888, Clarkson College started out as a School of Nursing. It was the first nursing school to operate in Nebraska.

More than 130 years later, it has expanded the programs that they offer and now includes online learning programs. At any given time, they have about 1,200 students enrolled.

• EdD in Health Care Education & Leadership

Clarkson College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

7. Colorado Technical University

Colorado Technical University, or CTU, is an accredited university that operates out of Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was founded in 1965 as the Colorado Technical College.

Since the beginning, CTU has had a strong connection to the US Military; it was originally established to train former military personnel to prepare them for civilian life. CTU also gets about 95% of its funds from the US Government through the Department of Defense and the GI Bill.

Enrollment is just over 23,000 for undergraduates and about 2,700 for postgraduates.

• Doctor of Management – Healthcare Management and Leadership

CTU  is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

8. Concordia University – Chicago

Concordia University Chicago is a privately-run liberal arts university with a suburban campus in River Forest, Illinois. CUC was established as Addison Teachers Seminary in 1864. It has since undergone several name changes. The latest was in 2006, which gave the university its current name.

CUC is a part of the Concordia University System that is affiliated with the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. On average, there are about 5,700 students, over 4,000 of these are postgrads.

• PhD in Leadership – Health & Human Performance

CU Chicago  is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

9. Drexel University

Founded in 1891, Drexel University is a private research university based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvanian. Today’s student population at Drexel stands at 24,190. The school is widely known for its unique cooperative education program that makes paid, real-world experience a part of the educational process.

Drexel undergraduate students can choose to pursue more than 70 undergraduate programs. Students seeking master’s and doctoral programs have more than 100 options.

• Doctor of Health Science

Drexel University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

10. Franklin University

Franklin University, or FU, is a privately-operated university with more than 25 centers in the Midwest. Its headquarters is located in Columbus, Ohio. It traces its beginnings through a YMCA Sponsorship in 1902 and was originally known as YMCA School of Commerce.

A few years later, in 1933, the name was changed to Franklin University, and a few decades later, in 1964, FU formally discontinued its association with YMCA. FU offers strong online healthcare degrees.

Franklin University  is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

11. Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University, or GCU, is a privately-operated university with a campus in urban Phoenix, Arizona. In 2018, it was considered as the biggest Christian university in the entire world in terms of enrolment. There were 70,000 online students and over 20,000 attending campus classes at the time.

GCU was founded in 1949 by the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention. In 2000, GCU officially discontinued its association with the Southern Baptist Convention but retains its roots as a Christian university.

• EdD in Organizational Leadership – Health Care Administration

GCU is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

12. Indiana University

Indiana University, or IU, is a publicly run university with 2 main campuses and 7 satellite campuses. It was founded about 200 years ago in 1820. It was one of the first in the region, and today, it is considered as one of the best public universities all over the world by U.S. News & World Report .

Throughout its 9 campus locations, there are approximately 110,000 students enrolled on average, with 21,000 being postgrads.

• DrPH in Global Health Leadership

IU  is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

13. Liberty University

Liberty University, or LU, is a privately-operated university with a suburban campus in Lynchburg, Virginia. LU was originally named Lynchburg Baptist College when it was founded in 1971.

It is recognized as one of the universities with the most enrolees in 2017. On average, there are about 15,000 on-campus students and a massive 95,000 online students enrolled. This is divided into about a 50/50 split between undergrads and postgrads.

•  DBA in Healthcare Management

Liberty University  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

14. Medical University of South Carolina

Medical University of South Carolina or (MUSC) is a publicly operated university with a campus in Charleston, South Carolina. MUSC specializes in medical schooling and other related health care sciences, such as Nursing, Pharmacy, and Dentistry.

It traces its origins to 1824 when the Medical College of South Carolina was incorporated. The original purpose of the private college was to train physicians. In 1913, ownership was transferred formally to the state.

MUSC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

15. National University

National University is a network of nonprofit education institutions headquartered in San Diego, CA. NU was founded in 1971 and now has over 30,000 students enrolled and more than 220,000 alumni from around the world. It is dedicated to providing flexible, quality education for busy adults.

• DBA – Healthcare Administration

National University  is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

16. Nebraska Methodist College

Nebraska Methodist College is a privately-operated college that has an urban campus in Omaha, Nebraska. It is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. It was founded in 1891 with only 6 young women as students.

Today, the college has about 640 undergrads and about 65 graduate students enrolled at any given time.

• EdD in Education & Leadership – Healthcare

Nebraska Methodist College  is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

17. Nova Southeastern University

Nova Southeastern University is a privately-run university that has a suburban 480-acre campus in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It traces its origins to Nova University of Advanced Technology, which was chartered in 1964.

In 1994, the Nova University of Advanced Technology completed a merger with Southeastern University of the Health Sciences to create what was to be known as Nova Southeastern University, or NSU. At present, NSU has about 20,000 students, with more than 15,000 being postgrads.

• DHS – Education in the Health Care Professions
• DHS – Global Health
• DHS – Telehealth

NSU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

18. Radford University

Radford University is a publicly-operated university with a 204-acre campus in Radford, Virginia. Radford University was founded in 1910 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Radford.

In the 1970s, the college started accepting male students to become coed. Its university status was granted in 1979. Today, average enrolment is at about 9,400 students, with postgrads accounting for only 1,100.

• DHS – Healthcare Administration
• DHS – Community and Public Health

Radford University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

19. Regent University

Regent University is a privately-owned and run Christian university that has a suburban campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It was founded in 1977, originally as Christian Broadcasting Network University and is affiliated with the Interdenominational Evangelical company.

In 1990, the university changed its name to what it is now. On average, there are about 8,600 students enrolled. About 3,900 of these are postgrads.

• DSL – Healthcare Leadership

Regent University  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

20. Rivier University

Rivier University is a privately-owned and operated university with a suburban campus in Nashua, New Hampshire. It is affiliated with the Catholic Church.

Rivier University was established in 1933 by the congregation, the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary as an all-female college. Their first location was in Hudson but was then moved to Nashua where it is now. It was only in 1991 that the college started accepting male undergrads.

Today, there are over 2,200 students enrolled, of which are 850 postgrads.

• DNP – Systems Leadership

Rivier University  is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

21. Rosalind Franklin University

Rosalind Franklin University, or RFU, is a privately-operated graduate school with a 97-acre urban campus in North Chicago, Illinois. It traces its origins to the establishment of the Chicago Hospital – College of Medicine, its predecessor.

The university was only christened its present name in 2004 after a series of name changes throughout the years. RFU has around 2,100 students enrolled.

• PhD in Interprofessional Healthcare Studies

RFU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

22. Rush University

Rush University is a privately-operated university with an 8-acre urban campus in Chicago, Illinois. Rush University traces its beginnings to 1837 when the Rush Medical College was chartered by Illinois. However, it was only in 1843 that the college was officially opened to 22 students in a 4-month course.

Today, after 175 years, there are now, on average, about 2,000 students enrolled.

• PhD in Health Sciences

Rush University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

23. Trident University

Trident University International is a privately-owned and run online university operating out of Cypress, California. It was established in 1998 as the Touro University International, a member of the Touro College and University System. In 2007, the university was acquired by Summit Partners and split from the Touro College and University Systems to stand as an independent institution.

TUI offers superior online education because it is accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges. On average, TUI has about 6,100 students enrolled.

• PhD in Health Sciences – Global Health
• PhD in Health Sciences – Health Policy and Administration

Trident University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission.

24. University of Alabama – Birmingham

The University of Alabama – Birmingham is a public research university run by the state of Alabama. UAB, as it is fondly called by its students, has a sprawling campus in the downtown Birmingham area that spans over 100 blocks. It was founded in 1969.

On average, it has about 22,000 students, about 8,000 of which are postgrads.

Their DSc program is offered through an interdisciplinary approach that includes the school of Health Professions, the School of Business, Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing.

• Executive DSc in Healthcare Leadership

UAB  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

25. University of Bridgeport

The University of Bridgeport is a private university in Bridgeport, Connecticut, with an annual enrollment nearing 5,500. UB offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral studies to a student population consisting of learners from 80 countries and 46 states.

Founded in 1927, University of Bridgeport maintains a campus featuring Victorian homes built by historic business owners like P. T. Barnum.

The  University of Bridgeport  is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

26. University of Illinois – Chicago

The University of Illinois at Chicago is a public research university run by the state of Illinois. UIC has a 244-acre urban campus in Chicago, Illinois. It was founded in 1982, but its origins date about a hundred years back to several privately-run health science colleges.

On average, there are 33,000 students, 11,000 which are postgrads.

• Doctor in Public Health Leadership

The  University of Illinois at Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

27. University of Mississippi Medical Center

Founded in 1995, The University of Mississippi Medical Center is the 164-acre campus of the University of Mississippi that houses all colleges in the health sciences. These include, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacology. It’s also a hospital that has over 700 beds and has a Level 1 Emergency Room.

UMMC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

28. University of North Carolina

The University of North Carolina, or simply UNC, is a public university system that operates multiple campuses sprawled across 17 locations in the state of North Carolina. UNC also offers fully online programs for students. Its origins date back to 1789 with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Throughout its 17 campuses and online, average enrolment is at about 220,000 students, 46,000 of which are postgrads.

• Executive DrPH in Health Leadership

UNC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

29. University of Phoenix

The University of Phoenix is a privately-owned university that operates out of Phoenix, Arizona. It serves its students through fully online programs and therefore has no physical campus. It was founded in 1976 with only 8 students.

Today, enrolment numbers are over 100,000. The mission of the University of Phoenix is to provide students with easy access to opportunities in education to develop academic and professional knowledge to help them achieve their career goals.

UOPX is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

30. Walden University

Walden University is a privately-owned university that is classified as a Public Benefit Corporation as authorized by Minnesota. It is an online university that was founded in 1970 for adult learners and teachers who want to pursue their doctorates.

Today, there are about 50,000 students enrolled in the Walden University system.

• PsyD in Behavioral Health Leadership

Walden is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

Online Doctoral Programs in Healthcare Administration

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Analytics and Improvement

Business leadership.

• Healthcare Administration

Healthcare Education

Healthcare operations, policies and regulations, public health.

As a doctoral student, you have the option to tailor your studies toward one particular aspect of healthcare administration by choosing a concentration and taking a set of classes designed to refine your knowledge of that field.

Specializations & Career Paths

Depending on your interests, you can choose to pursue any of the following 7 areas of study for your healthcare administration degree online .

Choosing to study data analysis can help you make your healthcare system the best it. This concentration can help you gain skills need to gather data and put it to work for your organization. Data analytics can help you improve care quality, health outcomes, and resource management.

This field is suited for professionals who enjoy looking at the big picture of an organization from behind the scenes. Common duties for careers in this field include being able to see what’s working and what isn’t based on empirical data and making the proper recommendations for change. You may also design the methodology of how to gather the appropriate data most accurately.

If you want to hold an executive position in a hospital system, then this concentration can help you learn the skills that you need. It can be a good alternative to pursuing a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) with a healthcare administration specialty.

Coursework in this concentration typically covers topics such as finance, strategic planning, marketing, and data analytics. This specialization may be ideal for people who want a hands-on experience steering their organization to success.

General Healthcare Administration

For a degree program that gives you an overview of many aspects of administration, consider selecting a generalist concentration. It may be an ideal approach for professionals who bear a wide assortment of responsibilities and would prefer not to limit themselves to one specialization. You may have the option to take electives.

This area of stud can help prepare you to step into a wide variety of roles in a large organization or to manage a smaller practice singlehandedly.

Knowledge can help to improve healthcare outcomes. With a specialization in education, you may become a patient educator or care coordinator who helps people learn to improve their own well-being. You might also hold a teaching position in which you help healthcare students or continuing-education professionals gain new skills.

This specialization is suited for those who enjoy communicating with and mentoring others.

If you excel at balancing today’s details with the long-term vision for your organization’s success, then you might want to consider this concentration. Operations students discuss ways to manage the daily business of a healthcare system, and they study what is involved in setting and reaching organizational goals.

Like Analytics, you’ll probably be mostly behind the scenes vision casting how to best move your organization from where it is to where it could be.

Rather than managing healthcare systems, some administration students desire to work at the state or federal level to influence healthcare policy. This concentration focuses on the politics and laws behind healthcare. It can help equip you with strategies for crafting policies and working to change current rules and regulations as needed.

Even if you’re not interested in working in a regulatory capacity, you might want to consider this career path if you’re interested in helping your organization remain in compliance with the applicable laws.

Focusing on public health can help you affect health outcomes on a community-wide level by focusing on public health. Your studies can help you learn how to evaluate the needs of a population, implement programs, improve health education, and analyze the results of your initiatives. You may also learn about healthcare advocacy for disadvantaged or underrepresented people groups.

Out of all the specializations, this one may be the best one suited for professionals who enjoy working with people at the grassroots level. It can help you become an agent of change from the perspective of the patient.

Online PhD in Healthcare Programs

Hospitals and other healthcare systems are businesses, but they have a unique focus: caring for people’s bodies and minds. So, serving in a leadership capacity within a medical system requires a specific set of skills and knowledge. A Doctorate in Healthcare Administration is a degree that can help prepare you for those high-level positions.

Administrative healthcare professionals are responsible for the operations and business success of the organizations for which they work. Big decisions often rest on their shoulders, so they need to have strong critical-thinking skills.

It helps if they’re good at visualizing the big picture while also keeping an eye on the details. These are skills and abilities that a doctoral program can help refine.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Healthcare field is expected to grow by 32% over the next 10 years.

The American healthcare system can be complicated. Politics, insurance matters, and other issues add complexity to caring for people in sickness and in health. A doctoral program can help you gain the knowledge and insight needed to navigate this system. Your expertise can help doctors take care of patients while you handle the business side of healthcare.

You may already have firsthand insight into healthcare leadership. If you’ve been working in this field for years, then you probably know how important qualified leaders and administrators are to a health system. You’ll probably draw on your professional experience time and again as you go through your doctoral program.

Many universities require you to have several years of experience working in the field before you’ll be admitted to their programs.

Most online doctoral programs offer the same sort of rigorous educational experience that you would get from on-campus classes. However, they usually feature more flexible schedules and are designed with working professionals in mind. If your goal is to juggle your job, your family and your schooling, then an online healthcare administration program may be ideal.

Types of Doctoral Healthcare Administration Programs

Once you decide that a doctoral degree in healthcare administration is for you, the next step is to choose the type of doctoral program that best fits your plans and interests.

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

If you decide to go the DBA route, then you can earn a business degree with a healthcare specialization. This concentration typically requires an assortment of core classes that apply to students in many business settings and then a few additional healthcare-specific courses.

If you already have an MHA, this may be a good option because it can help you obtain a broader knowledge base. Some DBA programs require dissertations, but not all do.

Doctor of Health Administration (DHA)

Unlike in a DBA program, nearly all of the classes that you take in a DHA program will likely be directly related to health sciences and healthcare. If you pursue a DHA, you may be able to earn a generalist degree or work toward a particular specialization to further refine your healthcare leadership skills. As with DBA programs, not all schools require a dissertation for a DHA.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

People who earn DHA or DBA degrees often work directly in the field; for example, they may serve as leaders in hospital systems. PhD holders often have a different goal in mind: working in academia.

If you are interested in teaching in a university setting or creating original research related to healthcare administration, then a PhD in Healthcare Administration may be a good choice. Be prepared to complete a dissertation as part of your program.

For a number of students, the dissertation requirement is a deciding factor as it is such a lengthy, intensive process. Professional doctorates do not require dissertations in all cases. In fact, a capstone project is becoming more common.

Your doctoral curriculum can help you obtain advanced knowledge of healthcare systems and business leadership. Programs vary from school to school, but your coursework may include classes like the ones below.

As you can see, a doctorate in Health Admin is a robust course of study. If these classes pique your interest, you may be looking at the right degree for you.

Healthcare Administration Careers & Employment Outlook

Many people who graduate with a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration desire to work in a managerial, administrative, or executive role in a hospital or other healthcare organization.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of management positions in the field of medical and health services is predicted to increase by 32% for the next ten years. That is is significantly higher than the national average for job growth.

Medical and health services managers earn an average of $104,280 annually. It’s important to note that this average includes employees who hold only bachelor’s or master’s degrees.

Earning your professional doctorate or PhD in this field can help open the doors for some of the top-paying executive positions in hospitals or healthcare systems. Applicable titles may include Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, or Chief Operating Officer.

Other graduates become presidents or vice presidents of healthcare organizations. Throughout all fields, top executives make an average annual salary of $107,680, and chief executives earn an average salary of about $160,950 each year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Serving as a top-level hospital executive is just one of the many positions that you could pursue after earning your doctoral degree. You should find many career paths open to you after completing your schooling. Your options, with average salaries from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, include:

• Compliance officer : Ensure that healthcare organizations are abiding by applicable laws and regulations. The average annual salary is $71,100.
• Health educator : Help people learn to take charge of their own health. The average salary is around $56,500 per year.
• Management analyst : Suggest ways that healthcare organizations could improve their efficiency and effectiveness. You might make an annual salary of $87,660.
• Pharmaceutical executive : Hold a top-level position in a company that manufactures prescription drugs. Managers in this field make an average of $145,000, and chief executives make $208,000.
• University faculty : Change the face of healthcare by empowering students to make a difference in their communities. Postsecondary teachers make an average of $80,560 each year. Those who teach health specialties may make $99,090 annually.

Your new job title and earnings potential start with earning your new degree.

Admissions & Prerequisites

Doctoral programs in this field can be quite rigorous, so admissions committees can be rather selective about whom they allow into their doctoral tracks. Understanding the admissions requirements ahead of time can help you determine whether this is the right season for you to apply for these programs.

Most schools expect you to have experience in the field before pursuing your healthcare administration doctoral degree. Often, the admissions requirements stipulate that you must have already held a healthcare leadership position for three to five years.

Others expect several years of professional experience, but that experience does not have to be limited to work in the healthcare field .

Your previous education plays a role in whether you will be admitted to a doctoral program. Most schools expect to see a previous GPA of at least 2.5 or 3.0. Some will make exceptions for lower grades if you have a compelling, well-crafted essay to go along with your application.

Holding a master’s degree in health administration online can prove beneficial. In fact, some schools may waive some of their admissions requirements for students who have already demonstrated their competence at the graduate level. For example, a school may allow a master’s holder into its doctoral program even if the student doesn’t have the required number of years of work experience.

Having a master’s degree may also exempt you from minimum GPA requirements.

GRE test scores are required for some Doctorate in Healthcare Administration programs. However, there are a number of schools that don’t ask students to take this test, or they offer waivers for qualifying students. Work experience, previous graduate degrees, professional certifications, or high GPAs are commonly used as the basis for GRE waivers.

Whether or not a school requires GRE testing before admission, it’s likely that you’ll need to provide test scores that prove your English proficiency if this is your second language.

When applying for a doctoral program, you may need to submit an application, an essay or personal statement, your school transcripts, and proof of your professional experience. Most schools will ask for a set number of letters of recommendation; in general, these should come from professional colleagues or associates.

If the GRE or other testing is required, you’ll need to submit your scores or proof that you qualify for a waiver.

Accreditation

In order for your Doctorate in Healthcare Administration to help you reach your career goals, you must earn your degree from an accredited school. Accreditation shows that a university is reputable and that its graduates possess a sufficient body of knowledge and competence.

Consider the following types of accreditation as you decide on a university:

Regional Accreditation

• All universities should hold accreditation from a regional accrediting body that is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation .

Industry-Specific Accreditation

• Although this certification is not completely essential for a doctoral program in healthcare administration, many of the schools in this field have received accreditation from the Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). To receive this distinction, a school’s curriculum must meet rigorous standards.

Additional Accreditation

• If you are earning an online degree, consider enrolling in a school that has been recognized by the Distance Education and Training Council Accrediting Commission .

Before enrolling in a graduate program, ensure that the school is properly accredited and that it maintains its accreditation throughout your course of study.

Financial Aid

Grants and loans can help you afford a doctoral program. The federal government offers both of these types of financial aid. To see what type of help you qualify for, start by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

In addition, your state may offer grants and loans for doctoral students. Scholarships are sometimes available through schools or independent organizations, and your university may be able to set up a payment plan.

What are the Advantages of Earning My Healthcare Admin Degree Online?

When you enroll in an online program, school administrators usually assume that you’re also working full time. Courses tend to be designed to accommodate adult schedules and workloads. Most schools allow students to listen or view lectures at any time. Schools that require logging in to watch live lectures usually schedule them on the weekends rather than during peak work hours.

You may also enjoy the ability to receive education from a myriad of schools nationwide without having to move closer to any particular campus. And because online programs don’t require as much in-person attendance, your tuition is often lower.

How Long Will it Take to Earn My PhD in Healthcare Administration?

The normal range is between 4 and 7 years, but if you have the time, you can enroll in accelerated healthcare administration programs .

You may also earn credit toward your degree based on your prior education and work experience, which could significantly reduce your course load and total time spent earning your degree. Some students can graduate after 2.5 or 3 years, especially when they take advantage of online programs.

Ready to Get Started?

A Doctorate in Healthcare Administration can help you obtain the skills and knowledge needed to serve in healthcare organizations’ top-level positions. Your work can lead to a satisfying career because it can open the door to opportunities to help hospitals and clinics make a difference in people’s lives. In addition, it will let you pursue jobs in a typically well-paying field with continual job growth.

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Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration (PhD-BA), Health Services

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PhD in Healthcare Administration

The public depends upon health services leaders to keep communities healthy, ensure access to healthcare, drive public policy, protect workers, prevent and address pandemics, pursue social justice, and much more. Health service jobs are projected to grow by 16 percent over the next decade, with health program graduates in demand at hospitals, health maintenance organizations, insurance companies, government and public health agencies, and social service organizations.

This PhD specialization in Business Administration develops essential perspectives and skills for addressing health service management issues. The program focuses on problem identification, resolution, analysis, and intervention as administrative issues, as well as recognizing the constraints and limitations of delivery systems to intervention and change. In addition to core business studies and dissertation research instruction, the coursework explores the foundations of health services management, including an overview of the U.S. healthcare delivery system, financial management and economics, human resource management, quality management, and law and policy.

Admission Requirements 

A conferred master’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited academic institution. In addition to this general requirement, applicants have two options for entering the doctoral program in the School of Business:

1. Direct Entry – You may immediately begin the doctoral program through the DBA or PhD track with a previously completed master’s degree in one of the following:

• A generalized business area, such as business management or business administration
• A specialized business area (Master of Finance, Master of Human Resources Management, etc.) AND an undergraduate degree in business
• A master’s in any field AND an undergraduate degree in business

2. Evaluation Track – If you don’t meet the direct entry requirements, you’re required to take SKS-7001 – Doctoral Comprehensive Strategic Knowledge Studies as part of your degree program.

Course Details

For the PhD in Business Administration, Health Services, you must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours (20 courses), including a minimum of five core courses, five specialization courses, two statistical courses, five research courses, and one doctoral elective. The estimated time needed to complete this certificate is 73 months.

Course Listing

This course serves as an introduction to the PhD–BA and as the foundation for further doctoral-level study in business. The PhD–BA degree is designed to encourage you to become a scholar-practitioner, using business theory to inform further scholarly inquiry and positively impact business practices. You will examine requirements for the degree—including each milestone and deliverable—and will develop a plan for achieving your academic and research goals. This preparation will be done in the context of an examination of modern trends in business theory and in beginning the transition from being consumers of knowledge to being producers of knowledge.

Students will analyze and apply knowledge in 12 business areas necessary to address a wide variety of business-related situations. The focus of the course is demonstrating core proficiencies in the following business areas: Marketing, Business Finance, Accounting, Management, Legal Environment of Business, Economics, Business Ethics, Global Dimensions of Business, Information Systems, Quantitative Techniques and Statistics, Leadership, and Business Applications. The intent is not to introduce these core business concepts, but rather to verify a graduate-level threshold competency within each. The course includes a comprehensive case study that will allow students to demonstrate their competency within all 12 professional component areas.

It is important for scholar-practitioners to understand both the internal and external influences on business—the business environment. In this course, students will examine theories related to those environmental factors including business ethics, international business, and marketing. Internal environmental factors include management and organizational behavior.

The allied fields of economics, accounting, and finance are key areas where a highly knowledgeable leader can greatly contribute to the success of a business. Financial professionals secure and manage the money needed to run a business; economists determine how markets will react in certain situations; and accountants provide analysis and accountability to the entire process. In this course, scholar-practitioners will work towards information fluency in theories related to these critical knowledge areas.

Good plans aligned against clear strategic goals can help business leaders achieve those goals. This course is an overview of the theories involved in strategic planning to aid business. Students will explore the difference between strategic thinking and strategic planning, how to choose a strategy that is right for each business, and how to design a strategic plan. This course will investigate how to analyze customers and the competition and ask key questions that help design the most effective strategic plan for each business.

In this course, you will engage in the process of scholarly literature reviews and academic writing. With an emphasis on how to (a) conduct effective literature searches, specifically in preparation for the dissertation, (b) develop a plan for writing comprehensive, critical, and synthesized reviews of research literature, and (c) critically review and write about underlying theory/conceptual frameworks, you will develop a foundation for future research. The overarching goal of this course is for you to conduct an exhaustive search of the peer-reviewed research literature in your topic area and identify potential areas of inquiry for your dissertation.

In this course, you will cultivate a statistical mindset through learning and nurturing skills needed to perform and interpret univariate inferential statistics. The course will facilitate building your statistical confidence in assessing and performing statistics. The course will cover univariate parametric and non-parametric statistical tests, interpretation of statistical output, and introduce skills needed to select statistical tests based on quantitative research questions.

In this course, you will learn advanced statistical principles and how to apply them to quantitative research in the study of organizations. You will be provided an overview of advanced statistical concepts used in empirical research, including inferential analysis. Advanced computations will be performed using commonly used statistical software. The focus involves helping you build independent scholarly skills with an emphasis on understanding multivariate data; the use, comprehension, and evaluation of sophisticated statistical concepts, and presentation of statistical results.

During this course, as a scholar-practitioner, you will build the skills essential for designing quantitative studies; analyzing the data collected in these studies, and interpreting the results of data analyses. You will explore designs and statistical techniques to use with their envisioned dissertation research.

During this course, you will examine qualitative methods for studying human behavior including grounded theory, narrative analysis, ethnography, mixed methods, and case studies. You will explore designs and methodologies to use with your envisioned research.

The Pre-Candidacy Prospectus is intended to ensure students have mastered knowledge of their discipline prior to candidacy status and demonstrated the ability to design empirical research as an investigator before moving on to the dissertation research coursework. Students will demonstrate the ability to synthesize empirical, peer-reviewed research to support all assignments in this course. The Pre-Candidacy Prospectus is completed only after all foundation, specialization, and research courses have been completed.

Students in this course will be required to complete Chapter 1 of their dissertation proposal including a review of literature with substantiating evidence of the problem, the research purpose and questions, the intended methodological design and approach, and the significance of the study. A completed, committee approved (against the minimum rubric standards) Chapter 1 is required to pass this course successfully. Students who do not receive approval of Chapter 1 to minimum standards will be able to take up to three supplementary 8-week courses to finalize and gain approval of Chapter 1.

Students in this course will be required to work on completing Chapters 1-3 of their dissertation proposal and receive committee approval for the Dissertation Proposal (DP) in order to pass the class. Chapter 2 consists of the literature review. Chapter 3 covers the research methodology method and design and to includes population, sample, measurement instruments, data collection and analysis, limitations, and ethical considerations. In this course, a completed, committee-approved Chapters 2 and 3 are required and, by the end of the course, a final approved dissertation proposal (against the minimum rubric standards). Students who do not receive approval of the dissertation proposal will be able to take up to three supplementary 8-week courses to finalize and gain approval of these requirements.

Students in this course will be required to prepare, submit, and obtain approval of their IRB application, collect data, and submit a final study closure form to the IRB. Students still in data collection at the end of the 12-week course will be able to take up to three supplementary 8-week courses to complete data collection and file an IRB study closure form.

In this dissertation course students work on completing Chapters 4 and 5 and the final Dissertation Manuscript. Specifically, students will complete their data analysis, prepare their study results, and present their findings in an Oral Defense and a completed manuscript. A completed, Committee approved (against the minimum rubric standards) Dissertation Manuscript and successful Oral Defense are required to complete the course and graduate. Students who do not receive approval for either or both their Dissertation Manuscript or defense can take up to three supplementary 8-week courses to finalize and gain approval of either or both items as needed.

Specialization Courses

Specialization course listings.

A comprehensive overview of the United States healthcare delivery system, its history, characteristics, various sectors, and functions. You’ll analyze current issues related to access, cost, and quality; financing and reimbursement; public policy and regulations; and the future of healthcare delivery in the U.S.

This course provides an overview of approaches and processes involved in managing the health enterprise, including value analysis, financial risk, and required return. You’ll explore the roles of prices, demand, health insurance, hospital and physician service markets, and government in the U.S. healthcare system.

This course examines pertinent employment and workplace safety laws used in healthcare organizations. You’ll explore the management skills needed to administer and implement related workplace policies. You’ll also consider the impact of employee performance on the organization and its stakeholders, and the challenges of recruitment and retention in the healthcare environment.

This course will prepare you to understand, develop, implement, and evaluate quality performance strategies within a healthcare organization. You’ll examine best practices for quality measurement, quality assurance, and continuous quality improvement in healthcare organizations.

In this course, you’ll critique legal mandates and managerial responses within healthcare settings. You’ll build knowledge and skills required to influence and implement policy development. You’ll also explore the ethical and unethical behaviors of health administrators. Key course topics include professional and institutional liability, ethical decision making, and legal issues surrounding fraud and abuse.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students earning the Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration, Health Services specialization will learn to:

• Develop business knowledge  based on a synthesis of current theory
• Defend theories, applications, and perspectives related to business to diverse audiences
• Evaluate business practices that positively impact society
• Evaluate the relationship  between the global environment and business decisions
• Formulate solutions to problems identified in extant business research

Program Disclosure

Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.

Program availability varies by state. Many disciplines, professions, and jobs require disclosure of an individual’s criminal history, and a variety of states require background checks to apply to, or be eligible for, certain certificates, registrations, and licenses. Existence of a criminal history may also subject an individual to denial of an initial application for a certificate, registration, or license and/or result in the revocation or suspension of an existing certificate, registration, or license. Requirements can vary by state, occupation, and/or licensing authority.

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National University degrees do not guarantee employment or salary of any kind. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to review desired job positions to review degrees, education, and/or training required to apply for desired positions. Prospective students should monitor these positions as requirements, salary, and other relevant factors can change over time.

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“When the COVID-19 pandemic hit. I instantly felt how much my team and those we served depended on me. I wanted to achieve at a higher level and be of greater service to my community. The greatest experience was learning with other healthcare professionals from across the country, continent, world, and spectrum of healthcare. The perspective I gained could not have been developed from within my community or organization alone.” Christa Gariepy, DHA | Director of Operations, Primary Care, Berkshire Health Systems

Doctor of Healthcare Administration Frequently Asked Questions

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Top 25 Online Doctorates in Healthcare Administration

The healthcare administration field encompasses healthcare organizational leadership and healthcare administration research, policy, and education. Healthcare managers and healthcare administration researchers work to improve healthcare services, systems, and profitability.

Pursuing a doctorate in healthcare administration (DHA) can help healthcare professionals earn higher pay, move into administrative roles, or transition to academic or research careers. To qualify for doctoral programs, candidates usually need master’s degrees or significant professional experience in healthcare administration.

To excel in an online doctorate in healthcare administration, students must demonstrate persistence, self-efficacy, and strong analytical abilities. Successful healthcare administrators or professors also possess advanced communication and management skills. To compete for top healthcare management positions, candidates usually need prior administrative experience in roles such as medical executive assistant, medical office administrator, healthcare human resources manager, or health informatics officer.

This page offers an overview of online doctorates in healthcare administration. Prospective students can explore program rankings, curricula, and accreditation standards. This page also details healthcare administration careers and duties, salary data, professional certifications, and funding opportunities.

Top 10 Online Doctorates in Healthcare Administration

How Much Do Healthcare Administrators Make?

Healthcare administration salaries vary considerably based on position, industry, employer, and credentials, although most professionals make substantial annual salaries. Healthcare administration doctoral graduates who work as postsecondary teachers earn a median annual salary of $79,540, while postsecondary education administrators earn about $95,410 yearly, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

BLS salary data indicates that medical and health services managers earned a median annual salary of $100,980 in 2019. According to the BLS, government employees earn the highest median annual salary of $111,520, and hospital-employed professionals land not far behind. Nursing and residential care managers earned a median salary of $86,820 in 2019. Social and community service managers , who typically work for nonprofits, earned a median annual salary of $67,150.

Given the robust and rapidly growing nature of the healthcare industry, healthcare administrators usually enjoy promising job prospects. The BLS projects higher-than-average job growth for the above-mentioned careers between 2019 and 2029. According to the BLS, jobs for medical and health services managers are projected to grow 32% between 2019 and 2029.

Doctoral degrees in healthcare administration typically meet or exceed education requirements for any healthcare administration career path. However, candidates may need to earn additional certifications and acquire substantial work experience to compete for high-level positions. See below for information about healthcare administration licensure and certification.

Source: BLS

Licensure and Certifications for Healthcare Administration

Only nursing home administrators typically need state licensure, although some states require licensure for assisted-living facility administrators. Nursing home administrators must meet their state board’s education and experience requirements.

State boards often require accredited bachelor’s degrees, coursework credits related to healthcare management and gerontology, a passing licensure examination, and sometimes completion of administrator training programs. The National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards nursing home administrator exam includes management, human resources, resident care, and finance topics.

Some hospitals require that candidates demonstrate licensure for previous roles, such as registered nurse. Some employers seek candidates with one or more of the healthcare administration certifications described below.

Certification

Obtaining professional certifications can help professionals qualify for high-level positions. The certifications below typically require specific amounts of relevant experience and education, plus passing certification exam results. Popular certifications not listed below include certified medical manager, certified professional in healthcare risk management, certified professional in healthcare information and management systems, and certified healthcare financial professional.

• Certified Medical Practice Executive : Awarded by the Medical Group Management Association, the CMPE certification requires at least 50 continuing education experience hours, two years of professional experience in healthcare management, and successful performance on two examinations. This certification supports candidates for executive positions at medical provider organizations.
• Certified Healthcare Administrative Professional: Offered by the Association for Healthcare Administrative Professionals, cHAP certification requires at least one year of relevant experience, a 75% or higher score on the certification exam, and familiarity with healthcare regulation and governance. Certificate-holders often pursue administration careers in healthcare organizations.
• Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives: FACHE certification requirements include a master’s degree, three years as an ACHE member or associate and five years of healthcare management experience, successful exam performance, and a current executive healthcare management position. Candidates also need 36 hours of continuing education experience, two references, and evidence of four volunteer activities during the past three years. Certificate-earners often pursue executive careers related to management, finance, or IT.

Accreditation for Online Doctorates in Healthcare Administration

Regionally accredited schools meet rigorous academic standards set by agencies accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation . Check for regional accreditation status when considering prospective programs, since only degrees and credits from regionally accredited schools usually transfer to other regionally accredited schools.

Only students at regionally accredited institutions can receive federal financial aid. Degrees from regionally accredited schools also prove more attractive to prospective employers than degrees from nationally accredited schools.

Some online schools earn their institutional accreditation from the Distance Education Accrediting Commission , a nonprofit that has evaluated distance education institutions since 1926. Search this Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs to various schools’ and programs’ accreditation.

Financial Aid for Healthcare Administration Students

Doctoral programs can prove costly, but many schools provide financial aid in the form of scholarships, research grants, assistantships, or fellowships. These forms of aid do not usually require repayment. Sometimes, assistantship and fellowship recipients work as research or teaching assistants in exchange for substantial tuition remission and a living stipend.

Other funders, such as professional organizations and government agencies, also offer fellowships or scholarships. Read below for potential scholarships and fellowships for healthcare administration graduate students. Working professionals may qualify for tuition assistance through their employer.

The federal government also frequently provides qualifying candidates with financial aid, including grants and loans. Grants do not require repayment, while borrowers must repay federal loans and private loans. Some federal loans carry low interest rates and allow payment deferral until after graduation.

Students should begin the financial aid process by completing the FAFSA . Many scholarship and fellowship applications require a FAFSA. Applying for financial aid early can improve candidates’ chances of receiving aid.

Scholarships for Healthcare Administration Students

Many merit-based, need-based, and identity-based scholarships can help degree-seekers reduce education expenses. See below for some potential opportunities for qualifying healthcare administration doctoral students.

Harkness Fellowships in Health Care Policy and Practice Who Can Apply: These fellowships support health services researchers in qualifying countries to visit the United States for one year to conduct original research and collaborate with U.S. policy experts. Applicants must submit a research proposal. Amount: $130,000

Kenhub Scholarship Program Who Can Apply: Kenhub awards scholarships to two full-time applicants studying health science-related subjects. Applicants must be Kenhub premium account holders. Amount : $1,250 plus one year free access to Kenhub

National Public Employer Labor Relations Association (PELRA) Foundation Graduate Scholarship Who Can Apply: Graduate students studying public administration-related fields and demonstrating interest in public sector work. Eligible candidates hold U.S. citizenship. National PELRA prefers government-employed candidates and encourages National PELRA members to apply. Amount: $3,000

AHIMA Merit Scholarships Who Can Apply: AHIMA members with a 3.5 minimum GPA taking six or more credits and pursuing health information management-related degrees at accredited schools may apply. Applicants submit essays, recommendations, and transcripts. Amount: $2,500 for doctoral students

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Steven M. Teutsch Prevention Effectiveness (PE) Fellowship Who Can Apply: Doctoral students studying public health and health economics, approaching graduation, and seeking postdoctoral fellowships may apply. PE fellows move to Atlanta, undergo training, and work for the CDC. Amount: A GS 12 Step 3 salary (currently $66,904)

Courses in Healthcare Administration Doctorates

Healthcare administration doctoral programs differ in curricular focus and requirements, but many programs offer core courses in healthcare economics, law, marketing, and risk management. Some programs include optional concentrations and related coursework in areas such as healthcare improvement, analytics, epidemiology, or public health. All healthcare administration programs cultivate skills in leadership, research, and analysis, and most require students to spend at least one year conducting doctoral research. See below for common courses in many healthcare administration doctoral programs.

Healthcare Economics

This core course provides an overview of American healthcare markets and how they shape national and global economies. Analyzing the healthcare system’s structure and assessing healthcare quality and accessibility, enrollees compare free-market and government-funded healthcare systems. Preparing for careers as researchers or administrative decision-makers, students cultivate skills in supply and demand modeling and cost-benefit analysis.

Healthcare Policy, Law, and Ethics

A version of this core course appears in most healthcare administration doctoral programs. Enrollees delve into healthcare law, including policy development, regulation, and reform. This course prepares aspiring healthcare administrators to confront various ethical and legal issues, including unionization, malpractice, and sexual harassment.

Population Health

This course explores population health principles, surveys various outcomes and causes, and discusses primary and secondary preventive interventions. Students practice applying epidemiological principles, collecting data, and performing health assessments. Aspiring healthcare researchers and administrators learn how to conduct and analyze population health research and use it to make practical recommendations.

Healthcare Marketing

This course outlines common marketing and promotion practices, exploring how these factors influence healthcare organizations’ market value and budget. Students also examine stakeholder perspectives and responses to various marketing methods. This course proves particularly relevant to aspiring healthcare marketing and promotions managers.

Healthcare Risk Management

Healthcare’s top executives, managers, and risk managers must understand the issues involved in risk assessment and management. Students learn to analyze administrative decision-making in terms of healthcare institutions’ financial stability, assets, and resource management. This course often focuses on ways of assessing and reducing financial risk in this industry.

What Do Healthcare Administrators Do?

Sometimes called healthcare managers, executives, or administrators, these professionals oversee services at healthcare facilities, departments, or practices. According to the BLS, about one third of medical and health services managers work at hospitals, 11% work in physicians’ offices, and 10% work in nursing and residential care. Meanwhile, the government and outpatient care centers employ 8% and 7% of medical and health services managers, respectively.

Most healthcare administrators work full time in offices at healthcare-related organizations. Some facilities require managers to work evening and weekend shifts or remain on-call outside of regular business hours. These professionals often meet regularly with administrative staff and medical personnel. Some managers also communicate with insurance agents or patients. Most healthcare administrators need strong skills in leadership, communication, organization, and problem-solving.

These managers hire, train, supervise, and schedule personnel. They also ensure legal and regulatory compliance and manage organizational finances. At least once per year, healthcare administrators also conduct strategic planning, budgeting, and reporting to boards.

More specific responsibilities and tasks may depend on work context, position, and specialization. Nursing home administrators often oversee admission and care of patients, for example. Clinical managers spend more time establishing and overseeing implementation of policies and procedures in specific departments such as physical therapy or surgery.

Health information managers spend much of their time researching and updating technology and databases and ensuring proper patient data security. Other possible specialization areas in health administration include epidemiology, healthcare analytics, and public health. Some professionals work as government researchers and administrators focused on these expertise areas.

The following rankings highlight the top online doctorates in healthcare administration. Including only high-quality, accredited programs, these rankings save prospective students time in sorting through the many online education options available today. Rankings allow readers to quickly identify and compare key program features, such as curricula, prices, degree timelines, and attendance formats.

1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Chapel Hill, NC

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill pioneered public higher education as the first public college to admit students in 1789. In its more than two century history, UNC Chapel Hill has been North Carolina’s foremost public research university; In addition to standing as a Public Ivy – a public university with the esteem of the Ivy League – UNC offers some of the nation’s leading healthcare programs and one of the highest-ranked academic medical systems in the world (UNC Health). UNC is a leader in public health, establishing the Gillings School of Global Public Health as the first public health school founded in a public university. Further, the Gillings School has been the gold standard for online public health for many years, and ranks as U.S. News & World Report’s top public PH school.

UNC’s online Executive Doctoral Program in Health Leadership program offers a specialized Doctor of Public Health degree from the Gillings School. Designed specifically for mid-level and senior managers in healthcare, public health, and related fields, the Executive Doctoral Program provides the skills and credentials needed for the executive levels of health management. This three-year program uses fully online coursework that allows students to complete their degree entirely on their own time, without leaving their busy and important current jobs. Students will visit campus three times each of the first two years, then complete their dissertation in the following 1-3 years. Coming from the nation’s top public Public Health School, the Executive Doctoral Program is the right choice.

Degree: DrPH in Health Leadership

2. Arizona State University – Tempe, AZ

For most of its history, Arizona State University was a fairly ordinary regional public university, starting in 1885 as the teacher training school for the newly-formed Arizona Territory. Through the 20th century, the school grew into a teacher’s college, then a state university, taking a familiar trajectory as many public universities. Then, in the 21st century, ASU took a left turn, declaring itself the model of the New American University and then going forward to actually prove it. By embracing diverse admissions, expanding campuses, and foregrounding online education, ASU grew rapidly into the largest student body in America, earning ranking as the most innovative university in the nation and finding the perfect balance between accessibility and excellence. Today, ASU is one of the leading online educators and a top-tier public research university – simply in a class all its own.

ASU’s online Doctor of Behavioral Health degree , with a concentration in Health Management, is a unique and innovative approach to health management – just as we would expect of Arizona State. This fully online degree program is designed for working professionals who want to take on leadership positions in integrated care, focused entirely on management in a behavioral health clinical setting. That specificity makes it a great choice for professionals in behavioral health; the convenience of live chats, streaming lectures, and online coursework makes it ideal for working adults. In addition to coursework, students complete 240 internship hours and a capstone project to bring their learning into real-world applications. ASU has been rejuvenating education for more than a decade, and their online doctorate in healthcare management degrees are just one example.

Degree: Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH), Management Concentration

3. University of South Florida – Tampa, FL

The University of South Florida is one of Florida’s younger state universities, founded in 1956 when the area around Tampa was growing into a metropolis without a public higher education option. Uniquely, USF was the first public research university started from scratch in the 20th century, a testament to its necessity, and to its impact on the region. USF has become especially central to healthcare and medical education in southern Florida, providing both USF Health – one of the most impressive academic health centers in the South – and the USF College of Public Health, the first public health school started at a public Florida college.

USF has also become a well-known leader in online education, as the online USF DrPH in Advanced Practice Leadership makes clear. Intended for working professionals in clinical settings, the Advanced Practice Leadership DrPH prepares students for administrative and executive positions in health department, international public health organizations, and other practice-based agencies. All coursework is available online (though on-campus classes are available for students in and around Tampa); students need only attend three on-campus Public Health Institutes during their program. USF’s reputation in Florida and beyond make the online doctor of health administration a solid choice for health professionals.

Degree: DrPH in Advanced Practice Leadership

4. University of Alabama at Birmingham – Birmingham, AL

The University of Alabama at Birmingham originated in a UA extension campus in 1936, but as the city of Birmingham has grown and established itself as a metropolis, so has UAB grown to stand alongside its parent institution as a major R1 research university. The main reason for UAB’s growth – currently the largest single employer in the state of Alabama, making a nearly $5 billion economic impact – is the UAB Health System, which is Alabama’s foremost medical system and one of the largest academic health complexes in the nation. UAB’s schools of medicine, nursing, public health, and health professions are Alabama’s premiere health programs, crucial to health in Alabama and the Deep South.

UAB’s online Executive Doctor of Science in Administration-Health Services is a specialized degree program created for experienced, high-ranking leaders in the healthcare industry. For those who are ready to move into executive positions, the Executive DSc provides a thorough understanding of the most important issues that face contemporary healthcare, along with the leadership skills necessary to carry hospitals and other healthcare facilities through any storm. With fully online coursework, requiring only three 8-day on-campus intensives, working professionals can earn their online doctorate in health management in just three years without leaving their current jobs.

Degree: Executive DSc in Administration-Health Services

5. Rutgers University – New Brunswick, NJ

New Jersey’s flagship public research institution, Rutgers University has been a part of New Jersey nearly as long as there has been a New Jersey. Founded in 1766, Rutgers is one of the nine colleges founded before the American Revolution, so the school once known as Queens College has stood through all of the changes of Jersey since the colonial era. That has made Rutgers central to nearly every aspect of life in New Jersey, from agriculture to law to medicine. The Rutgers School of Health Professions – the largest school of its kind in the US, spread across four campuses throughout the state – is a crucial part of New Jersey’s healthcare system, educating a large proportion of the state’s health administrators, technicians, and clinicians.

Rutgers has also made online education a priority in the 21st century, including the Rutgers PhD in Health Sciences degree program . Led by the School of Health Professions, the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, and other partners within the university, the online doctorate in healthcare administration provides students with a fully rounded, in-depth understanding of leadership in the modern healthcare industry. The 60 credit program is designed for ultimate adaptability, allowing experienced healthcare professionals to tailor their program to meet their current and future career goals. Coursework can be completed online, and an in-person dissertation defense can be used to satisfy residency requirements, making Rutgers’ online PhD a convenient option for working professionals.

Degree: PhD in Health Sciences

6. Johns Hopkins University – Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University is named for the philanthropist and business magnate whose gift – the largest in history to that point – funded the founding of the university and Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1876. JHU has been a pioneer in many ways; not only was JHU the first modern research university in the US, combining active scientific research with education, but Johns Hopkins faculty have made some of the most important advances in medicine in the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. JHU also established the first dedicated public health school in the world, the Bloomberg School of Public Health, setting the standard for research and learning in the field since 1916.

The Johns Hopkins’ DrPH in Health Policy and Management is a primarily online, part-time degree program intended for working healthcare professionals. There are three tracks, but the Health Policy and Management concentration will be the most useful for professionals who are working to move into higher executive positions. While most coursework is online, students will be required to come to a one-week intensive session in June, and a 5-day session in January. Through the part-time DrPH, students learn leadership, communication, and analytical skills they will need to take on executive roles in their current company, or to move on to a new career path. With a convenient structure and the Johns Hopkins name, the online doctorate in healthcare administration is more than a career boost.

Degree: DrPH, Health Policy and Management concentration

7. Virginia Commonwealth University – Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University is a top-tier, R1 public research institution with deep roots in Virginia. Founded in 1968 by the merger of the Medical College of Virginia (founded in 1838) and the Richmond Professional Institute (1917), in some form or another VCU has been shaping higher learning in Richmond for just shy of 200 years. That time has seen Virginia’s capital grow into a major metropolis, and the institutions that make up VCU have been critical. VCU is crucial to healthcare in Richmond and the surrounding region, with its schools of medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and other health sciences represented at VCU’s Medical College of Virginia campus.

VCU’s healthcare administration programs have been ranked among the best in the nation, and the VCU online PhD in Health Services Organization and Research program is a prime example of why. Designed for working professionals (preferably already holding a master’s degree), the HSOR PhD prepares students for high-level leadership, research, and academic positions, depending on their career path. Coursework can be completed in just two years, though more flexible part-time options are available. With 100% job placement for graduates, the VCU doctor of health administration program is as good as a sure thing for healthcare professionals.

Degree: PhD in Health Services Organization and Research

8. George Washington University – Washington, DC

One of the most prestigious and politically-connected colleges in the nation, George Washington University was founded in 1821 to fulfill one of the first President’s deepest ambitions – to found a national college in the new nation’s capital. Today, GWU is a premiere private research university regularly ranked as one of the top national universities. GWU is not only highly influential in Beltway fields like economics, political science, and international affairs; it is also a national and international leader in healthcare, with one of the nation’s oldest medical schools, and one of the highest ranked nursing schools in the US – not to mention significant links to the healthcare industry and government health agencies.

All of the School of Nursing’s strengths come together in the GWU online DNP in Executive Leadership degree program . The doctor of nursing practice degree, focused on giving expert clinicians the leadership and managerial skills to take on advanced roles, is developed by the nursing school along with the School of Business. Designed with the needs of working nursing professionals in mind, the DNP in Executive Leadership is available in a fully online format, with some synchronous online meetings to develop community and connection. A solid grounding in both clinical practice and entrepreneurial management gives future nurse executives the keys to success in their career with an online doctorate in healthcare administration.

Degree: DNP in Executive Leadership

9. MCPHS University – Boston, MA

Long known as the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, MCPHS University (founded in 1823) was the second pharmacy school opened in the US, and a pioneer in the field. It was MCPHS, for example, that published the first pharmaceutical dictionary, explaining the use and side effects of medications. Today, MCPHS is the single largest pharmacy school in the nation, and its location in Boston, MA, places it in the center of the nation’s foremost city for higher education. MCPHS has extended its reach considerably in recent years with both extensive international programs, and a growing slate of online degree programs.

The MCPHS online Doctor of Health Science Health Systems Administration concentration prepares working professionals in healthcare for work as advanced researchers, practitioners, and leaders. For healthcare professionals who want to become high-level scholar-practitioners, the online DHS provides a convenient, part-time option that can be completed in 9 semesters (roughly 3 years). The 54-credit program finishes with an Evidence-Based Capstone project rather than a traditional dissertation, allowing students to put their original research into practice, demonstrating their full understanding. An online doctorate in healthcare administration from one of the original pharmacy schools carries real weight for employers, as well.

Degree: DHS in Health Systems Administration

10. Liberty University – Lynchburg, VA

Founded in 1971 by evangelist Jerry Falwell, Liberty University might today be a conventional Christian college like many others, if not for some very profitable foresight. Always focused on traditional evangelical Christian values, Liberty was also forward-thinking and concerned with the possibilities of adult education. In 1985, Liberty’s distance education program began with VHS-based correspondence courses, but in the late 1990s, Liberty saw the potential of fully online education well before any other Christian university. That investment has paid off tremendously; today, Liberty is the largest Christian college in the world, with 15,000 traditional on-campus students, and more than 100,000 online students.

Liberty’s online Doctor of Business Administration in Healthcare Management degree brings the university’s expertise in business (regularly ranked among the top business schools in the nation) to the healthcare field. The fully online DBA is focused not on clinical practice, but on the business side of healthcare, preparing students to take on high-level executive positions in healthcare facilities, corporations, and agencies. With a strong grounding in areas like human resources, quality management, ethical leadership, and more, working healthcare administrators and managers earn the skills they need for the next stage in their career. Liberty’s reasonable tuition rates have also given their online programs a national reputation for value, making the online doctorate in healthcare administration an investment for students everywhere.

Degree: DBA in Healthcare Management

11. Colorado Technical University – Colorado Springs, CO

One of the top-ranked online educators in the nation – especially for veterans – Colorado Technical University began in 1965 with a mission to provide veterans and military personnel with career training in technical and professionals fields. While Colorado Tech began with a small campus in Colorado Springs, today nearly all of the university’s degree programs are fully online – more than 90%. With both regional accreditation, and discipline-specific accreditations (such as ACBSP accreditation for business), Colorado Tech is one of the most respected for-profit universities in America, and regularly recognized for quality education.

CTU’s online Doctor of Management in Healthcare Management and Leadership degree program is designed for working healthcare professionals who want to expand their knowledge and skills for executive positions. The DMHML focuses on the administrative areas of the healthcare system, giving student the foundations of health policy, government regulation, finance and economics, and management across the field. All coursework is fully online, and while there is a residency component, dissertation development is worked in from the beginning of the program, making the big project more manageable. Students can complete the online doctorate in healthcare administration in just three years.

Degree: Doctor of Management in Healthcare Management and Leadership

12. University of Mississippi Medical Center – Jackson, MS

The medical campus of the University of Mississippi, the University of Mississippi Medical Center plays perhaps the most central role in healthcare research and education in Mississippi. Founded in 1955, the University Medical Center was the first medical school in Mississippi, a development from the earlier two-year medical program on the main Oxford campus. While previous medical students had to leave Mississippi to complete their MDs, the UMMC provided Mississippi with the means to educate its own doctors and gain healthcare independence. Today, the UMMC is semi-independent and remains the state’s only academic medical complex, as well as Mississippi’s top hospital.

The UMMC online Doctor of Health Administration degree program is an example of the Medical Center’s commitment to growing Mississippi’s healthcare system. The fully online program (with some minimal on-campus meetings) is designed to help licensed, practicing healthcare professionals prepare for leadership roles, or to give working administrators a higher level of expertise to increase their managerial abilities. With working professionals in mind, the DHA program is intended for part-time students, though students can take courses full-time as well. For healthcare professionals in Mississippi, it’s an ideal opportunity.

Degree: Doctor of Health Administration

13. Grand Canyon University – Phoenix, AZ

Founded in 1949, Grand Canyon University was originally the vision of Arizona Baptists who wanted a Christian university in their own state, keeping Baptist young people in Arizona rather than going to school out of state. When financial troubles in the early 2000s forced the trustees to sell the college, Grand Canyon became the first for-profit Christian university in American history, retaining the university’s regional accreditation and reputation. The change helped GCU grow from fewer than 1000 students to well over 15,000 in just a decade, a rapid development due in large part to GCU’s extensive online degree programs. In 2018 GCU was approved to return to non-profit status by the accrediting agency.

Grand Canyon’s EdD in Organizational Leadership includes a Health Care Administration concentration that prepares healthcare professionals for managerial positions in the field. Offered by the College of Doctoral Studies, the EdD focuses on using evidence-based research as a foundation for decision-making and leadership. The curriculum emphasizes ethical responsibility and research methods, helping students understand the complexity of the modern healthcare system from regulations to resources. Students can choose online or evening cohorts, moving through the program together for mutual support and networking, making the online doctor of health administration program a team effort – just like healthcare.

Degree: EdD in Organizational Leadership-Health Care Administration

14. Central Michigan University – Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University has been part of the life of Michigan since 1892, when it was founded as the region’s teacher training and business school. For over a century, CMU worked as a regional public college, steadily growing along with the central Michigan region. Today, CMU has become a major public research university, with some 300 degree programs and a newly-developed medical school. With its mission to provide the best academic and professional education possible, CMU has made its reputation in the 21st century on its top-ranked online programs; online students make up nearly a third of CMU’s student body, demonstrating the increasing importance of online education to the workforce.

CMU’s online Doctor of Health Administration (DHA) degree program is offered in a convenient hybrid format, allowing working healthcare professionals to earn their degree while keeping their current careers in motion. The DHA is scheduled as a cohort, with the same set of students working through their courses together for support and community. The 63-credit program is primarily online, with 15 online courses and 6 brief on-campus seminars of 2.5 days each; a 12-credit dissertation project completes the degree. This online doctorate in healthcare administration gives Michigan healthcare professionals all they need for serious advancement in their careers.

15. Regent University – Virginia Beach, VA

Founded in 1977 by evangelist Pat Robertson, Regent University began as the Christian Broadcasting Network University, with the first courses offered (appropriately) in communication arts. While Regent is known for its traditional undergraduate programs, the university has also prioritized adult education throughout its history, with outreach programs to Virginia’s working adults in areas like education and business. Like its peer Liberty University, Regent began reaching out to distance students with fully online degree programs, and since 1997 has developed a strong reputation for online education, with many nationally-ranked programs at the top of U.S. News & World Report.

Regent’s online Doctor of Strategic Leadership – Healthcare Leadership concentration comes from the School of Business & Leadership, long recognized as one of the top online business programs in the nation. While students learn about the current state of the healthcare industry, the DSL degree is focused not on clinical practice, but on leadership, team building, communication, and Christian ethics within a healthcare setting. All coursework is fully online, with just a minimal amount of on-campus residency, making the online doctor of health administration convenient for working professionals. Graduates may pursue careers as executives, professors, or independent consultants with a flexible, adaptable online DSL degree.

Degree: Doctor of Strategic Leadership – Healthcare Leadership

16. Medical University of South Carolina – Charleston, SC

The oldest medical school in the South, the Medical University of South Carolina began as a private college in 1823, bringing formal medical education to a region that lacked sufficiently educated doctors. MUSC was a trailblazer, becoming one of the first medical schools to set up a teaching hospital (today the MUSC Health Center) and operating one of the oldest nursing schools in the US. For nearly a century, the Medical University operated as a private college, but by 1913 financial failures forced a sale to the state, and MUSC remains a public healthcare-focused university, with six colleges dedicated to medicine, health sciences, and research.

MUSC’s online Doctor of Health Administration Executive Program is a three-year, interdisciplinary degree designed for future healthcare leaders. The DHA Executive Program is built around incorporating health sciences, law, business, and technology for a fully-rounded understanding and command of modern healthcare administration. Courses are taught by faculty and visiting experts in a variety of fields, so students have access to the whole of the discipline. All two years of coursework are fully online, with just one weekend residency per semester, and a doctoral research project completes the degree in the third year. MUSC’s online doctorate in healthcare administration is South Carolina’s best option for aspiring healthcare execs.

17. Franklin University – Columbus, OH

Founded in 1902, Franklin University is a unique institution, beginning with evening classes in the YMCA of Columbus, OH. At that time, it was a small business-focused school, growing into a university within 30 years and becoming a fully independent institution (not under the YMCA) in 50 years. Today, Franklin retains its original commitment to providing the most convenient and practical education for working adults, with 25 locations throughout the Midwest and some of the strongest online degree programs in the nation. Franklin’s reputation is steadily rising in the Midwest and beyond, making it a real value for students who are ready to increase their credentials and move into the next phase of their career.

Franklin’s online Doctor of Healthcare Administration degree program solidifies some of the university’s greatest strengths into a doctoral program – business, health, and online education. The online DHA program is built with innovation in mind, encouraging working professionals to develop their research and leadership skills for the future of healthcare – not the present. Fully online courses help students complete their degree around their current work schedules, and up to 24 transfer credits can cut down tremendously on time. Most intriguing, Franklin’s No-Fear Dissertation structure has students begin building to their dissertation from the very beginning, making it easier for students to finish the dissertation in just one year for a 3-year doctorate in healthcare administration.

Degree: Doctor of Healthcare Administration

18. Nova Southeastern University – Fort Lauderdale, FL

One of the South’s foremost private research universities, Nova Southeastern University is a relatively young institution, founded in 1964 as a technology college in Fort Lauderdale. Over the next thirty years, Nova expanded its technology offerings, developing a solid reputation in Florida. The university made its biggest leap forward in 1994 when it merged with the Southeastern University of the Health Sciences, combining its well-regarded technology programs with Southeastern’s healthcare programs. Today, Nova Southeastern is one of the best-known health sciences schools in the South, and ranked as one of the most diverse universities in the nation for the proportion of degrees awarded to minority students.

The Patel College of Health Care Sciences offers the Nova Southeastern online Doctor of Health Science degree , an accessible, student-centered approach to doctoral education. Designed for working health care professionals and high-level administrators, the DHS degree is a post-professional program intended to strengthen students’ skills and knowledge global health, health policy, ethics, diverse community care, and other aspects of the modern healthcare industry. All coursework is online, with students attending two 1-week on-campus intensive sessions; students must also complete an internship. It’s an online doctorate in healthcare administration from one of the top up-and-coming names in health education.

Degree: Doctor of Health Science

19. Jefferson University – Philadelphia, PA

Jefferson University is one of the nation’s oldest medical schools, founded in 1825. Through a long legal battle with the University of Pennsylvania (which did not like the competition), Jefferson emerged to become one of the top medical colleges in the North, pioneering now-common practices like its teaching hospital and nursing school. Today, after a 2017 merger with Philadelphia University, Jefferson is stronger than ever, carrying a nearly 200 year long history of excellence in health education into the future with online degree programs and Jefferson Health, one of the top academic medical systems in the Northeast.

Jefferson’s hybrid PhD in Population Health Science is a cutting-edge degree program preparing health professionals for the highest levels of research, practice, and leadership in the healthcare system. The PhD program provides four possible areas of concentration: Health Policy, Healthcare Quality & Safety, Health Behavior Science, or Applied Health Economics & Outcomes Research, any of which could be applied to an executive career in healthcare administration. The 62-credit program emphasizes ethical research methods, knowledge of key theories in population health, and communicating findings within a variety of settings. For working professionals who are looking for a new approach, Jefferson’s hybrid PhD is paving the way.

Degree: PhD in Population Health Science

20. University of Bridgeport – Bridgeport, CT

The University of Bridgeport began in 1927 as a small general education college, reaching its height in the years after WWII, when returning veterans on the GI Bill helped swell the student body. The university reached another high as Baby Boomers brought the student body to nearly 10,000, but by the 1990s the university suffered financial trouble. The Unification Church saved the university in 1992, but it was online education that made Bridgeport strong enough to regain its independence in 2002. Beginning in 1997, UB has offered an ever-increasing slate of fully online degree programs, and today, thanks to technology and a growing reputation, the University of Bridgeport is one of Connecticut’s fastest-growing universities.

The University of Bridgeport’s online Doctor of Health Sciences degree program is designed to prepare healthcare professionals for evidence-based advanced practice. With an emphasis on quantitative and qualitative research, the DHS degree program enhances students’ research skills, giving them the foundation they need for careers in education, research, advanced clinical care, and public health. All coursework is fully online, with just a 1-week on-campus residency, and can be completed in as little as 40 months of part-time study. The University of Bridgeport’s name is on the rise, making an online doctor of health science a solid investment.

Degree: Doctor of Health Sciences

21. Capella University – Minneapolis, MN

Capella University is a pioneer in online education, forming in 1993 as a distance-based graduate school focused on the needs of working adults. That was just before online education became a viable option, and today, with a majority of Capella’s degree programs available fully online, Capella’s timing seems ideal. Capella is one of the few for-profit universities to achieve both regional accreditation, and discipline-specific accreditation for some of its top programs, such as the CCNE-accredited School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Known for its competency-based learning system, Capella has been acclaimed for its dedication to student learning outcomes.

Capella’s online Doctor of Health Administration degree program underscores Capella’s main strengths: convenient online education for working professionals, exceptional healthcare education, and outreach to women and minorities. Capella’s online DHA is highly diverse and highly supportive, providing students with an education developed around the NCHL’s Health Leadership Competency Model. With its unique approach to education, Capella’s online DHA program ensures that students know the field before moving on, and integrates the capstone project and practicum so that students’ research has a practical, applicable value to their real career.

22. Walden University – Minneapolis, MN

Walden University is one of the most influential, pioneering distance educators for working adults, founded in 1970 to provide graduate degree options for teachers. Originally, Walden students met with faculty in Naples, FL, to discuss their dissertation topics before completing their projects at home. Over time, Walden moved to Minneapolis, MN and developed a reputation for quality and innovation. In 1995, Walden made its name offering the first fully online master’s in education degree, quickly expanding to offer many more opportunities in a variety of disciplines, earning regional accreditation and many professional accreditations.

Walden’s online Doctor of Healthcare Administration degree program provides working professionals with a convenient way to prepare themselves for executive positions in the healthcare industry. Two different tracks are offered, depending on the student’s current level of education: Track 1 for Master of Healthcare Administration holders, and Track 2 for students with a master’s degree in another discipline. Walden students receive 24 hour tech support, an online writing center, and many more services for support and success, and students can earn as much as $10,000 in merit-based scholarship to make an already affordable degree a bargain.

23. Rush University – Chicago, IL

Founded in 1837 – just before Chicago was incorporated as a city – Rush University is one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious medical schools. Named for doctor and Revolutionary hero Benjamin Rush (a humanitarian and doctor to President George Washington), the Rush Medical College expanded with a teaching hospital (today known as the Rush Medical Center), nursing school (in 1885) and College of Health Sciences. Today, Rush is regularly ranked one of the top medical schools in the US and has earned a strong national reputation for its fully online degree programs, including areas such as nursing, public health, and health administration.

The Rush University online PhD in Health Sciences degree program is a primarily research-focused program designed for healthcare professionals who want to move into research, college education, and administration. Students are steeped in research and leadership skills, learning to communicate and apply their original research to leadership positions in the healthcare industry and health education. The fully online PhD can be completed in 4-5 years, with three years devoted to online coursework and the last 1-2 years devoted to researching and writing an original dissertation.

24. Regis University – Denver, CO

Founded by the Jesuit order in 1877, Regis University is one of the most respected Catholic colleges in the US, ranked among the top regional colleges in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for decades before moving up into the top tier of national universities. Regis is particularly known for health science programs, after merging with the former Loretto Heights College, a Catholic women’s school. The Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions offers nationally-ranked programs in nursing, pharmacy, health education, counseling, and other healthcare industry disciplines. In recent years, Regis has earned a great deal of attention for its fully online degree programs, reaching out beyond Colorado to meet student needs.

Regis’ online Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program has been ranked one of the top online DNP degrees in the nation, and two of the program’s three concentrations are designed for nurse managers and executives. The Advanced Leadership in Health Care and Executive Leadership in Health Care are designed for working nurse professionals who want to take on high-level administrative and executive positions. The Advanced Leadership is intended for nurses already in management positions who want to advance; the Executive Leadership is for nurses with more than 5 years experience in an executive or high-level position. Fully online coursework, no on-campus residencies, and 2-year or 3-year plans make the Regis online DNP a solid choice for aspiring nurse leaders.

Degree: DNP in Advanced Leadership in Health Care or Executive Leadership in Health Care

25. California Intercontinental University – Irvine, CA

California Intercontinental University began in 2001 with the goal of becoming an innovative, bleeding-edge online higher education institution. Entrepreneur Dr. Shaan Kumar, CIU’s founder, intended CIU to be one of the most diverse and ethical schools of its kind, and has made the most of its connections in the startup center of Irvine, CA. A fully online university from the start, CIU is accredited by the US Department of Education-approved Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), and has steadily been building a reputation for educational quality, accessibility, and professional value for nearly 20 years.

The CIU online DBA in Healthcare Management and Leadership degree program focuses on advanced decision-making skills for dynamic, adaptable leadership. In addition to strengthening their analytical powers and strategic thinking, the online Healthcare Management DBA puts students to the test in research and writing, preparing students for high-level leadership positions in academia or the healthcare industry. This 60-credit, fully online management doctoral program can be completed in just 2 years, with an attractively low tuition rate that has made many students around the world recognize CIU’s value.

Degree: DBA in Healthcare Management and Leadership

Embrace the convenience of online learning and shape your own path to success.

Explore schools offering programs and courses tailored to your interests, and start your learning journey today.

• Best Online Health Science Ph.D. And D.H.S. Programs

Best Online Health Science Ph.D. And D.H.S. Programs Of 2024

Published: Mar 13, 2024, 11:37am

The U.S. healthcare system can be difficult to navigate, often requiring patients to advocate for themselves in times of need. Health science is a healthcare discipline in which professionals seek to improve clinical care, education and administration, prioritizing quality care and making it easier for everyone to navigate our complicated systems.

If you’re interested in a flexible health science degree at the doctoral level, you can earn an online health science Ph.D. or an online Doctor of Health Science (D.H.Sc.). These terminal degrees prepare graduates to work in high-level administrative, managerial and research roles in the healthcare industry.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about health science doctoral degrees, including tuition, accreditation and our ranking of the 10 best doctoral programs in the field.

Why You Can Trust Forbes Advisor Education

Forbes Advisor’s education editors are committed to producing unbiased rankings and informative articles covering online colleges, tech bootcamps and career paths. Our ranking methodologies use data from the National Center for Education Statistics , education providers, and reputable educational and professional organizations. An advisory board of educators and other subject matter experts reviews and verifies our content to bring you trustworthy, up-to-date information. Advertisers do not influence our rankings or editorial content.

• Over 3,868 accredited, nonprofit colleges and universities analyzed nationwide
• 52 reputable tech bootcamp providers evaluated for our rankings
• All content is fact-checked and updated on an annual basis
• Rankings undergo five rounds of fact-checking
• Only 7.12% of all colleges, universities and bootcamp providers we consider are awarded

Our Methodology

We ranked 11 accredited, nonprofit colleges offering health science Ph.D. and D.H.S. programs online in the U.S. using 15 data points in the categories of credibility, affordability, student outcomes and student experience. We pulled data for these categories from reliable resources such as the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ; private, third-party data sources; and individual school and program websites.

Data is accurate as of June 2023. Note that because online doctorates are relatively uncommon, fewer schools meet our ranking standards at the doctoral level.

We scored schools based on the following metrics:

Student Outcomes:

• Overall graduation rate
• Median earnings 10 years after graduation

Affordability:

• In-state graduate student tuition
• In-state graduate student fees
• Alternative tuition plans offered
• Median federal student loan debt
• Percentage of students in federal student loan deferment

Student Experience:

• Student-to-faculty ratio
• Socioeconomic diversity
• Availability of online coursework
• Total number of graduate assistants
• More than 50% of graduate students enrolled in at least some distance education

Credibility:

• Fully accredited
• Programmatic accreditation status
• Nonprofit status

We chose the 10 best schools to display based on those receiving a curved final score of 61% or higher.

Find our full list of methodologies here .

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Degree Finder

Best d.h.sc. and ph.d. in health science online degrees, should you enroll in an online health science doctoral program, accreditation for online health science ph.d. and d.h.sc. programs, how to find the right online doctorate in health science for you, frequently asked questions (faqs) about online health science ph.d. and d.h.sc. programs, mcphs university, touro university worldwide, pacific university, rush university, liberty university, university of the pacific, university of south dakota, faulkner university, university of bridgeport, purdue university global, featured online schools.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial credit and much more by clicking 'Visit Site'

Graduate Tuition

$1,110/credit

Percentage of Grad Students Enrolled in Distance Education

Overall Graduation Rate

MCPHS University , headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, features an online Doctor of Health Sciences with concentrations in health systems administration, educational leadership and global health. This 54-credit degree prepares students for professional roles in education and leadership.

After completing core coursework in innovative healthcare technology, patient-centered care and population health, students engage with a three-part capstone experience spanning nine credits. Each online learner pays a $525 tech fee in their first semester.

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn on your schedule
• School Type: Private
• Application Fee: N/A
• Degree Credit Requirements: 54 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Part-time
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Healthcare research methods, innovative healthcare technology
• Concentrations Available: Health systems administration, educational leadership, global health
• In-Person Requirements: No

$700/credit

At Los Alamitos, California-based Touro University Worldwide (TUW), students can pursue an online Doctor of Health Science with a tech-centric curriculum. The 48-credit program uses asynchronous delivery for maximum flexibility, along with accelerated courses, allowing learners to graduate more quickly.

TUW’s D.H.Sc. program suits professionals looking to pursue leadership roles in health-related contexts. Graduates go on to become health administrators, nutritionists, physical therapists and mental health specialists. This program does not provide certification or licensure, however; it instead develops the managerial skills for administrative positions in health settings.

• Application Fee: $25
• Degree Credit Requirements: 48 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Accelerated, full-time
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Epidemiology, health informatics
• Concentrations Available: N/A

$7,731/semester

The Doctor of Healthcare Science at Pacific University , based in Forest Grove, Oregon, serves advanced healthcare workers looking to take the next step in their professional journey. Most coursework is delivered asynchronously, with some set class times for certain real-time lectures.

Though there is no dissertation requirement, each student completes a scholarly project and presents their findings virtually. To qualify for the D.H.Sc. program, each candidate must work in a healthcare position in education, community health or direct patient care.

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn around your 9-to-5
• Application Fee: Free
• Degree Credit Requirements: 36 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Part-time, full-time
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Healthcare operations management, human resource management in healthcare

$1,046/credit

RUSH University , located in Chicago, Illinois, offers an online Ph.D. in health sciences that delivers an interdisciplinary approach through classroom learning, professional development opportunities and research experience. Graduates can qualify for positions improving the quality of care for various healthcare providers.

Throughout the program, students receive mentorship from health sciences professionals. Along with an optional independent study course worth up to 12 credits, each student completes a dissertation research class and a comprehensive exam to conclude the program.

• Application Fee: $50
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Leadership theory, composition for effective professional writing

$650/credit

Based in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty University features an online Ph.D. in health sciences that takes just three years to complete. Learners can choose from concentrations in exercise and sport science and trauma-informed care, or they can design an individualized pathway.

Liberty delivers coursework asynchronously, allowing students to complete assignments on their own schedules. The program culminates in a dissertation course in which each student researches an original topic of their choosing.

• Degree Credit Requirements: 60 credits
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Healthcare delivery systems, risk management in health sciences
• Concentrations Available: General, exercise and sport science, trauma-informed care

$1,000/credit

The online Doctor of Health Science from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, features asynchronous coursework, which is ideal for working professionals and learners with busy schedules. This program suits healthcare professionals currently working in academic and clinical environments who are looking to advance to administrative positions.

Students can choose from healthcare leadership and educational leadership pathways. Though this program does not include a dissertation or thesis, each learner completes nine credits across three doctoral project courses, which may be submitted for presentation or publication.

• Degree Credit Requirements: 27 to 36 credits
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Foundations of behavioral science, healthcare leadership
• Concentrations Available: Clinical leadership, educational leadership

$470/credit

The University of South Dakota (USD), located in Vermillion, features a 75-credit online Ph.D. in health sciences with a teaching focus. The teaching core includes nine to 15 credits of prescribed and elective courses, including a three-credit practicum where students apply their knowledge under supervision in real-world settings.

The remainder of the curriculum focuses on research, leadership and health services delivery. Though USD delivers coursework remotely for this program, students must attend in-person residencies, an orientation and a dissertation bootcamp, in addition to completing their practicum.

• School Type: Public
• Application Fee: $35
• Degree Credit Requirements: 75 credits
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Leadership in healthcare, managing health services resources
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, for field experiences

$780/credit

At Montgomery, Alabama’s Faulkner University , students can pursue an accelerated online Ph.D. in health sciences and graduate in just 18 months. The program uses five-week courses and rolling admissions to meet this timeline. After completing 30 credits in one year, students complete a 15-credit dissertation process over a six-month period.

Coursework explores topics such as clinical statistics, instructional methods for health professionals, health promotion and quantitative research methods. Each online student pays a $75 distance learning fee per semester.

• Application Fee: $75
• Degree Credit Requirements: 30 credits
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Evidence-based practice, qualitative research methods

The online Doctor of Health Sciences from the University of Bridgeport (UB), headquartered in Connecticut, takes a big-picture view of public health concerns in underserved communities. Learners can choose from clinician, nutrition and education concentrations to align their studies with their prospective professional roles.

The program culminates with a dissertation project. After receiving topic approval, each student works with an advisor to approach their dissertation as a systemic review, a meta-analysis, a literature review or original research.

• Degree Credit Requirements: 57 credits
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Global health issues, healthcare informatics
• Concentrations Available: Clinician, nutrition, education

Headquartered in Indiana, Purdue University Global delivers an online Doctor of Health Science that allows students to earn “microcredentials” throughout the curriculum. These microcredentials cluster similar classes to develop familiarity and expertise in specific topics, such as health science, health informatics and global health.

After completing the program’s required coursework, each learner engages in an applied project in which they identify a real-world issue in administration, healthcare delivery or higher education and research potential solutions. Purdue Global charges all online learners a flat, per-credit tuition rate, regardless of their state residency status.

• Application Fee: $60
• Degree Credit Requirements: 88 credits
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Advanced health policy, advanced health leadership
• Concentrations available: N/A

Online college can provide several benefits over in-person learning, such as increased flexibility and affordability.

However, since online programs tend to involve less structure than their in-person counterparts, learners must be organized and carefully manage their time. Synchronous coursework mirrors the in-person learning experience with set class times, while asynchronous delivery allows students to watch recorded lectures and complete assignments on their own time.

Online doctoral degrees may still have on-campus requirements, such as intensives, orientations or dissertation defenses. Ensure you can commit to visiting campus as needed.

College accreditation indicates that an institution or a degree program has received approval from a third-party accrediting organization. These accreditors evaluate schools and programs for factors such as curricular offerings, student outcomes and faculty expertise. Accreditation occurs at the institutional and programmatic levels.

The U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) recognize the following organizations to provide institutional accreditation:

• Higher Learning Commission
• WASC Senior College and University Commission
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education
• New England Commission of Higher Education

Attending an accredited school is required if you want to pursue federal student aid or qualify for certain professional certifications. To check on the accreditation status of any prospective school, use CHEA’s directory tool.

Programmatic accreditation does not exist for health science programs at the doctoral level.

Here’s how to narrow down your options as you consider online health science doctoral programs:

Consider Your Future Goals

Your professional goals should help determine your program choice and whether you earn a Ph.D. or a D.H.Sc.

For example, some health science graduates aim to work in positions that require extensive research experience, such as college-level educator roles. Ph.D. programs are more research-oriented, so if you plan to teach after earning your doctorate in health science, consider prioritizing Ph.D.s in health science.

On the other hand, if you want to apply your doctorate in a public health role , the more practice-based D.H.Sc. might be more suitable.

Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options

Higher education requires a significant financial investment. Among the schools on this list, total tuition ranges from about $23,000 on the low end to more than $61,000, averaging roughly $41,160 for a full doctorate in health science.

To help fund your doctoral studies, submit the FAFSA ® to ensure your eligibility for federal student aid. You can also look for private loans, scholarships from third-party organizations, and fellowships or assistantships from your prospective institution.

Scholarships are provided by schools and independent organizations based on factors such as identity, merit and need. These forms of aid do not require repayment. In assistantships and fellowships, students work professionally with their schools to offset tuition costs.

Can you get a Ph.D. in science online?

American schools generally do not offer Ph.D. programs in science on campus or online. There are other science-related doctoral programs, however, which may feature online delivery.

Are online Ph.D. programs legitimate?

As long as they come from accredited institutions, online Ph.D. programs hold the same level of prestige and legitimacy as their on-campus counterparts.

How long does it take to get a Ph.D. in health sciences?

A health science Ph.D. typically takes four to seven years to complete.

Can I finish a Ph.D. in two years?

Most Ph.D. programs take longer than two years. Some schools, like Faulkner University, use accelerated delivery for students to complete their Ph.D.s in around 18 months. Other doctoral programs, like Doctor of Health Science degrees, generally take less time than Ph.D. programs.

Matt Whittle has experience writing and editing accessible education-related content in health, technology, nursing and business subjects. His work has been featured on Sleep.org, Psychology.org and NurseJournal.org.

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CollegeRank.net

Best College Rankings

20 Best PhD Healthcare Administration Online Programs

Earning one of the 20 best online PhD healthcare administration degrees can pave the way for a high-paying career managing complex healthcare systems. Plus, you’ll be making a difference in human health and wellbeing. 

Curious what you’d be doing with an online PhD in healthcare administration ? Administrators with an online PhD health administration degree are the ones diving into these subjects, analyzing population data, and developing the nation’s future healthcare policies. While medical doctors attempt to solve the day-to-day problems plaguing specific individuals, healthcare administrators are tackling the healthcare problems of nations and the world. 

What are the Best Online PhD’s in Healthcare Administration?

We know that you have educational goals that you’re itching to pursue, but you may not know where to start. The editors of CollegeRank utilize a unique ranking methodology based on the following three aspects:

40% Potential Salary After Graduation: Average mid-career salary of school alumni 

30% Institutional Accreditation: Regional and National Accreditation for the 2019-2020 school year 

30% Overall Degree Affordability: Average cost of undergraduate and graduate tuition per school

At CollegeRank , we strive to do our best to guide you and your family toward a fruitful academic career. The pursuit of knowledge is a noble one, and we want to help you reach your goals. For questions, comments, badge downloads, or data corrections, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].

Arizona State University

Scottsdale, Arizona

Average Net Price

Not Reported

Named the most innovative school in the nation by U.S. News & World Report , Arizona State University offers one of the best healthcare administration programs in the country. This degree is part of ASU’s outstanding College of Health Solutions, which boasts more than 100 faculty, in addition to 247 Barrett Honors scholars.

ASU’s online Doctor of Behavioral Health with a concentration in management is an excellent option for students who wish to be a part of a large, well-funded academic community without having to attend a physical campus. A focus on business entrepreneurship enables graduates of the program to pursue leadership roles in healthcare administration.

The curriculum is 84 credit hours in total, earned in 14 classes. ASU requires students, as is standard with Ph.D. programs, to hold a master’s degree from an accredited institution; it may be in any field. The curriculum focuses on areas like:

• integrated behavioral health programs
• quality and performance measurement
• business entrepreneurship

University of North Carolina

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Widely known for its excellent basketball program, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is not to be missed for its academics. The healthcare administration degree from UNC is formally known as the Executive Doctoral Program in Health Leadership. It aims to prepare current professionals for larger and more demanding roles in the healthcare administration field.

In addition to helping current healthcare administration professionals bolster their knowledge and credentials, the degree offers students a broad look at health care leadership and the different ways in which it can be practiced. UNC’s Gillings School of Global Public health has been known to produce top-quality health care leadership candidates; in 2018, one of its alumni was named Young Healthcare Executive of the Year by the National Association of Health Service Executives.

UNC gives health care professionals a lot to love with its online doctorate in healthcare administration. From the large community and research budget to well-structured online classes, opportunities abound for professionals to expand their expertise and knowledge in the healthcare industry.

University of Illinois at Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

An excellent choice for those looking to earn a doctorate in public health leadership, the University of Illinois at Chicago offers a flexible online curriculum that suits professionals in many walks of life. Alumni have the skills needed to influence public health policy and assume key roles in the public health community.

Students in the U.S. must apply by Feb. 1 to be considered for the fall term. The number of semester hours this program requires varies, depending on a student’s curriculum concentration. There are 28 required core semester hours. Students can choose to take a course in biostatistics or quantitative methods. All students complete a DrPH dissertation requirement of at least 28 semester hours.

A large university with plentiful funding, the University of Illinois at Chicago offers students and health care professionals an innovative and modern take on policy and administration in a variety of different healthcare organizations, preparing them for a variety of careers.

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University, one of the nation’s 100 largest public universities, provides health care professionals seeking a doctorate in healthcare administration with an affordable and well-respected option to do just that. Students work with the same group of colleagues from start to finish in this curriculum, which totals 63 credit hours.

CMU claims that its rigorous coursework expands current professionals’ knowledge and capabilities in health care leadership. With a focus on real-world, applicable methods of health care leadership, graduates of this program are well-equipped to pursue leadership roles in the healthcare industry.

The cost is $850 per credit, and to gain admission, students must hold a master’s degree in a field relevant to healthcare administration. This requirement is slightly stricter than colleges that only require a general master’s degree, but practicing health care professionals with relevant master’s degrees are certainly qualified for admission to the program.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama

Known for offering numerous excellent online degrees, the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s doctorate in healthcare administration provides health care professionals with an excellent option for advanced study. The degree, first offered in 1978, aims to improve health care leadership and research practices throughout the industry.

A substantial amount of work and time are required outside of the online doctorate in healthcare administration coursework, as the intensive curriculum challenges students to examine their own skills and build upon them in creative ways. UAB states that the majority of the students graduating from its program pursue careers in academia, but consulting and research positions are quite popular as well.

Due in part to its popularity and size, UAB is able to draw from a wide variety of resources and departments to provide students with the best possible academic experience. Many faculty members are nationally recognized scholars in their respective fields, meaning that students will have plenty of well-equipped health care leaders to reach out to during the course of the program.

Medical University of South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina

A strictly medical university, the Medical University of South Carolina helps health care professionals boost their leadership skills to prepare for work in an ever-changing industry. MUSC helps current health care professionals gain a better understanding of policy and the nuances of health care.

The curriculum is 54 credit hours in total, and new cohorts commence each fall. Though the program is mostly delivered online, students must attend the campus in Charleston for one weekend each semester, where they participate in classes and meet with colleagues. MUSC claims that this blend of in-person and online courses works well to prepare students for rewarding careers.

The second year of the program takes students on a week-long trip to Washington DC, where they meet with experts to discuss groundbreaking health care policy ideas and strategies. This alone is invaluable, and students graduating from MUSC’s Ph.D. program will find themselves ready to pursue innovative careers in healthcare administration.

University of Mississippi Medical Center

Jackson, Mississippi

The University of Mississippi Medical Center offers an impressive range of medical education through its School of Health Related Professions. Chiefly held online and requiring minimal on-campus schoolwork, the health administration program is friendly to the lifestyle of working professionals. Students from out of state who are enrolled in the program are not charged additional fees, as the work is primarily completed online. 

New applicants to the Doctor of Health Administration program must hold a master’s degree in a related health care field and a minimum 3.0 GPA. Among other prerequisites, applicants must submit an essay on their health care work experience. Different from a traditional doctorate in healthcare administration, this program is profession focused. Rather than an emphasis on research alone, students study practical applications of medical research to real-world issues. 

Over nine semesters of study, students receive tools and knowledge to shape not just their know-how, but also their ability to use their skills. With an awareness of the constantly changing health care environment, students graduate with an understanding of how to navigate these changes and help shape them for future generations.

Franklin University

Columbus, Ohio

Franklin University was founded in 1902 for students looking to finish their degrees. Boasting an accelerated program and numerous helpful guides, Franklin’s program is built for busy adults who want to further their education. The online doctorate in healthcare administration program is designed for professionals in health care working toward a higher position in the field who do not want to sacrifice work to further their education. 

FU offers a Doctor of Health Administration for students aiming to heighten their skills and influence in the health care field. Its courses focus on leadership and presentation. Speed is a key factor in FU’s program descriptions. With the right qualifications and work ethic, students can graduate in three years, including completion of their dissertation. If three years isn’t fast enough, students may transfer up to 24 previously earned credit hours into the program, shortening the time frame even more. 

With extensive mentoring and guidance features, students at FU can collaborate with fellow learners and mentors alike. Students learn at the highest level, with their profession, community, and future in mind. Graduates of FU’s DHA program emerge with advanced knowledge of the medical field and know how to pioneer change and proceed as a leader in the field.  

Regent University

Virginia Beach, Virginia

A private Christian university, Regent University offers an array of study areas to fit any student. Though physical classes are held in Virginia Beach, VA, its online coursework is no less thorough or carefully designed. RU’s Healthcare Leadership program equips students with knowledge of both theoretical and practical applications. 

RU’s Doctor of Strategic Leadership – Healthcare Leadership program totals 60 credit hours. Applicants face a comprehensive scoring process before admission into the DSL – Healthcare Leadership program. They are graded for academic achievement, and each student’s personal qualities are taken into account during the admissions process. These include how well the student’s goals align with RU’s program, their writing quality, history of leadership positions, and more. 

Students work with the intention of spearheading change in the health care field. They also learn effective methods of predicting and forecasting changes in the ever-transforming medical environment. Many students report leaving RU with the skills they need to make changes, and the accompanying confidence required to set those changes in motion. 

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia

With a 100% online doctorate in healthcare administration degree program, Liberty University caters to the needs of non-traditional students all over the nation who are seeking higher education. While many universities require a minimum amount of physical attendance in addition to online studies, LU does not. Perhaps travel expenses need not be a worry after all. 

LU’s Doctor of Business Administration – Healthcare Management degree is built to be flexible enough to suit every student’s schedule. There are no set login times; students can study when it’s the most convenient for them. As a private evangelical Christian university, LU works Christian principles into its coursework. Students with military experience are eligible for a great number of benefits at LU, including discounted tuition rates. 

Students enrolled in LU’s doctorate in healthcare administration program work both collaboratively and independently throughout their course of study, aiming to practice leadership skills and improve collaborative methods of solving problems. They graduate with abilities in all aspects of the field, from finance to quality control. 

Colorado Technical University

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Known across the nation for its career-specific studies, Colorado Technical University focuses on innovation, modern techniques and technology, and embracing change in all it offers. With thorough courses offered both on- and off-campus, CTU ensures education and skills development relevant to current industries. The Doctorate in Health Management – Healthcare Management and Leadership degree program is no exception. 

CTU wastes no time in its course descriptions and list of requirements. Despite weighing in at 100 credit hours, CTU claims that its online healthcare administration degree can be completed in as few as three years. Dissertation development, a distinctive component of the program designed to support students in their closing defense, is built into the online courses. 

CTU is a proud innovator in the world of higher education. Students graduate with leadership skills, relevant tools, and knowledge specific to the field of healthcare administration. They enter their professions with modern abilities and the professional practice they need to adapt in real-world situations. 

University of Bridgeport

Bridgeport, Connecticut

The University of Bridgeport is a private school with an impressive 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio. It prioritizes student life, success, and diversity with a strong and personable social media presence. Its online platforms reflect this in the fullest, with resources readily available, events and achievements on display, and enthusiastic student participation.

Students who apply to UB’s hybrid Health Sciences, D.H.Sc. degree program are required to submit a personal statement, resume, two recommendation letters, and academic history from every school they have attended. Unlike many universities, experience in the health care field is not necessarily required. Instead, applicants without field experience are evaluated for their potential of success and leadership demonstration. UB’s website estimates that it takes 40 months to complete this program, including one week of mandatory campus residency.

UB aims to open doors for students and help them explore all aspects of their passions. In its Health Sciences, D.H.Sc hybrid program, learners become familiar with current topics and issues in health care. They leave as capable researchers, innovators, and leaders, well-versed in their trade, from small-scale methods to global health concerns. 

Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Boston, Massachusetts

Named No. 1 in Earning Power by the Wall Street Journal in 2018, the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Services is known for its effective and thorough courses. Its Doctor of Health Sciences degree program is held exclusively online and can be completed in as few as nine semesters.

MCPHS’s DHS online degree program has a prerequisite list comparatively less intensive than that of many other universities. Applicants must hold a master’s degree, but it does not have to be in a specific or relevant health field. Applicants must also provide proof of their experience in the health care field and, if applicable, a score of 90 or higher on the internet-delivered Test of English as a Foreign Language. With a total of 54 credit hours, the program is designed to be flexible to suit students’ varying needs. 

Students in MCPHS’s DHS degree program have the opportunity to choose a specialty in the field. Graduates of this program are capable of leading the health industry with:

• best practices
• progressive methods
• professional implementation

With the help of experienced faculty, students work independently to develop research- and evidence-based knowledge and methods in health care.

Rush University

Rush University is based in Chicago and provides degrees pertaining specifically to the medical field. Its online Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences program requires an on-campus presence only for a student’s dissertation defense and comprehensive examination. The program is designed to help healthcare administration professionals develop their skills and knowledge to become leaders in the field. 

With both full- and part-time opportunities available, students usually take four to five years to complete the courses. Full-time students can complete the required courses in as few as three years. RU’s faculty not only teach the profession, they practice it. Students have readily available help from experts as they complete their studies. 

RU’s DPHS online curriculum is divided into categories that prepare students for vital aspects of healthcare administration. These include both leadership and professional development. The program is designed to reinforce the skills that graduates will need to succeed in all facets of the career that awaits them. 

A T Still University of Health Sciences

Kirksville, Missouri

Ranked by BestColleges.com for offering one of the best online doctorate in healthcare administration degrees, A. T. Still University’s program is respected for its success. Its Doctor of Health Administration works to heighten and reinforce the skills of health care professionals. It aims to build problem-solving, business, and leadership skills in its students. 

ATSU, founded in 1892, is known as the home of osteopathic healthcare. The DHA degree is challenging and comprehensive, and services are provided for students in need of tutoring and mentoring. All faculty have a great deal of experience in various areas of the health care field, from economics to management of the industry. Tuition for ATSU’s DHA online degree program starts at $1,000 per credit hour. 

ATSU’s DHA online degree program trains students in both business and practice. Graduates will grow as leaders and pioneers in health care change. They will have the opportunity to follow a career path with more influence, whether through teaching the profession or by seeking a higher position in the field. 

Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Thomas Jefferson University, established in 1824 and merged with Philadelphia University in 2017, provides a range of medical degree programs. Its PhD in Population Health Science combines on-site instruction with online course work. Compared to many universities, the on-site requirements are extensive; however, the school caters to working students with both morning and evening classes.

Students must complete 62 credits to graduate. Rather than a broad overview of healthcare administration, students are required to choose one of four subjects in which to specialize:

• Health Policy
• Healthcare Policy and Safety
• Health Behavioral Science
• Applied Health Economics and Outcomes Research

Students home in on specific topics and skills relevant to their chosen area of study.

TJU’s online portion of the Ph.D. in Population Health Science is delivered asynchronously. This, combined with flexible on-site class scheduling and options to begin work in the fall or spring, cater to students’ busy lives. Students can complete their work at whatever pace suits them best. All courses are taught by experienced professionals in the field, to best create experts and leaders in health care. 

Northcentral University

La Jolla, California

Northcentral University, a strictly online school, offers an extremely flexible Doctor of Health Administration degree program. Start dates for the DHA program are every Monday. Students must complete 20 courses to graduate, and the estimated completion time is three years. Students work independently without the worry of group projects or collaborative assignments. This way, they can complete their work on their own time without the constraints of other students. 

NCU students are not, however, completely alone in their course work. With a unique one-to-one model, professors teach and guide students at the pace most ideal to the learner, rather than a standard pace set by an entire class. Personal assistance and guidance are key components in all of NCU’s programs. 

NCU’s DHA degree program builds opportunities for students in the health care profession. Graduates become strong leaders in their healthcare organization. They learn strategies for:

• solving problems

Students hone their collaborative skills and their understanding of health policies, problems, the legal system and its relation to health care, and ethical issues. 

Nova Southeastern University

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Nova Southeastern University, with a main campus in Fort Lauderdale, FL, offers a Doctor of Health Science degree program. It is delivered almost completely online, requiring on-campus attendance at only two seminars. Each are one weeklong, and they are held during the summer. The amount of collaborative work required depends on the instructor; however, students complete a great deal of the work independently.

Rather than requiring a dissertation, as many universities do, NSU requires an internship and course in Doctoral Objective Analysis. In other words, NSU has replaced the usual dissertation requirement with real-world experience and the application of learned skills. NSU’s Doctor of Health Science program focuses on the role that health care professionals play and the current environment of the health field. 

As with most doctorate in healthcare administration programs, students must complete both mandatory courses and a number of electives. NSU’s Doctor of Health Science program allows students to take electives during any part of the program, and it offers an impressive array of them, including Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Independent Studies directed by the student and guided by a professor, and Narrative Medicine. 

University of the Southwest

Hobbs, New Mexico

The University of the Southwest offers a Doctor of Business Administration with a concentration in Healthcare Administration. The program is offered 100% online to accommodate professionals in the healthcare industry. Core course offerings include:

• Information Technology in Global Competition
• Human Resource Development
• Healthcare Policy and Management

Financial aid opportunities are available for qualified students. Graduates are prepared for executive roles in healthcare and have the skills needed to become innovative leaders in the healthcare industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

A PhD can offer opportunities for research, academia, and high-level policy roles. You can also work in healthcare administration at the highest level, in executive and management roles. But the degree takes significant time and effort. Prospective students should weigh personal and career goals against the commitment needed for a PhD in healthcare administration.

It takes between 6-7 years to get a PhD in Healthcare Administration. If you have a master’s degree in a relevant field, you can finish your PhD in four years, but it depends on the program requirements. Plan on completing about 70 credits to get your PhD.

There are many different careers you can do with a PhD in Healthcare Administration, from academia to executive healthcare roles. Here are some jobs you can get: • Adjunct faculty • Assistant professor • Clinical manager • Consultant • Health officer • Hospital administrator • Hospital executive

A Doctorate of Health Administration (DHA) is an applied doctorate. It focuses on gathering evidence currently available in medical, organizational, and policy areas of healthcare and using it to solve problems in the field. A DHA is a terminal degree that allows students to pursue executive roles in healthcare administration.

Six figures! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical and health services managers make an average of $104,830/year. The top 10%, including those with advanced degrees, make over $209,000/year.

While both a Doctorate of Health Administration (DHA) and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) are advanced degrees, they differ in focus and are not the same. A DHA is more practice-oriented, emphasizing leadership in healthcare administration. A PhD is research focused. It delves into original contributions to knowledge within a specific academic discipline, including healthcare management.

The two degrees are different and choosing one over the other should depend on your career goals. A PhD is research focused. It is suitable for students interested in academia. A DHA is practice-bent. It is geared toward leadership roles in healthcare administration. So, one isn’t better than the other. It all depends on which career path you want to take.

It depends on your career goals. Options include a PhD in Health care Administration, Health Services Research, Public Health, or Health Policy. Consider individual interests and whether a research-focused PhD or a practice-oriented Doctorate in Health Administration (DHA) better aligns with your professional objectives. If you’re interested in healthcare administration, a PhD in this discipline could serve you well.

Find A Degree

The 19 Best Online Doctoral Degrees in Healthcare Administration (DHA)

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Welcome to the exciting world of Healthcare Administration, a field of study focused on addressing the challenges related to quality and access in the healthcare system.

This Doctoral degree provides a comprehensive education in the strategies and approaches necessary to effectively manage a variety of healthcare settings.

Healthcare administrators play a pivotal role in the oversight and distribution of healthcare. You will develop an understanding of healthcare organization dynamics, legal and financial management, health policy, consumer behavior, and technology.

In addition, this degree will provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to improve the delivery of quality care both now and in the future. Administrators in this field need a wide range of healthcare knowledge and excellent communication and management skills.

University faculty in these programs bring a wealth of experience from both professional and academic backgrounds, offering you the chance to benefit from their critical insights and expertise.

Job openings abound in the field of healthcare administration, and the pay is excellent. The Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 28% increase in jobs over the next ten years, and healthcare administrators and managers earn a median annual salary of over $104,830 .

Healthcare administration is a challenging and rewarding field; you can make a difference in healthcare and help to create healthier communities… A win-win for everyone!

Another valuable resource:

• The Best Online Doctoral Degrees in Public Policy/Administration
• The Best Online Doctoral Degrees in Business Administration

Methodology

This list offers information on the Best Online Doctoral Degree programs for current Healthcare Administrators (DHA).

We’ve included Doctor of Healthcare Administration, Doctor of Business Administration, and Ph.D. programs that focus on healthcare. In these programs, students will learn to be better planners, managers, and communicators in the healthcare field.

Earning a doctorate will open new career opportunities and advancement. Our choices have been listed in random order and based on the following:

• 100% Online or Hybrid availability; utilizing support through asynchronous coursework, online resources, student help centers, and close communication with professors and advisors – may require on-campus attendance, as well,
• Often awarded a Doctorate of Business Administration with a focus on Healthcare Management,
• Designed to accommodate the flexibility and convenience needed to assist students who are currently employed by healthcare facilities,
• Programs dedicated to the enhancement of prior skills and knowledge in the field of Healthcare Administration in a Leadership or Management capacity,
• Emphasizes innovative ideas pertaining to Public Healthcare notices, such as preventative care advisements and alerts issued by the Centers for Disease Control,
• Provides increased Networking and Job Opportunities,
• Challenging coursework specializing in Finance, Leadership, Accounting, and Advanced Healthcare Management,
• Doctoral Dissertation/Research Project opportunity,
• Financial Aid availability; Scholarships & Grants,
• Properly Accredited.

Would you like to know more about our ranking process? If so, please see our Methodology page.

Best Online Doctoral Degrees in Healthcare Administration

University of north carolina.

Program Standouts:  Offered through the outstanding and highly competitive Gillings School of Public Health, this doctoral program of health leadership is designed “for working healthcare professionals… with the potential and ambition to become senior leaders and are committed to improving the public’s health.”

This program is demographically diverse and admits students from a range of healthcare leadership professions.

Coursework is online, requiring a three 4-day on-campus visit in each term during the first two years of the program. In addition to 46 credit hours of coursework, comprehensive written and oral exams, as well as a dissertation, are required to complete the degree.

Campus Location:  Chapel Hill, NC

Accreditation:  The University of North Carolina is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Admission Requirements:

• Graduate level degree: Master’s or Doctorate
• Three professional letters of recommendation
• If the applicant does not possess a doctorate, scores on the GRE or GMAT (for international students TOEFL/IELTS) must be submitted
• Undergrad GPA of 3.2 out of 4.0

Sample Course Options:

• Health Services/Health Policy Research Methods
• Principle of Health Policy
• Advanced Methodology in Health Policy and Management
• Analysis of Categorical Data

Degree Outcomes:  This degree program gives graduates many career options. Possible fields of employment graduates can seek are:

• Biostatistics,
• Environmental Sciences and Engineering,
• Epidemiology,
• Health Behavior,
• Health Policy and Management,
• Maternal and Child Health,
• Public Health Leadership,
• and Global Health.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA’S  ONLINE EXECUTIVE DOCTORAL PROGRAM in HEALTH LEADERSHIP (DrPH)

Liberty university.

Program Standouts:  This 60-credit online Doctor of Business Administration in Health Care takes, on average, 3.5 years to complete. This business degree specialization is based upon a sound curriculum that provides advanced training in professional management, human resource development, and quality management.

Importantly, this degree program is 100% online. This makes it very accessible to professionals who are not able to meet the minimal on-campus requirements of other online doctorates in healthcare administration. This degree requires students to complete a doctoral dissertation.

Campus Location:  Lynchburg, VA

Accreditation:  Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

• Completed application
• Official college transcripts showing an accredited master’s degree
• GPA of 3.0 or above
• Statement of purpose
• Proof of English proficiency
• Legal and Ethical Issues for Health Professionals
• Healthcare Administration
• Managing Human Capital in Healthcare
• Healthcare Informatics

Degree Outcomes:  Graduates from this online doctoral program in healthcare administration will be prepared for potential careers as:

• Healthcare Administrators,
• Management Consultants,
• or Nonprofit Organization Directors.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIBERTY UNIVERSITY’S  ONLINE DOCTORATE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION WITH A CONCENTRATION IN HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT

University of illinois at chicago.

Program Standouts:  This doctoral program of Public Health in Leadership is designed for working professionals looking to “broaden their grasp of public health leadership, management, practice, and research without interrupting their careers.

Courses are delivered in both asynchronous and synchronous formats. Once a year, students are required to participate in three-day on-campus residencies.

Unlike many other degree programs, UIC’s doctorate in healthcare administration is competency driven. There are six core areas of expertise in which every graduate is expected to achieve mastery. A dissertation is required to complete this degree program.

Campus Location:  Chicago, IL

Accreditation:  The University of Illinois-Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

• Applicants must hold a master’s degree in public health or a related field from an accredited institution
• Three or more years of full-time, paid, professional experience in a public health leadership position
• GRE scores are NOT required
• Applicants must submit a personal statement
• Biostatistics
• Introduction to Epidemiology Principles & Methods
• Public Health Leadership Seminars
• Leadership in Public Health Policy Development

Degree Outcomes:  This degree program is designed to form adaptive and personal leaders. These leaders will be able to systematically reflect as well as think in terms of existing healthcare systems. They will be strategic managers able to also contribute to current evidence-based practice.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-CHICAGO’S ONLINE DOCTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH IN LEADERSHIP

Central michigan university.

Program Standouts:  Central Michigan University’s 63-credit hour online Doctor of Health Administration seeks to combine healthcare administration with a prudent, practical application.

Courses are delivered online. There are six 2-and-a-half-day on-campus seminars. The program is organized on a cohort model, and new cohorts begin studies in the fall of each year.

Professionals in upper leadership healthcare positions are encouraged to apply. Key to this degree program’s approach is the student’s direct work with healthcare administrator-instructors from a wide range of healthcare delivery models and practices.

Campus Location:  Mount Pleasant, MI

Accreditation:  Central Michigan University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

• Applicants must hold a master’s degree or professional doctorate
• Five years of working in middle to upper-level healthcare management
• Oral and written proficiency in English
• 5-page essay
• Letters of recommendation
• Leadership Strategies for Healthcare Policy and Organizations
• Population Health
• Research Methods and Practice for the Health Professions
• Fiscal Responsibility and Accountability for Health Entities
• Comparative Health Systems

LEARN MORE ABOUT CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY’S  ONLINE DOCTOR OF HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (DHA) DEGREE PROGRAM

University of alabama-birmingham.

Program Standouts: Designed for working professionals, the University of Alabama-Birmingham offers an online Doctor of Science in Administration-Health Services.

This program is geared towards the practice of professional healthcare administration rather than academic research and  theory . Students in this program are prepared to meet practical challenges relating to problem-solving, investment, and leadership.

The program requires two years of coursework (24 credits per year), and in the third year, students move on to research and writing their dissertations. Although the majority of the program is delivered online, there is a stronger residency component in this program than in many others. During the two years of coursework, students must attend three eight-day on-site sessions per year.

Campus Location:  Birmingham, AL

Accreditation:  The University of Alabama-Birmingham is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
• Completed DSc Application Supplement (available on the website)
• Three letters of recommendation from professional contacts
• Preferable: possess a master’s degree in health administration, health informatics, business administration, or a related field from an accredited institution
• Minimum of 5 years experience in mid-to upper-level healthcare management
• Quantitative Methods in Health Services Administration
• Health Policy, Process, and Issues
• Research in Organization Theory
• Macro-Environmental Analysis
• The Leadership of Health Systems
• Healthcare Quality Improvement

Degree Outcomes:  Graduates from this degree program will add increased value to their organization, opening doors to advancement.

Graduates will possess advanced problem-solving skills and knowledge in healthcare leadership. This will improve networking in the field and create a highly refined organizational leadership skill set.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA-BIRMINGHAM’S  ONLINE EXECUTIVE DOCTOR OF SCIENCE (DSc) IN HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIP DEGREE PROGRAM

A.t. still university.

Program Standouts:  This online Doctor of Health Administration prepares current health professionals to become “innovative leaders and problem solvers within the healthcare industry.” Combining theory with practice, this program advances a vision of holistic knowledge that flows directly into careers in leadership.

This program is also designed to integrate seamlessly with advanced business education, which provides healthcare professionals with “advanced business strategies and innovative healthcare leadership insight.”

Campus Location:  Jefferson, MO

Accreditation:  A.T. Still University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

• An accredited degree from an accredited institution
• Official transcripts
• Minimum 2.5 GPA
• Current resume/CV
• English Proficiency

Academic Focus Areas:

• Healthcare Law
• The economics of medical care
• Organizational theory and its effect on the health industry
• Health policy
• The financing of healthcare
• Effectiveness/cost-benefit analysis in the healthcare industry
• Health information systems Quantitative methods Management Science

Degree Outcomes: 

Graduates are prepared to work as:

• Chief executive officer,
• Chief operation officer,
• president, chief financial officer, or vice president of a healthcare facility;
• Leadership positions in healthcare advocacy organizations;
• a chief nursing officer or assistant chief nursing officer of a healthcare facility;
• director of business development;
• director of patient safety;
• director of risk management;
• healthcare consultant, and many other areas.

LEARN MORE ABOUT A.T. STILL UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE DOCTOR OF HEALTH ADMINISTRATION DEGREE

Arizona state university.

Program Standouts:  Arizona State’s online doctoral degree offers a concentration in the management of behavioral health care.

This degree program focuses on preparing future behavioral healthcare administrators to improve patient experience, effect better clinical outcomes and reduce over-utilization and costs in healthcare. As a management program, students are also instructed on how to recognize and meet market demands, which will help increase earning potential.

This 84-credit degree program delivers courses in a synchronous format that requires students to clear their schedules for class meeting times. This format has the advantage of fostering direct, live interaction with professors and fellow students. A doctoral capstone project is required to complete the degree program.

Campus Location:  Tempe, AZ

Accreditation:  Arizona State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

• Completed graduate admission application
• Official graduate transcript
• Personal statement
• One professional letter of recommendation
• Current CV or resume
• Program policy acknowledgments
• Quality and Performance Measurement, Improvement, and Incentives
• Healthcare Information Management
• Models of Integrated Primary Care
• Healthcare Legal, Ethical, and Professional Issues

Graduates from this degree program are ready to embark upon careers as:

• healthcare administrators,
• healthcare managers,
• healthcare executives,
• healthcare consultants,
• medical and health services managers,
• and clinical & project managers.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY’S  ONLINE DOCTOR OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH MANAGEMENT DEGREE PROGRAMS

Grand canyon university.

Program Standouts:  This online Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Healthcare Administration degree promises to increase awareness of the multi-faceted nature of the healthcare field and open up avenues for career advancement for healthcare administration and management professionals.

Those who study in this degree program learn to develop a framework for effective management and organizational leadership. This framework is based on evidence-based research that can translate into both successful leadership and scholarship.

Coursework is delivered online. Some minimal residencies, as well as a dissertation, are required to complete the program.

Campus Location:  Phoenix, AZ

Accreditation:  Grand Canyon University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

• Possess a doctorate from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.4 GPA minimum or a master’s degree with a 3.4 GPA minimum
• Progressions in Leadership Thought
• Ethical Dilemmas and Stewardship
• Health Care Regulation
• Leading Across Cultures
• Sustainability of Health Care Organizations

Degree Outcomes:  Modern topics in healthcare, such as the interconnections between governance structures and leadership, are key points of emphasis in this program. Graduates from this program will be well-versed in healthcare protocol and management in public, private, nonprofit, and for-profit systems.

LEARN MORE ABOUT GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY  ONLINE DOCTOR OF EDUCATION IN ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP WITH AN EMPHASIS ON HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION

Regent university.

Program Standouts:  Regent University’s online Doctor of Strategic Leadership-Healthcare Leadership offers a “terminal professional degree that will help you meet today’s organizational challenges so that you’re prepared to renew and transform systems and teams.”

Comprising 60 credit hours, this program gives advanced expertise in the healthcare industry. With only two 4-day residencies, this degree online doctoral degree in healthcare administration forms professionals skilled in “forecasting, team leadership, and self-leadership” within a broadly Christian perspective.

Campus Location:  Virginia Beach, VA

Accreditation:  Regent University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

• Applicants must hold a master’s degree from an accredited institution
• Official college/university transcripts
• Employment history, detailing leadership positions, skill set and results
• School, church and community leadership positions
• Service activities
• Academic and non-academic honors and distinctions
• Completed admissions questionnaire
• Leadership Theory
• Healthcare: Issues, Trends & Forecasting
• Healthcare: Self-Leading & Professionalism
• Healthcare: Team Leadership & Engagement
• Healthcare: Theory & Practice

Degree Outcomes:  This degree program is designed to train healthcare administrators who can examine current issues and trends and plan and effectively forecast within their scope of work.

Graduates from this program can write and publish on healthcare leadership topics on both scholarly and popular levels. Graduates possess an understanding of existing healthcare theories and models and how to enact useful leadership structures.

LEARN MORE ABOUT REGENT UNIVERSITY’S  ONLINE DOCTOR OF STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP – HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIP DEGREE PROGRAM

Walden university.

Program Standouts:  The DHA degree offered by Walden University is a fully online program “designed to prepare you with the holistic knowledge and advance business strategies needed to manage the healthcare delivery demands of your organization and the communities it serves.”

Walden’s curriculum is interdisciplinary and structured to blend theory with practice to train competent and creative healthcare administrators.

Students receive communication skills and the ability to use and employ relevant data, all towards the goal of useful practice-based research and leadership. With minimal residency requirements, this degree program will set the stage for its graduates to move into executive roles in the healthcare industry.

Campus Location:  Minneapolis, MN

Accreditation:  Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

• Unofficial and official transcripts
• Resume showing work history
• Employment and education history
• Building a Multidisciplinary Approach to Health
• Health Leadership and Systems Thinking
• Global Health Issues in Disease Prevention
• Healthcare Quality Management

Degree Outcomes:  Graduates demonstrate evidence-based leadership. They can participate in scientific inquiry with an understanding of the different stakeholders in healthcare administrative strategies.

A graduate can assess risk and implement culturally responsive policies based on sound legal and ethical principles to promote positive change in healthcare delivery.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WALDEN UNIVERSITY’S  ONLINE DOCTOR OF HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATION

Colorado technical university.

Program Standouts:  This Doctor of Management-Healthcare Management and Leadership degree promises to place emphasis on three focus areas: research and writing, Leadership and Change, and specific instruction in healthcare administration.

Courses have multiple start dates throughout the year and can be completed in as few as three years, allowing working professionals to earn their doctorates without interruption of their careers.

Healthcare policy and economics, along with many related areas of inquiry, are key aspects of this degree. All this is to prepare healthcare executives to make a continual improvements to the full range of healthcare systems. This program requires a doctoral dissertation.

Campus Location:  Colorado Springs, CO

Accreditation:  Colorado Technical University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

• Interview with an admissions advisor
• Other degree-specific requirements
• Health Policy and Regulations
• Economics and Financing of Healthcare Organizations
• Continuous Improvement for Systems in Healthcare
• Informatics in Healthcare
• Advanced Career Strategies for the Scholar-Practitioner

Degree Outcomes:  This degree is designed to prepare its graduates to be effective healthcare administrators able to examine policy, regulations, economics, finance, and informatics to the end of effective healthcare leadership.

LEARN MORE ABOUT COLORADO TECH UNIVERSITY’S  ONLINE DOCTOR OF MANAGEMENT – HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP DEGREE

Capella university.

Program Standouts:  This online doctorate in Health Administration is a competency-based program that is designed to meet “rigorous professional standards.” Students are guided through this program by excellent faculty and “Share courses with other… public health practitioners to learn about, from, and with others in the industry.”

With oversight and direction from an expert advisory board, the curriculum and capstone project of this degree program will help professional healthcare administrators reach their highest goals and help “ensure [graduates] have what it takes for roles in teaching, leadership, research, or consulting.”

Accreditation:  Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

• Transcripts from all past universities
• It is possible that a resume and letters of recommendation will be required as well as other materials

Degree Concentration Options:

• General Health Administration
• Health Care Leadership
• Health Care Quality and Analytics
• Health Policy and Advocacy

Degree Outcomes:  This degree program is designed to prepare healthcare administrators for effective leadership in the growing and changing field of healthcare. Its four concentrations provide excellent and diverse opportunities for specialization that better-fit students’ interests, skills, and career goals.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CAPELLA UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE DOCTOR OF HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

Trident university.

Program Standouts:  As a Ph.D. program, Trident’s online doctoral degree is a research-based degree program. This doctorate is designed to provide advanced preparation for working professionals in understanding healthcare principles and dynamics.

The program’s specialization in health policy and administration opens up opportunities for advancement in administrative positions in the health and health science fields.

Courses open in October of the academic year to train leaders to improve society and be at the “forefront of [this] dynamic field by learning, developing, and applying innovative research methods in our challenging and highly rewarding doctoral program.”

Campus Location:  Cypress, CA

Accreditation:  Trident University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in a related field
• Minimum of 3.0 GPA
• Scholarly writing sample
• Cover letter
• Two letters of reference
• Current Issues in Health Administration Research
• Health Care Law, Regulation, and Ethics
• Seminar in Strategic Planning for Health Sciences

Degree Outcomes:  This degree is designed to develop expertise and skills in research, education, and management careers. Graduates can practice and apply new research methods in the growing and changing fields of healthcare.

This degree situates graduates to respond to legal and ethical issues in the health field, from policy to administration.

LEARN MORE ABOUT TRIDENT UNIVERSITY’S  ONLINE PH.D. IN THE HEALTH SCIENCES DEGREE PROGRAM

California intercontinental university.

Program Standouts:  This two-year online Doctorate of Business Administration in Healthcare Management and Leadership “is designed to help students perform applied research and transform mature learners into leaders.”

This degree focuses on advanced decision-making skills and techniques, along with research and writing skills needed for healthcare administrative positions in both academic and business environments.

This holistic approach helps students improve their analytical ability, strategic thinking, and policy implementation both within and beyond business settings. This degree requires a dissertation.

Campus Location:  Irvine, CA

Accreditation:  California Intercontinental University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission

• CV or professional resume
• Two or more years of full-time professional experience
• Managing Risk in Healthcare: Perspective for Healthcare Leaders
• Healthcare Marketing: Tools and Techniques
• Quality Management in Healthcare: A Systems Approach
• Global Business Finance

Graduates of this doctoral program are prepared for careers in:

• managed care supervision,
• patient care management,
• health service management,
• regulatory analysis,
• and resource specialist.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CALIFORNIA INTERCONTINENTAL UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE DBA IN HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP DEGREE PROGRAM

National university.

Program Standouts:  This degree program is designed with the recognition that the healthcare industry is rapidly changing and expanding.

These factors make career opportunities abound. However, healthcare administrators need both advanced training in theory and practice and the ability to adapt to new situations, systems, and challenges.

This Ph.D. in Business Administration with a specialization in Health Care Administration provides online courses as well as one-to-one mentoring that will form healthcare leaders with adaptive knowledge ready to identify, resolve, intervene and lead in health management and delivery.

Campus Location:  San Diego, CA

Accreditation:  National University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges

• Applicants must hold a master’s degree
• Current resume/CV (may be required)
• Healthcare Industry and Financial Management
• Legal and Ethical Issues in Healthcare Research Management
• Advanced Concepts and Applications in Health Policy and Management
• Healthcare Strategic Management

Degree Outcomes:  This degree prepares healthcare leaders with business knowledge based on a synthesis of current theory. Graduates can communicate with diverse audiences. They are able to evaluate business practices and implement policies with a positive impact on society.

Graduates can come up with solutions to difficulties in current research and relate global concerns and local contexts.

LEARN MORE ABOUT NATIONAL UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE PH.D. IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION with a SPECIALIZATION IN HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION DEGREE PROGRAMS

Medical university of south carolina.

Program Standouts:  This doctoral program in health administration readies students for the challenges facing “cost-effective, quality delivery systems responsive to policy initiatives.” These challenges require new knowledge and leadership skills to respond to changing contexts.

This program seeks to integrate new knowledge into traditional healthcare administration topics to shape healthcare leaders that can respond to new questions and implement successful reforms to existing systems.

The program includes two years of coursework and a third year of directed dissertation research and writing.

Campus Location:  Charleston, SC

Accreditation:  The Medical University of South Carolina is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

• Post-bachelor’s degree in a management or policy position in the healthcare field
• Five years of experience in a management position in the healthcare field
• Three professional references
• 1,000-word career goal statement
• Current resume
• Official transcripts of all college and graduate work
• Copies of licensure or credentials
• Current position information and description

Sample Concentration Clusters:

• Applied Research
• Health Policy
• Strategic Management

Degree Outcomes:  This degree program provides excellent, advanced instruction that prepares health care professionals for careers such as:

• Health System President,
• Hospital Vice President,
• Chief Financial Officer,
• Chief Nursing Officer,
• Chief Operating Officer,
• Consultant,
• University President,
• College Professor,
• Associate Dean for Students.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA’S ONLINE DHA EXECUTIVE PROGRAM

University of saint augustine.

Program Standouts:  This doctoral degree in health sciences is designed for professional healthcare practitioners and educators looking to expand and develop their professional experience and skills in the areas of academics and administration. The program requires 60 credit hours and culminates in a dissertation.

Courses are delivered online; two on-site residencies are necessary during the program. “If you would like to pursue a career in higher education or enrich the one you have, our online Doctor of Education (EdD) program can help you achieve your goals and prepare you for success in this dynamic field.”

Campus Location:  San Marcos, CA

Accreditation:  The University of St. Augustine is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges

• Official transcripts from all previous institutions of higher learning
• Two recommendations from professional colleagues
• Writing assessment
• Copy of professional license (if applicable)

Program Options:

• Introduction to Interprofessional Scholarly Studies
• Current Issues in Health Sciences Education
• Information Literacy for Evidence-Based Practice
• Foundations of Healthcare Administration

Degree Outcomes:  This degree prepares graduates “for academic, administrative, or leadership positions in a variety of healthcare education and professional training and development settings.”

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE’S  ONLINE DOCTOR OF EDUCATION (ED.D) DEGREE PROGRAM

Antioch university.

Program Standouts:  Antioch University’s four-year Ph.D. in Leadership and Change is designed for curious professionals with a strong motivation to lead healthcare toward positive change. This program will allow current mid-and upper-level practitioners to expand and deepen their existing knowledge and skills.

Courses are delivered online with three residencies per year throughout the program. Capping the learning experience, students write an original dissertation that demonstrates the fruits of their studies in a manner that can be applied to their own interests and professions.

Campus Location:  Yellow Springs, OH

Accreditation:  Antioch University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

• Completed online application
• Master’s degree from an accredited institution
• Admissions essay
• Three recommendations
• Transcripts
• Research-oriented writing sample

Sample Course Options :

• Ethical Issues in Management
• Leadership and Change
• Community Collaborations and Partnerships
• Personal and Professional Accountability

Degree Outcomes:  Graduates from this degree program will be prepared to contribute as healthcare leaders in research and practice of “leading positive change in workplaces, schools, organizations, and communities.”

LEARN MORE ABOUT ANTIOCH UNIVERSITY’S  ONLINE PH.D. IN LEADERSHIP AND CHANGE

University of south florida.

Program Standouts:  The online Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) offered by the University of South Florida is shaped by an emphasis on advanced public health education and training designed to prepare healthcare professionals to take on leadership roles in the practice of healthcare administration.

Coursework is taken online with three on-campus visits. The program format is structured to allow working professionals to maintain their employment while pursuing a doctorate. Completion of this degree program requires, in addition to coursework, a doctoral project showing literary and investigative skills.

Campus Location:  Tampa, FL

Accreditation:  The University of South Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

• Applicants must possess an MPH, MHA, MSPH, or equivalent degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0
• Submit all transcripts
• GRE (or GMAT, MCAT, DAT, or PCAT, but not LSAT) within the last five years
• Resume or CV
• Three letters of recommendation
• Minimum of 2 years of advanced work in public health
• Advanced Practice Leadership in Public Health
• Public Health and Clinical Laboratory Science and Practice

Degree Outcomes:  Graduates from this doctoral program will have connected with other professionals and broadened their grasp of public health management, practice, and research.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA’S ONLINE DOCTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH DEGREE PROGRAMS

What are the differences between a ph.d. in health administration and a doctor of healthcare administration program (dha).

The Ph.D. in Health Administration track is a professional degree wherein students generate original research on the areas of health care service provision, operations, and delivery systems. Meanwhile, a Doctor of Health Administration program is a research application-focused program.

This means that DHA students are taught the principles, rules, strategies, and systems that capacitate future professionals to monitor and manage healthcare facilities. As doctorate holders, they are qualified to take on executive roles and make critical decisions.

What will make me a great Healthcare Administrator?

Besides quality education, consider these qualities to succeed as a Healthcare Administrator:

• Excellent communication and organizational skills: Having the ability to effectively and efficiently communicate with staff, patients, and other community members is essential. You must be organized and able to juggle multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Leadership ability: As a healthcare administrator, you must be able to lead and motivate your team to create a successful and efficient healthcare system.
• Knowledge of healthcare regulations and resources: You must be up-to-date on all relevant laws, regulations, and resources to provide top-quality care to patients.
• Passion for helping others: Healthcare administrators must have a strong desire to improve the lives of those in their community and be willing to go the extra mile in order to do so.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills: Being able to understand complex data and identify areas for improvement is critical. You must be able to analyze information and develop effective solutions.

Administration degree?

An online doctorate in Healthcare Administration graduate becomes qualified for top-level careers in academe, the government, and hospitals or healthcare facilities. The job primarily involves leading a health professional team and steering the entire operations toward an outstanding provision of health care service.

The American Bureau of Labor Statistics sees an upsurge of 28% in the demand for healthcare administrators and managers within the years 2022 and 2032.

What are the career paths for holders of a Doctorate in Healthcare?

Hospital CEO or CFO

In a hospital or healthcare facility, Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer is in charge of developing strategies to ensure the high-quality, overall performance of the facility and its workforce.

As a financial management head, the CFO takes charge of all financial matters and ensures the financial health of the healthcare organization. Both the CEO and the CFO work closely together. A DHA degree holder is highly qualified for these positions.

Nursing Home, Hospital, or Government Health Care Facility Administrator

With extensive knowledge and training, a DHA graduate is fit for head administration work in a hospital, nursing home, or government-run healthcare institution. They manage the facility as an organization and oversee staff operations in adherence to government rules and guidelines in delivering health care services.

The teaching profession is a common career track for DHA graduates. They are sought-after in trade schools, colleges, and universities that deliver Health Administration programs at the undergraduate or graduate levels. Also, their services are often sought for consultant work in hospitals and similar facilities. Post-secondary health specialty instructors in the United States earn a mean annual wage of $127,640 .

The Bottom Line

Healthcare administration programs are perfect for those who enjoy healthcare but aren’t into the hands-on approach. Through an administrative role, you can help others as you take care of their needs.

Healthcare administration professionals are prepared to work in human resources, educational leadership, pharmacy, and health sciences, as health service managers, in quantitative and qualitative data, health systems administration, data analysis, and much more.

Check this out: The Best Doctor of Health Administration (D.H.A.): Salary and Information

Bouvé College of Health Sciences

Healthcare leadership.

Northeastern University's Doctor of Medical Science in Healthcare Leadership (DMSc) is an innovative, 100% online doctoral degree that is open to all medical professionals seeking to expand their career potential in healthcare leadership, administration, education, and advocacy.

Healthcare leadership careers are rising, with jobs for medical and health services managers estimated to grow 32% by 2030.

Northeastern's Doctor of Medical Science in Healthcare Leadership (DMSc) fills the need for medical professionals of all kinds to advance their education. The program is delivered 100% online and is the first degree of its type to be offered by an R1 research institution. You'll graduate ready for new career opportunities in healthcare leadership, administration, education, and advocacy.

The degree creates a path to leadership for individuals with varied healthcare backgrounds and career goals. Here's what you can expect:

• Gain perspectives and visibility into challenges and opportunities across the medical sciences.
• Engage in a curriculum comprising core courses centered on healthcare systems and leadership skills, a specialized concentration, and a problem-based thesis project related to your concentration.
• Advance your career with a degree developed in cooperation with healthcare leaders and designed to create leaders with both technical proficiency and in-demand management skills.
• Customize your degree with a choice of nine available concentrations.

Register for our open forum webinar to meet with the Program Directors, ask questions, and get information about the program.

More Details

Unique features.

Northeastern’s DMSc degree is an innovative pathway for all healthcare degree holders to advance their education toward leadership—other universities limit admissions to physician assistant graduates.

Earn your degree part-time with maximum flexibility and a 100% online curriculum open to a broad range of medical professionals working in a clinical healthcare setting. 

Gain the career advantage of a degree developed in cooperation with healthcare leaders and employers and designed to create leaders with both technical proficiency and in-demand management skills.

Specialized concentrations add career flexibility to a rigorous core curriculum. Concentrations include Health Informatics (Practice); Health Informatics (Research); Health Law; Business Management for Healthcare; Public Health; Patient Safety; Extreme Medicine; Exercise Science; and Interdisciplinary Healthcare Leadership.

Northeastern's Doctor of Medical Science in Healthcare Leadership is the first DMSc program of its kind offered by a leading R1-rated research university. 

Career Outlook

Healthcare leadership careers are rising, with jobs for medical and health services managers estimated to grow 32% by 2030. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022)

Median annual wage for medical and health services managers is $101K. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022)

Median annual wage for medical scientists in research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences is $102,210. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022)

Testimonials

- mary jo bondy, dhed., mhs, pa-c, looking for something different.

A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern—a top-ranked university—can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and hands-on professional experience in the area of your interest. Apply now—and take your career to the next level.

Program Costs

Finance Your Education We offer a variety of resources, including scholarships and assistantships.

How to Apply Learn more about the application process and requirements.

Requirements

• Application
• Application fee
• Two letters of recommendation
• The Foreign Credential Evaluation (FCE) is a required assessment of all transcripts and documents from non-U.S. accredited post-secondary education institutions. (Review the FCE requirements by country.)
• Personal statement
• TOEFL or IELTS for applicants who do not hold a degree from a U.S. institution and whose native language is not English
• Applicants with a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution in a healthcare-related field plus at least 3 years of experience in a healthcare-related field and is in a leadership/management role with evidence (a supervisor letter) of duties that supports significant/progressive leadership and responsibilities will be considered.
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the accredited program

Learn More Access the program page on the Bouvé College of Health Sciences website.

Admissions Details Learn more about the Bouvé College of Health Sciences admissions process, policies, and required materials.

Admissions Dates

Fall term deadline: August 1

Spring term deadline: December 1

Industry-aligned courses for in-demand careers.

For 100+ years, we’ve designed our programs with one thing in mind—your success. Explore the current program requirements and course descriptions, all designed to meet today’s industry needs and must-have skills.

View curriculum

Northeastern's experience-powered learning model has been at the heart of the university for more than a century. It combines world-class academics with professional practice, allowing you to acquire relevant, real-world skills you can immediately put into action in your current workplace. Your Northeastern education can be a dynamic, transformative experience, giving you countless opportunities to grow as a professional and person.

Our Faculty

Northeastern University faculty represents a broad cross-section of professional practices and fields, including finance, education, biomedical science, management, and the U.S. military. They serve as mentors and advisors and collaborate alongside you to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.

Mary Jo Bondy

Bianca Belcher

By enrolling in Northeastern, you’ll be connected to students at our 13 campuses, as well as 300,000-plus alumni and more than 3,500 employer partners around the world. Our global university system provides you with unique opportunities to think locally and act globally and serves as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions.

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Next Start Date

About start dates.

Additional future start dates include:

Spring 2025

Summer 2025, spring 2026, summer 2026.

Start dates for individual programs may vary and are subject to change. Please request free information & speak with an admission advisor for the latest program start dates.

Years To Complete

Set solutions in motion with a doctorate in healthcare administration.

Program Availability

No-Fear Dissertation™

Get 360-degree support to take on (and finish!) your dissertation.

3-Year Completion

Finish your DHA faster -- including one year for your dissertation.

Personalized Program

Customize your program with a variety of electives.

100% Online Classes

Take classes that fit with your busy life.

Relevant Curriculum

Keep up -- and stay ahead -- of an evolving industry.

Program Overview

Pioneer change: improve healthcare effectiveness and advance leadership.

The healthcare industry is – and will continue to be – in a state of tremendous change. From economics, to policies, to governance, to quality, the issues surrounding healthcare are far-reaching and complicated. That’s not to say, though, that healthcare advancement is behind us. Quite the opposite.

Next-generation influencers are taking on new, expanded and visionary roles to propel this nation’s healthcare system forward. Healthcare administration leaders, for example, are taking on a dual role; first as innovator and second as educator, bringing forth new ideas for policy, practice and patient improvements.

Meanwhile, those committed to educating and equipping tomorrow’s healthcare leaders are advocating out-of-the-box thinking, strategizing and leading in an arena that’s become, at times, unwieldy and contentious.

Make an impact for yourself – and a nation

Rapid change in healthcare is inevitable, so keeping up is no longer an option. Instead, you have to be two, three, even 20 or more steps ahead. But how? Through research, exploration and problem solving. The nation’s healthcare system needs fresh yet practical solutions to help solve real-world healthcare dilemmas, gaps and problems.

Higher levels of leadership are needed, including those who possess refined verbal and written competencies, expanded technical and technological abilities, and advanced interpersonal aptitude. Yet these skills don’t come easily – or automatically. Instead, they require proficiencies beyond even a master’s-level degree; they require a degree of the highest level, a terminal degree. A terminal degree can prepare you to make logical, relevant connections between classroom learnings and real-world efficiencies and effectiveness.

A practitioner-oriented education, however, differs from a research-based degree. Whereas a Doctor of Philosophy or Ph.D. in healthcare administration degree focuses on substantive advancement of theoretical research within a discipline, an applied doctorate degree, such as Franklin University’s transfer-friendly Doctor of Healthcare Administration or DHA, focuses on expanding your knowledge within your field and combining it with applying it practically in real-world setting.

Become a more dynamic leader

Our DHA program reinforces the core technical aspects of quality research, yet also equips you with such sought-after skills as communication and technology. Franklin’s applied doctorate is a practical degree that enables both subject mastery and field application. That means you’ll be prepared to research and communicate complex, organization-wide issues.

Franklin’s applied Doctor of Healthcare Administration is a program designed to help you:

• Design organizational strategies to improve healthcare operations and outcomes
• Develop innovative healthcare leadership practices based on executive leadership practices
• Assess and refine your own leadership competencies
• Apply research to advance the field of healthcare administration

Improve healthcare processes, efficiencies and outcomes

Few would argue the large and complex nature of the administrative side of healthcare. Few also would argue the need for improvement in even the leanest, safest, most patient-friendly healthcare organization. The truth is, there’s always room for improvement – and you could be the catalyst for change in your healthcare organization. While earning your doctorate in healthcare administration from Franklin, you’ll focus on ways to drive quality improvements, including patient safety, risk management and service quality. You’ll explore various efficiency- and process-improvement models, as well as research quality improvement drivers within both public and private sectors. More importantly, you’ll be prepared to research, evaluate, develop and recommend appropriate prevention, mitigation and improvement strategies.

Make more informed decisions

When it comes to healthcare decision making, be it process improvement, program effectiveness or sustainability strategies, the crux of any decision is evidence. That’s why our doctoral program for healthcare includes major area coursework related to workflows, databases, informatics and analytics. Your Franklin DHA will help you better understand retrieving, analyzing and reporting intelligence metrics as part of healthcare decision making.

Create and influence healthcare policies and regulations

In spite of being highly regulated and governed, healthcare continues to require new and updated policies to ensure sustainability and parity. Your Franklin DHA will help you explore various aspects of corporate, state and federal policymaking, including regulations, enforcement and organizational impact. You’ll learn how to evaluate the role of agencies in implementation and enforcement, create policies at all government and corporate levels, and influence change for existing policies and regulations.

Get 360-degree support

We’ve taken a comprehensive and systematic approach to our online doctoral program, which includes team-based curriculum development, doctorally qualified faculty, and student-centered activities designed for the working adult. You’ll receive robust academic support from a variety of resources, including a graduate advisor, faculty advisor, personal librarian and peers, as well as the Student Learning Center staff and your Dissertation Committee members. You’ll also enjoy a cohesive and robust graduate culture and cohort. Together, our practice-minded faculty and your fellow students will support, mentor, encourage and keep you accountable to the program – and to yourself. At Franklin, you’re never alone on your doctoral journey.

Transfer up to 24 credit hours

Want to complete your terminal degree in less than three years? Franklin grants up to 24 hours of prior-learning credit for previous doctoral work. We honor your prior learning and make it easier to get credit for what you already know. Transfer credit can help you earn your applied doctorate degree faster, as well as reduce your overall tuition expenses.

Succeed with our unique dissertation structure

If there’s such a thing as a no-fear dissertation process, Franklin has it. We’ve intentionally designed a dissertation structure to help you complete your dissertation step-by-step, beginning with your enrollment in the program. We’ve also built-in faculty mentoring and guidance, and peer-to-peer support so you’re never left to “figure it out” on your own.

Throughout the DHA program, you’ll develop important research skills and the necessary writing prowess to publish a dissertation or a dissertation in practice as a capstone project to your studies. Your dissertation will showcase your ability to identify a topic of interest within the workplace, develop a proposed solution to a problem, and test your hypotheses in the real world.

Dr. Raven-Seymone J.

Dha graduate '22.

"I was very nervous in enrolling in the Doctoral program at Franklin University due to still wanting to work my full-time position. With Franklin's flexibility and catering to my adult learning needs, I was able to maintain my personal and work-life balance. I am forever grateful to Franklin for bringing me to the crossroads of my career and excelling me forward with receiving this degree."

Future Start Dates

Start dates for individual programs may vary and are subject to change. Please  request free information  & speak with an admission advisor for the latest program start dates.

If there’s such a thing as a no-fear dissertation process, Franklin has it. We’ve intentionally designed a dissertation structure to help you complete your dissertation step-by-step, beginning with your enrollment in the program. We’ve also built in faculty mentoring and guidance, and peer-to-peer support so you’re never left to “figure it out” on your own. 

Your Best Value Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA)

Choose Franklin's DHA and get an applied doctorate that fits your budget and your ambition. 

The Finish Formula

2 years of coursework + 1 year for the dissertation.

Transfer MORE Credits, Pay LESS tuition*

Faculty support.

Be mentored + guided by doctoral faculty advisor from first term through candidacy. 

Student Satisfaction

98% of graduating students would recommend Franklin to their family, friends and/or colleagues.

Source: Franklin University, Office of Career Development Student Satisfaction Survey (Summer 2023)

Curriculum & Course Descriptions

This course will establish the doctoral program structure and associated expectations, requirements, and support resources, as well as prepare students to be active participants in advanced professional and academic discourse by examining and practicing the writing conventions associated with their chosen field of study. As part of an intentional learning community, students will become familiar with the varied conventions of disciplinary writing and analyze the ongoing scholarly conversations pertinent to their academic interest by identifying common scholarly writing conventions, composing knowledge base articles, and responding to both their peers? works in progress and published scholarly writing.

This course will build on the foundational work of ENG8010 to ensure that students continue to compose in academic and professional genres in order to compose and communicate scholarly arguments and perspectives in their chosen field of study. In addition to applying scholarly writing conventions associated both with doctoral scholarship and with their chosen field of study, students will continue to cultivate a learning community and develop field-specific research in order to compose knowledge-base articles, annotated bibliographies, literature reviews and analytical research papers.

Through this course, students will gain an overview of qualitative research methods. The course starts with successful completion of the CITI training - the protection of human research participants, then move on to introduce some of the critical works in qualitative research methods and design as well as give an overview of the historical progression of the field. Students will become familiar with the various approaches to qualitative methods, including narrative approach, phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, and case studies. Students will gain hands-on experience with qualitative sampling design, observations, and qualitative data collection. They will also get some introduction in qualitative data analysis, validity, reliability, and researchers' bias in qualitative work. At the end of this course, students will be introduced to the research proposal to get a start on the guidelines required for their dissertation proposal.

Through this course, students will gain an overview of quantitative research designs and methods, including experimental, quasi-experimental, and non-experimental designs. The course will also introduce students to quantitative sampling techniques, data collection approaches, and data analysis. Students will also engage in practical hands-on experience with formulating a research question or hypotheses, discussing important ethical issues, designing sampling methods, collecting data, and analyzing data. They will learn how to examine validity and reliability issues and will be introduced to available software for conducting quantitative design. At the end of this course, students will be introduced to the research proposal to get a start on the guidelines required for their dissertation proposal.

This course will introduce students to the concepts underlying basic data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Core topics include descriptive statistics, selection and operationalization of variables, scales of measurement, data types, sampling techniques, and means of collecting data. Using a current statistical analysis program, students will learn to describe data sets using measures of dispersion and relative position, to compute probability of occurrence of events, to compute measures of relationship, and to convey and interpret results of various analyses in written form.

This course will emphasize the alignment of statistical procedures with research methods, including selection and application of appropriate statistical analyses given a data set and a problem statement, including comparison tests, tests of prediction/relationships, and tests of predicting group membership. Moreover, students will develop skills of data set manipulation, including ?cleaning and screening? data, and assessing conditions in order to choose between parametric and non-parametric tests. Additional emphasis will be placed upon conveying and interpreting results of analyses in written form.

This is a hands-on course designed to equip student with skills and knowledge necessary to develop new, valid and reliable instruments as well as help improve existing ones. In particular, the course looks at the evolution of measurement development, the different types of tests used in various settings, the psychometric properties and the process involved in developing reliable and valid measurement instruments. The course includes creation of a reliable and valid measurement that can be readily applied in a given context and/or field.

The qualitative data analysis course focuses on qualitative coding, analysis, and interpretation of findings, and writing of the qualitative results. These skills will prepare students for the doctoral candidacy journey. The goal of this course is to collect readily available text data, work on mapping, memoing, coding, analyzing, interpreting, and writing qualitative results.

In this course, students will be introduced to the main schools of critical and social theory: structuralism, post-structuralism, cultural theory, queer theory, gender theory, critical race theory, disability studies, and post-colonialism among others. Students will analyze foundational theoretical scholarship, examine how critical and social theory has developed over time, and consider the ways in which theory might inform their own research. Throughout the course, students will complete short papers as well as a major writing assignment at the end of the term.

The aim of this course is for students to learn about and be able to apply key research design frameworks in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches. In particular, students will learn conditions under which each design and/or approach would be most appropriate and effective. Additionally, students will learn how to formulate research questions, critically evaluate various research designs in order to select a suitable one for a given research problem, develop appropriate data collection and analysis procedures and plans as well as ethical conduct of research studies. During the course, students will learn to craft a research propose integrating critical components, namely background of study, purpose statement, research question, theoretical framework, significance of the study, critical review and synthesis of key literature underpinning the study, appropriate research design, and data collection and analysis procedures.

This is an advanced course in statistics that covers analyses used in multivariate statistical techniques. The course is designed to broaden and deepen learners understanding of advanced statistics in multivariate techniques. As such, several multivariate techniques are covered, including their appropriateness to given situations, analysis, and interpretation. The emphasis of the course is on practical application of concepts learnt to given research problems and/or opportunities. The course is developed to balance theory and application and provides numerous opportunities for application to practical problems. Learners also complete a draft research proposal integrating sound research plans and procedures.

The advanced qualitative research course builds on the knowledge and skills students acquire in MTHD 803 and MTHD 804. This course leads students on an in depth treatment of qualitative research methodology, exploring its theoretical underpinnings and associated methods for design, data collection, interpretation, and reporting of results. Ethics are emphasized for each stage of research. This course will also guide students to develop the methodology and data analysis for their dissertation proposal and research.

Through this course, students will familiarize with mixed-methods research and design. They will gain knowledge on the four different types of mixed-methods: triangulation design, embedded design, explanatory design, and exploratory design. Students will learn how to conceptualize their own study in terms of these different design types. They will gain hands-on experience on how to formulate a research question fitted for a mixed-methods design, collect some data, and analyze it. They will discuss and learn about challenges and advantages of mixed-methods designs. At the end of this course students will be able to work on their dissertation proposal.

This science of epidemiology is essential for projecting the population health needs, and appropriate allocation of public and private resources. This course focuses on the utilization of epidemiologic studies and techniques as a basis for organizational policy and administrative decision-making. Students will examine the connection between organizational leadership and social health. Students will create and recommend organizational strategies that enhance organizational, community, and global health.

This course will explore various aspects of corporate, state and federal policy making. Students will examine the impact of existing health policies on healthcare organizations, providers and patients. Students will develop skills to influence and change existing healthcare policies. Students will also create and propose a new healthcare policy.

This course will examine the importance of resource and financial management in a healthcare organization. Students will determine the financial status of a healthcare organization and create strategic plans to sustain healthcare services. This course will also explore the various concepts driving healthcare economics. This course will also critique the use of organizational supplies, human resources, and technology.

This course will examine various aspects of patient safety, quality improvement and risk management in healthcare. Students will compare and contrast several process improvement models with the goal of improving organizational efficiency, patient safety, and service quality. Students will also research governmental agencies driving quality improvement in healthcare organizations.

16 credits from levels 8000-8999 in the following subjects: ACCT, EDUC, HCM, HIM, HRM, IDL, ITEC, MGMT, MKTG, MTHD, PUAD.

Students can also select from: FINA 737, FINA 750, or FINA. 737.

This course is designed for students to prepare for, take and complete their comprehensive exam. Remedial strategies and actions will also be provided for students who do not successfully pass their comprehensive exam on the first attempt, with the opportunity for a retake during the six weeks of the course if the student chooses to do so. A third attempt on taking the Doctoral Comprehensive Examination will not be automatically provided to doctoral students failing to successfully pass the examination after two attempts. Any third attempt will only be considered upon receiving a written petition by the student requesting a final attempt. The request may or may not be approved based on review by the Dean of Doctoral Studies and the student's doctoral Program Chair. Students who fail the comprehensive examination two times, or fail the examination three times when a third attempt was granted through appeal, are dismissed from doctoral studies at Franklin University.

At least 6 credits from the following courses:

In consultation with the Dissertation Chair and Committee Members, the doctoral candidate will design and conduct research to complete the aims identified in their research prospectus, proposal and IRB application or as subsequently modified in line with recommendations from the Chair and Committee Members. This course may be repeated as necessary to earn sufficient credit or to finalize the Dissertation to fulfill requirements to earn the doctorate.

Doctoral candidates will finalize all aspects of the Dissertation/Dissertation in Practice and make an oral defense of their design, methods and findings.

Students may complete 8 credit hours of a focus area to count within the Major Elective requirement.

At least 8 credits from the following courses:

This course is an advanced accounting research seminar in financial reporting. The seminar allows you to begin the process of substantive academic research and formal inquiry into important financial reporting theories and the implications of these for accountants. The seminar will require the synthesis of critical thinking, analysis, research writing and evaluation. Students will develop a key deliverable that involves a research proposal in financial accounting thought and then conduct substantive research into the literature developed by others. The final project in the seminar is the development of a research ready proposal utilizing at minimum one research methodology.

This course is an advanced accounting research seminar in managerial accounting. The seminar allows you to begin the process of substantive academic research and formal inquiry into these important theories and the implications of these for managerial accountants. The seminar will require the synthesis of critical thinking, analysis, research writing and evaluation. Students will develop a key deliverable that involves a research proposal in managerial accounting and then conduct substantive research into the literature developed by others. The final project in the seminar is the development of a research ready proposal utilizing at minimum one research methodology.

This course is an advanced accounting research seminar in auditing. The seminar allows you to begin the process of substantive academic research and formal inquiry into important auditing theories and the implications of these for accountants. The seminar will require the synthesis of critical thinking, analysis, research, writing and evaluation. Students will develop a research proposal in auditing based on their substantive research into the accounting, auditing and business literature. The final project in the seminar is the development of a research ready proposal, including an appropriate research methodology that describes an issue, problem or proactive need as documented in the literature, for which the student will formulate, describe and defend an appropriate solution.

This core course focuses on leadership and followership skills and attributes through the lens of traditional and 21st century leadership theories, constructs and concepts as applied to institutions. Students will apply transformational and other state-of-the-art leadership theoretical underpinnings to real-world cases, scenarios and situations that involve optimal practices in leading individuals and organizations through leadership challenging scenarios and other situations. The course concentrates on the application of critical thinking to optimal practices in leading institutions, their stakeholders and culture for optimal effectiveness.

The course will study the teaching and learning philosophies, methods, and techniques in higher education. Topics will cover learning theories, instructional design models, instructional strategies, and evaluation of student performance. By the end of this course, students will develop their own teaching philosophy along with an instructional unit demonstrating their mastery of learning theories and instructional design models, selection of proper learning technologies in designing the instruction, and incorporation of appropriate instructional and assessment methods. In addition, students will also explore faculty careers in higher education.

This core course focuses on state-of-the-art leadership skills necessary for the effectiveness of today's leaders and managers. The course concentrates on the specific transformational, servant-leadership, and other leadership competencies and skills necessary for providing sound management of institutional resources, projects, and performance. Students will apply leadership theoretical underpinnings to real-world cases, scenarios and situations that involve effective and ineffective resource and performance management practices. The course concentrates on the application of critical thinking and decision-making in optimal practices for providing highly effective leadership in today's organizations.

This course provides an examination of leadership theories and structures in institutions of higher education. Focusing on major theories of leadership of higher education organizations that inform leadership practices, students will develop skills as practitioners in university leadership. By the end of the course, students will be able to understand the structure and function of university leadership structures from multiple theoretical perspectives. Students will gain an understanding of the management, leadership, and administrative roles of academic and student affairs offices in colleges and universities including personnel, program definition, research and teaching issues, and other functions of academic and programming oversight. Additional consideration to the roles, responsibilities, and leadership styles required will be examined for different organizational contexts. Through the linking of theory to practice, the class activities will lead students to develop skills as campus leaders and to empower them to make conscious, deliberate decisions, utilizing multiple, and at times divergent, theoretical frames.

The purpose of this course is to explore critical, challenges facing American higher education. The course explores the history of higher education, with an emphasis on the development of higher education in the United States, to present day challenges facing intuitions. It includes issues of access, accountability, academic freedom, financial aid, state and federal government policy, changing legal structures, teaching and learning in a digital age, student issues, diversity, and the influence of business models and values on institutional strategy and practice. This course also covers different educational systems (Community Colleges, Private Colleges, and Public Colleges) and the critical issues affecting their institutional type. Students will gain an understanding of their responsibilities, critical thinking, and explore current issues that affect managers in institutions of higher education. This course addresses interdisciplinary influences on leadership practice within learning organizations and focuses on recent developments that have broad implications for research and practice in educational leadership.

In this course students will evaluate an organizations current health information governance infra-structure and will make recommendations for improvement that will cover the broad spectrum of strategic issues in healthcare including policies, guidelines, standards, processes and controls required to manage and implement enterprise-level information. Students will research how health data and organizational information systems are utilized as a strategic asset to healthcare organizations, process to manage various risks to the quality of information and ensure its appropriate use.

In this course students will evaluate an organizations existing clinical workflows to include a variety of inpatient, outpatient and emergency healthcare environments. Material in the course covers the documentation, review, mapping and diagramming of clinical workflow information and processes. Students will also assess and make recommendations for improvement of patient care to workflow mapping and change management, as part of evidence based decision making in healthcare.

In this course students will evaluate an organizations existing process of retrieving, analyzing and reporting intelligence to make healthcare decisions. Student will assess and make recommendations for improvement on the techniques of extracting, transforming and loading data from a myriad of operational databases into corporate data warehouses, as well means to ensure that decision making is based on clean and reliable information. Students will also develop skills for reporting the healthcare intelligence gathered.

Organizations across the globe are composed of groups of people working together to achieve goals that include organizational success, employee growth and contribution, and contribution to the larger community. The defining factor that differentiates the most successful companies from those that struggle to survive is the people who make up the employee base. While the Human Resources function has the specific task of planning for and resolving many employee issues and needs, individual managers and employees have direct responsibility and accountably for achieving sustained organizational success. Organizations that invest in their employees and develop workplace environments that encourage full employee engagement are rewarded with a competitive advantage in the marketplace. This course provides students with an opportunity to learn the knowledge and skills needed to enhance the contributions of all employees in support of an organization's purpose. Student's research will analyze trends and issues influencing the development and application of these elements within contemporary organizations. Additionally, students will come to understand the benefits afforded to organizations that create, craft and maintain a rich, empowering culture.

In Strategic Human Resource Management, students will analyze workforce management processes in light of their strategic importance. This will include an examination of the relationships between traditional human resource functions and the various business functions so that efficiency and effectiveness are balanced and optimized. Students will also review these processes and relationships in both the domestic and global environments now and in the future. Further, students conduct research to explore trends within the discipline of Human Resource Management that have a positive impact upon employee engagement as well as the productivity and profitability of an organization.

In this course, students will evaluate the process of change as related to the principles and practices of various types of organizations. Students will conduct research into the area of total rewards to determine what influences are leading many organizations to implement progressive human resource practices. Students will apply this learning to examine change processes and techniques used to facilitate transformational change in order to enhance employee engagement and organizational success. Students will also understand the business case supporting why companies should invest in their employees and internal cultures, regardless of industry affiliation, company size and/or revenue generation and apply this research to examine the processes and techniques for facilitating transformational change.

Leaders of instruction and learning must stay abreast of continual changes in technology and leverage them to ensure the competitiveness and health of their organization. However, not all technologies and emerging processes are worth adopting. In this course, students will examine pedagogical trends and emerging technologies. Students will learn how to evaluate theories and incorporate designs, processes, and technologies in strategic and tactical decisions for instruction and learning in the organization.

In this course, students will be exposed to new and innovative approaches for designing effective learning and instruction. This course will equip students with knowledge of applicable frameworks and strategies for implementation at the organizational level. Students will review learning environments such as e-learning, blended and hybrid learning, mobile learning, game-based learning, and informal and social learning, to determine the appropriate learning environment based on the learning and training needs of an organization.

Today's researchers, leaders and managers in the instructional design field must be able to use data to make decisions, as well as to influence others in their organizations. In this course, students will learn how to apply relevant tools, techniques, theories, and principles of strategic assessment and decision-making to address the learning and performance needs to continuous improvement for learning problems or a learning organization.

Learning and knowledge management is crucial to the success of organizations. In this course, students will go beyond the design of learning environments and acquire skills to lead and manage the learning organization at a strategic level. Students will be able to recognize and meet the evolving learning needs of an organization within the framework of the organization's strategic goals. Multicultural awareness and how to lead multi-functional and cross-cultural instructional design teams and projects will also be addressed in this course.

In this course, you will learn leadership, coaching, and consulting theories, specifically for leading in the instructional design and training industries. You will learn to identify the knowledge, skills, and qualities needed in your development to become a successful instructional design leader. Toward this end, you will develop a personal instructional design leadership philosophy and plan.

This course examines the theoretical framework and practice of curriculum design, development, and evaluation in educational settings. Students will learn the theories that are being used to guide curriculum design in educational settings. Students will apply those theories and processes in creating a curriculum and planning teaching & learning activities accordingly.

This course is an advanced research seminar in the field of organizational culture and behavior. The seminar allows you to begin the process of substantive academic research and formal inquiry into these important theories and the implications of these for managers. The seminar will require the synthesis of critical thinking, analysis, research writing and evaluation. Students will develop a key deliverable that involves a research proposal in the fields of organizational culture and behavior and then conduct substantive research into the literature developed by others. The final project in the seminar is the development of a research ready proposal utilizing at minimum one research methodology.

This course addresses historical and current leadership concepts, theories and constructs. An emphasis will be on the application and assessment of transformational, servant and authentic leadership theories for us by both leaders and followers in 21st century business and academic settings. The course will challenge students to assess their own leadership strengths and weaknesses and produce an in-depth plan of action to develop and refine leadership competencies. Students will conduct substantive scholarly research to address and capture relevant and cutting edge leadership theoretical work for application in course assignments.

Organizational Systems Perspectives Theory and Applications. This course focuses on the theory and practice of organizations as open and adaptive systems. Students will address the implications of systems theory for organizational sense-making, learning, innovation and transformation. The complexity of organizations as integrated participants in while systems will be addressed through research and presentations.

This course focuses on research and evaluation of the key theoretical concepts and practices central to the leading of organizational change initiatives. Students will evaluate real-world situations, cases and scenarios in order to recommend and justify theoretically-based change management practices to ensure ongoing organizational acceptance and effectiveness of these programs. Students will conduct scholarly research to explore, evaluate and interpret state-of0the-art change concepts for their viability in today's organizations. Students will assess the role of change agents as key players in the overall change process.

The primary objective of this course is to provide a substantive overview of the development of management theory and its applications through the 20th century to date. Managerial concepts and constructs will be researched and applied in a scholar to practitioner modality. The course will focus on the evolution of management thought and the implications of its development for modern managers and leaders.

Innovation enables organizational growth and sustainability. However, for companies to remain competitive, leaders must understand the theories, models, and strategies framing innovation applying relevant concepts and practice to business development, customer satisfaction, and market acquisition. Conceptually, innovation, defined and applied in organizations, has morphed over the last three decades. However, the 21st-century global business environment offers an opportunity to rethink, even reimage innovation and its application to the emerging digital defined markets and workplaces. While innovation is evolutionally, even revolutionary relative to an organization's purpose, product, and processes, leadership should explore contemporary knowledge and skills associated with innovation determining if cultivating cultures of innovation, is essential to achieving organizational goals.

This course addresses a multi-prong approach to manage, lead and assess overall organizational performance in achieving tactical and strategic goals. Metrics including: shareholder value, the balanced scorecard, risk management, system alignment, human resource management, and organizational learning are addressed in this course. Also the application of research on organizational performance theories are incorporated in the course.

This course focuses on the evaluation and analysis of key ethical decision-making theories and constructs and their direct application and integration in 21st century organizational practices. The role of corporate social responsibility will be explored by assessing the role of organizational leaders and stakeholders with improving the quality of life for individuals and the community.

This course is an advanced research seminar in contemporary marketing management. The seminar relies on critical inquiry and analysis as the foundation for substantive academic research involving current marketing issues that shape and are shaped by society. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have completed a comprehensive research study proposal.

This course is an advanced seminar in consumer behavior and market-driven applied research. Readings and assignments will synthesize prior knowledge of consumer behavior, research methodologies, methods, and theories with critical analyses of how these are used to inform marketing decision-making. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have developed a plan to conduct and analyze a research study.

This course is an advanced seminar in the use of quantitative and qualitative data in the marketing process. Upon successful completion of this seminar, students will have an understanding of how quantitative and qualitative analyses are used by marketing academicians and practitioners for academic and applied research, assessment, and decision- making.

This course focuses on theories and practices for leading cross-sector collaborations to accomplish public policy goals and objectives of mission-driven organizations. Students evaluate different collaborative approaches for delivering government and nonprofit services and assess the risks and benefits of engaging in cross-sector collaborations. Students learn analytical approaches, principled negotiation skills, and best practices for initiating and managing effective cross-sector collaborations.

The course examines the latest technologies that can be used to improve service delivery, engage stakeholders, and solve problems. Students learn the technologies and best practices for using web-based applications, e-commerce solutions, geographic information systems, crowd-sourcing, social media and other e-tools to make government and nonprofit organizations more efficient and effective. Ethical, legal, and implementation, aspects of these approaches are assessed.

This course examines concepts, tools, and techniques for evaluating government policies, philanthropic, and social programs to assess the performance of mission-driven organizations. The course focuses on evaluating different approaches to program evaluation and applying methods for performance evaluation, including needs assessments, logic models, evaluation designs, quantitative and qualitative evaluation techniques, ethics, and reporting.

This course critically analyzes the current state of IT strategy practices and demonstrates how an IT strategy serves as a strong foundation for competitive IT management. Several tools and methods are synthesized to assess internal and external environments for formulating a strategy, execute a strategy based on environmental factors, and improve a strategy. The course brings the current academic and business literature to the class. It examines emerging IT strategy and management issues such as hyper-automation, AI, cybersecurity mesh, anywhere operations, and the internet of behaviors.

This course aims to improve critical thinking and decision-making skills in the IT policy and governance field. The course brings forth today's complex and cutting-edge computing environment by taking threats, vulnerabilities, and cyber controls into account. Course provokes the questions of how the GRC (Governance, Risk Management, Compliance) practices should be applied in today's complex IT environments to make the most out of the cutting-edge technology and how critical assets should be protected from adversarial actions of advanced persistent threats. The course brings various essential processes and services to the table, including but not limited to supply chain risks, innovation, and resilience. Research papers and discussion assignments help students obtain pertinent information and improve research & academic writing skills within the field.

This course aims to improve critical thinking and decision-making skills while building your capabilities as an IT leader. The course helps you build a strong foundation on how to internally and externally lead others in a complex IT environment. This course will challenge you to create a leadership style that will bring the best out of people and yourself. Research papers and discussion assignments help students obtain pertinent information and improve research & academic writing skills within the field.

Financial decisions made at the higher levels of a business organization can have far-reaching effects. Intended to achieve firm operating goals and create shareholder value, they must be made judiciously, with a thorough understanding of all the factors involved. In this course, you will learn to apply the analytical techniques required for developing effective and workable financial solutions at the executive level. You will gain an overall understanding of the workings of the U.S. financial system. In addition, you will study the concepts of financial risk, return, and the valuation of bonds, common and preferred stock, cost of capital, capital budgeting, capital structure, and the evaluation of investment opportunities.

This course provides students with advanced knowledge of the capital markets, financial institutions, financial products, and analytical tools and skills needed for investments portfolio management. The objective is to provide students with a solid foundation of advanced concepts, tools, and techniques for making informed decisions in the highly dynamic investment environment. Students will utilize computer software, simulations, and internet tools to understand the viewpoint of professional investors more fully. The course will adopt an application-oriented approach so that students will be able to explain their financial decision under conditions of uncertainty. The course will provide students with a framework that will be useful in business settings where such analyses are routinely made.

No longer are only mammoth corporations concerned with the complexities and nuances of multinational financial operations. Today the leaders of companies of even moderate size often must have at least a fundamental knowledge of the global financial environment. In this course, you will be introduced to the workings of international finance as it relates to business operations. You will gain an understanding of such international macroeconomic topics as the balance of payments and models of exchange rate determination, while at the same time focusing on institutional issues such as the choice of exchange rate regime and growth of offshore currency markets. You will examine business and investor decisions involving exchange rate risk management, cross-border investment strategies, and participation in international money and capital markets.

Doctor of Healthcare Administration Program Details

A learning outcome map functions as a roadmap to help guide students' progress through their program of study. Click HERE to view the Doctor of Healthcare Administration matrix.

The admission process reflects Franklin University’s efforts to clearly identify the performance standards that can help predict student success in graduate level study. The selection criterion for Franklin’s graduate programs, as determined by faculty, emphasizes academic ability, contributory work experience, and personal qualities and characteristics.

A completed master’s degree from an institution accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC), Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE), Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), Southern Association of Colleges and School Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), or a Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)-recognized accrediting organization. Master’s degree cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Applicants who earned lower than a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale in their earned master’s degree can petition for admission to the program chair by submitting an essay detailing other criteria that the applicant believes should be considered to demonstrate their ability to be successful in a doctoral program. This petition could include details on the applicant’s work experience, work ethic, level of professionalism, personality characteristics, level of difficulty of program of study previously completed, etc. 

If a student is admitted as a result of the petition, the student will need to obtain a “B” average (3.0 GPA) during the first doctoral-level course (ENG 800) of their program. If the terms of the conditional enrollment are not met, the student will not be allowed to advance in their program and will be unable to earn this graduate degree from Franklin University. 

Program Prerequisites

The Doctor of Healthcare Administration requires a minimum of 30 hours of graduate coursework in a healthcare-related field.

English Language Testing & TOEFL IELTS

Prospective students must demonstrate English Language Proficiency. The requirement is met through any of the following:

• The applicant is a citizen of a country where English is the official language.*
• The applicant has received a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an institution located in an English-speaking country in which the courses were taught in English.*
• The applicant has earned appropriate scores on language proficiency exams taken within the last two years, as listed in the  Academic Catalog .  

*For more information about English proficiency, including a list of English-speaking nations, please visit our International Students section.

To be awarded a graduate degree, students must:

• Successfully complete all required curriculum courses.
• Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00.
• Earn in residence at Franklin University at least 34 of the 58 required credits. According to the Ohio Department of Higher Education, to earn a doctorate degree, students must have completed a minimum of 90 semester credit hours above the bachelor’s degree. Students requiring additional credit hours to meet this minimum will take GRAD 900 Advanced Integrative Research.
• Complete the payment of all requisite tuition and fees.
• Not to be under disciplinary dismissal due to academic dishonesty or violation of Student Code of Conduct.

The University employs a team approach to planning, developing and maintaining its academic curriculum. An essential element of this process – and a key to the institution’s quality assurance practices – is the Program Advisory Board (and the associated Alumni Advisory Board). A diverse array of business and industry leaders make up these discipline-specific boards that provide guidance on theory-to-practice ideas, global business perspectives, and emerging topics in the field. Each academic year, Program Advisory Boards meet with Division Chairs and faculty for lively and engaged conversations, thus bringing members’ substantial professional experience and expertise into the classroom. In addition, some Division Chairs elect to engage Program Advisory Board members in the assessment of academic program outcomes.

Hear What Our DHA Graduates Are Saying

"Since the first meeting my faculty advisor is cheerleading and supporting me." 

“I didn’t really have any hesitations. I knew right away that Franklin was the school for me. I knew that a doctorate in healthcare is what I wanted from the beginning to help make an impact on the community."

"I got an education for me. I hope to use that education to benefit others."

"Obtaining my doctorate has been such an extraordinary lifelong commitment and an incredible feeling of accomplishment!"

Career Opportunities

Professors primarily plan curriculum, conduct original research, and teach and test students, helping expand their knowledge within a particular subject matter or discipline.

Consultants are paid experts who assess a particular problem, challenge or opportunity and provide strategic recommendations for action.

C-Level Executive

C-Level Executives are responsible for oversight of an organization, including determining and/or implementing initiatives and leading senior management.

Adjunct Faculty

Adjunct Faculty are contingent or contractual instructors who plan lectures, teach specific courses within a field of study, assess learning outcomes and advise students.

Employment Outlook

From 2021-2031 jobs in healthcare administration are expected to increase by 8%.

All Occupations

Medical and Health Services Managers

Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

Source information provided by Lightcast.

Frequently asked questions, back to college blog.

Healthcare Culture: How to Navigate It If You Don’t Have an MD

Options for Executive Education in Healthcare

Ways to Gain Business Leadership Skills in Healthcare

Is a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration Worth It?

Doctorate in Healthcare Administration Salary: 8 Top-Paying Jobs

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Master of Health Administration – Online

Grow as a leader who affects meaningful change to impact our health systems and outcomes.

Crafted for working professionals our MHA Online program allows for advancing your training while boosting your career trajectory. Based out of the UNT Health Science Center in Fort Worth, Texas you’ll find a part-time delivery that allows you to balance education, career and life’s demands.

Mission, Vision and Values

Mission We improve the human condition through healthcare leadership. We prepare practicing and aspiring professionals and leaders to influence change and improve quality across the care continuum. Our scholarship creates innovative solutions to advance the health of communities. Vision We transform lives, organizations, and communities through healthcare leadership education and scholarship. Our program will be the trusted leader in providing healthcare management talent to North Texas, universally recognized as a premier source of training and scholarship. Values Serve Others First, Integrity, Respect, Collaboration, Be Visionary.

About the Program

The Master of Health Administration online program is designed to prepare you for effective organizational management based on competencies and evidence-based practices needed to become an exceptional manager and leader. The program is also committed to the improvement of health services through health services research and community engagement within complex health-related organizations.

Part-time. The Master of Health Administration online program is delivered 100% online. Students take 48 hours over 3 years.

Fall 2020. Entrance will be available twice a year, Fall I and Spring I. Fall 2020 will mark the first entrance.

Small Class Sizes. The MHA online program is anticipated to support 20-30 students in each entrance class. UNTHSC offers a high quality program to candidates seeking a rigorous course of study.

Online Format. Classes are 8-week sessions delivered 5 times a year. Students will take 1 class each 8 week term and complete the course of study in 3 years.

Competencies. The Master of Health Administration Program has adopted a competency model informed by the National Center for Healthcare Leadership. Three competency domains (Execution, Transformation, Values and Health Systems Awareness and Business Literacy) and twelve competencies within those domains guide the MHA Program curriculum.

Advisory Council Since its establishment in 2010, the MHA advisory council has helped to shape the structure and direction of the MHA program. The council is made up of key stakeholders in the Dallas – Fort Worth Metroplex area, who share an expertise of healthcare management, as well as a commitment to educating the next generation of healthcare leaders. Their input and engagement is helping to make the UNTHSC MHA program the best in Texas.

Professional Partners. The MHA program maintains relationships with a variety of professional partners healthcare sites and organizations.

Cost & Financial Aid

Total program tuition and fees cost estimates are available via the Office of Student Finance . Note the available pre-calculated charts by college and degree plan.

Financial Aid is available to support tuition, fees, and related expenses. Contact Financial Aid for specific questions and counseling.

If you have specific questions, please contact the UNT Health Science Center Financial Aid Office via:

• Phone: (817) 735-2505
• E-mail: [email protected]
• Visit the financial aid webpage: www.unthsc.edu/financial-aid

Review your employee benefits or contact your HR office to determine if you qualify for tuition reimbursement at work.

Online Programs

How are the classes taught? Courses are delivered in an 8 week accelerated format. Since you’re completing the course in just 8 weeks compared to a traditional 16 week semester we recommend students be prepared for a higher level of time commitment during the 8 week window. Students and instructors utilize the learning module system software, CANVAS for online courses. Tests are completed online via a secure service. A webcam is required for online students and used to verify participants are appropriate parties.

Part-time students who are balancing program enrollment with a full-time job and/or family commitments are recommended to take 1 course each 8 week semester. In this schedule you can complete the degree in 3 years.

Breaks in the calendar are most significant over the winter, with Fall II ending in early December and Spring I starting the second week of January. There is also a 2 week window between Spring I and Spring II. There is a second significant break between Summer ending in mid-July and Fall I beginning in mid-August.

Campus resources are available to you all From Financial Aid to the Library, even Career Services to our Academic Services office. You are always welcome, but never have to come to our physical location.

MHA Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MHA? The MHA program prepares students for effective organizational management based on competencies and evidence based practices needed to become exceptional managers and leaders in health care organizations. The 48 credit hour curriculum is designed for healthcare professionals who have 2 or more years of experience in health services administration in such settings as hospitals; managed care organizations; medical group practices; ambulatory, long-term care, insurance and pharmaceutical companies; consulting firms; government agencies; for-profit and nonprofit sector organizations.

The MHA degree focuses on the organization and effective and efficient management of health services organizations within dynamic policy and competitive market environments. The central focus of course material is on organization, operation and financing of the health services organization and on the development of a strong set of business management skills for application within the market-based health care environment. In essence, an MHA is a business degree that focuses on the intricacies of the health care industry and prepares students to lead their organizations to meet, and even exceed, the needs of their communities.

How long does it take to earn an MHA degree? The MHA online program follows a part-time model, students will progress through the program over 3 years.

How many credit hours are required for the MHA degree? The MHA program is a 48 credit hour program that includes an integrative capstone project, completed over 2 semesters.

What should I expect from graduate studies? The mission of the MHA online program is to start early to mid-career students on a path towards becoming exceptional managers and leaders. This requires not only a foundational knowledge of the healthcare industry but, more importantly to develop competencies (hyperlinked) critical to success in the field. To do so, students, will have the opportunity to learn by participation in team-based learning, case studies, analysis of real world data, simulations and external field experiences. To assess progress, the MHA program and faculty utilize a blend of traditional assessment methods to test knowledge and higher order assessments to test competency attainment through class discussions, reflective learning, peer assessments, presentations, internship preceptor feedback, policy briefs, financial modeling and oral presentations.

Is the UNTHSC MHA program CAHME accredited? Yes! Our program is DFW’s first CAHME  accredited program.  In addition, the UNTHSC School of Public Health is accredited by the  Council on Education for Public Health ( CEPH ).

What does a holistic review of an application mean? The Masters Admission Committee reviews all previous academic coursework, standardized test scores, relevant experience, and personal references. Furthermore, the committee assesses the alignment between the mission of the MHA Program and the applicant’s career goals, including articulation of how the UNTHSC MHA will help achieve those goals.

What is the approximate cost to attend? For MHA residential students, total tuition and fees cost is approximately $14,600. For MHA non-residential students, total tuition and fees cost is approximately $37,000.

**   Approximate costs include total tuition & fees, course fees, transcript, matriculation and graduation fees included. These costs are subject to change.

Who should I contact if I don’t see the answers to my questions? If you have specific questions about the MHA program or curriculum contact:

Catherine Sembajwe-Reeves, Ed.D., M.A.  MHA Program Director & Assistant Professor [email protected]

If you have specific questions about admissions please contact:

Zac Dockins Recruitment & Outreach Coordinator Phone: 817-735-2003 [email protected]

The UNT Health Science Center College of Public Health is accredited by both the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education and the Council on Education for Public Health .

This page was last modified on July 16, 2024

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Online Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (OGCBA)

Healthcare track, transform your career in healthcare in as few as four months..

Weekly Live Sessions

Course Options

Created and taught in collaboration with Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science

In today’s rapidly evolving market, the right skills can define success. The D’Amore-McKim School of Business Online Graduate Certificate in Business Administration Healthcare Track equips you with the critical knowledge and skills needed to make an immediate impact in your current role or to pursue new opportunities.

Learn from world-renowned experts at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science and business faculty from D'Amore-McKim School of Business , available exclusively through this partnership.

⇒ Download the program brochure.

"The OGCBA is an ideal choice if you want to make an immediate impact—and set yourself up for long-term success." Morgan Francese, OGCBA Success Manager

Flexible and focused learning

Take a curated path. Select a curated path of courses chosen by Healthcare c-suite leaders to fast track your career in healthcare:

Strategic Management for Healthcare Organizations

Offers students an opportunity to understand general business strategy concepts as they relate to the healthcare industry. Explores how to analyze market opportunities and challenges as they apply to various healthcare organizations, such as hospitals, physician organizations, and nursing homes. Presents and discusses analytical frameworks for making strategic decisions, drawing on different disciplines, including economics, management, and psychology. Strategic issues include mergers and acquisitions, vertical integration, joint ventures and alliances, performance-control systems, and organizational design.

Managing People and Organizations

Examines today's evolving environment, in which effective utilization of human resources is a source of competitive advantage. To maximize the contribution of organizational members, managers must be able to understand, diagnose, and influence workplace behavior in the context of change. Topics include management of cross-functional teams and boundaryless organizations. Emphasis is on the role of corporate culture and distributed leadership.

Foundations of Accounting and Finance

Explores key principles of accounting, as presented in the principal financial statements. Using those principles, explores a number of accounting practices and issues. Develops tools of financial analysis and financial planning and applies the information gained to business decision making. Utilizing the principle of time value of money to compare inflows and outflows of funds occurring at different times, develops basic decision tools for managers to make sound financial choices and to understand the context in which they are made. At the end of the course, the successful student should have a sound basic understanding of accounting and financial matters and the ability to understand business decisions in context and to evaluate the choices that management faces in the normal course of business development.

Patient Engagement Informatics and Analytics

Studies patient engagement and health informatics systems and analyses of data collected from these systems. Patient engagement is the ability and willingness of patients to manage their own health and care combined with interventions to increase patient involvement in their own health and care, as well as other positive health behaviors. In these interventions, health informatics systems and analyses of data are used. Offers students an opportunity to engage in data analytic exercises to investigate the underlying design and implementation of health informatics systems used in patient engagement initiatives. Presents an overview of the current state, new technologies, and other areas (health reform, legal, privacy, quantified self) influencing the future direction of patient engagement.

Or choose your own path. Tailor your education to your immediate learning needs. Select any 12 credits from D'Amore-McKim's extensive Online MS in Management course catalog to create a personalized course mix that aligns perfectly with your professional goals. 

⇒ View all OGCBA course options.

Beyond the (virtural) classroom

• Immediate application: Apply new knowledge directly to your work, delivering immediate value to your organization.

Attend live sessions and connect with faculty and peers: In addition to on-demand content, each OGCBA course provides optional live faculty connect sessions each week as well as open faculty office hours.

• Adaptable schedule: Complete your certificate at your own pace, from as little as four months to up to two years, depending on your personal and professional commitments.
• Pathway to advanced degrees: Excel in your certificate program and apply your credits towards the Online MS in Management program at Northeastern.
• Career advancement support: Leverage career development resources during and after your studies, including one-on-one career counseling, business networking opportunities, and job & interview preparation through the D'Amore-McKim Graduate Career Center.

Attend live sessions and connect with faculty and peers

In addition to on-demand content, each Online MS in Management course provides optional live faculty connect sessions each week as well as open faculty office hours.  

Upcoming deadlines

Submit your application by September 30 to start courses October 14.

Not ready to start yet? Request more information.

Want to get in touch?

Four ways to connect:

Email us: [email protected]

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Online Graduate Certificate in Business Administration

Online, General Business Track

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

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For technical support or any other inquiries, please reach out to our dedicated support team at [email protected]

Online Doctorate of Business Degrees

Learn More About The Programs

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Available Online Doctorate of Business Degrees

• Executive Coaching
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• Human Resources
• Information Systems
• International Business
• Non-Profit Leadership and Management
• Project Management
• Real Estate Development
• Strategic Management
• Strategic Media and Digital Content
• Supply Chain Management and Logistics
• Tourism Management

Benefits of Earning Your Degree at Liberty University

As a leader in distance education since 1985, we understand what it takes to create a flexible and affordable education for busy people. Since we have been investing in distance and online learning for decades, our experience has taught us how to streamline our degree options so you can focus on what really matters to you. While many schools offer online degrees, we believe Liberty stands out.

Here’s what sets us apart:

• We are recognized by multiple institutions for our academic quality, affordability, and accessibility . Our commitment to excellence also helped us rank in the top 10% of Niche.com’s best online schools in America . Earning your online MBA degree from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
• The majority of tuition for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs has not increased in 9 years. While many other online colleges have raised tuition, Liberty has been able to keep costs low as a nonprofit university. 
• With 8-week classes, 8 start dates per year, and no set login times, you can complete your online Master of Business Administration program faster than most residential students.
• Liberty’s degree programs are transfer-friendly and designed to take advantage of as much of your previous coursework as possible with the potential to earn college transfer credits for professional training.

Military Benefits

Service is important to us, so whether you’re currently serving in the Armed Forces, have served, or are married to someone who serves, we’re here to serve you. Liberty’s military benefits are available to: 

• Active duty service members of the U.S. Armed Forces
• Reserve/National Guard
• Veterans/retirees
• Spouses of service members and veterans/retirees
• Current Department of Defense employees

We are proud to support you in your pursuit of a flexible and affordable online education by offering you the following benefits: 

• Tuition discounts – $275 per credit hour for graduate courses
• Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course)
• 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)

“In the times in which we’re living today, Liberty University’s mission , the mission of training up a generation of Champions for Christ in literally every occupation, has never been more important .”

FORMER VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE

Experience That Matters to You

As an accredited Christian college with a 7,000-acre campus in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty University offers you an education that is both academically challenging and rooted in a biblical worldview.

At Liberty, you’ll benefit from 35+ years of learning, growing, adapting, and innovating for the distance learner — and more than a decade of researching the needs of the online student. You can be confident that we’ve taken the time to learn what’s important to you.

And what’s that?

• Affordability
• Accessibility
• Academic Quality

These important factors challenged us to find new financial solutions, get ahead of industry trends, and blaze trails into cutting-edge career fields — and it’s paid off. That’s the difference experience makes.

Ranked in the top 10% of Niche.com’s best online schools in America   and recognized by multiple institutions for   academic quality, affordability, and accessibility.

Why Choose Liberty University?

Enjoy flexible courses.

Choose from a wide variety of programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral level, most of which are 100% online*. With an 8-week format and 8 start dates per year, it’s easy to fit your courses around your schedule!

* Some exclusions apply. Please refer to our exclusions page for more information.

Maximize Your Time

Start and finish your degree faster! Liberty requires no standardized testing for admission, and you can transfer previous course credit — transfer in up to 75% of a bachelor’s degree and up to 50% of a master’s, postgraduate, or doctoral degree — or discover how your life, career, or military experience may count toward your college degree.

Grow in Your Faith

All of our courses are taught from a Christian perspective, and our faculty see themselves as mentors. Our mission is to Train Champions for Christ — we’re committed to championing you as you study to go further in your field, become a leader in your industry, or start a new career.

Access Academic Support

Throughout your educational journey, you will have access to academic resources that will aid in the completion of your degree. Services include our Jerry Falwell Library, writing center, tutoring, study aids, IT assistance, 30+ tutorial videos, live webinars, and personalized help from our academic advising team.

An Online Education with On-Campus Benefits

Cheer on 20 NCAA Division I games that air nationwide

Graduate with your peers

Be inspired by world-renowned speakers at Convocation

Why we’re nonprofit.

As a nonprofit (not-for-profit) university, Liberty is in the business of training skilled professionals to make a difference in the world – not gaining profit, revenue, or producing dividends for shareholders. In keeping with our commitment to your education, we invest our resources back into degree programs and into your student experience.

While many other online colleges have raised tuition, Liberty has been able to keep costs low as a nonprofit university and has not increased tuition for 9 straight years. Lower tuition means less student loan debt for students.

For Liberty University, nonprofit is more than a status; it is a valuable opportunity to invest in the lives of students who will go out and impact the world.

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Financing Options

Financial aid.

Nearly 80% of all Liberty students in an online program are awarded financial aid. Virginia residents may qualify for additional aid — learn more !

Corporate Tuition Assistance

Deferred – If your company reimburses you for the cost of your education, you pay only a portion of your balance up front. You submit your grades to your employer who pays you, and then you pay the remaining balance for your classes.

Tuition Discounts

Qualified military service members, veterans, and their spouses can receive up to 55% off their tuition rate for eligible programs!

Contact one of our Admissions Counselors for more information by calling (800) 424-9595 .

Apply FREE This Week*

*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, Non-Degree Seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and Certificates.

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