health administration phd

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What Can You Do With a Healthcare Administration Degree?

Healthcare administration jobs: 10 career paths to pursue, how much do healthcare managers make, best online doctorate in healthcare administration programs of 2024.

Are you interested in working at the highest levels of healthcare administration, organization, and management? A doctorate in healthcare administration might be a good fit. Earning a doctorate in healthcare administration can prepare you for leadership positions in academia and research.

Healthcare administrators set policies for medical facilities, manage complex budgets, and analyze health records. And professionals with a doctorate can work in the top healthcare administrator jobs.

If that sounds like the kind of career you want, an online doctorate in healthcare administration might be the best fit. Here’s how to get started:

• Explore this page to determine whether this path is the right choice for you.
• Check out the top-ranked online doctorate in healthcare administration programs, as well as our sponsored programs.
• Request more information from schools you’re interested in to find the best fit for your schedule, pocketbook, and career goals.

Top Doctorate in Healthcare Administration Programs

Online doctorate in healthcare administration programs, at still university of health sciences.

Kirksville, MO 4 year Campus + Online

Franklin University

Columbus, OH 4 year Campus + Online

University of the Southwest

Hobbs, NM 4 year Campus + Online

What Can You Do With a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration?

Earning a doctorate in healthcare administration provides the skills and credentials you need to progress in your career. These programs prepare you to take on advanced roles in healthcare administration and contribute to scholarship and research in the field.

A Ph.D. in healthcare administration enables you to work in hospitals, outpatient care facilities, physicians’ offices, and residential care facilities. You may also work in local, state, and federal government agencies or take on teaching and research roles in academia.

Should You Get a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration?

As the highest degree in healthcare administration, a doctorate prepares you for leadership roles. You’ll also gain an advanced understanding of healthcare practices and policies. Plus, earning a doctorate in healthcare administration online can help you reach your academic and career goals on your time.

Benefits of a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration

• Complete doctoral-level courses that build healthcare leadership and management skills , as well as knowledge in health policy and administration and health services research.
• Focus your studies with a concentration in healthcare financial management, healthcare policy, or healthcare informatics.
• Qualify for leadership positions like hospital administrator, healthcare financial manager, or research director.
• Stand out on the job market with the highest degree in healthcare administration.

4 Reasons to Get Your Doctorate in Healthcare Administration Degree Online

• An online format makes it easier to balance coursework with your career and schedule classes around work or family.
• You can choose an online program with specializations that match your professional interests.
• With online degrees, it’s easier to compare programs and find an affordable option that fits your budget.
• You can take classes on a flexible schedule with many enrollment options, including hybrid and part-time programs.

How Much Money Can I Make With a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration?

Average annual wage with a doctorate in healthcare administration

Source: Payscale, April 2024

Median annual wage for medical and health services manager

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023

Many career paths with a doctorate in healthcare administration degree report median salaries in the six figures as of 2023. And some healthcare administration jobs report salaries of over $200,000 per year. Salaries vary depending on the job title, with academic roles typically reporting lower salaries than management roles.

Your salary and earning potential depend on a variety of factors. Experience and the amount of time spent working in the field often have the biggest impact on salary. However, your education level and location also have an effect on earnings.

How Much Does an Online Doctorate in Healthcare Administration Degree Cost?

On average, doctoral programs cost about $20,000 per year in tuition and fees, not including other personal expenses. When researching programs, check the credit requirement to estimate the total tuition cost. As a doctoral student, you may also qualify for financial aid , grants, and stipends to help offset costs.

Doctorate in Healthcare Administration Degree Costs

Average Cost of Tuition for a Ph.D. Program Per Year

Average Cost of Non-Tuition Related Expenses Per Year

Average Total Cost of a Ph.D. Per Year

Total Cost of a Ph.D. (4-8 Years)

$163,600-327,200

How Long Does It Take to Get an Online Doctorate Degree in Healthcare Administration?

Your enrollment status and degree requirements can impact a program’s length. Many programs require 50-80 credits and can take anywhere from 4-8 years to complete. Some online programs may offer accelerated formats that can shorten the overall program length.

Required Course Credits

50-80* *Depending on your program and specialization

Field Study Requirements

Yes* *Depending on your program and specialization

What Jobs Can I Get With A Doctorate in Healthcare Administration?

Professionals with a healthcare administration degree work in multiple healthcare management roles . With a doctorate in healthcare administration, you can pursue director-level positions in hospitals, doctor’s offices, and other healthcare facilities. Large healthcare systems, like the Veterans Administration and major integrated delivery systems, are also viable workplaces, in addition to federal health research agencies.

The degree also leads to opportunities in academia and research. For example, college professors typically hold a doctorate. By specializing in an area like financial management or healthcare policy, you can prepare for focused career paths after completing your degree.

Careers You Can Pursue With a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration

• Hospital administrator
• Healthcare administration professor
• Healthcare administration financial manager
• Medical and health services manager
• Hospital CEO or CFO
• Research director

Everything Else You Need to Know About Doctorate in Healthcare Administration Degrees

What does d.h.sc. stand for.

D.H.Sc. stands for doctor of health science. This degree, like a Ph.D. in healthcare administration, places more emphasis on research and scholarship. It prepares you to pursue a career as a professor and educator.

Courses offered in this program type examine global health issues, clinical trials in medicine, and data analysis. You may also study research methods in health science.

Is there a Ph.D. in healthcare administration?

Yes. A Ph.D. in healthcare administration focuses more on research and scholarship and is better suited for students wishing to teach at a college or university.

What’s the difference between a Ph.D. in healthcare administration and a doctor of health administration (DHA)?

Both a Ph.D. in healthcare administration and a doctor of health administration are doctorates in healthcare administration. Both degrees emphasize research and policy analysis. However, a DHA focuses on applied knowledge and healthcare leadership in practice, while a Ph.D. typically emphasizes research and academic skills.

While both doctorates can lead to healthcare administrator jobs, those considering academic or research positions may benefit from a Ph.D. rather than a DHA.

What courses do you take in an online doctorate in healthcare administration program?

During a doctorate in healthcare administration, online learners cover topics like healthcare operations management, quality and risk management, and healthcare administration research methods.

Many programs offer electives or concentrations to specialize the coursework. These can include healthcare finance, policy development, and healthcare informatics. Common healthcare administration courses include:

• Research methods and design
• Applied statistics
• Community and global health
• Healthcare regulations and policy
• Economics and finance in healthcare

Is an online doctorate in healthcare administration worth it?

A doctorate in healthcare administration is worth pursuing if you’re interested in advancing into leadership or academic roles within the field. A doctorate in healthcare administration can also boost your earning potential.

Moreover, many healthcare management jobs report salaries in the six figures and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects much faster-than-average growth over the next decade. Before applying to healthcare administration programs, weigh the cost against the payoff of completing the degree.

Consider reaching out to doctoral students and healthcare professionals for advice. Ultimately, the decision to pursue a doctorate depends on your circumstances and goals.

Explore More College Resources

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Updated February 23, 2024

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