20 Best PhD Healthcare Administration Online Programs

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
  

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.

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, 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.

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.

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.

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 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.  

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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 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. 

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, 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, 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:

• planning
• business
• leadership
• 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, 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. 

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.