Best Online Doctorate in Healthcare Administration Programs
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A doctorate in healthcare administration can offer you the opportunity to specialize in the healthcare industry. With this degree, you can become an expert in the field and access a variety of career opportunities.
You can pursue roles in healthcare administration, policy development, and health informatics, as well as develop the skills to manage healthcare systems, design healthcare plans, and facilitate research in the healthcare field. Additionally, there are many internships, networking, and financial aid opportunities available.
Explore Featured Doctorate in Healthcare Administration Programs
Overview: Best Online Doctorate in Healthcare Administration Programs
Enrolling in an online doctoral program in healthcare administration can be an exciting and rewarding experience. You can expect to gain a comprehensive understanding of the healthcare industry and the skills needed to lead a successful healthcare organization.
Doctoral-level education in healthcare administration comes in different forms, such as a Ph.D. in healthcare administration or a doctor of healthcare administration degree (DHA). Ph.D. programs in healthcare administration emphasize research while DHA programs emphasize application.
Doctoral programs typically take 4-5 years to complete and cover a wide range of topics. The curriculum includes core classes such as finance, marketing, and healthcare law, as well as more specialized classes such as healthcare data analytics, health policy, and healthcare informatics. Most programs also require the completion of a capstone project, dissertation, or thesis.
Data USA also provides insights into the skills necessary for those working in this field, including:
- Active learning
- Social perceptiveness
- Judgment and decision-making
- Management of financial resources
- Time management
With the right skills, knowledge, and experience, you can be well-prepared for a career in the healthcare industry.
4 Best Online Doctorate in Healthcare Administration Programs
The school and/or program descriptions below were drafted using natural language generation technology and have been edited for clarity and accuracy. The data is primarily sourced from government databases such as IPEDS – see sources section for more details.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,019
- Out-of-state$34,198
- Retention Rate95%
- Acceptance Rate25%
- Students Enrolled30,092
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment91%
- AccreditationYes
National University
San Diego, CA
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$11,064
- Out-of-state$11,064
- Retention Rate0%
- Acceptance Rate0%
- Students Enrolled12,471
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment0%
- AccreditationYes
Franklin University
Columbus, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,552
- Out-of-state$9,552
- Retention Rate9%
- Acceptance Rate0%
- Students Enrolled5,926
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment100%
- AccreditationYes
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$12,296
- Out-of-state$22,881
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate69%
- Students Enrolled17,311
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment42%
- AccreditationYes
Salary and Demand for Healthcare Administration Occupations
Careers in healthcare administration offer a wide range of salary and job outlooks, depending on the occupation and qualifications. The following lists contain salary information and growth projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for a few careers related to healthcare administration.
Median Annual Salaries
- Medical and health services managers
: $104,830
- General and operations managers
: $122,860
The BLS also states that the job outlook for several healthcare administration careers is promising.
Job Outlook and Projected Growth (2022-2032)
Paying for a Program
From federal grants and loans to state and private financial aid, there are many ways to finance your studies. According to a report from the National Center for Education Statistics DataLab, 10.4% of students pursuing a graduate degree borrowed money to finance their education. Of those who borrowed, the average amount was $25,600.
For those seeking need-based financial aid, the best starting point is typically the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form allows you to apply for federal grants and loans, as well as work-study opportunities. You should also look into state and private financial aid, as well as fellowships.
Online vs. On Campus
The decision between enrolling in an online or on-campus program for a doctorate in healthcare administration depends on many factors. The following lists contain pros and cons for both online and on-campus programs. Students should consider which modality best suits their individual needs and circumstances.
Online Programs
- Flexibility to accommodate a busy schedule
- Convenience of studying from home
- Cost-effective
- Limited or no access to campus community
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
When considering a doctorate in healthcare administration, you will need to decide whether to attend a public or private university. While it is important to note that every school is unique, the following lists contain some general features of both public and private schools that you may want to consider.
Public
- Higher admission rate
- May be more affordable
- Larger class sizes
- Less faculty availability
- More extracurricular activities
- Tend to have more diversity
- Bigger campus
Private
- 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
When applying to a doctoral program, it is important to consider cost, quality, and reputation. Cost is a major factor for many students, so be sure to compare affordability between different programs. Quality also needs to be taken into account, as different programs offer different levels of academic rigor and support. Finally, research the program or faculty reputation. Strong programs with good reputations in the industry can open professional doors for graduates.
Aside from cost, quality, and reputation, there are many other aspects to consider. Look into the admission requirements, student services, class size, and alumni services. It is also important to make sure the school is accredited to guarantee the quality of your education. Finally, consider the program length, culture, and whether there are accelerated or part-time options available. By researching all of these topics, you can make an informed decision about which program is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions about Healthcare Administration Degrees
Sources
- General and Operations Managers
. (Accessed June 14, 2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2021.
- Medical and Health Services Managers
. (Accessed June 14, 2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.
- Top Executives
. (Accessed June 14, 2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.
- Health Care Administration & Management
. (Accessed March 9, 2023). Data USA.
- College Scorecard Data. (Data retrieved May 12, 2021). U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Data Lab. (Accessed March 9, 2023). U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics.
- IPEDS Access Databases
. (Data retrieved November 17, 2022). U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System.
- Official Cohort Default Rates for Schools
. (Data retrieved March 8, 2023). U.S. Department of Education, Office of Federal Student Aid.