2023 Best Online PhDs in Healthcare Administration

Capella University is a private institution offering an online Doctor of Health Administration, which requires 79 program credits. Students studying full time can complete this program in approximately six years. The acceptance rate at Capella is 100%, and the graduation rate is 21%.

Students at Capella use the Canvas learning management system to access their core online courses, which are entirely online and asynchronous. The curriculum covers ethics, collaboration, problem solving, and communication within healthcare delivery systems. Some required courses include Health Care Policy Processes, Innovative Business Practices, and Qualitative Design and Analysis in Health Care, as well as a capstone project that takes place alongside a mentor. Graduates may earn career opportunities as program specialists, health system managers, and administrative officers.

The University of Phoenix (UoPX) is a private institution with an online Doctor of Health Administration requiring the completion of 54 credit hours. Typically, students graduate in approximately four to six years while studying full time. UoPX accepts 100% of applicants, with 27% of students graduating.

All online courses at UoPX are delivered through the Blackboard Ultra learning management system. This software allows students to study entirely online and asynchronously. This online doctorate focuses on research methodologies, with additional courses designed to develop a practical understanding of healthcare systems. Among the core requirements are Research Conceptualization and Design, Leadership Theory and Practice, and Risk Management in Complex Health Organizations. Additionally, students must complete a dissertation and an eight-week online symposium in place of a residency. Students may be hired as clinical, nursing, and health information management directors.

The University of the Cumberlands (UC) is a private university that hosts an online Doctor of Business Administration - Healthcare Administration. Graduation requirements state that students must complete 66 credit hours between the core, professional research, and specialty courses, which can be done in approximately six years on a full-time schedule. UC's acceptance rate is 85%, with 57% of students graduating with degrees.

Online students at UC use iLearn to complete their coursework, delivered online and in synchronous and asynchronous formats. The core curriculum covers business administration's financial, economic, and ethical practices. At the same time, the concentration in healthcare administration features required courses, such as Healthcare Marketing, Strategic Management in Healthcare Administration, and Healthcare Finance. Students are also required to complete a 16-week dissertation for this graduate degree. Graduates are most likely to gain employment as healthcare administrators.

Alternatively, UC also offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Business - Healthcare Administration and an Executive Doctor of Philosophy in Business - Healthcare Administration.

National University (NU) is a private institution featuring an online Doctor of Health Administration. The program requires 60 credit hours. The completion time for this degree is approximately six years for full-time students. NU notes that the median time to graduate is 49 months.

At NU, students use Blackboard as their learning management system, with courses delivered entirely online and asynchronously. Online students can participate in synchronous sessions with faculty and classmates during dissertations. The core curriculum for this program teaches students the skills needed to earn executive positions by understanding the technology, communication, and financial requirements of healthcare facilities. Here are a few examples of required courses: The United States Healthcare Delivery System, Healthcare Quality Management, and Trends and Issues in Executive-Level Management for Healthcare Administrators. Career opportunities include medical and health services managers.

Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) is a private, Christian institution with an online Doctor of Business Administration - Healthcare Administration requiring 60 credit hours. Students studying full time will likely complete the degree in approximately three years. IWU has an open admissions policy and a 54% graduation rate.

IWU uses Brightspace to deliver its online coursework. This software allows students to finish their degrees entirely online and asynchronously, with options for synchronous sessions. The core curriculum features business leadership training alongside exploring healthcare laws, informatics, and organizational development. Required classes include Healthcare Law, Governance, and Ethics; Organizational, Community, and Global Health Administration; and Issues in Strategic Planning and Organizational Development for Healthcare Administrators. Students do not have to complete a dissertation. However, a practical doctoral project is required. Career paths include college professors, healthcare consultants, and nonprofit executives.

Central Michigan University (CMU) is a public university offering an online Doctor of Health Administration that requires 63 credit hours. Full-time students can select either a three- or five-year program. The acceptance rate at CMU is 77%, with 61% of students reaching their degrees.

At CMU, students use Blackboard for its remote courses, which can be completed entirely online. Coursework is delivered asynchronously, with occasional synchronous requirements. Students study alongside senior-level managers in a cohort format, including learning applied leadership skills, theoretical foundations, and research methodologies. Required classes include Leadership Strategies for Healthcare Policy and Organizations, Population Health, and Qualitative Analysis in Health Care. A two-day in-person seminar and an applied research dissertation are also required. Graduates may explore roles as directors of case management, clinical supervisors, and directors of surgical service.

Aspen University is a private institution with an online Doctor of Education in Leadership and Learning - Health Care Administration and Leadership, requiring 60 credit hours. Students studying full time will likely complete the degree in approximately six years. Aspen accepts 100% of its applicants, while 46% of students graduate.

Aspen uses Brightspace to deliver its online coursework. This software allows students to finish their degrees completely online and on an asynchronous schedule. The core curriculum explores the policies, technologies, and practices that drive healthcare systems. Students also work collaboratively to develop leadership skills. Required classes include Project Management Techniques, Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care Administration, and Building Successful Organizations that Endure. Students are also required to complete a dissertation. Career paths for graduates of similar programs are healthcare administration managers, hospital administrators, and university professors.

Trident University International (TUI) is a private university with an online Doctor of Health Sciences - Health Policy and Administration. This online doctoral degree requires between 44 and 56 credit hours. TUI notes the typical completion time is six years for full-time students. There is no available graduation or acceptance rate data.

TUI students use the Trident Learning Portal to engage in their 100% online classes through flexible schedules. The core curriculum is designed to develop research, analysis, scholarly writing, and presentation skills while exploring the development and implementation of healthcare systems and health policies. Among the required classes are Special Topics in Health Science and Public Health, Current Issues in Health Administration, and Health Care Law, Regulation and Ethics. Students are also required to complete a dissertation. Career opportunities may be available as hospital administrators, clinical managers, and health policy economists.

A.T. Still University of Health Sciences (ATSU) is a private medical school that hosts an online Doctor of Health Administration. Graduation requirements state that students must complete 62 credit hours, which can be done in approximately six years on a full-time schedule. Acceptance and graduate rates are not available.

Online students at ATSU use Canvas to complete their coursework, delivered online and in an asynchronous format. The curriculum teaches students foundational healthcare applications and research skills with an additional focus on healthcare law, economics, and organizational theory. Required courses include Health Policy, Law, and Regulation; Negotiation, Mediation, and Managing Conflict; and Leadership and Practice. Students work alongside a mentor to complete an applied or theoretical dissertation. Graduates may find employment as healthcare administrators in hospitals, nursing homes, and government agencies.

Franklin University is a private institution with an online Doctor of Healthcare Administration requiring 58 credit hours. Graduate students can complete this online doctorate in three years with transfer credits. Full-time students complete similar degrees in approximately six years. The acceptance rate is 100%, and the graduation rate at Franklin is 41%.

At Franklin, students use BlueQuill as their course management system, delivered entirely online through synchronous and asynchronous learning. The curriculum engages students in a research core, major courses focused on healthcare systems, and healthcare electives in accounting, finance, and education. Here are a few examples of required courses: Organizations, Community, and Global Health; Healthcare Quality, Process, and Improvement; and Healthcare Policy, Regulations, and Reform. Students must also complete a dissertation before they can graduate and pursue careers, such as college professors, healthcare consultants, and hospital administrators.

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) is a private university that offers an online Doctor of Healthcare Administration. This part-time degree requires 54 credit hours, generally completed in six or more years. MCPHS accepts 98% of applicants, while 80% of students graduate with degrees on average.

The primary learning platform MCPHS students use for their coursework is Blackboard, which can be completed 100% online and on flexible schedules. This online degree covers five areas of study, including (1) healthcare leadership, (2) health systems operations and analytics, (3) healthcare finance, (4) healthcare systems and environment, and (5) ending with a research dissertation. Among the required credits are classes such as Quality Improvement in Healthcare Organizations, Ethics for Healthcare Leaders, and Informed Decision Making for Healthcare Executives. Job opportunities for graduates may be available as healthcare administrators in hospitals, care centers, and clinics. MCPHS also offers a Doctor of Health Sciences in Health Systems Administration focusing on challenges within healthcare systems, quality improvement, and population health.

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) is a public institution with an online Doctor of Health Administration requiring a minimum of 57 semester hours. The median time to graduate is three years. Generally, however, doctoral programs are completed in approximately six years on a full-time schedule. MUSC students graduate at a rate of 93%. There is no acceptance rate data available.

All online courses at MUSC are delivered through the Brightspace learning management system. Coursework is delivered mostly online and asynchronously, with face-to-face weekend sessions in Charleston, South Carolina once per semester. This graduate degree explores problem-solving methodologies, leadership skill development, theory applications, and professional relationship building within the healthcare industry. Among the core requirements are Managing Healthcare Info, Change Management and Negotiation, and Healthcare Leadership. Students may focus their electives on telehealth, health information systems, or leadership and operations. Additionally, students must complete a doctoral project consisting of 18 semester hours. Students may be hired as chief nursing officers, health system presidents, and medical directors.

The University of the Southwest (USW) is a private, Christian university offering an online Doctor of Business Administration - Healthcare Administration requiring 60 credit hours. Students can complete this program in as little as three years while studying on a full-time schedule. Generally, PhD students graduate in approximately six years. The acceptance rate at USW is 100%, and the graduation rate is 35%.

Students at USW use the Blackboard learning management system to access their core online courses, which are entirely online. The curriculum emphasizes research practices related to business challenges on a global scale, while the healthcare administration core focuses on healthcare leadership and policy. There are required courses, such as Multicultural Leadership in Global Organizations, Healthcare Policy and Management, Innovative Business Practices in Healthcare, and a dissertation. Additional requirements include a three-day online residency or an eight-week online seminar. Graduates may earn career opportunities as health information managers, hospital chief executive officers, and hospital administrators.

Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMU) is a private university offering an online Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences - Healthcare Leadership and Administration that requires 70 credit hours. This is a four- to five-year program for full-time students. RMU does not provide acceptance or graduation data.

At RMU, students use Canvas as their learning management system. Coursework is delivered flexibly and mostly online, with campus visits twice yearly in Provo, Utah. This online health sciences program teaches students how to implement change in health systems, manage organizational strategies, and be effective leaders. Required classes include Organizational Behavior and Management, Healthcare Policy and Economics, and Healthcare Leadership. This program culminates in a dissertation. Graduates may explore healthcare administrator roles in hospitals, nursing homes, and government agencies. RMU also offers a Doctor of Medical Science - Healthcare Leadership and Administration, which prepares students for work as physician assistants in administrative settings.

Campbell University (CU) is a private institution with an online Doctor of Health Sciences - Health Administration requiring 54 credit hours. This degree is designed to be completed in three years on a full-time schedule. Generally, doctorate students graduate in approximately six years. CU accepts 87% of its applicants, while 47% of students graduate.

CU uses Blackboard to deliver its online coursework. This software allows students to finish their degrees entirely online and asynchronously. The core curriculum develops students' understanding of health systems through their political, organizational, ethical, and social components. Required classes within the health administration concentration include Healthcare Marketing, Quality Performance, and Healthcare Informatics. Students are also required to do a capstone research project. Career paths include administrative roles in clinics, hospitals, NGOs, and government agencies.