Despite the increasing need for these programs, online PhD healthcare administration programs are still relatively rare. Our editors were only able to locate 12 of these programs to form an initial pool for this ranking. To rate these programs, we gathered graduate tuition information from College Navigator as well as general program information from each school's website. With this data collected, we applied the rating and ranking methodology listed below. You'll notice that several of the schools in our ranking were awarded the same number of points. In these cases, we used the tuition numbers to break the tie, listing the more affordable school higher in the ranking.
Top 9 Value Online Doctorate in Healthcare Administration
Featured Online Programs
Figuring out where to apply? These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online degrees. Consider one of these accredited programs, and discover their value today.
Similar Industries
Ranking FactorsTuition Points:
Under $20,000—3 points
Under $15,000—4 points
Under $10,000—5 points
Under $5,000—6 points
Customization Options
Content Customizations (e.g., Minors, Concentrations, Specializations, etc.): 1 Point Per Customization Option
Format Customizations (e.g., Hybrid/Online, Full-time/Part-Time, etc.): 1 Point Per Customization Option
Wow Factor
1 point awarded for each unique feature or program that "wowed" us
Graduates of online doctorate healthcare administration programs like the ones featured in this ranking go on to serve as healthcare administrators in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Specific duties of healthcare administrators may vary depending on the employer and the work setting, but general duties may include:
overseeing hospital staff
communicating with department heads
leading and attending meetings with stakeholders
developing and improving hospital procedures
hiring employees
scheduling procedures
creating patient care plans
It is important to note that there is a distinction between healthcare administrators and healthcare managers. Whereas healthcare administrators handle the daily operations of a hospital or other major healthcare facility, healthcare managers deal with more overarching issues of hospital management such as financial matters and major hospital policies.
Health Care Administrators: Salary InformationThe duties of a healthcare administrator are vital to the smooth operation of healthcare facilities. If these healthcare professionals don't do their jobs properly, then patients won't receive the quality of care they need and expect. For this reason, healthcare organizations only hire the most competent and qualified applicants to take on the roles of healthcare administrators, and they compensate them handsomely. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that healthcare administrators (along with healthcare managers) make a mean annual wage of $96,540. That's over $46 per hour worked. Moreover, this figure represents the wages of all healthcare administrators, including those with just a master's degree in healthcare administration. Graduates of online PhD in healthcare administration degree programs are among the highest paid healthcare executives.
Career Outlook for Online Doctorate Healthcare Administration GraduatesThe Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that job prospects are good for qualified healthcare administrators, and they should remain so for the foreseeable future. By the year 2024, employment opportunities in this field should grow by 17%-much faster than average in comparison to management positions in other fields. This projected growth is thought to be a result of the baby boomer population aging and required more medical services. Healthcare administrators with special knowledge of healthcare information technology will have the best prospects, so doctorate healthcare administration students can better their chances of securing a coveted position by taking elective courses in this healthcare sub-field.
Work Environment/Conditions for Doctorate Degree in Healthcare Administration Online GraduatesMany online PhD in healthcare administration graduates who take positions as healthcare administrators end up working a full 40-hour work week plus overtime. They may also have to work some weekends and holidays and be on call during odd hours. In addition, most healthcare administrators will feel the emotional burden of having to make important decisions that affect the health and well-being of others.
Online Doctorate Healthcare Administration Program RequirementsStudents can choose to pursue several different types of online PhD in healthcare administration in order to become qualified and employable as a healthcare administrator. The following online degree programs are featured in this ranking, for instance:
online doctorate in health administration (DHA) programs
online doctor of education in healthcare leadership (EdD) programs
online business administration in healthcare administration (DBA) programs
These programs may vary to some degree concerning program requirements, but typically, there are more similarities than differences.
Online PhD in Healthcare Administration: Program PrerequisitesAs is the case for most postsecondary programs, the doctorate in healthcare administration online programs have some prerequisites prospective students must meet before they can enroll in the program. For example, most of these doctoral programs require that applicants already hold a master's degree in healthcare administration or a related field. There are exceptions, of course. Those students without a master's degree may be given the opportunity to demonstrate their competencies in lieu of a degree, for example, but this isn't usually the case. Doctorate programs in healthcare administration typically also require that students have professional work experience in the healthcare field, preferably in managerial roles. Some of these programs also administer qualifying examinations that applicants must pass before being accepted into the online PhD in healthcare administration program.
Online Doctorate Healthcare Administration Program Curriculum: Business/Leadership CoursesThe curriculum for online PhD healthcare administration programs may vary slightly regarding their content and course topics, but generally speaking, students will take a combination of business/leadership classes and specialization courses in healthcare. Some examples of business courses that online doctorate healthcare administration students may be required to take include the following.
Strategic Planning and Change
Leading Across Cultures
Ethics in Business
Progressions in Leadership Thought
Students may also explore topics in business and management such as economics, finance, human resources, operations, and more.
Doctorate Degree in Healthcare Administration Online Curriculum: Specialization Courses in Healthcare Administration
While business and leadership courses provide online PhD healthcare management students a solid foundation in administration, it is the specialty courses in healthcare that form the meat and potatoes of the doctoral curriculum, if you will. These courses teach students how to apply leadership principles to the healthcare setting. Some sample specialization courses comprising the healthcare portion of the curriculum for these online doctorate healthcare administration programs include the following.
Building a Culture of Community in Health Care
Health Care Regulation
Performance Management and Process Improvement in Health Care
Global Health Policy
Advanced Concepts and Applications in Health Policy and Management
Most doctoral programs require students to complete a dissertation, and online PhD in healthcare administration programs are no exception. These complex research projects require students to analyze an issue in healthcare administration in great depth, write a lengthy paper on their findings, and in some cases, deliver an oral report defending their ideas. Doctoral degree in healthcare administration online dissertations take months or even years to successfully complete.
