An online Ph.D. or doctorate in healthcare management is a great alternative for graduate professionals who want to finish their education with a terminal degree. The field of healthcare management is expected to grow by about 32% through 2029, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) — much higher than the national average — which means the demand for professionals in this field will not be slowing down anytime soon.
While obtaining your doctorate healthcare management degree can be expensive, graduates with doctorates in healthcare management can typically land positions that offer a quick return on investment, especially if they choose an affordable online Ph.D. degree program.
After graduation, you can typically use this degree to pursue jobs like medical and health services manager, a position which had a 2020 median wage of about $104,280, according to BLS. Top executives, including those employed in the healthcare field, earned a median annual salary of about $107,680 as of 2020. Both are logical career paths for someone with a doctorate in healthcare management, and you can pursue many other lucrative paths for employment after earning this degree.
Healthcare Management PhDs for You
These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online graduate degree programs. Figuring out where to apply? Consider one of these online Master's or PhD programs.
Most Affordable Doctorates in Healthcare Management Online Programs
What does DBA stand for?
DBA stands for doctor of business administration. This degree is similar to an MBA. However, a DBA is a more specialized degree that focuses on researching issues and providing solutions. With a DBA, you'll learn primarily about research and problem-solving.
Online Doctorate in Healthcare Administration Program Overview
After earning your doctorate in healthcare management, you'll be an expert in business as it pertains to the healthcare industry. With this degree, you can pursue job opportunities in management or research in a wide range of healthcare and healthcare-adjacent fields.
In general, earning a DBA in healthcare management online takes between two and four years to complete, though the time it will take you will depend on what you choose to specialize in, whether you're attending class full-time or part-time, and other factors, like program requirements. You can expect to take courses in human resources, law, and finance. You'll typically need to earn between 40-60 credit hours to graduate, and will likely need to meet other requirements, including a dissertation, to be awarded your Ph.D.
Career and Salary Outlook
As a healthcare administrator, you can opt to pursue professional roles, like medical and health services manager or top executive. According to BLS, the median salary for medical or health services managers was about $104,28 per year as of 2020. Top executives, on the other hand, earned about $107,680 per year on average in 2020.
Another lucrative career path you may choose to pursue is that of a financial manager. As of 2020, the annual median salary was about $134,180 per year in this field.
What is the ROI for a doctorate in health administration?
The return on investment you earn after being awarded a doctorate in healthcare administration will vary depending on your career path, salary, the cost of tuition you paid for your program, and other unique factors. If you pay more for your degree, you will need to earn more in order to have a higher ROI. If you choose one of the more affordable doctorate in healthcare management programs, you may find you have a higher ROI after graduation.
That said, it's important to note that careers in health administration are fairly lucrative. Medical and health services managers earned a median wage of about $104,280 per year as of 2020, and a six figure salary can make it easier to pay off your debt. With several career path options earning a median six-figure salary, this degree path may have one of the better ROIs for graduates. But again, that will depend heavily on what you do with your degree after graduation.
Admission Requirements for Healthcare Administration Doctorate Programs
While the healthcare administration doctorate program admission requirements vary from program to program, there are a few common requirements you'll have to meet for enrollment into any program.
For starters, most programs in this field will require that you have at least a master's degree in a related field with a 2.5 to 3.0 GPA during prior studies. Some healthcare administration doctorate programs will also require that you have experience working as a healthcare professional in some capacity.
You will also typically need to include a resume, letters of recommendation, and transcripts from your previous degree programs with your admissions packet, as well as your official GRE or GMAT scores.
Concentrations
A Ph.D. in healthcare management will open up doors for your career, and a concentration in this field can help take you one step closer to shaping the career you want. Options for specializing in this field include:
Health policy
A concentration in health policy allows you to combine your experience in the healthcare field with the field of business. This degree path typically opens opportunities on the front lines of shaping healthcare policy and practices. Career pathways include working for public health agencies, consulting firms, or healthcare facilities, like hospitals.
Education
A doctorate degree in healthcare management with a concentration in education will train you to teach other healthcare workers new practices. By specializing in education while earning your Ph.D. in healthcare management, you will learn how to develop curricula for professionals who are seeking to expand their careers through continuing education.
Accreditation for Online Doctorate in Healthcare Administration Programs
The recognition of being a Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education, or CAHME, accredited program graduate is incredibly important, especially if a student wishes to become an administrator or manager in the healthcare field. This is doubly true at the doctoral level, which can be difficult to find.
But why is accreditation important? To begin with, it guarantees a student will earn an exceptional education at the school. Accreditation requires that a program adheres to the accrediting body's core areas of competency, meaning that the program sets the standard for a high level of comprehension in education. 
As important as the first point is, the second is vital: the accreditation stands out on any CV. Most healthcare companies are searching for students who have successfully earned a degree from CAHME because the body sets the standard for exceptional professionalism. In fact, students who have earned a degree with this accreditation are often preferred by employers.
Online programs with this accreditation can be hard to come by, as the body has only recently begun accepting online degrees. However, it is possible to find this accreditation online. Generally speaking, hybrid programs are more likely to carry the accreditation than 100 percent online degrees, so students should research carefully before choosing any school.
Certifications and Licensure for Healthcare Administration Doctorate Majors
There are several options for certifications and licensure within this field, including:
Why Should I Get An Online Doctorate in Healthcare Administration?
There are a number of reasons you may want to pursue an online doctorate degree in healthcare administration. These include:
Advancement to your career
By obtaining your doctorate in healthcare management, your resume will stand out to employers. With this degree, you could also expand the types of positions you are qualified to apply for.
A Ph.D. in healthcare management will demonstrate to potential employers that you are an expert in your field, as a doctorate program provides you opportunities to research and practice in your field.
Contributions to your field
When studying healthcare management at the doctorate level, you will have opportunities to contribute to your field that you wouldn't necessarily have otherwise. By delving into research and applying that research in a practical way to your industry, you may be able to offer healthcare organizations and companies insight into new and useful policies and practices.
Maximizing your earnings The higher your level of education, the higher the chances are that you can earn more money. Obtaining your doctorate degree in healthcare management can help to justify a raise at your current job or the opportunity to apply for a new position with a higher pay.
Specializing in your field
Earning a doctoral degree in healthcare management will typically allow you to specialize in a specific area of healthcare management. By doing this, you can delve into the subject matter and career paths that are interesting to you and may provide you more leverage to shape your career in a way that suits your goals and needs.
Scholarships for Healthcare Administration Doctorate Students
Richard P. Covert, Ph.D., LFHIMSS Scholarship for Management Systems
Who can apply: Any student pursuing a healthcare management systems graduate program or similar may apply for this $5,000 scholarship. In addition to the scholarship, students may also receive a trip to the HIMSS Global Health Conference and Exhibition. Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation and a resume.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: January 28
Steve Lieber Innovator Scholarship
Who can apply: To qualify for this scholarship, you must be in an undergraduate or graduate program in health information or management systems. To apply, you'll need to submit two letters of recommendation as well as a 1,000-word essay discussing how you meet the scholarship criteria.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: Varies
National Association of Health Services Executives Scholarships
Who can apply: The National Association of Health Services Executives awards three different scholarships to graduate students who are working toward becoming leaders in health management: the Haynes Rice Award, the Florence Gaynor Award, and the Ellis Bonner Award. Applicants must be African American graduate students attending an accredited college or university, have a 3.0 GPA, and demonstrate a financial need.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: May 31
Frequently Asked Questions About Healthcare Management
How long does it take to get a doctorate in health administration?
How long it takes you to get a doctorate in health administration will depend on the program you choose and whether you're going to school full time or part time. Most Ph.D. programs craft their curriculum so that it will only take you two to four years to graduate, though that isn't the case for all programs.
Is there a Ph.D. in healthcare administration?
Yes, you can get a Ph.D. in healthcare administration. Business is an important aspect of how the healthcare industry runs, which means there are many universities and colleges that offer graduate programs in healthcare administration. You can even specialize in a specific field, such as health policy, education, or operations, while earning your doctoral degree in this field.
Can you get a doctorate in healthcare management online?
Yes, you can get a Ph.D. in healthcare administration. Business is an important aspect of how the healthcare industry runs, which means there are many universities and colleges that offer graduate programs in healthcare administration. You can even specialize in a specific field, such as health policy, education, or operations, while earning your doctoral degree in this field.
What can you do with a D.H.Sc. degree?
A D.H.Sc., or doctorate of health science degree, can open doors to some of the highest and well-paid positions in the healthcare industry. With a doctorate of health science degree, you can pursue jobs in healthcare policy, research, public health, or run healthcare organizations and companies.
How much can you make with a doctorate in health administration?
After you graduate with a doctorate in health administration, you may be able to make six figures for your annual salary, though it will depend on the position or career track that you pursue. According to the BLS, medical and health services managers made a median wage of about $104,280 as of 2020. That field also has a projected job growth rate of 32% through 2029.
