An individual in a white CMU Health lab coat stands next to another individual who is wearing a maroon CMU quarter zip, as they look over a patient in a doctors office. An individual in a white CMU Health lab coat stands next to another individual who is wearing a maroon CMU quarter zip, as they look over a patient in a doctors office. An individual in a white CMU Health lab coat stands next to another individual who is wearing a maroon CMU quarter zip, as they look over a patient in a doctors office.

Doctor of Health Administration
DHA

Doctor of health administration at CMU

Are you already in the health administration field and want to take your knowledge, skills, and proficiency to the next level? Our doctor of health administration degree is the perfect choice for professionals like you who aspire to become healthcare leaders with comprehensive expertise in various critical areas.

Our doctor of health administration program is delivered in a modular format, consisting of 15 courses and six intensive seminars during the first two years of the didactic portion of the program. Learn and work alongside dedicated instructors and researchers who are committed to your academic growth.

After completing a comprehensive examination, you'll become a doctoral candidate in our DHA program. As a candidate, you'll work on your dissertation preparation, implementation, and defense before your committee. Our program covers essential healthcare management, policy, and leadership topics. With a mix of online learning and face-to-face seminars, you'll gain theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Choose between a three- or five-year degree plan for flexibility.

AT A GLANCE

Degree Type
Doctorate
Format
Online
Credit Hours
63 Credit Hours

Why our doctor of health administration program?

The doctor of health administration degree at Central Michigan University is designed for healthcare leaders eager to research and collaborate to solve real-world healthcare challenges. Our comprehensive program equips you with advanced academic, relevant, and professionally oriented education, combining theoretical foundations with applied skills and practical expertise. It's the ideal base for senior leadership positions within the healthcare industry.

Our DHA program, delivered in a cohort format, offers you the opportunity to study, research, and collaborate with a close-knit group of senior-level managers from various healthcare disciplines and organizations. Together, you will:

  • Learn theoretical foundations, applied skills, and practical expertise required for leadership positions within the healthcare industry.
  • Impart and advance skills that foster life-long learning.
  • Investigate and test practices and operational models via data/evidence-based strategies.
  • Contribute to and report new findings within the healthcare field.

This balanced program course of study is delivered in a sequence of:

  • 15 internet-based courses.
  • Six intensive face-to-face, two-and-a-half-day seminars.
  • A general comprehensive examination.
  • An applied research dissertation.

What will you learn while becoming a doctor of health administration?

With a doctorate in health administration, you'll:

  • Enhance leadership skills: Explore leadership, change management, influence strategies, and planning processes.
  • Sharpen communications skills: Develop strong interpersonal and organizational communication.
  • Explore diverse healthcare aspects: Study health communication, healthcare delivery models and economics, informatics, policies and compliance, and information technology.
  • Deepen research expertise: Gain proficiency in qualitative, quantitative, and research methods to evaluate and apply decision-making concepts.
  • Broaden understanding of human resource issues: Learn about diversity, poverty, human rights, sexism, racism, and unionization.
  • Learn ethics in healthcare: Understand values and ethics in modern healthcare organizations.

Earning a doctor of health administration will empower you with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in leadership roles in the ever-evolving healthcare industry.

Careers as a doctor of health administration

This program is for senior health administration professionals working in their field and seeking deeper knowledge and skills for greater career opportunities.

Career Projected Salary
Director of Case Management $101,990
Director of Surgical Service $96,109
Clinical Documentation Specialist $48,780
Clinical Supervisor/Manager $77,051
Medical and Health Services Manager $104,830
Hospital CFO $146,097
Professor of Healthcare Administration $110,303
Hospital Administrator $87,872

Inside health administration: Tour our Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions building

Enter the Health Professions Building at The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College to explore the path to a doctoral degree in health administration. Experience our state-of-the-art facilities, labs and immersive learning environment tailored for future healthcare leaders. Discover the inner workings of the healthcare industry and your potential to impact patient outcomes and influence healthcare practices.

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