Online Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA)

Healthcare is an extremely complex and ever-changing system that requires strong leadership with an understanding of both business and healthcare. These leaders are required to make decisions and implement policies that have a sound financial basis to improve the quality of care provided—all while adhering to institutional and governmental standards and policies. While some of the experience needed can be gained with on-the-job training, a doctor in healthcare administration (DHA) is the top degree program of choice for those in this field.

In a DHA program, students learn to become executives prepared to lead healthcare organizations to success. Coursework includes instruction in leadership, ethics, regulation, sustainability, cross-cultural awareness, finance, and information management to craft well-rounded students who can take on numerous healthcare leadership roles. Graduates of a DHA program can land prestigious titles such as chief nursing officer, health systems president, long-term care executive director, chief medical information officer, and medical director, among others. Many programs also require internships or residencies, which give students unparalleled hands-on learning experiences.

With these prestigious titles also comes a lucrative salary. According to PayScale (2024), DHA graduates earn an average of $144,000 annually. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2023) categorizes DHA graduates as medical and health services managers and estimates salaries at $134,440 annually. This profession is currently undergoing tremendous growth as the demand for quality healthcare increases. The BLS estimates that there will be a 28 percent increase in jobs in this field between 2022 and 2032—over 144,700 new jobs that DHA graduates can fill.

Admissions to DHA programs typically require students to complete a master’s degree. A master of healthcare administration (MHA) or a related degree is preferable, although there are some programs that offer students the opportunity to enroll with any master’s degree.

Taking the time to pursue a doctorate is not an option for everyone. However, here are seven programs that allow students the convenience to pursue their DHA degree through online learning, at their own pace, and without having to relocate.

Dr. Stephen Berkshire is the director of the Central Michigan University doctor of health administration program.

Before his academic career, Dr. Berkshire amassed over 25 years of experience as a healthcare executive and consultant across multiple states, managing hospitals, directing the Developmental Disabilities Council in Idaho, and engaging in local, state, and national healthcare policy development. His consulting practice focuses on management programs, human resources, organizational development, board responsibilities, and leadership instruments.

Dr. Berkshire holds certifications such as Certified Healthcare Executive (CHE), Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). He has actively contributed to various professional organizations, serving as an ACHE Regent for Alaska, holding leadership roles in local chapters, and being a member of esteemed groups like the Academy of Management. He received his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Colorado after starting studies at the University of Alaska, his master’s in health administration from Indiana University School of Medicine, and his doctoral degree in human resource education and organization behavior from Boston University.

MHAOnline.com: What is something you wish the public understood about doctor of healthcare administration degrees?

Dr. Berkshire: It’s a regular doctoral program that has a research component to it. So you’re doing a dissertation just like you would if you were doing a PhD. If you are doing an on-campus program, you’d be a teaching assistant or a research assistant working with one of the faculty members on their grants and research.

For a distance program, we assume everybody’s involved in healthcare at the mid to senior level, so we concentrate on leadership communication, public policy, global health, critical thinking, and the research skills you need to do the dissertations. You must have a master’s degree to enroll in a DHA program, but we have had all kinds of students, including MBAs, MHAs, MPHs, and even master’s in English.

MHAOnline.com: What advice would you give to aspiring doctor of healthcare administration students?

Dr. Berkshire: Start by asking why you are pursuing this degree. Often, if a student is in healthcare, they are looking for advancement, although some may want to go into higher education as well. We get some people who inquire because they want to change careers from manufacturing or retail and don’t want to get another master’s degree, and we’re not the right degree for them. You really need to have a strong interest in working in healthcare.

If you’re interested in enhancing your leadership skills and having a degree that’s recognized around the country and internationally in healthcare, then this should be a top choice.