10 Best DHA Degree Programs in 2026

If you're already leading in healthcare and want to move into the highest tiers of strategy, policy, and organizational decision-making, a Doctor of Health Administration (DHA) can get you there. DHA programs prepare experienced professionals to lead hospitals, health systems, and public health organizations at the executive level, translating research and data into real-world solutions for complex operational challenges. Unlike a research-focused PhD, this applied doctorate keeps your career moving forward while you study, with most programs built around working professionals' schedules.

Choosing the right DHA program means weighing accreditation, format, cost, and how well a school's curriculum lines up with your career goals. Below, we walk through what a DHA degree actually involves, highlight ten of the best DHA programs available today, and cover what you need to know about financial aid, career outcomes, and how to pick the program that fits you best. Keep reading to find the right path toward your doctorate in healthcare administration.

What Is a DHA Degree?

A Doctor of Health Administration, also called a Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA), is a terminal, practice-focused doctoral degree for healthcare professionals who want to lead at the executive level. Rather than emphasizing original theoretical research the way a PhD does, the DHA centers on applied scholarship: you take existing evidence and research methods and use them to solve real problems inside healthcare organizations. 

Most programs are designed for working professionals who already hold leadership roles and want to expand their influence across an entire system, not just a single department. Admission typically requires a master's degree, often an MHA, MPH, or MBA, along with several years of healthcare experience, and program length ranges from around 36 to more than 60 credits depending on the school.

Some programs let you choose a concentration, such as population health or health informatics, while others build these topics into a single core curriculum. Whatever the structure, the degree is meant to sharpen your strategic thinking and prepare you to lead complex, evolving healthcare organizations.

Best DHA Degree Programs

The programs below represent nonprofit, regionally accredited schools with a track record of preparing healthcare leaders for executive-level work. Each one blends a rigorous, doctoral-level curriculum with a format designed to work around a full-time career, whether that means fully online coursework, occasional in-person seminars, or a hybrid schedule. 

1. A.T. Still University

A.T. Still University, based in Kirksville, Missouri, offers a fully online Doctor of Health Administration through its College of Graduate Health Studies. Coursework spans healthcare law, organizational governance, strategic change management, and healthcare informatics, and the program partners with the American College of Healthcare Executives to connect students with mentors as they work toward Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) status, a widely recognized certification for senior healthcare leaders.

Students complete a Doctoral Research Project rather than a traditional dissertation, working through a five-course sequence that guides them from proposal to a manuscript prepared for peer-reviewed publication. A.T. Still University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and its DHA curriculum draws on competencies from the National Center for Healthcare Leadership to keep coursework aligned with current industry standards.

2. Central Michigan University

Central Michigan University, headquartered in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, delivers its Doctor of Health Administration through the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions. The 63-credit program combines 15 internet-based courses with six intensive, two-and-a-half-day, face-to-face seminars, giving students regular opportunities to connect with faculty and fellow senior-level healthcare managers in person. Coursework covers healthcare economics, human resource issues, health communication, and ethics, with students able to choose a three-year or five-year degree plan depending on their pace.

After completing a general comprehensive examination, students advance to candidacy and begin an applied research dissertation. CMU is accredited by the HLC, and American College of Healthcare Executives fellows may qualify for up to six graduate credit hours toward the degree.

3. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Tucked into Boston's Longwood Medical Area, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) has been training healthcare professionals since 1823, making it one of the oldest health sciences institutions in the country. Its online Doctor of Healthcare Administration is a 36-credit program designed for working healthcare managers, delivered part-time so students can keep their careers moving while they study. The curriculum leans into evidence-based strategy and organizational leadership, with access to networking and mentorship opportunities through the School of Healthcare Business and Technology.

In place of a dissertation, students complete an Applied Practice-Based Research Project across a five-course sequence, tackling a real problem of practice and building toward an IRB-approved project they defend before graduating. The New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) accredits MCPHS, and students interested in global perspectives can add a Global Comparative Healthcare Seminar with a trip to London to compare international health systems firsthand.

4. Medical University of South Carolina

The Medical University of South Carolina holds a distinct place in DHA history: its Charleston-based program, now over 30 years old, was the first Doctor of Health Administration offered in the United States. Today's version blends online coursework with in-person intensives, requiring a long weekend on campus each semester along with an immersive Health Policy Seminar trip to Washington, D.C., where students meet directly with federal health agencies and policy experts. The 57-credit curriculum covers leadership, health policy, population health management, and both qualitative and quantitative research methods across eight semesters.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) accreditation backs the degree, and the program's final year is devoted to a supervised doctoral project examining a real health care issue in its practical context. Applicants should expect a selective, holistic admissions process built around professional experience in health care leadership, administration, or systems improvement.

5. Morehouse School of Medicine

Health equity sits at the center of Morehouse School of Medicine's DHA, an Atlanta-based program built for professionals who want their leadership skills to translate directly into more equitable healthcare delivery. Delivered fully online apart from a required executive orientation on campus, the 55-credit program admits two cohorts a year and takes roughly 36 months to complete, with an emphasis on strategic planning, financial stewardship, and organizational transformation alongside its equity-focused mission.

Rather than a dissertation, students complete an executive practice-focused capstone addressing a real organizational challenge, aligning their work with both the American College of Healthcare Executives' Board of Governors content areas and the National Center for Healthcare Leadership's competency model. Morehouse School of Medicine is accredited by the SACSCOC, and the school covers lodging and travel costs for the required orientation in Atlanta.

6. National University

For students who want maximum scheduling flexibility, National University's Doctor of Health Administration stands out for its weekly start dates and fully online, asynchronous format with no GRE, GMAT, or group project requirements. Based in San Diego and operating as a nonprofit since its founding by veterans in 1971, National University built this 60-credit program around competencies from the National Center for Healthcare Leadership, preparing graduates for mid- to senior-level executive roles across the healthcare industry.

The degree culminates in a traditional dissertation rather than an applied project, supported through a structured Applied Doctoral Experience sequence that walks students from prospectus through defense. WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) accredits National University, whose military-friendly policies and Dissertation Completion Pathway make it a common choice for students transferring in from other doctoral programs.

7. Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences

Oklahoma State University's Center for Health Sciences in Tulsa launched its Doctorate of Health Care Administration in 2022, admitting its first cohort with the aim of building a pipeline of highly trained administrators equipped for both the technical and leadership sides of the field. The 62-credit hour program runs entirely online and asynchronously, and students with prior graduate coursework may transfer up to 30 credits, cutting significantly into the time needed to finish. As a professional degree, it carries no dissertation requirement, and required courses cover healthcare markets, public policy, clinical operations management, and healthcare law.

Accredited through the HLC, Oklahoma State University positions this program as one of the more affordable Doctorate of Health Care Administration options nationally, offering the same competitive rate to both Oklahoma residents and out-of-state online students.

8. Rutgers University

At the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers University offers a Doctor of Health Administration built for mid-level and senior professionals ready to move into teaching, policy work, or organizational leadership. The program runs 66 credit hours in a hybrid format that pairs online coursework with in-person instruction, and students holding an MHA or comparable graduate degree can transfer up to 24 credits toward the total. New cohorts begin each fall, working through a core curriculum in advanced healthcare leadership, finance, systems operations, and applied research methods before defending a dissertation proposal in year two.

Rutgers, a public research university headquartered in New Brunswick, New Jersey, holds accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Year three of the program is dedicated entirely to writing and defending the dissertation, guided by a committee of at least three Bloustein School faculty members.

9. University of Mississippi Medical Center

As the only academic medical center in Mississippi, the University of Mississippi Medical Center offers the state's sole doctoral program in health administration, giving graduates a credential with real regional distinction. Delivered through the School of Health Related Professions in Jackson, the program is designed for part-time, non-traditional students and completed mostly online, with a handful of mandatory on-campus sessions built into the three-year timeline. Admission is competitive, with roughly 10 to 15 students accepted per cohort, and applicants need at least three years of experience in a health-related field along with a master's degree or higher.

The program is accredited through the SACSCOC, part of the University of Mississippi's broader accreditation. During the final year, students design and defend a doctoral research project centered on an administrative topic of their choosing, preparing them for leadership roles in academia, clinical practice, or health administration.

10. University of North Florida

Global health leadership is the throughline of the University of North Florida's Doctor of Health Administration, a Jacksonville-based program that pairs online coursework with on-campus weekend executive seminars in an 80/20 hybrid split. At 48 credit hours, it's one of the leaner DHA programs on this list, with 36 hours of coursework and 12 hours dedicated to a culminating Doctoral Project. Applicants need a master's degree in a relevant field, such as an MHA, MPH, or MHIT, along with meaningful healthcare or leadership experience; standardized test scores like the GRE aren't required.

The SACSCOC accredits the University of North Florida, whose DHA program builds toward the ability to teach health administration at the academic level in addition to preparing graduates for executive healthcare roles.

How We Rank Schools

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university.

Because a DHA is a niche, applied doctorate built around working professionals, we weigh factors that speak to how well a program prepares graduates for executive-level healthcare roles rather than academic research careers. We look at each school's overall institutional standing, how closely coursework maps to real healthcare leadership competencies, and how graduates go on to perform in the field. Specifically, we consider:

• Accreditation: Whether the school holds regional accreditation and nonprofit status, confirming it meets recognized standards for academic quality and institutional integrity.
• Career alignment: How closely the curriculum reflects competencies used in the healthcare administration field, including alignment with frameworks from organizations like the American College of Healthcare Executives and the National Center for Healthcare Leadership.
• Student outcomes: Graduation rates, program completion timelines, and the kinds of leadership roles graduates typically move into after finishing the degree.

Learn more about our ranking methodology. 

What Will You Learn in a DHA Degree Program?

A DHA curriculum builds directly on the leadership and management foundation established in a master's-level healthcare degree, pushing students toward executive-level strategic thinking. Coursework typically covers healthcare finance and economics, health policy and law, and organizational leadership, giving students the tools to manage budgets, navigate regulatory environments, and guide organizational change at scale. Quality improvement, health informatics, and population health management round out most core curricula, reflecting the operational and data-driven demands of running a modern healthcare system.

Research methods make up a significant portion of most programs as well, since DHA students apply evidence-based approaches to solve real organizational problems rather than pursue purely theoretical research. Many programs also build in leadership development specifically, covering negotiation, change management, and governance, since DHA graduates are expected to guide boards, mentor staff, and lead through periods of institutional transformation. Several schools tie their coursework to established competency frameworks from organizations like the American College of Healthcare Executives or the National Center for Healthcare Leadership, ensuring graduates leave with skills employers actively recognize.

How Long Does it Take to Earn a DHA Degree?

Most DHA programs take between two and four years to complete, though the exact timeline depends heavily on credit requirements, transfer credit, and whether a student attends full time or part time. Programs with lighter overall credit loads, such as those in the 36-to-48-credit range, tend to run on the shorter end, while programs exceeding 60 credits often stretch closer to four years, particularly when they include an extensive dissertation or doctoral project phase.

Transfer credit can meaningfully shorten the timeline for students who already hold relevant graduate coursework, with many schools accepting anywhere from a handful of credits up to 30 toward the doctoral degree. Because most DHA students continue working full time throughout the program, pacing tends to favor steady, part-time progress over rapid completion, and several schools build multiple degree-plan options directly into their programs to accommodate different schedules and life circumstances.

How Much Does a DHA Degree Cost?

DHA tuition varies widely depending on whether a school is public or private, in-state or out-of-state, and how many credits the program requires overall. Public university programs generally offer some of the lowest per-credit rates, particularly for in-state students, while private nonprofit institutions tend to charge more but often extend the same rate to students regardless of location, since most DHA programs are delivered primarily or fully online.

Total program cost also depends heavily on credit requirements, so a lower-credit program at a higher per-credit rate can sometimes cost less overall than a higher-credit program with a lower rate. Beyond tuition, prospective students should budget for application fees, technology or resource fees, and any required travel for in-person seminars or residencies, since several programs on this list include mandatory on-campus components that carry their own costs for lodging and transportation.

Financial Aid for DHA Degrees

Doctoral students have access to several funding sources beyond standard federal aid, though many options require some research to track down at the program level.

• Federal student loans: Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Grad PLUS Loans are available to most doctoral students who file a FAFSA, regardless of program format.
• Employer tuition assistance: Many hospitals and health systems offer tuition reimbursement or partnership discounts for employees pursuing a doctorate, particularly for programs tied to healthcare leadership.
• University-specific scholarships and grants: Several schools on this list offer needs-based grants, alumni scholarships, or military discounts that can apply directly to a DHA program.
• Professional association scholarships: Organizations like the American College of Healthcare Executives offer scholarships and awards for students pursuing advanced healthcare leadership credentials.
• Doctoral assistantships and fellowships: Less common at the DHA level than in traditional PhD programs, but worth asking about directly, especially at public universities with larger graduate schools.
• Military and veteran benefits: GI Bill benefits, Yellow Ribbon Program funding, and military spouse or dependent benefits can apply to DHA programs at participating schools.

How To Choose the Right DHA Degree

The right DHA program depends less on rankings and more on fit: how well a school's format, cost, and curriculum match your career goals and day-to-day life as a working professional. Here are the criteria worth weighing most carefully as you compare programs.

Program Format

Some DHA programs run fully online and asynchronously, while others require periodic in-person seminars, weekend residencies, or an on-campus orientation. Think honestly about how much in-person interaction you want, and whether you can realistically travel for required sessions given your work and family commitments.

Cost and Financial Fit

Total program cost depends on per-credit tuition, overall credit requirements, and how much prior graduate coursework a school will accept in transfer. Compare total estimated cost rather than sticker-price tuition alone, and factor in any required travel, technology fees, or lodging tied to in-person components.

Accreditation and Institutional Reputation

Confirm that a program carries regional accreditation and comes from a nonprofit institution, since these factors affect how the degree is viewed by employers and whether credits will transfer if your plans change. A school's broader reputation in healthcare education, not just its DHA program specifically, can also signal the quality of faculty and resources you'll have access to.

Curriculum and Concentration Options

Look closely at required coursework and any available concentrations to make sure the curriculum lines up with your career goals, whether that's population health, health informatics, or executive leadership more broadly. Programs that tie coursework to recognized competency frameworks, such as those from the American College of Healthcare Executives, can make the degree more directly relevant to employers.

Culminating Project Requirements

DHA programs vary in whether they require a traditional dissertation or an applied doctoral project, and the difference can significantly affect your timeline and day-to-day workload. If you'd rather apply your research to a real workplace problem than pursue a theoretical dissertation, prioritize programs built around applied capstones or doctoral projects.

Career Outlook With a DHA Degree

A DHA is designed to prepare graduates for the highest levels of healthcare leadership, and the job market for these roles reflects strong, sustained demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical and health services managers earned a median annual wage of $117,960 as of May 2024, with the highest 10% earning more than $219,080.

Employment in this field is projected to grow 23% from 2024 to 2034, far faster than the average for all occupations, with about 62,100 openings projected each year over the decade. Much of that demand stems from an aging population and the ongoing complexity of healthcare regulation, technology, and financing, all of which require experienced leaders who can manage change at scale. A DHA can position graduates for senior roles such as hospital or health system executives, chief operating officers, and academic leadership positions in healthcare administration programs.

FAQs About the Best DHA Degree Programs

Choosing a doctoral program raises plenty of practical questions beyond rankings and curriculum. Here are answers to some of the most common questions prospective DHA students ask.

Is a DHA Degree Worth It?

For experienced healthcare professionals aiming at executive-level leadership, a DHA can be a strong investment, particularly given the field's median pay and projected 23% job growth through 2034 for medical and health services managers. The degree carries the most weight for those already working in healthcare who want to move into senior administrative, policy, or academic leadership roles, since it builds directly on real-world experience rather than starting a career from scratch. As with any doctorate, the return depends on program cost, your career stage, and how directly the credential supports the specific roles you're targeting.

Who Should Consider a DHA Degree Program?

A DHA fits professionals who already hold a master's degree and meaningful healthcare experience, typically several years in a leadership, management, or clinical administration role, and who want to move into executive, consulting, or academic positions. It's a strong choice for people motivated by applied problem-solving rather than theoretical research, since coursework and capstone projects center on real organizational challenges rather than original academic scholarship. Working professionals who need a doctoral program built around a full-time career, with online or hybrid formats and flexible pacing, tend to find the DHA structure especially well suited to their circumstances.

What Is the Difference Between a DHA and a PhD in Healthcare Administration?

A DHA is an applied, practice-focused doctorate built for working healthcare leaders, while a PhD in healthcare administration is a research-focused degree aimed at generating original scholarship, typically for careers in academia or research. DHA students usually complete a doctoral or capstone project addressing a real organizational problem, whereas PhD students conduct theoretical research culminating in a traditional dissertation intended for academic publication.

Do DHA Programs Require the GRE or GMAT?

Many DHA programs, including several on this list, don't require GRE or GMAT scores for admission, instead prioritizing professional experience, a master's degree, and letters of recommendation. Requirements vary by school, so it's worth checking each program's admissions page directly, since some may waive testing only for applicants who meet certain experience or GPA thresholds.

Can I Transfer Credits Into a DHA Program?

Most DHA programs accept some transfer credit from previously completed graduate coursework, particularly from a Master of Health Administration or comparable degree, though the allowable amount varies significantly by school. Some programs cap transfer credit at a handful of hours, while others accept up to 30, so confirming a school's transfer policy early can meaningfully affect both program cost and time to completion.

Discover DHA Degrees

Find your perfect DHA program by exploring the doctorate degrees featured on Learn.org. Reach out to specific schools to find out more about program requirements, admissions, tuition, and more.