Is a doctorate in healthcare management worth it?

A doctorate in healthcare management can be beneficial if you are aiming for top leadership roles in the healthcare sector. It provides in-depth knowledge to tackle complex healthcare issues and may lead to high-profile, well-compensated positions, such as roles in the C-suite. A doctorate can be a key credential for those with experience in healthcare looking to advance their careers.

What degree is best for healthcare management?

To advance your career in healthcare management, you'll often need at least a master's degree in the field. If you already have a related degree, you could benefit from a professional certificate. You can also go on to earn your doctorate in healthcare management. Your choice should align with your career aspirations, financial resources, preferred learning environment, and time available for education.

Are online doctoral degrees respected?

Online doctoral degrees are just as respected as traditional ones, provided they come from accredited institutions with strong reputations. The academic quality is often on par with in-person programs, and most employers recognize and value online degrees.

What is the difference between healthcare management and healthcare administration?

The main difference between healthcare management and healthcare administration lies in their focus and responsibilities. Healthcare management is concerned with the overall business efficiency and financial strategy of healthcare organizations. It may also include defining the organization's mission and designing emergency protocols. Healthcare administration, on the other hand, deals with the day-to-day operations within healthcare organizations. Typical duties for healthcare administrators include creating employee schedules, managing medical facilities or specific departments, and ensuring compliance with regulations like HIPAA.

Best Online Doctorate in Healthcare Management Programs

Learn about the top online doctorate in healthcare management programs, the unique curriculum, and top career paths.

Edited by

Updated April 30, 2024

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Portions of the following article were drafted using an in-house natural language generation platform. The article was then reviewed, fact-checked, and edited by multiple members of our editorial team prior to publishing.

Jobs for medical and health services managers are projected to grow substantially in the next decade. With a doctorate in healthcare management, you can pursue nearly any business or administration-related role in the healthcare field, along with academic and research positions.

Read on to learn more about healthcare management doctorate programs, including common coursework, career paths for graduates, and admission requirements.

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Best Accredited Online Doctorate in Healthcare Management Programs

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools. from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.

How We Rank Schools

To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.

To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:

Affordability (30%)
Student outcomes (30%)
Reputation (20%)
Diversity and social mobility (20%)

In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, MI4 yearCampus + Online

$16,700

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$16,700

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

70%

Acceptance Rate

40%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$12,383

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$22,881

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

19,362

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$16,700

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,700

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, MI4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$16,700

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,700

Acceptance Rate

70%

Online Enrollment

40%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$12,383

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$22,881

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

19,362

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Franklin University

Columbus, OH4 yearCampus + Online

$16,080

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$16,080

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

80%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,552

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$9,552

Retention Rate

47%

Students Enrolled

6,031

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$16,080

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,080

Franklin University

Columbus, OH4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$16,080

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,080

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

80%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,552

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$9,552

Retention Rate

47%

Students Enrolled

6,031

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA4 yearCampus + Online

$7,980

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,980

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

51%

Acceptance Rate

92%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$15,417

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,417

Retention Rate

81%

Students Enrolled

85,586

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,980

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$7,980

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,980

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$7,980

Acceptance Rate

51%

Online Enrollment

92%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$15,417

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,417

Retention Rate

81%

Students Enrolled

85,586

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

What to Expect From an Online Doctorate in Healthcare Management Program

An online doctorate in healthcare management program is designed for working professionals seeking leadership roles in healthcare administration. The program aims to prepare you with the necessary skills to tackle technical and administrative challenges in healthcare settings.

You will also learn about both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. You’ll take a series of doctoral research seminars and symposium classes, which will help you write and later defend your dissertation. A doctorate takes 3-7 years to complete, but some institutions offer accelerated degrees online.

What Courses Will I Take in an Online Doctorate in Healthcare Management Program?

A typical program in healthcare management includes core subjects, research methodology classes, specialization courses, and a capstone research project. Some courses you take may include the following:

Dynamics of Health Care Markets
This course is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the technical and administrative aspects of healthcare markets.
Healthcare Public Policy
Healthcare public policy dives into the creation, implementation, and evaluation of policies in relation to the healthcare system. The course also explores areas such as ethical issues in health policy, comparative studies of health systems, and the roles of both government and private sectors in providing health services.
Advanced Healthcare Law
This course teaches you about legal matters concerning medical professionals, health insurance companies, patients, and government bodies, tackling subjects like medical malpractice, Medicare, Medicaid, and estate planning documents.

What Career Can I Have with an Online Doctorate in Healthcare Management Degree?

Between 2022 and 2032, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 28% job growth for medical and health services managers. That rate translates to 144,700 new positions during that period.

The following roles in healthcare management could allow you to make a profound impact on healthcare delivery and policy while earning an above-average salary.

Hospital CEO

As a hospital CEO, you’ll have the ultimate authority on strategic planning, budget organization, staff training and growth, and policy implementation in the hospital.

You’ll collaborate closely with other top executives to make informed decisions. Your primary aim will be to create an environment that functions smoothly, provides superior patient care, answers the needs of the staff, and is beneficial to the community.

Director of Operations

As a director of operations in a healthcare setting, like a medical clinic or hospital, you’ll be responsible for managing day-to-day operations, strategizing for growth, orchestrating the use of resources, and overseeing both personnel and policy-related matters.

Typically, this position requires a degree in business administration, finance, marketing, or healthcare management at the bachelor’s or master’s level.

Professors

With a doctorate in healthcare management, you can leverage your advanced education to take on roles as health specialties educators, instructing a range of courses at a postsecondary level in places like universities, colleges, and professional schools.

You could teach courses from lab technology to public health. You can also make significant contributions to the field of scientific research and development.

Hospital Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

As a hospital CFO, you’ll oversee the financial workings of the hospital, manage budgetary elements, set financial guidelines, make fiscal decisions, control the balance of profit and debt, and look after the hospital’s resources and assets. You’ll have the responsibility for the creation and execution of financial strategies aimed at enhancing business performance and identifying methods to reduce procedure costs.

Is a Doctorate in Healthcare Management Right for Me?

Pursuing a doctorate in healthcare management can lead to a fulfilling and impactful career in the growing healthcare industry. With a faster-than-average projected job growth in the next decade, a doctorate in this field is a valuable investment.

Through a flexible online program, you can develop the necessary skills in this field while continuing to work and earn money. Whether you aspire to be a hospital CEO, a healthcare management professor, or work for a government agency, a doctorate in healthcare management can open doors to a variety of rewarding and influential career paths.

Frequently Asked Questions About Doctorate in Healthcare Management Programs

Yes, the BLS predicts a 28% job growth in this field from 2022-2032, outpacing the average growth rate for all professions. This growth is driven by an aging population, advancements in healthcare technology, evolving regulations, and increased patient care expectations.

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