ARE THE NEXT DYNAMIC LEADER IN HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATION

Executive Doctorate in Health Administration

AT A GLANCE

Credit hours: 60

3-year program

Start term: Fall

Doctoral leadership in healthcare looks like YOU.

The Doctor of Health Administration (DHA) at University of Colorado Denver Business School is an executive doctoral program designed for experienced healthcare professionals seeking advanced study in the leadership, organization, and delivery of healthcare services. The program emphasizes the application of scholarly methods to practice-based challenges and is intended to prepare graduates to contribute to the improvement of healthcare systems and organizations.

Graduates of the DHA program are expected to:

Demonstrate the ability to apply appropriate research methods to the study of healthcare organizations and systems
Analyze complex healthcare problems using evidence drawn from multiple sources
Integrate knowledge of healthcare policy, finance, and organizational leadership in decision-making contexts
Contribute practice-based insights that inform the improvement of healthcare delivery and management

The DHA is intended for individuals seeking advanced preparation for senior leadership roles, as well as for those who wish to engage more deeply in the study and improvement of healthcare systems through applied research.

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Top Ranked Executive Health MBA program
(#27 in all health care management programs), U.S. News and World Report

CAHME

Proven excellence in graduate health care education

Hybrid format
A program that fits into your life

BAHM

Among top-ranked institutions

The curriculum integrates study in healthcare systems, policy, organizational leadership, and applied research. Students engage in systematic inquiry into complex issues affecting healthcare delivery, with particular attention to the relationship between organizational performance, advancing technologies, and population health outcomes. The program culminates in a doctoral project that applies research methods to a substantive problem in healthcare practice.

The program is delivered in a hybrid format that enables students to maintain full-time professional responsibilities while completing doctoral coursework and research requirements. Students progress through the program as part of a cohort, facilitating sustained peer engagement and collaborative learning among professionals from diverse sectors of the healthcare industry.

Hybrid Method of Instruction

On campus: Classes meet on campus for one week twice a year. Classes are held from 8am-5pm and consist of traditional lectures, discussions, and group activities. You will also have ample opportunities to network with peers and faculty throughout the course of the week.

Off campus: Computer conferencing brings the classroom to your home or office through Canvas, the leading provider of e-Learning solutions. You’ll have access to course assignments, presentations, and discussions with your classmates and professors.

Core courses (60 hours)

All core classes combine to provide a robust business foundation. Course topics include:

Organizational Behavior
Financial Management
Healthcare Leadership
Global Health Systems
Healthcare Law, Regulations & Ethics
Epidemiology
Healthcare Economics
Managing Healthcare Information
Fundamentals of Applied Research
Population Health Management
Quality Process in Health Administration
Applied Research
Advanced Leadership Skills

Dissertation (18 credit hours)

Taken in your final two semesters, your dissertation will consist of 18 credit hours dedicated to the writing and perfecting of your doctoral dissertation project.

Healthcare is an industry with high growth potential that will continue into the future. Health administration professionals work to administer, lead and manage healthcare systems, such as hospitals, hospital networks or large healthcare systems. Careers can be found in both private and public sectors.

Health Administration Job Titles

Account Executive
Admissions Director
Business Analyst
Case Manager
Claims Specialist
Director of Nursing
Director of Operations
Health Facilities Surveyor
Healthcare Administrator
Hospital Administrator
Medical Associate
Medical Records Director
Patient Access Supervisor
Program Director

Visit our Careers page for more detailed information on the resources available.

Competency Model

Health Administration

1: Relate Efficaciously

1a: Work effectively in teams and understand the importance and diversity of members in all group settings

1b: Manage working relationships including self-management and interactions with others.

2: Communicate Effectively

2a: Speaks and writes in a clear, logical, and grammatical manner in formal and informal situations

2b: Uses communication skills effectively to prepare cogent business presentations and facilitates group synergy

2c: Comprehends basic healthcare and medical terminology

3: Think Critically

3a: Demonstrates knowledge and use of basics business practices including

Financial and managerial accounting practices, including preparation of budgets
Economic analysis of firm performance and operating environments.
Principles and processes of highly efficient and effective organization

3b: Analyzes, creates, and implements plans to improve the quality of patient care.

4: Lead Purposefully

4a: Collaborate effectively within diverse business teams, leveraging teamwork and leadership skills to make strategic decisions including

Identifying marketing opportunities in a business situation and applies sound theory and principles to capitalize on the opportunity
Developing and implementing a competitive business strategy, which includes considering the business, demographic, ethno-cultural, political, and regulatory implications of decisions
Analyzing information technology alternatives to support healthcare initiatives

5: Evaluate components of the U.S. Healthcare System

5a: Explain the basic characteristics and functions of the U.S. healthcare system and how they compare with other healthcare systems around the world.

6: Behave Ethically

6a: Evaluate ethical dilemmas of healthcare management by applying appropriate theories and principles to the assessment of divergent perspectives in the decision-making process.

7: Advance Professionally

7a: Promote and manage their own career progression (identifies career paths, strengths, and skill gaps, and creates plans for self-development)

Tuition

The cost of tuition is $85,000 and is guaranteed for the entire program. Tuition includes textbooks, course-related software, instructional materials, most breakfasts and lunches during on-campus sessions.

A $2,000 nonrefundable deposit is due upon acceptance into the program and is applied to the first term’s tuition. The remaining tuition is billed each semester.

As an off-campus degree program, this program is exempt from campus-based student fees.

Lodging and Other Expenses

While on campus, you have the option to stay at hotels within walking distance of the Business School. We have negotiated significant discounts for executive program participants. The estimated cost for lodging is $130-170 per night.

You will need access to a personal computer at your home or office. Other incidental costs, such as travel or miscellaneous personal expenses, should also be expected.

Loans

Loans are available through need-based sources, such as the Federal Guaranteed Student Loan Program and the Colorado PLUS Loan Program. Other organizations lend educational funds based on credit-worthiness and other criteria.

Scholarships

Scholarships are also available through the CU Denver Scholarship Office and many professional organizations such as the American College of Healthcare Executives. Inquire directly through your professional organization about scholarship opportunities.

Application Checklist

Online application
Two letters of recommendation
Official transcripts from each college or university attended
Self-evaluation essay
Resume

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We admit students for a July start. Admissions are made on a rolling basis, meaning decisions are made as applications are completed.

Application Process

Applicants are required to submit all application materials. There is no application fee. A phone interview is a part of the admission process. Because of the program’s competitive nature and rolling admissions policy, we strongly recommend submitting your application as soon as possible.

You can check your admission status online through the account you created for the online application. You will receive a final decision by email within two to three weeks from the submission of all materials.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have completed an undergraduate and graduate program (preferably an MBA or MHA) at an accredited United States college or its equivalent in another country.
A minimum of five years of increasing responsibility in your health-related organization is required for admission.
No GMAT or formal business education is required for admission.

How Decisions are Made

The admissions committee considers each candidate’s entire record of achievement. This is demonstrated through:

Previous education – evaluation of a candidate’s overall or upper-division grade point average prior to admission to the executive program or any other relevant measure of scholastic performance
Experience – a minimum of five years of administrative or clinical experience in health services

Application Deadline

Applications are due June 16 for that year’s July start.

For any questions, please contact our Executive Health Administration MBA team at emba-health@ucdenver.edu.

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ARE THE NEXT DYNAMIC LEADER IN HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATION