A Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA) degree is a professional doctorate that helps prepare individuals for leadership roles in healthcare management. It can be a valuable step for those looking to transition into the healthcare administration field.
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Approved and verified accurate by the dean of the College of Doctoral Studies on April 14, 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree that focuses on healthcare administration and a DHA degree are similar, but there are notable differences. A PhD is primarily a research degree. It emphasizes theory and new knowledge generation and is generally designed for those who are interested in pursuing careers in academia and research. At the same time, this PhD may also be used in leadership and management roles in the healthcare field.
In contrast, the DHA degree is a practitioner doctorate. It explores applications of research in practical settings in order to solve problems in the field.
For instance, a PhD learner might conduct research on the extent and impact of health disparities among Black populations.1 A DHA learner might research the ways of developing outreach programs and implementing cultural awareness training programs for healthcare staff could reduce those health disparities.
A DHA degree is a Doctor of Healthcare Administration degree. This is a professional doctorate designed to prepare learners for high-level professional practice.
Some people decide to enroll in a DHA degree to improve their career qualifications and position themselves to potentially pursue advancement within the healthcare administration profession. A DHA degree might also be appropriate for someone who is currently working in a different field altogether but is interested in transitioning to healthcare administration. In addition, if you’ve already earned your master’s degree, then working toward a doctorate could be a natural progression for you.
There are many potential benefits to earning your doctorate in health administration, and furthering your education can be a worthwhile investment, whether for personal or professional reasons.
Aspire to lead others in healthcare. Prepare to explore pathways in healthcare administration. Apply to the DHA degree at GCU.
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If you aspire to climb toward the pinnacle of your profession, a doctorate in health administration may be worth it for you. Earning a doctorate degree in health administration can improve your career qualifications. However, that’s not the only potential benefit. Before making your decision, consider the following perks of heading back to school.
Professionals who are currently low-tier or mid-level managers within their healthcare organizations may aspire to step into leadership roles. Earning a Doctor of Health Administration degree will provide opportunities to significantly broaden and deepen your healthcare knowledge and skills.
In addition to examining issues such as healthcare economics, healthcare technology and the applications of qualitative research, DHA students typically dive into topics that directly facilitate effective healthcare leadership. These can include healthcare organization resource management, the development of organizational initiatives and strategic healthcare management. Upon graduating with your DHA, you may position yourself to possibly pursue high-level DHA careers within private or public healthcare organizations.
Another potential perk is enhancing your own personal brand as a healthcare administrative professional. A DHA is a terminal degree that can confer academic and professional prestige.2
When you earn a doctoral degree in this field, you’ll dive into advanced knowledge that may enable you to correct inefficiencies within your health system and promote a higher quality of care. This could directly benefit both patients and the medical teams caring for them.
Professionals who wish to pursue opportunities in academia and research will generally earn a PhD rather than a DHA. However, a doctoral degree can provide you with experience conducting research and producing scholarly writing.
If you’re still trying to decide whether going back to school is the right choice for you, you may wish to consider the specific positions that you could pursue after graduation. Some DHA career possibilities are as follows:
Enhancements in information technology (IT) are the future of healthcare administration, and there are no healthcare organizations in which secure, well-organized and accessible health records are not crucial. If you’re passionate about IT and information management, you might consider earning your doctorate and pursuing a career as a health information manager.
These professionals are charged with staying on top of the latest regulatory requirements regarding patient information. They must ensure that all patient records, as well as the technology platform itself, are in full compliance with these regulations. Only authorized individuals are allowed to access the sensitive information found in patients’ health records.
Healthcare facilities range from smaller community hospitals to large health systems with multiple buildings over sprawling campuses. It takes a great deal of work to keep these facilities fully operational, which is the job of the facilities manager.
A facilities manager is responsible for operations, maintenance and security. They may do anything from overseeing the planning and construction of new buildings to ensuring compliance with regulatory standards to performing fire safety assessments. Workplace safety, cleanliness standards and compliance are important components of the job.
Nursing homes care for some of the most vulnerable people in society, so maintaining high levels of patient care and cultivating a positive, supportive environment are crucial. The nursing home manager is a healthcare administrator who is tasked with maintaining excellent patient care and safety standards.
Nursing home managers oversee daily operations, manage the facility’s finances and routinely review new healthcare regulations to ensure compliance. The manager also oversees the nursing home’s staff, navigating challenges like staff turnover,4 training needs and staff burnout.
Medical and health services managers, also known as healthcare administrators, are responsible for planning and directing the operations of a clinical area or department or an entire healthcare facility. They are charged with ensuring their department or facility remains in compliance with changing healthcare regulations.
A health services manager also typically manages the budget, supervises staff members and keeps records organized. They establish the policies and procedures for the facility and develop reports as needed.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn’t track Doctor of Healthcare Administration salary data specifically. However, it does offer salary data for healthcare administrators, also known as medical and health services managers.
According to the BLS, these professionals made a median annual salary of $117,960 as of May 2024.3
Given the various potential benefits, professionals may decide that the value of an advanced education is worth the investment.
A doctorate can bring professional recognition and prestige, enhance your professional networking opportunities and allow you to make contributions to your field.2
Grand Canyon University aims to provide an enriching academic experience for doctoral learners who are seeking professional networking opportunities and potential career enhancement. If you would like more information about GCU’s doctoral programs, including the Doctor of Health Administration: Operational Leadership (Qualitative Research) program, visit the College of Doctoral Studies and fill out the form on this page to request a consult with a university counselor.
