Doctor of Health Administration (DHA) Program - Qualitative

Prepare to Lead the Next Generation in Healthcare

Graduates of Grand Canyon University’s Doctor of Health Administration (DHA) program may have the opportunity to advance the study of health administration and operational leadership dynamics to drive their field forward. By utilizing an in-depth, research-based approach to facilitate leaders’ abilities and roles as strategic professionals, you may be able to help your leaders expand their capabilities and adapt a range of leadership styles to use in diverse situations.

Choosing a Qualitative Operational Leadership DHA Degree

The doctorate in health administration (DHA) is a terminal research degree that allows for the development of theoretical knowledge in the healthcare industry. You then can apply that knowledge to the improvement of practice.

Through both classwork and the completion of qualitative studies, this program can help established professionals to directly contribute to the healthcare field. By developing skills to aid them in addressing technology, efficiency, quality, safety and outcomes, graduates of GCU’s DHA program can be key players in advancing approaches to leadership and designing innovative operational methods to leadership within healthcare organizations.

Research courses are strategically embedded in this program of study and will be taught from the perspective of doing. Designed based on the qualitative research focus, every class in this program is designed to make a clear step forward in the completion of the dissertation.

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Careers With a Doctor of Health Administration

Doctoral programs in healthcare administration can prepare you to turn your vision for leadership within healthcare organizations into a reality and provide you with a wide range of opportunities within a variety of healthcare settings. As a graduate with a qualitative DHA in Operational Leadership, you may be qualified to pursue positions in:

Health system management
Healthcare operations
Healthcare research
Health policy

Alumni Doctoral Degree Scholarship

Now Available

GCU alumni enrolling in a doctoral program for the first time may be eligible for a $2,000 scholarship.^§

^§MOU-Alumni 2000 Doctoral-Apr2024: The Alumni Scholarship for Doctoral Programs is only valid for those applicants who submit a complete application and begin a Doctoral program in April 2024. This scholarship cannot be used in conjunction with any other GCU scholarship or awards and only applies to online and evening programs. Please speak to a university counselor for complete details.

Time to Completion and Dissertation Process

To learn more about time to completion and the dissertation process at GCU, visit our doctoral page.

Course List

Major:

60 credits

Degree Requirements:

60 credits

Core Courses

RES-815: Introduction to Research Total Credits: 3

Course Description

This course introduces doctoral learners to the principle elements of research, scholarly writing, and effective argumentation. Learners are made aware of the dispositions and expectations of doctoral researchers as well as the University’s overarching values and beliefs regarding research and the responsibility of scholars to contribute new knowledge to their respective fields of study. Learners begin the process of identifying a researchable dissertation topic and are acquainted with appropriate scholarly resources that support the development of the dissertation.

RES-820G: The Literature Landscape: Health Administration Total Credits: 3

Course Description

In this course, learners are introduced to the critical reading of scholarly qualitative and quantitative literature at the doctoral level. Learners also explore the concept of synthesizing the scholarly literature to identify problems and problem spaces that emerge to form a researchable topic of study. The application of scholarly argumentation from the extant literature to defend the need for a research study is discussed.

DHA-801: Healthcare Economics Total Credits: 3

Course Description

This course explores how healthcare economics are influenced by governmental structures and organizational models. Consideration is given to how healthcare spending influences health outcomes and interventions.

DHA-802: Innovation in Healthcare Technology Total Credits: 3

Course Description

This course addresses the intersection of technology and innovation, leading to solutions for operational change and data-driven decisions. Consideration is given to the future of health records and information sharing.

RES-831: Foundations of Research Design 1 Total Credits: 3

Course Description

In this course, learners are introduced to key components of qualitative and quantitative research designs and the means to critically appraise the application of research designs as observed in the scholarly literature. The University's core research designs are presented. Consideration is given to the initial selection and defense of a research design to address a problem that emerged from the extant literature.

RSD-851: Residency: Dissertation Total Credits: 3

Course Description

This residency allows learners to continue developing their skills as academic researchers. Learners will have hands-on experience applying quantitative and qualitative design principals to develop the foundational elements for their potential dissertation studies. Prerequisite: RES-850, RES-825, RES-831, or RCS-831.

RES-832: Foundations of Research Design 2 Total Credits: 3

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to the sampling, data collection, and data analysis methods employed in qualitative and quantitative research designs. Learners explore the alignment of sampling, data collection, and data analysis methods to the research topic, research questions, and research design. The course positions learners to select qualitative or quantitative designs for their dissertation studies. Prerequisite: RES-831.

DHL-821: Organizational Initiatives Total Credits: 3

Course Description

This course focuses on methods a leader employs to prioritize and manage multiple organizational initiatives. Consideration is given to leveraging resources and technology to meet stakeholder needs.

DHA-803: Policy and Regulation in Healthcare Total Credits: 3

Course Description

This course examines regulatory compliance within healthcare organizations. Consideration is given to advocacy, contracts, and ethical obligations to provide quality healthcare.

DHA-804: Strategic Healthcare Management and Leadership Total Credits: 3

Course Description

This course considers the application of leadership theories and organizational structures, leading to solutions for team collaboration and organizational strategic planning. Leading change both within and outside the organization is highlighted.

RES-841: Designing a Qualitative Study 1 Total Credits: 3

Course Description

In this course, learners explore the basic components of GCU qualitative core research designs including descriptive, case study, and phenomenology. The nature of epistemological foundations and the structure of problem statements, purpose statements, research questions, data sources, collection and analysis approaches are discussed in the context of each design.

RES-843: Designing a Qualitative Study 2 Total Credits: 3

Course Description

In this course, learners differentiate the epistemological foundations and explore the data trustworthiness, research ethics, and potential for bias in descriptive, case study, and phenomenology research designs. The process of building a rationale for design choice and aligning the research questions, interview questions, problem statement, and purpose statement is addressed. Sources of qualitative data are introduced for each design, and ethical aspects of research are discussed. Prerequisite: RES-841.

DHL-823: Risk Management Total Credits: 3

Course Description

This course addresses key issues of risk management and mitigation in healthcare. Consideration is given to quality assurance and patient safety.

RSD-883: Residency: The Qualitative Dissertation Total Credits: 3

Course Description

In this residency, learners orally present and defend an expanded design of their preliminary dissertation research from RSD-851. Emphasis is placed on developing the qualitative dissertation. Prerequisite: RES-843.

DHL-825: Resource Management Total Credits: 3

Course Description

This course addresses advanced concepts in human resources leadership with a focus on technology application, resource retention, and contingency planning.

DHA-955: Dissertation I Total Credits: 3

Course Description

In this course, learners apply the skills of the practitioner-scholar. They are self-motivated and committed to reflective practice. They actively seek input from other scholars while continuing to design independent research under the guidance of the dissertation committee. Prerequisite: RSD-883 or RSD-884.

RES-873: Qualitative Data Collection and Management Total Credits: 3

Course Description

In this course, learners explore qualitative data collection techniques and sources of qualitative data in the context of answering the research questions posed by a study. Consideration is given to the recognition of data saturation and the management of data. Learners continue to work with their respective dissertation chairs to prepare a written statement of data collection, and management activities. Prerequisite: RES-843.

DHA-960: Dissertation II Total Credits: 3

Course Description

In this course, learners apply the skills of the practitioner-scholar. They are self-motivated and committed to reflective practice. They actively seek input from other scholars while continuing to design and/or conduct independent research under the guidance of the dissertation committee. Prerequisite: DHA-955.

RES-883: Qualitative Data Analysis, Results and Findings Total Credits: 3

Course Description

In this course, learners focus on the interpretation of qualitative data to produce written research findings, results, and implications. Learners continue to work with their respective dissertation chairs and apply information from this course to move ahead in the dissertation process. Prerequisite: RES-873.

DHA-965: Dissertation III Total Credits: 3

Course Description

In this course, learners apply the skills of the practitioner-scholar. They are self-motivated and committed to reflective practice. They actively seek input from other scholars while continuing to design and/or conduct independent research under the guidance of the dissertation committee. Prerequisite: DHA-960.

Continuation Courses

The course identified above represent the minimum academic course requirements only. Most students will also need to take one or more of the following Research Continuation Courses to complete a dissertation. Research Continuation Courses are 3-credit courses charged at the standard doctoral per credit rate.

DHA-966: Research Continuation I Total Credits: 3

Course Description

This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DHA-965.

DHA-967: Research Continuation II Total Credits: 3

Course Description

This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Practicum/field experience hours: None. DHA-966.

DHA-968: Research Continuation III Total Credits: 3

Course Description

This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Practicum/field experience hours: None. DHA-967.

DHA-969: Research Continuation IV Total Credits: 3

Course Description

This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DHA-968.

DHA-970: Research Continuation V Total Credits: 3

Course Description

This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DHA-969.

DHA-971: Research Continuation VI Total Credits: 3

Course Description

This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DHA-970.

DHA-972: Research Continuation VII Total Credits: 3

Course Description

This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DHA-971.

DHA-973: Research Continuation VIII Total Credits: 3

Course Description

This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DHA-972.

DHA-974: Research Continuation IX Total Credits: 3

Course Description

This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DHA-973.

Continuation Courses

The course identified above represent the minimum academic course requirements only. Most students will also need to take one or more of the following Research Continuation Courses to complete a dissertation. Research Continuation Courses are 3-credit courses charged at the standard doctoral per credit rate.

DHA-966: Research Continuation I Total Credits: 3

Course Description

This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DHA-965.

DHA-967: Research Continuation II Total Credits: 3

Course Description

This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Practicum/field experience hours: None. DHA-966.

DHA-968: Research Continuation III Total Credits: 3

Course Description

This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Practicum/field experience hours: None. DHA-967.

DHA-969: Research Continuation IV Total Credits: 3

Course Description

This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DHA-968.

DHA-970: Research Continuation V Total Credits: 3

Course Description

This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DHA-969.

DHA-971: Research Continuation VI Total Credits: 3

Course Description

This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DHA-970.

DHA-972: Research Continuation VII Total Credits: 3

Course Description

This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DHA-971.

DHA-973: Research Continuation VIII Total Credits: 3

Course Description

This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DHA-972.

DHA-974: Research Continuation IX Total Credits: 3

Course Description

This course emphasizes the finalization of the dissertation and provides learners with individualized support for completing their dissertation journey. Learners continue to work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members based on their individual progress plan for completing their dissertation. Prerequisite: DHA-973.