DHA in Operational Leadership – Quantitative Research
Become a Leader of Healthcare Operations
Earning a Doctor of Health Administration (DHA) in Operational Leadership can prepare you to be a leader and innovator in the field of healthcare administration. This program allows learners to design innovative, quantitative approaches to healthcare operations that address efficiency, quality, safety and outcome. DHA learners will acquire the skills to apply theoretical and research knowledge to real-world situations and settings in order to influence and improve existing practices and policies.
Choosing a Quantitative Operational Leadership DHA Degree
Learners pursuing GCU’s Doctor of Healthcare Administration with an Emphasis in Operational Leadership – quantitative track will focus on analyzing approaches to operational leadership by interpreting numeric data. Learners will progress through coursework taught from the perspective of doing, with classes designed based on a quantitative research focus. In every class, they will make clear steps toward the completion of the dissertation.
Learners participating in this minimum 60-credit operational leadership program will explore the basic components of quantitative research design, study the application of technology in healthcare administration, evaluate the strategic focus of operational leadership initiatives and propose methods to innovate, plan and lead change in the healthcare industry.
Jobs for Operational Leadership DHA Graduates
Graduates of the DHA in Operational Leadership are equipped for high-level positions in a variety of healthcare organizations and settings. The operational leadership program prepares them to continue to develop theoretical knowledge in the healthcare industry and to apply that knowledge to the improvement of practice. These proficiencies offer graduates the necessary skillset to drive innovation within healthcare administration and its approaches to leadership.
Graduates of this program may pursue leadership careers in health system management, healthcare operations, healthcare research, health policy and more.
Core Courses
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Course Description
This course examines regulatory compliance within healthcare organizations. Consideration is given to advocacy, contracts, and ethical obligations to provide quality healthcare.
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.
Course Description
In this course, learners explore the basic components of quantitative research design. Attention is given to variables, instrumentation, and sources of data. Reliability and validity of instrumentation is discussed in the context of GCU core quantitative research designs.
Course Description
In this course, learners interact with statistical tests and statistical analysis software in the context of designing a quantitative research study. Alignment of statistical tests to research questions, hypotheses and design is stressed as is determining the feasibility of a quantitative research study. Ethical aspects of research are discussed. Prerequisite: RES-842.
Course Description
This course addresses key issues of risk management and mitigation in healthcare. Consideration is given to quality assurance and patient safety.
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 quantitative dissertation. Practicum/field experience hours: None. RES-844.
Course Description
This course addresses advanced concepts in human resources leadership with a focus on technology application, resource retention, and contingency planning.
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.
Course Description
In this course, learners focus on data collection, data preparation and management, and the analysis of quantitative 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-844.
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.
Course Description
In this course, learners focus on the interpretation of quantitative 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-874.
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.
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* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change.