DHA vs. PhD in Healthcare Administration: Which Doctorate Fits Your Goals

Both degrees carry the title "doctor," and both can be studied by people who already hold a master's degree in healthcare administration. They are built for different jobs, though. A Doctor of Health Administration (DHA) is a professional doctorate aimed at people who lead, or want to lead, health organizations. A PhD in healthcare administration or health services administration is a research doctorate aimed at people who want to produce original research, often in a university. Knowing which one you need before you apply saves years.

The core difference: practice vs. research

The clearest way to see the split is to read how universities describe what their graduates are expected to do.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) describes its PhD in Administration-Health Services as a program whose mission is pursued through "the education of individuals for academic positions and for high-level research positions in non-academic organizations." Its stated outcomes include meeting the requirements for a faculty position in a department of health services administration or policy.

Central Michigan University (CMU) describes its DHA very differently: it is "designed for experienced professionals" and aims to prepare graduates for executive and senior leadership roles in healthcare.

Walden University offers both degrees, which makes the contrast easy to see. Its DHA ends with an applied project: "Instead of a traditional dissertation, you will complete an applied doctoral study or capstone project that addresses a specific professional problem." Its PhD in Healthcare Administration is organized around core, research and dissertation courses.

A DHA is not a PhD with a different label, and a PhD is not a more advanced DHA. They answer different questions: "How do I lead and improve this organization?" versus "What new knowledge can I add to the field?"

Admission: what each program looks for

Doctoral admission in this field almost always starts with a master's degree, but the emphasis differs.

• Professional experience. CMU's DHA requires "at least three (3) years of responsible experience at the mid to senior level" in health administration, management, clinical leadership or health policy. Walden's DHA lists at least three years of related professional or academic experience as preferred rather than required.
• Research preparation. CMU asks DHA applicants for graduate coursework in statistics and research methods. UAB's PhD lists one graduate statistics course and one health care systems course as prerequisites.
• Prior master's field. Walden's PhD has two tracks; Track 1 "is designed for those entering with a master's degree in healthcare administration or a related field," while Track 2 is for those with a master's in another discipline.

If you have years of management experience but little research background, a DHA usually matches your profile better. If you are drawn to statistics, theory and publishing, look closely at PhD programs and their faculty.

Coursework, exams and the final project

The final requirement is where the two paths diverge most, but the labels can mislead.

• PhD. UAB students pass comprehensive examinations in three areas (health services, research methods and their specialization) before submitting a dissertation proposal, then write and defend a dissertation.
• DHA with a dissertation. Some DHAs still require a dissertation, but an applied one. CMU's DHA bulletin lists online courses, "six intensive face-to-face two and a half-day seminars, a general comprehensive examination, and an applied research dissertation."
• DHA with a capstone. Walden's DHA replaces the traditional dissertation with an applied doctoral study or capstone project.

So "DHA" does not automatically mean "no dissertation." Read the curriculum page and the graduate catalog, not only the marketing page.

Format, pace and time to finish

Format varies by program, not by degree type.

• UAB says its PhD "is designed as a full-time, residential program," and adds that students may be admitted on a part-time basis.
• Walden's PhD is offered online but includes four 4-day PhD residencies, which can be virtual or in person.
• CMU's DHA combines online courses with required in-person seminars and an on-campus orientation.

Time limits also matter. Walden notes that its doctoral students "have up to eight years to complete their doctoral program unless they petition for an extension," and that students stay registered in the dissertation or doctoral study course until the project is approved. Ask every program how long students actually take to finish, and what happens to tuition while you are in the final project stage.

The table summarizes the program pages cited in this guide; individual programs differ, so confirm each one.

Other doctorates you will see in this field

Not every leadership doctorate is called a DHA. Universities also award other professional doctorates with a healthcare leadership focus, such as UAB's Executive Doctor of Science (DSc) in Healthcare Leadership. Each degree carries its own name, and the name on the diploma is the one employers and registrars will see. Our doctoral program listings show the awarded degree for each program so you can compare like with like.

Accreditation and what to verify

CAHME, the specialized accreditor for healthcare management education, describes itself as the only organization recognized to accredit "individual academic programs offering a professional master's degree in healthcare management education." Doctoral programs are therefore not CAHME-accredited. For a doctorate, check the university's institutional accreditation and read the program's own requirements carefully.

Before you apply, confirm:

1. The exact degree awarded (DHA, PhD, DSc or another title).
2. Whether the final project is a dissertation, an applied dissertation or a capstone.
3. Required campus seminars, residencies or orientations, with dates and locations.
4. Minimum and maximum time to degree, and how tuition is charged during the final project.
5. Experience and research prerequisites.

A doctorate does not by itself guarantee a faculty post or an executive role, and it is not a clinical license.

Choosing between them

Choose a DHA if you work in health administration, want to apply evidence to problems in your organization, and plan to stay on the leadership side of healthcare. Choose a PhD if you want to design and publish original research, teach at a university, or work in a high-level research role, and if you can commit to an intensive research apprenticeship.

You can browse DHA programs and PhD programs separately, see online doctoral options, and read bachelor's vs. master's vs. doctoral degrees if you are still deciding whether a doctorate is the right next step.