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DHA
DHA in Health Administration
Build the knowledge and skills you need to lead transformation in healthcare delivery systems. The Doctor of Health Administration (DHA) is for healthcare leaders who want to improve patient care through effective administration. The program focuses on ethics, communication, collaboration, and problem solving.
This DHA program lets you take control of when and where you learn, allowing you to get the most out of your education—and your life—while pursuing your degree.
At a glance
- Online
- 9 Courses
- 2 Elective courses
- 2 Virtual residencies
- Capstone
- 18 Max transfer credits
With Capella Tuition Cap, you won't pay more than $48,000* in tuition costs for your degree.
*Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Connect with us for details.
Explore health administration courses
This program requires a total of 76 quarter credits
Capstone mentors
For the culminating project of your doctoral degree, you’ll be paired with a knowledgeable mentor to help you along the way.
Virtual residencies
Examine potential topics for your capstone project, select a topic, and begin creating a capstone project proposal. The goal of the residencies is to achieve an approved topic milestone.
Show all descriptions
DHA8004
Innovative Business Practices in Health Care
6 quarter credits
Learners in this course examine various innovative health care practices, including creating a culture of accountability for personal, departmental, and organizational performance. Learners evaluate their abilities as change leaders and assess their readiness to accept responsibility for their organizational performance. Learners also demonstrate the skills needed to communicate effectively, take initiative, and reflect industry standards in the workplace. For DHA learners only.
6 quarter credits
DHA8008
Health Care Policy Processes
6 quarter credits
In this course, learners investigate the impacts of health care policy and legislation on the availability of, access to, and cost of U.S. health care. Learners examine the implications and consequences of specific health care legislation; analyze the values and assumptions underlying changing priorities in health planning and resource allocation; evaluate the combined effects of social, economic, ethical, legal, and political forces on health care; and assess ways of addressing current gaps in health care policy.
6 quarter credits
DHA8026
Regulatory Compliance for Health Care Leaders
6 quarter credits
Learners develop an understanding of the current compliance and regulatory issues health care leaders face and demonstrate the skills needed to develop a strong organizational compliance program. Throughout the course, learners gain the knowledge and skills needed to align current regulatory compliance mandates to current health care organizations. For DHA learners only.
6 quarter credits
DHA8032
Strategic Vision and Planning in Health Care
6 quarter credits
Learners in this course develop a strategic orientation to evaluate short- and long-term operational and organizational performance goals. Learners analyze organizational systems, processes, and designs from a strategic perspective and examine various methods of strategic planning, including the use and upgrading of information management systems as a means of improving organizational outcomes within the health care environment. Learners also demonstrate the interpersonal communication and strategic decision-making skills health care administrators use to influence and optimize results. For DHA learners only.
6 quarter credits
What you'll learn
This degree is for practitioners who want to develop applied research and leadership competencies in health administration. It is designed with professional standards in mind to help you advance your career.
On successful completion of this program, you should be able to:
- Promote organizational directional strategies.
- Lead organizational priorities to achieve strategic vision.
- Drive organizational culture of accountability through outcomes-driven leadership.
- Lead, execute, and evaluate a project, using a structured research process, to discern strategic, evidence-based solutions that minimize risk and optimize effectiveness and results for healthcare organizations.
- Model healthcare professionalism through application of ethics, sound professional practices, social accountability, and community stewardship.
- Communicate effectively as a healthcare scholar and practitioner.
Review the Capella career exploration guide to learn more about this program and professional paths to explore.
How much does the DHA cost?
The total cost of your degree will depend on academic performance, transfer credits, scholarships and other factors. See GuidedPath cost information below.
GuidedPath
A structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.
- Based on the quarter system; 1-3 courses per 10-week quarter
- 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
- Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
- Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or term
$780 per credit, 60 coursework credits, 18 max transfer credits
Tuition breakdown
Program Phases
Capstone
$3,120 Per quarter
4 credits per quarter. Most students spend one third to one half of their program working on their capstone; others may take longer.
Capstone
What is capstone?$3,120
Per quarter
4 credits per quarter. Most students spend one third to one half of their program working on their capstone; others may take longer.
Fees
Resource kit fee
$175 Per quarter
Coursework phase only; includes eBooks, textbooks, interactive media, software, course packs, articles, test kits, and other instructional materials.
Resource kit fee
$175
Per quarter
Coursework phase only; includes eBooks, textbooks, interactive media, software, course packs, articles, test kits, and other instructional materials.
Application fee
$0 no application fee
Application fee
$0
no application fee
Total Tuition Cap
Capella Tuition Cap
$48,000 Total tuition
- Pay no more than $48,000 in total tuition for your degree*
- Available to all students who start now through July 7, 2025
*Eligibility rules apply. Books, course materials, supplies, equipment and other fees apply. Travel expenses for residency, practicum, etc., are not covered by the tuition cap.
Capella Tuition Cap
What is the Capella Tuition Cap?$48,000
Total tuition
- Pay no more than $48,000 in total tuition for your degree*
- Available to all students who start now through July 7, 2025
*Eligibility rules apply. Books, course materials, supplies, equipment and other fees apply. Travel expenses for residency, practicum, etc., are not covered by the tuition cap.
Tuition and program length are unique to you
Your total tuition and program length depend on a variety of factors:
- The program specialization you choose
- Scholarships and finances
- Prior coursework
- Transfer credits
- Employer and/or military benefits
- Amount of time spent working on practicum
- Number of quarters spent working on capstone
- Complexity of your capstone
- Academic performance
- School/work/life balance
- Unexpected life events
About cost scenarios
The cost scenarios below are examples based on general program pricing and 2024–25 Capella tuition rates and assume the average number of transfer credits a student brings into the program. Pacing and pricing information is current as of Jan. 1, 2024. These rates are the same nationwide and may change depending on factors affecting program length and price. You are responsible for paying your own travel costs related to residencies, including plane, hotel, and food expenses.
To discuss whether the specialization you’re interested in has additional factors that may affect program cost and length, contact a Capella enrollment counselor.
Cost Scenarios
Complete capstone in 4 quartersComplete each capstone milestone at the pace of the fastest 25% of students. |
|
|---|---|
| Coursework: $780/credit 11 quarters |
$43,200.00 |
| Capstone: $3,120/quarter 4 quarters |
$12,480.00 |
| Subtotal
|
$55,680.00 |
| Est. Savings with Capella Tuition Cap*
|
$-7,680.00 |
| Est. subtotal with Capella Tuition Cap*
|
$48,000.00 |
| Resource Kit fee: $175 11 quarters |
$1,925.00 |
| Application fee: $0 no application fee |
$0 |
|
Est. Total with Capella Tuition Cap* 15 quarters |
$49,925.00 |
Complete capstone in 5 quartersComplete each capstone milestone at the pace of the median 50% of students. |
|
|---|---|
| Coursework: $780/credit 11 quarters |
$43,200.00 |
| Capstone: $3,120/quarter 5 quarters |
$15,600.00 |
| Subtotal
|
$58,800.00 |
| Est. Savings with Capella Tuition Cap*
|
$-10,800.00 |
| Est. subtotal with Capella Tuition Cap*
|
$48,000.00 |
| Resource Kit fee: $175 11 quarters |
$1,925.00 |
| Application fee: $0 no application fee |
$0 |
|
Est. Total with Capella Tuition Cap* 16 quarters |
$49,925.00 |
Complete capstone in 6 quartersComplete each capstone milestone at the pace of the slowest 75% of students. |
|
|---|---|
| Coursework: $780/credit 11 quarters |
$43,200.00 |
| Capstone: $3,120/quarter 6 quarters |
$18,720.00 |
| Subtotal
|
$61,920.00 |
| Est. Savings with Capella Tuition Cap*
|
$-13,920.00 |
| Est. subtotal with Capella Tuition Cap*
|
$48,000.00 |
| Resource Kit fee: $175 11 quarters |
$1,925.00 |
| Application fee: $0 no application fee |
$0 |
|
Est. Total with Capella Tuition Cap* 17 quarters |
$49,925.00 |
*Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Connect with us for details. Capella Tuition Cap is available to students who start now through July 7, 2025.
Get the details
Connect with an enrollment counselor to further discuss the cost of the program and explore your eligibility for scholarships and discounts.
Are there scholarships available for doctoral degrees?
Your education is an investment in your future that's within reach. There are more ways to save than you might think.
Capella is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide assurance that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability. See all our accreditations and recognitions.
What are the DHA admission requirements?
Applicants must provide the following information for admission to Capella programs and specializations:
- A master’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or from an internationally recognized institution
- Your official master’s transcripts, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.
International Student Requirements
If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree, or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.
In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:
- Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
- Transcript evaluation
Learn more about international student admissions.
What support does Capella offer online students?
Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of doctoral students. We’ve structured the experience in manageable pieces that build on one another to help you earn your doctorate. You’ll have support from faculty, staff, and online resources along the way.
Articles and resources
Expand your perspective on academic and career topics with articles and resources from Capella University.
Difference between a PhD in health administration and a DHA
Learn about the differences between a PhD and DHA, and which could be right for you in the field of health administration.
Lead transformation in health care delivery systems
Health care leaders learn to improve patient care through effective administration by focusing on ethics, communication, collaboration, and problem solving.
What’s it like to be a doctoral student?
What does it take to earn a doctoral degree? Learn more about the experience and explore each step of the journey.
Bradly E. Roh, PhD
DBA Doctoral Program Director, School of Business, Technology & Healthcare Administration
Cheryl Boncuore, PhD
Associate Dean, School of Business, Technology & Healthcare Administration
Owen Borda, PhD
DHA Core Faculty
What can you do with a Doctor of Health Administration degree?
Your education can help you reach your personal and professional goals. Here are some of the jobs and employment settings to consider with a Doctor of Health Administration
Related job titles to explore*
- Program managers
- Project managers
- Compliance managers
- Administrative officers
- Directors of regulatory affairs
- Program directors
- Directors of compliance
- Human resource managers
- Program specialists
- Health system managers
- Adjunct, part-time, full-time faculty**
Employment settings to explore
- Professional, scientific, and technical services
- Manufacturing
- Healthcare and social assistance
- Educational services
- Finance and insurance
- Public administration
- Management of companies and enterprises
- Land-based or online colleges or universities
*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.
**Educational and professional requirements for faculty positions vary widely by employer. Understanding your target employers’ particular requirements is key in deciding on a doctoral program