phd degrees in healthcare

PhD Programs

Empowering students to follow their curiosity

Bioengineering PhD

Jointly supported by the School of Engineering and the School of Medicine, the bioengineering program merges engineering principles with scientific discovery and technology to encourage the development of new medical devices and treatments.

Biosciences PhD

panning the School of Medicine and the School of Humanities and Sciences, students have the best of both worlds: the diversity of a large umbrella program coupled with the support of a small academic setting.

The Biosciences PhD program offers 14 home programs representing eight basic science departments and six interdisciplinary programs.

Biomedical Physics (BMP) PhD Program

Supported by the Departments of Radiology and Radiation Oncology, the Biomedical Physics PhD program seeks students interested in radiation therapy, imaging science, and molecular imaging and diagnostics as applied to clinical medicine. 

PhD in Epidemiology and Clinical Research

The PhD program in epidemiology and clinical research will provide methodologic and interdisciplinary training that will equip students to carry out cutting-edge epidemiologic research. The program trains students in the tools of modern epidemiology, with heavy emphases on statistics, computer science, genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics.

PhD in Health Policy

Stanford Health Policy offers a PhD program which promises to educate students who will be scholarly leaders in the field of health policy, and will be highly knowledgeable about the theoretical and empirical approaches that can be applied in the development of improvements in health policy and the health care system. These students will be well prepared for positions in academic institutions, government institutions, and private sector organizations with a demand for high-level analysis of health policy issues.

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Stanford University School of Medicine  consistently ranks among the top U.S. medical schools, and faculty members routinely secure the highest amount of research funding per investigator in the country. 

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Bouvé College of Health Sciences

Healthcare leadership.

Northeastern University's Doctor of Medical Science in Healthcare Leadership (DMSc) is an innovative, 100% online doctoral degree that is open to all medical professionals seeking to expand their career potential in healthcare leadership, administration, education, and advocacy.

Healthcare leadership careers are rising, with jobs for medical and health services managers estimated to grow 32% by 2030.

Northeastern's Doctor of Medical Science in Healthcare Leadership (DMSc) fills the need for medical professionals of all kinds to advance their education. The program is delivered 100% online and is the first degree of its type to be offered by an R1 research institution. You'll graduate ready for new career opportunities in healthcare leadership, administration, education, and advocacy.

The degree creates a path to leadership for individuals with varied healthcare backgrounds and career goals. Here's what you can expect:

• Gain perspectives and visibility into challenges and opportunities across the medical sciences.
• Engage in a curriculum comprising core courses centered on healthcare systems and leadership skills, a specialized concentration, and a problem-based thesis project related to your concentration.
• Advance your career with a degree developed in cooperation with healthcare leaders and designed to create leaders with both technical proficiency and in-demand management skills.
• Customize your degree with a choice of nine available concentrations.

Register for our open forum webinar to meet with the Program Directors, ask questions, and get information about the program.

More Details

Unique features.

Northeastern’s DMSc degree is an innovative pathway for all healthcare degree holders to advance their education toward leadership—other universities limit admissions to physician assistant graduates.

Earn your degree part-time with maximum flexibility and a 100% online curriculum open to a broad range of medical professionals working in a clinical healthcare setting. 

Gain the career advantage of a degree developed in cooperation with healthcare leaders and employers and designed to create leaders with both technical proficiency and in-demand management skills.

Specialized concentrations add career flexibility to a rigorous core curriculum. Concentrations include Health Informatics (Practice); Health Informatics (Research); Health Law; Business Management for Healthcare; Public Health; Patient Safety; Extreme Medicine; Exercise Science; and Interdisciplinary Healthcare Leadership.

Northeastern's Doctor of Medical Science in Healthcare Leadership is the first DMSc program of its kind offered by a leading R1-rated research university. 

Career Outlook

Healthcare leadership careers are rising, with jobs for medical and health services managers estimated to grow 32% by 2030. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022)

Median annual wage for medical and health services managers is $101K. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022)

Median annual wage for medical scientists in research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences is $102,210. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022)

Testimonials

- mary jo bondy, dhed., mhs, pa-c, looking for something different.

A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern—a top-ranked university—can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and hands-on professional experience in the area of your interest. Apply now—and take your career to the next level.

Program Costs

Finance Your Education We offer a variety of resources, including scholarships and assistantships.

How to Apply Learn more about the application process and requirements.

Requirements

• Application
• Application fee
• Two letters of recommendation
• The Foreign Credential Evaluation (FCE) is a required assessment of all transcripts and documents from non-U.S. accredited post-secondary education institutions. (Review the FCE requirements by country.)
• Personal statement
• TOEFL or IELTS for applicants who do not hold a degree from a U.S. institution and whose native language is not English
• Applicants with a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution in a healthcare-related field plus at least 3 years of experience in a healthcare-related field and is in a leadership/management role with evidence (a supervisor letter) of duties that supports significant/progressive leadership and responsibilities will be considered.
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the accredited program

Learn More Access the program page on the Bouvé College of Health Sciences website.

Admissions Details Learn more about the Bouvé College of Health Sciences admissions process, policies, and required materials.

Admissions Dates

Fall term deadline: August 1

Spring term deadline: December 1

Industry-aligned courses for in-demand careers.

For 100+ years, we’ve designed our programs with one thing in mind—your success. Explore the current program requirements and course descriptions, all designed to meet today’s industry needs and must-have skills.

View curriculum

Northeastern's experience-powered learning model has been at the heart of the university for more than a century. It combines world-class academics with professional practice, allowing you to acquire relevant, real-world skills you can immediately put into action in your current workplace. Your Northeastern education can be a dynamic, transformative experience, giving you countless opportunities to grow as a professional and person.

Our Faculty

Northeastern University faculty represents a broad cross-section of professional practices and fields, including finance, education, biomedical science, management, and the U.S. military. They serve as mentors and advisors and collaborate alongside you to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.

Mary Jo Bondy

Bianca Belcher

By enrolling in Northeastern, you’ll be connected to students at our 13 campuses, as well as 300,000-plus alumni and more than 3,500 employer partners around the world. Our global university system provides you with unique opportunities to think locally and act globally and serves as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions.

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• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Doctoral Programs

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• DNP: Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
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• DNP Advanced Practice/PhD Dual Degree
• DNP Executive/MBA Dual Degree
• DNP Executive/MPH Dual Degree
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)
• Post-Master’s Healthcare Organizational Leadership CERTIFICATE
• Post-Master’s Nursing Education CERTIFICATE
• Post-Master’s Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner CERTIFICATE
• Post-Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner CERTIFICATE
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• How to Apply: Prerequisites for Health Professions
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Need your questions answered?

Our doctoral programs prepare students to lead health care innovations and influence policy—founded on the science and theory of nursing, analytic principles, evidence-based practice, and strong leadership —at the highest organizational level. With access to world-renowned nursing faculty, cutting-edge facilities, and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration throughout the Johns Hopkins network, you’ll build the skills to develop and implement your research and clinical goals to change the future of healthcare.

find your path

DNP Advanced Practice

Become a nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist in the DNP Advanced Practice track at Johns Hopkins Schoolof Nursing. Unlock the unlimited potential of an advanced nursing career and build close relationships with our world-renowned faculty. You will network with other emerging nurse leaders in your cohort and graduate ready to change the health care system and advance the nursing profession.

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• Nurse Anesthesia
• DNP ADvanced Practice/PHD

DNP Executive

Get the analytic skills and evidence-based practice principles you need in the DNP Executive track at Johns Hopkins. You’ll address significant healthcare problems-defined by your interests and based on your experience-in real time and in your practice setting. You will forge your own intellectual path and wrap up your curriculum with an intense final project experience.

• DNP EXECUTIVE
• DNP Executive/MBA Dual Degre e

Advance the theoretical foundation of nursing practice and healthcare delivery with a Johns Hopkins PhD in nursing. With access to world-renowned faculty, cutting-edge facilities, and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with noted researchers throughout Johns Hopkins, you’ll build the skills to develop and implement a scientific research program. By graduation, most scholars have been awarded grants that continue their research and set them well on their way to a successful career.

• DNP Advanced Practice/PHD

Dual Degree Options

The dual degree programs offered through the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing integrate cutting-edge nursing in collaboration with schools from across the university. The programs will position you to take on executive roles that employ systems-level thinking to improve population health or lead patient care at corporate levels.

• DNP ADVANCED PRACTICE/PHD
• DNP Executive/MBA
• DNP Executive/MPH

Do you know

The Difference?

“Prior to joining the PhD program, I felt like I was spinning my wheels. Now I feel empowered to advocate for what I know will help patients and have the tools and soon will have the credentials to do that.” Emily Hoppe

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• Wharton Online

PhD Program

Wharton’s PhD program in Health Care Management and Economics provides rigorous training in applied economics and management coupled with advanced training in health care systems and health services research.

Faculty members engage in a broad range of research related to health care management, economics, and policy. Major areas of research currently include: the impact of insurance status on medical expenditure and reported health status; potential sources of disparities in cardiovascular care; effects of Medicare Part D; adoption and diffusion of medical innovations; effects of pharmaceutical safety events on stock prices; programs for reducing losses from natural disasters and providing funds for recovery following catastrophic events; and issues of biopharmaceutical product variety and innovation.

Doctoral students have opportunities to work closely with faculty at the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, the Wharton Center for Health Management and Economics, and the world-leading University of Pennsylvania Health Care System.

Health Care Management doctoral students predominantly come from a business, math, or social science background, and also include physicians, future physicians, and clinically trained professionals.

Course Information View the Health Care Management course information, descriptions, and schedule with links to syllabi. Program Information Find out more about the Health Care Management requirements, students, dissertations, admission policies, and financial aid and fellowships. Students

• PhD in Health Policy

In This Section

• PhD in Public Policy
• PhD in Political Economy & Government
• PhD in Social Policy
• Job Market Candidates

The PhD in Health Policy is a highly interdisciplinary program that will develop the specialized skills you need for a research and teaching career in health policy.

The program is collaborative at its core, with its curriculum drawing from six Harvard schools:

• Harvard Business School
• Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
• Harvard Kennedy School
• Harvard Law School
• Harvard Medical School
• Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

With more than 100 Harvard faculty members from these schools integrated in the program, you have access to the insights of leading experts across the full academic and professional spectrum.

Balance broad and specialized knowledge.

As a PhD in Health Policy student, you take courses throughout Harvard’s specialized schools. This allows you to become familiar with the conceptual frameworks, vernacular and perspectives of researchers from other disciplines.

At the same time, developing specialized skills in a discipline is a hallmark of the program, which is why you specialize in one of five concentrations:

• Decision Sciences
• Methods for Policy Research
• Political Analysis

The PhD in Health Policy degree is awarded by the  Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS). Our graduates leave the program well equipped to make an impact in academia, government agencies, research institutes, think tanks, foundations, and multinational corporations. 

PhD in Population Health Sciences

Prepare for a high-impact career tackling public health problems from air pollution to obesity to global health equity to the social determinants of health.

The PhD in population health sciences is a multidisciplinary research degree that will prepare you for a career focused on challenges and solutions that affect the lives of millions around the globe. Collaborating with colleagues from diverse personal and professional backgrounds and conducting field and/or laboratory research projects of your own design, you will gain the deep expertise and powerful analytical and quantitative tools needed to tackle a wide range of complex, large-scale public health problems.

Focusing on one of five complementary fields of study at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and drawing on courses, resources, and faculty from the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, you will become well-versed in a wide variety of disciplines while gaining specialized knowledge in your chosen area of study.

As a population health sciences graduate, you will be prepared for a career in research, academics, or practice, tackling complex diseases and health problems that affect entire populations. Those interested in pursuing research may go on to work at a government agency or international organization, or in the private sector at a consulting, biotech, or pharmaceutical firm. Others may choose to pursue practice or on-the-ground interventions. Those interested in academics may become a faculty member in a college, university, medical school, research institute, or school of public health.

The PhD in population health sciences is a four-year program based at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in the world-renowned Longwood Medical Area of Boston, Massachusetts. The degree will prepare you to apply diverse approaches to solving difficult public health research issues in your choice of one of five primary fields of study:

• Environmental health
• Epidemiology
• Social and behavioral sciences
• Global health and population

In your first semester, you and your faculty adviser will design a degree plan to guide you through the program’s interdisciplinary requirements and core courses, as well as those in your chosen field of study. After successfully completing the preliminary qualifying examination, usually at the end of your second year, you will finalize your general research topics and identify a dissertation adviser who will mentor you through the dissertation process and help you nominate a dissertation advisory committee.

All population health sciences students are trained in pedagogy and teaching and are required to work as a teaching fellow and/or research assistant to ensure they gain meaningful teaching and research experience before graduation. Students also attend a special weekly evening seminar that features prominent lecturers, grant-writing modules, feedback dinners, and training opportunities.

All students, including international students, who maintain satisfactory progress (B+ or above) receive a multiyear funding package, which includes tuition, fees , and a competitive stipend.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

Anyone with a distinguished undergraduate record and a demonstrated enthusiasm for the rigorous pursuit of scientific public health knowledge is encouraged to apply. Although a previous graduate degree is not required, applicants should have successfully completed coursework in introductory statistics or quantitative methods. Preference will be given to applicants who have either some relevant work experience or graduate-level work in their desired primary field of study.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Like all PhD (doctor of philosophy) programs at the School, the PhD in population health sciences is offered under the aegis of the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS). Applications are processed through the Harvard Griffin GSAS online application system located at gsas.harvard.edu/admissions/apply.

OUR COMMUNITY: COMMITTED, ACCOMPLISHED, COLLABORATIVE

As a PhD in population health sciences candidate, you will be part of a diverse and accomplished group of students with a broad range of research and other interests. The opportunity to learn from each other and to share ideas both inside and outside the classroom will be one of the most rewarding and productive parts of the program for any successful candidate. The program in population health sciences provides these opportunities by sponsoring an informal curriculum of seminars, a dedicated student gathering and study area, and events that will enhance your knowledge, foster interaction with your peers, and encourage you to cooperatively evaluate scientific literature, while providing a supportive, collaborative community within which to pursue your degree.

As members of both the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences communities, students have access to the Cambridge and Longwood Medical Area campuses. Students also qualify for affordable transportation options, access to numerous lectures and academic seminars, and a wealth of services to support their academic and personal needs on both sides of the Charles River.

LEARN MORE Population Health Sciences Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health www.hsph.harvard.edu/phdphs

• Best Online Doctorate in Healthcare Administration

Best Online Doctorate in Healthcare Administration Of 2024

Published: Mar 22, 2024, 1:49pm

Healthcare executives analyze patient outcomes to develop procedures that improve quality. They also oversee healthcare facility budgets and monitor compliance with healthcare laws and regulations. Earning a doctorate in healthcare administration can prepare you for executive-level roles in these organizations.

At the doctoral level, healthcare administration programs offer several degree options. A Ph.D. emphasizes theory and research, while an applied doctorate like a Doctor of Healthcare Administration (D.H.A.) or a Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.) with an emphasis in healthcare focuses on applied skills. Consider your future career goals to decide which program is right for you.

Pursuing your doctorate in healthcare administration online gives you the flexibility to work while earning the highest degree in healthcare administration . An online format also means you can choose a top-ranked program without uprooting your life. Forbes Advisor ranks the best online doctoral programs in healthcare administration so you can find the best fit for your needs.

Why You Can Trust Forbes Advisor Education

Forbes Advisor’s education editors are committed to producing unbiased rankings and informative articles covering online colleges, tech bootcamps and career paths. Our ranking methodologies use data from the National Center for Education Statistics , education providers, and reputable educational and professional organizations. An advisory board of educators and other subject matter experts reviews and verifies our content to bring you trustworthy, up-to-date information. Advertisers do not influence our rankings or editorial content.

• 6,290 accredited, nonprofit colleges and universities analyzed nationwide
• 52 reputable tech bootcamp providers evaluated for our rankings
• All content is fact-checked and updated on an annual basis
• Rankings undergo five rounds of fact-checking
• Only 7.12% of all colleges, universities and bootcamp providers we consider are awarded

Our Methodology

We ranked 11 accredited, nonprofit colleges offering online doctoral degree programs in healthcare administration in the U.S. using 15 data points in the categories of credibility, affordability, student outcomes and student experience. We pulled data for these categories from reliable resources such as the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ; private, third-party data sources; and individual school and program websites.

Data is accurate as of June 2023. Note that because online doctorates are relatively uncommon, fewer schools meet our ranking standards at the doctoral level.

We scored schools based on the following metrics:

Student Outcomes:

• Overall graduation rate
• Median earnings 10 years after graduation

Affordability:

• In-state graduate student tuition
• In-state graduate student fees
• Alternative tuition plans offered
• Median federal student loan debt
• Percentage of students in federal student loan deferment

Student Experience:

• Student-to-faculty ratio
• Socioeconomic diversity
• Availability of online coursework
• Total number of graduate assistants
• More than 50% of graduate students enrolled in at least some distance education

Credibility:

• Fully accredited
• Programmatic accreditation status
• Nonprofit status

We chose the 10 best schools to display based on those receiving a curved final score of 51% or higher.

Find our full list of methodologies here .

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William carey university, a t still university of health sciences, featured online schools.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial credit and much more by clicking 'Visit Site'

Graduate Tuition

$1,110/credit

Percentage of Grad Students Enrolled in Distance Education

Overall Graduation Rate

Located in Boston, Massachusetts, MCPHS University offers a part-time doctorate in healthcare administration. The private institution emphasizes interdisciplinary coursework, blending topics such as healthcare systems, data analytics, healthcare leadership and finance in its D.H.A. program.

Graduate students strengthen their professional practice and leadership skills while examining healthcare administration challenges. Applicants must hold a master’s or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution plus complete three to five years of healthcare-related experience. The program also requires a faculty interview during the admissions process.

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn on your schedule
• School Type: Private
• Application Fee: Free
• Degree Credit Requirements: 54 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Part-time
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Strategic planning for health organizations, patient safety and risk management, ethics for healthcare leaders
• Concentrations Available: N/A
• In-Person Requirements: No

$748/credit

At Franklin University , Doctor of Healthcare Administration students complete two years of coursework and one year working on a dissertation. During the program, learners develop organizational strategies to improve healthcare outcomes.

Franklin offers optional eight-credit focus areas, including health informatics, public administration, finance and management. A focus area can prepare graduates for specific career paths after completing the doctoral program.

• Application Fee: $50
• Degree Credit Requirements: 58 credits
• Program Enrollment Options: Part-time, full-time
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Healthcare policy, regulations and reform; organizations, community and global health; healthcare quality, process and improvement
• Concentrations Available: Education, health informatics, human resource management, instructional design leadership, management, marketing, methodology, public administration, information technology, finance

$595/credit (full-time)

Liberty University offers an online Doctor of Business Administration in healthcare management. Learners complete courses on an eight-week schedule, with the option to transfer up to half of the 60 credits required for the D.B.A. degree.

Graduate students strengthen their management, quality control, and human resource development abilities. The curriculum emphasizes streamlining business processes and practical knowledge. At the culmination of the program, doctoral students complete an applied research project that contributes to their specialization.

• Degree Credit Requirements: 60 credits
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Healthcare informatics, managing human capital in healthcare, legal and ethical issues for health professionals

$442/credit

The fully online Doctor of Health Administration program at National University uses a practice-based curriculum. Graduate students examine legal and ethical issues in the healthcare industry while learning how policy impacts outcomes. The program prepares graduates for executive-level roles in healthcare.

Applicants should hold a master’s degree and complete at least three years of industry experience before enrolling in the D.H.A. program. NU also offers a dissertation completion pathway designed for doctoral students who have completed their coursework elsewhere but still need to finish their dissertation.

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn around your 9-to-5
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Healthcare quality management, health leadership and systems thinking

$234/credit (in-state)

The University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center offers one of the most affordable tuition rates for a healthcare administration doctorate. Oklahoma residents enrolled in the D.H.A. program pay just $234 per credit, while out-of-state online students pay $364.

During the program, learners explore clinical operations management while reviewing case studies on healthcare quality and process improvement. Incoming students with a master’s degree can apply up to 30 credits toward the 62-credit doctoral program requirements.

• School Type: Public
• Degree Credit Requirements: 62 credits
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Healthcare public policy, dynamics of healthcare markets, advanced healthcare law

$595/credit

From its main campus in Marion, Indiana, Indiana Wesleyan University offers several online graduate programs. Degree-seekers can pursue a Doctor of Business Administration with a specialization in healthcare administration at the private institution.

Learners complete one class at a time, with no dissertation requirement to graduate. Instead, doctoral candidates complete a project that focuses on real-world problems. The program requires one weekend residency each year and takes approximately three years to complete.

• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Organizational, community and global health administration; issues in strategic planning and organizational development for healthcare administrators; healthcare innovation, informatics and change management
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, one weekend residency per year

$85,000 total cost

The University of Colorado Denver uses a hybrid format in its Executive Doctorate in Health Administration program. Graduate students primarily complete coursework online, with two one-week sessions on the private university’s Denver campus each year.

As part of the Business School Alliance for Health Management, the program takes an interdisciplinary approach, with instructors who bring experience as healthcare practitioners, executives and educators. Students benefit from executive-focused career support and a mentoring program.

Applicants should hold a master’s degree and bring at least five years of professional experience in a health-related organization.

• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Healthcare leadership, global health systems, managing healthcare information
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, two one-week sessions on campus per year

$19,500 total cost

The Doctor of Healthcare Administration program at Virginia University of Lynchburg uses a self-paced, module-based curriculum. At the private Christian university, doctoral students in healthcare administration strengthen their leadership and business skills.

In the fully online 12-month program, learners complete three practicums in teaching, research and leadership to prepare for top-level healthcare roles. Applicants must hold a master’s degree, and the program requires at least 90 credit hours at the graduate level.

• Our Flexibility Rating: Learn on a set schedule
• Application Fee: $25
• Degree Credit Requirements: 36 credits
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Global healthcare strategy, risk management, organizational communication

$475/credit

A private Christian institution in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, William Carey University offers a Ph.D. in health administration and education designed for healthcare professionals with a master’s degree.

Coursework in role development, program evaluation and strategic management prepare graduates for careers in healthcare administration or education. The online program takes two to three years. It incorporates two in-person meetings and two synchronous online weekend meetings each year, allowing graduate students to work full time while pursuing a doctorate.

• Application Fee: $40
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Healthcare economics and finance, human resources in healthcare administration, strategic management and planning
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, two in-person meetings per year

$1,010/credit

A.T. Still University specializes in graduate-level healthcare programs. Designed for current health professionals, the Doctor of Health Administration program emphasizes leadership and problem-solving in the healthcare industry. Students explore innovative approaches to health administration while learning advanced business strategies.

The program’s academic focus areas include healthcare law, the economics of medical care and organizational theory in the health industry. Applicants benefit from four start dates each year; the doctorate typically requires three to five years. Doctoral candidates write a theoretical or applied dissertation during their final 20 credits of coursework.

• Application Fee: $75
• Notable Major-Specific Courses: Population health, healthcare economics and financial management, healthcare organization informatics

Pursuing a doctorate in healthcare administration can advance your career. But is an online or on-campus format right for you? Online learning prioritizes accessibility and convenience, allowing degree-seekers to attend a top-ranked program without relocating.

Before deciding to earn your doctorate online , consider the following factors.

What’s your budget for earning a doctorate in healthcare administration? Most doctoral programs require a substantial time commitment, which can influence the total cost of the degree.

Choosing an online format can save you money on tuition and expenses. For example, distance learners typically spend less on transportation and housing costs, because they study from home rather than commuting to campus or relocating for graduate school.

Online programs offer a significant benefit over in-person programs: the flexibility to complete coursework on your schedule. Most online healthcare administration doctoral programs use asynchronous classes, meaning you can earn your degree without set log-in times. That can make earning a doctorate easier for working professionals and busy adults.

Learning Style

Earning a doctorate online requires strong time management and organizational skills, especially if you plan to work while in graduate school. Self-motivated students often benefit from the flexibility of an online learning style, while others prefer the structure of an in-person program.

Which is right for you? If you haven’t taken classes online before, consider whether the format works well for your unique learning style.

Accreditation

You should always choose an accredited institution, whether earning your degree online or on-campus. Online universities with accreditation meet the same high standards as brick-and-mortar institutions, so check the school’s accreditation status before applying.

The best universities hold accreditation from an independent, nonprofit accrediting agency. In order to receive accreditation, institutions undergo a rigorous review that covers their graduation requirements, faculty qualifications and student learning outcomes. Accredited schools regularly repeat this process to maintain their credential.

In addition to institutional accreditation, healthcare administration programs may hold accreditation from specialized accrediting agencies. For example, the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education grants accreditation to master’s programs in healthcare administration and management. Doctoral programs housed in the business school may also hold accreditation from a programmatic accreditor in business.

The U.S. Department of Education maintains a Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs where you can check accreditation status.

Consider Your Future Goals

An online doctorate can prepare you for executive leadership positions, academic positions or top-level careers in healthcare administration . When researching your options, make sure you look for programs that match your future goals.

For example, Ph.D. programs often lead to academic and research roles, while D.H.A. and D.B.A. programs prepare graduates for leadership careers in the healthcare field.

It’s also a good idea to review each program’s curriculum to understand their emphasis areas and your opportunities to customize the program. Check if the degree requires you to complete a research-based dissertation or a doctoral project.

Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options

The cost of a doctorate in healthcare administration varies widely. Programs on our list range from $234 to over $1,000 per credit. Most degrees require 54 to 62 credits, totaling about $14,500 to $85,000.

Comparing costs and understanding your financing options can help you find a program that fits your budget. For example, distance learners attending accredited institutions qualify for federal student aid programs, including federal loans that offer lower interest rates and more repayment options. You can file the FAFSA to learn about your federal aid options.

Other financing options include grants, scholarships and assistantships. You can also cover some or all of your costs with savings.

Is it worth it to get a Ph.D. in healthcare administration?

Earning a Ph.D. in healthcare administration can prepare you for academic, research and leadership roles. For example, most college professors hold a Ph.D. When comparing doctoral programs in healthcare administration, you can also look at D.H.A. and D.B.A. programs.

How long is a Ph.D. in healthcare administration?

A Ph.D. in healthcare administration typically requires four to six years, including coursework and a dissertation. D.H.A. programs generally take less time; many full-time programs require three years.

What is the difference between a Ph.D. and a D.H.A.?

Both a Ph.D. and a D.H.A. are doctoral-level programs in healthcare management. However, a Ph.D. typically emphasizes research and theory, including a research-based doctoral dissertation. D.H.A. programs focus on applied knowledge and skills and may require a real-world project rather than a dissertation.

Is there a Ph.D. in healthcare management?

Yes, you can earn a Ph.D. in healthcare management. Many universities offer doctoral-level healthcare management and administration programs, including options to earn a Ph.D., D.H.A. or D.B.A. with a concentration in healthcare management.

Genevieve Carlton holds a Ph.D. in history from Northwestern University and earned tenure at the University of Louisville. Drawing on over 15 years of experience in higher education, Genevieve provides practical, research-based advice on college degrees, career training and other higher education topics.

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Doctorate Degrees In Healthcare: Becoming a Healthcare Leader

When you think of healthcare doctorates, a Doctor of Medicine is probably the first degree that comes to mind. Yet, in today’s complex and evolving healthcare industry, an MD isn’t the only way to create a thriving career in healthcare.

A doctoral degree is becoming the in-demand credential for healthcare leaders across a variety of organizations and specialties. To meet this demand, there are multiple doctoral education paths you can pursue. Let’s look at the different types of doctoral-level healthcare degree programs and how they can help you achieve your goals of becoming a healthcare leader.

The Demand for Healthcare Leaders

When considering doctorates, you want to ensure you’re making a solid investment in your future. Healthcare, as an essential service, provides long-term job stability. The healthcare industry is also benefiting from changing demographics and accelerating technological advancement, which positions the industry for extensive growth. 

As the industry evolves, it will need highly qualified leaders in both clinical and administrative roles to navigate change, advance business success and improve patient outcomes.

The demand for medical and health services managers is particularly noteworthy—projected to grow by 32% by 2029. The medical and health services manager job category encompasses many leadership roles in both clinical and administrative settings. 

Let’s look at leading doctoral degrees that can help you capture this momentum and advance your career.

Doctorates for Non-Clinical Healthcare Leaders

Healthcare administrators make up a large portion of non-clinical careers in healthcare. These professionals direct the operation of hospitals, health systems and other types of healthcare organizations. Depending on the size and type of organization, they may work within specialized departments or oversee operations as a whole.

According to leading labor market analytics firm EMSI, from June 2020 to June 2021, 62,541 unique positions were posted for medical and health services managers that required a doctoral degree. Even if a role doesn’t require a doctorate in healthcare, it can be a major differentiating factor in a competitive job market.

Let’s look at the doctorates in healthcare that are the best fit for those interested in non-clinical leadership positions.

Advance your career in Healthcare Administration while you advance patient care. Download your free career guide.

Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA)

The Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA) is a professional doctorate that focuses on putting theory and research into practice. It’s perhaps the most versatile doctorate degree for aspiring non-clinical healthcare leaders. Today’s healthcare administration leaders are taking on a dual role as an innovator and educator, bringing forth new ideas for policy, practice and patient improvements.

This degree is ideal for aspiring healthcare leaders who want to pioneer change to propel the healthcare system forward. Whether on the ground in healthcare organizations or in the classroom training next-generation leaders, a DHA will prepare you with the research, communication and expanded technical capabilities to solve real-world healthcare challenges.

Popular career paths for graduates:

• Hospital chief executive
• Nursing home administrator
• Healthcare consultant
• Health system director
• Full-time or part-time faculty

Ph.D. in Healthcare Services Management and Policy

A Ph.D. in Healthcare Services Management and Policy is an academic degree focused on furthering scholarly research in the healthcare administration and policy field. A Ph.D. program in this field includes research in areas like healthcare management, health policy analysis, health services, quality-of-care measurement and improvement.

This degree is ideal for aspiring healthcare scholars. Many Ph.D. graduates will work in academia or public policy, conducting original research and writing peer-reviewed studies to help advance the field. 

• University faculty
• Health policy researcher
• Epidemiologist
• Healthcare agency director
• Health services consultant

Doctoral Degrees for Clinical & Community Healthcare Leaders

Clinical and community healthcare leaders work directly with patients, study patient populations and consider the societal impacts of healthcare delivery. Popular career paths in clinical and community health at the doctoral level are in patient care, healthcare education and public health. Advanced education is typically a requirement for these positions.

Let’s look at two different doctorates that are popular in this sector of healthcare.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is a versatile professional doctorate for nurses. It may even become a requirement for advanced practice nursing roles in the near future . A DNP program will prepare you ​​to help the field evolve for the betterment of safe, efficient and high-value care using principles of evidence-based practice.

This degree is ideal for nurses who want an advanced practice nursing role as a primary care provider or clinical administrative leader. As a nurse with a DNP, you will be able to help close the gap between research and practice, helping to improve patient care and outcomes.

Popular career paths for DNP graduates:

• Chief Nursing Officer 
• Nursing policymaker
• Nursing administrator 
• Clinical leader
• Clinical instructor

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

A Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) is a professional doctorate that specializes in the societal impact of healthcare delivery, policies and regulations. This degree can help you advance your skills in fields like epidemiology, biostatistics, community and environmental health and more. 

This degree is ideal for healthcare leaders who want to fuel positive change in the health and wellness of communities. Many DrPH graduates work in the government and nonprofit sectors, working to improve public health by developing and implementing healthcare programs and policies.

Popular career paths for DrPH graduates:

• Health officer
• Public health consultant
• Health policy analyst
• Health department director
• Community health manager

Choosing the Right Healthcare Doctorate For You

Earning a doctorate in healthcare is a lifetime achievement and will prepare you to join an elite class of healthcare leaders. Choosing the right doctoral program can set you on the path to a flourishing career in a thriving healthcare industry. To find the right program, you will need to consider your personal career aspirations, preferred academic setting and program structure that will empower you to succeed.

Franklin University offers two terminal healthcare degrees: the Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA) and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) . Franklin University works one-on-one with prospective doctoral students to find the right healthcare degree for their needs. 

Through generous transfer-credit policies, online programs and a no-fear, integrated dissertation process, Franklin’s DHA degree helps working professionals succeed at the doctoral level. 

The DNP degree offers 100% online coursework, built-in practicum hours and opportunities to customize the degree by choosing between a leadership or FNP track.

Explore our healthcare doctorate programs can help you achieve your administrative or clinical leadership goals.

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PhD in Health Policy and Management

The doctoral program in Health Policy and Management (HPM) is designed to develop scholars that are able to apply theoretical frameworks from the social sciences (such as economics, political science, organizational theory and management, sociology) to address pressing health policy and management research questions. The program is purposefully interdisciplinary and seeks to prepare students for research careers in academics as well as in public and private sector agencies and organizations. Students complete courses in a broad set of health policy and management areas, biostatistics and econometrics, and a selected area of depth (i.e., economic theory and application, political and policy analysis, and organizational theory and management). Students in the department of HPM take qualifying examinations in:

• health policy and management
• quantitative methods
• their chosen area of depth.

In addition, students work directly with a specific faculty member on an individualized readings course on which they will also take a qualifying examination. The program typically requires 4-5 years to complete, including 2 years of coursework followed by 2-3 years to complete and defend the doctoral dissertation. Individuals applying to this program usually have a master’s degree and/or relevant research experience, however the minimum requirement is a bachelor’s degree.

This program requires General GRE test scores. Please send them to institution code 3987 (there is no department code).

Degree Requirements - PhD in Health Policy and Management

2024-25 matriculation.

All courses are 1 unit unless otherwise noted.

The Ph.D. degree in Health Policy and Management requires a total of 16 course units with the option of obtaining credits for previous courses. With the approval of the academic adviser and DGS, course substitutions that better suit the needs of the student may satisfy the course work requirement.

PhD Required Courses (5 course units)

• EPH 508 Foundations of Epidemiology and Public Health
• EPH 600 Research Ethics and Responsibilities (0 units)
• EPH 608 Frontiers of Public Health*
• HPM 610 Applied Area Readings
• HPM 617 Colloquium in Health Services Research (0 units)
• HPM 618 Colloquium in Health Services Research (0 units)
• HPM 600 Independent Study or Directed Readings – 2 credits **

* Students entering the program with an MPH or relevant graduate degree may be exempt from this requirement.

** Students must enroll in two distinct Independent Study Courses (HPM 600).

PhD Required Methods and Statistics Courses (minimum 4 course units)

• BIS 623 Advanced Regression Models
• BIS 628 Longitudinal and Multilevel Data Analysis
• ECON 556 Topics in Empirical Economics and Public Policy
• ECON 558 Econometrics
• HPM 583 Methods in Health Services Research
• MGMT 737 Applied Empirical Methods
• PLSC 500 Foundations of Statistical Inference
• PLSC 503 Theory and Practice of Quantitative Methods
• SBS 580 Qualitative Research Methods in Public Health
• SOCY 580 Introduction to Methods in Quantitative Sociology
• SOCY 581 Intermediate Methods in Quantitative Sociology
• SOCY 582 Statistics III; Advanced Quantitative Analysis for Social Scientists
• S&DS 563 Multivariate Statistical Methods for the Social Sciences
• S&DS 565 Introductory Machine Learning

PhD Required Health Policy and Management Courses (minimum 2 course units, all with PhD Readings)

• EPH 510 Health Policy and Health Care Systems
• HPM 514 Health Politics, Governance, and Policy
• HPM 570 Cost-Effectiveness Analysis and Decision Making
• HPM 573 Advanced Topics in Modeling Health Care Decisions
• HPM 587 Advanced Health Economics

Additional Elective(s)

Minimum of 1 additional elective. Must be approved by advisor.

Specializations

Economics Specialization Required Courses (minimum 4 course units)

• ECON 545 Microeconomics May substitute for an alternative with permission of advisor and GSEC representative
• ECON 558 Econometrics Must take substitution course if taken as Methods course.

Students take two field courses in at least one concentration to develop expertise. Sets of courses across topics can be selected to meet research interests with advisor permission:

• MGMT 758 Foundations of Behavioral Economics
• PSYC 553 Behavioral Decision Making I: Choice
• ECON 600 Industrial Organization I
• ECON 601 Industrial Organization II
• ECON 630 Labor Economics
• ECON 631 Labor Economics
• ECON 680 Public Finance I
• ECON 681 Public Finance II

Organizational Theory and Management Specialization Required Courses (4 course units)

Courses are selected in consultation with the student’s advisor.

Political and Policy Analysis Specialization Required Courses (4 course units)

Suggested courses:

• PLSC 800 Introduction to American Politics
• PLSC 801 Political Preferences and American Political Behavior
• PLSC 803 American Politics III: Institutions

Course offerings subject to change.

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Research in HPM applies the conceptual frameworks and research methods from economics, health policy, and organizational theory and management. Examples of ongoing faculty research include the following:

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• The Determinants and Consequences of Cognitive Aging: Evidence and Implications for Public Policy
• Essays on Quality Improvement: Three Active Approaches to Improving Care for Nursing Home Users
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Jumpstart your future today in healthcare leadership and management, department of healthcare policy, economics and management.

The University of Texas at Tyler Health Science Center’s Master of Health Administration is a fully online, comprehensive, high-value degree designed to give you a competitive advantage in healthcare, leadership, and management.

To advance your career, you need a relevant, rewarding, and respected education to distinguish yourself from your peers. Our Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree offers you an unparalleled opportunity at any stage in your career to develop stronger leadership and management abilities in a field where rapid change is now the norm — bringing you immediate value. This is one of the fastest growing professions with great salary and benefit potential! 

Through our comprehensive courses, you will be equipped with the quantitative and operational skills you need to advance in your career and assume more responsibility as a leader in your organization, as well as benefit from the networking opportunities gained by learning from expert faculty with real-world knowledge and experience. This exciting program offers highly competitive tuitions and is designed to support working professionals

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I am a Systems Biology and Bioinformatics doctoral trainee with Dr. William Bush, in the department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences. Our lab focuses on understanding the functional impact of genetic variation, with specific emphasis on studying genetic drivers of Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is genetically complex and known to be associated with a wide range of genetic factors. Thus far over 70 genetic loci associated with disease risk, disease outcomes, and risk for specific AD subtypes have been identified. However, the genetic factors discovered so far account for only a portion of the underlying genetic architecture. Advancements in sequencing technologies and expansions of study cohorts have generated data with much higher genomic fidelity, allowing us to study classes of variation that have not been well-explored.

My projects are focused on rare variants and structural variants. Rare genetic variants typically have larger effect sizes on disease risk compared to common variants, as well as bigger impacts on protein function. However, current gene-based tests for rare variants generally consider the impact of low-frequency coding variants as an independent effect from the more commonly occurring regulatory variants that surround them. We show that we can increase the statistical power of kernel-based rare-variant association tests by incorporating common variants around a gene of interest as a fixed effect. This method is then applied to a large genetic dataset of over 34,000 individuals from the Alzheimer’s Disease Sequencing Project to find new gene candidates for analyses.

Structural variants are another class of variants that have not been systemically explored, despite representing the largest and most complex source of human genomic diversity. We intend to use the long-read data to characterize the structural variation of haptoglobin, which has complex subtypes unable to be resolved by short-read sequencing. Using haptoglobin as a prototype, further analyses of long-read data aim to identify novel and rare structural variants which current reference genomes and variant calling tools are not trained to detect.

Rare variants and structural variants are major sources of unobserved genomic diversity that have yet to be well-characterized and tested for involvement in Alzheimer’s disease. This proposal aims to integrate multiple sequencing technologies to understand the genetic basis of complex traits and discover new associations to treatment and disease.

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A Comprehensive Guide to Master’s Degrees in Public Health

• Kate Gibson

Related topics

• Public Health

In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, the importance of advanced degrees in public health cannot be overstated. In the aftermath of a global pandemic, many public health professionals are seeking new ways to effectively prepare for the increasingly complex challenges our current healthcare system faces. 

As a result, many are turning to advanced education to better understand how to drive innovations and improve global health outcomes. However, choosing the right degree is essential for aligning your education with your career goals. There are several non-clinical degree programs that can help you become a more informed healthcare professional. 

Here’s an overview of master’s degrees in public health and which one is right for you. 

Why Earn a Master’s Degree in Public Health

Investing in a master’s degree in public health is a significant commitment—both financially and personally. However, the benefits of advanced education in this field are substantial and can lead to a rewarding and impactful career. 

A master’s degree in public health equips professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to tackle some of the most pressing health issues facing communities today. It provides a comprehensive understanding of public health principles, from epidemiology and biostatistics to health policy and environmental health, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to address complex health challenges.

An advanced degree can also open up a wide range of career opportunities. With the healthcare sector continuously evolving, there’s a growing demand for highly trained public health professionals who can lead initiatives, drive policy changes, and implement innovative health solutions. 

For example, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for health educators and community health workers is projected to grow 14 percent from 2022 to 2032 —much faster than the average for all occupations. This demand highlights the value of advanced education in securing impactful roles within the industry.

“These advanced degree programs aim to prepare individuals to become future leaders and innovators in this space,” Maniar says.

As a result, many institutions offer public health master’s degrees to shape the future of this field. Prospective public health professionals can earn degrees such as:

• Master of Public Health (MPH)
• Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH)
• Master of Public Health Policy (MPHP)
• Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Despite their varying focuses, these degrees frequently lead to similar professional opportunities, helping you achieve your career goals. 

“There are several degrees available to a public health professional, but many times these credentials are very similar with slightly different names,” Maniar notes. “And in addition, as healthcare, healthcare administration, and public health grow in scope, there’s more overlap between these degrees, ensuring more versatility and transferability among them.”

Despite this overlap, many still wonder which degree is right for them. If that’s the case, here’s a closer look at the various master’s degrees you can get in public health and how to determine which one is right for you.

Overview of Master’s Degrees in Public Health

Master of public health.

The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree is a comprehensive and versatile program designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to address a wide range of public health issues.

The MPH curriculum typically includes courses in:

• Epidemiology
• Biostatistics
• Environmental health
• Health policy

In addition, MPH programs emphasize addressing social determinants of health. Students are trained to understand the complex factors that influence health outcomes and to develop strategies to reduce health disparities.

“Public health professionals need to understand that as we prepare for the future of public health, we cannot let go of those foundational competencies, those foundational areas of knowledge and expertise that are really the bedrock of good public health practice,” Maniar says.

As a result, MPH graduates make a significant impact on various public health sectors. 

For example, MPH graduates have been pivotal in addressing the opioid epidemic in the United States. They conduct research to identify the root causes of opioid misuse, design intervention programs to support affected communities, and implement policies to regulate the prescription of opioids.

This is just one example of how versatile an MPH program is, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to tackle diverse public health challenges, drive meaningful change, and promote healthier communities worldwide.

Master of Science in Public Health

The Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) degree is designed for individuals who want to focus on the research and scientific aspects of public health. It provides a rigorous foundation in public health methodologies, preparing graduates to contribute to public health knowledge through research, data analysis, and advanced study.

The MSPH curriculum typically includes courses in:

• Health services research

This comprehensive coursework equips students with the skills necessary to design, conduct, and analyze public health research, ensuring they’re well-prepared to contribute to the scientific community.

This focus on research and academic training teaches students how to apply quantitative and qualitative research methods to public health problems, interpret and present research findings, and develop evidence-based solutions.

“Research is the backbone of public health advancements,” Maniar adds. “An MSPH degree equips professionals with the tools to uncover critical insights and drive health innovations.”

Consider public health professionals’ role in environmental health research. MSPH graduates investigate the health effects of environmental exposures, such as air pollution and hazardous chemicals, and develop interventions to mitigate these risks. 

These tactics can make a huge impact on respiratory health and help advocate for policies to reduce emissions and protect vulnerable populations.

Master of Public Health Policy

The Master of Public Health Policy (MPHP) degree is designed to equip students with the expertise needed to influence and shape health policy at local, national, and global levels. It combines a thorough understanding of the intricacies of health policy and prepares graduates to create and implement policies that improve public health outcomes.

The MPHP curriculum typically includes courses in:

• Health policy analysis
• Health economics

This comprehensive coursework provides students with the skills to evaluate existing policies, design new health policies, and understand the legal and ethical considerations involved in public health decision-making.

As a result, students learn to critically assess the impact of health policies on various populations, advocate for effective policy changes, and understand the political and economic contexts in which these policies are made. 

“The ability to navigate and influence health policy is crucial for driving systemic changes that can lead to significant improvements in public health,” Maniar says.

For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, public health policy professionals played a critical role in formulating and implementing policies to mitigate the spread of the virus. They advised government officials on social distancing measures, mask mandates, and vaccination strategies. 

Their expertise in health policy analysis and strategic planning has been crucial in developing evidence-based responses to health crises like these.

Master of Public Administration

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree is designed for individuals seeking to develop leadership and management skills in the public and nonprofit sectors. It provides a comprehensive foundation in public administration principles, preparing graduates to effectively manage public programs, implement policy, and lead organizations in serving the public interest.

The MPA curriculum typically includes courses in:

• Public policy analysis
• Financial management
• Human resources

This comprehensive coursework equips students with the skills necessary to design, manage, and evaluate public programs, ensuring they are well-prepared to contribute to effective governance and administration.

These competencies can be particularly useful for public health professionals who want to lead large-scale health initiatives, develop policies that address community health needs, and implement programs that improve health outcomes and reduce disparities in various populations.

Public health administration is another area where MPA graduates have made a difference. 

They’ve managed public health departments, overseen vaccination campaigns, and coordinated public health initiatives. For example, public administrators have led efforts to improve vaccination rates by managing logistics, ensuring equitable distribution, and engaging with communities to increase trust and participation.

Take the First Step Toward a Career in Public Health

Choosing the right advanced degree in public health is a critical step in shaping your career and making a meaningful impact on community health. With a variety of programs available, each offers unique opportunities to address public health challenges in different ways.

“It’s important to think about how you want to use the degree to achieve your career goals,” Maniar concludes. “All of these programs offer unique opportunities, but understanding the focus and outcomes of each can help you make the best decision for your future.”

Northeastern University offers a robust MPH program that emphasizes experiential learning and real-world application. Whether you’re passionate about combating epidemics, improving mental health services, or advocating for health equity, Northeastern’s MPH program provides the tools and experiences necessary to drive meaningful change.

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Master of Health Science (MHS) in Environmental Health

Offered By: Department of Environmental Health and Engineering

Onsite or Online | Full-Time or Part-Time | 9 months – 2 years

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About the MHS in Environmental Health Program

Want to learn how the environment impacts our health? Consider a Master of Health Science in Environmental Health! Part of the #1 school of public health, this graduate degree program prepares students for careers in medicine, research, advocacy, policy and practice.

One of the School’s shortest degrees, the full-time MHS is a nine-month, coursework-based degree for individuals who want a comprehensive understanding of the association between our environment and health. Students will learn how environmental hazards (not only in air, water and food but also neighborhood and social hazards) affect human health at the individual, population and systems level.

A flexible part-time format is also available.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

MHS in Environmental Health Program Highlights

by peers in Environmental Health Sciences -  U.S. News & World Report

Customizable

Electives offered in 5 different areas

Online or Onsite

Online and part-time options available

Multidisciplinary

Take courses across engineering, business, and more

Areas of Interest

The Department offers courses in the following areas:

Courses in Food Systems, Water and Environmental Sustainability cover the factors that are driving current changes in the global environment and how they can lead to adverse effects on human health at individual and population levels. Through coursework and seminars, students will be exposed to a range of sustainability topics relating to food systems, water quality, use and re-use, the built environment and the multiple impacts of climate change. Research interests can include chemical and biological threats to food safety and water quality and approaches to effective intervention/prevention. This foundation can be used to support plans for subsequent doctoral (e.g. PhD, JD) level training or to pursue a career in government or the private sector. Students interested in this area may also complete the course requirements to receive the Certificate in Food, Environment and Public Health .

Courses in Health Security cover domestic and international health threats, including epidemics, natural disasters, technological accidents, and intentional attacks. Students examine major organizations and initiatives designed to prevent, detect, and respond to health security threats; assess the current status of health security preparedness; and evaluate strategies to enhance health security. These courses are designed for individuals who would like to begin careers in public health and healthcare preparedness, global health security, outbreak and epidemic management, disaster response, and related fields. A subset of courses are taught by faculty from the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and informed by the Center’s two decades of scholarship and advocacy on health security policy.

Courses in Population Environmental Health are for students whose research interests involve the use of epidemiologic methods to investigate of the impact of environmental hazards on the health of communities and high-risk populations. Courses in this area provide a strong foundation in epidemiology and biostatistics and the pathways through which environmental chemical and biological exposures lead to detrimental health outcomes. These courses offer skills needed for the use of statistical approaches and introduce students to quantitative skills used in epidemiologic research. Research interests can range from the use of epidemiology to investigate associations between exposure and adverse health outcomes to its applications in risk assessment and environmental health regulatory processes. These courses can be used to support plans for subsequent PhD-level training, applying to medical school with master’s-level research experience or to pursue a career in government or the private sector. Students interested in this area may also complete the course requirements to receive the Certificate in Risk Sciences and Public Policy .

Pre-med courses provide the foundation for students planning to attend medical school. These courses provide a strong understanding of statistics and epidemiology. Elective courses in physiology, advanced toxicology, and environmental and occupational disease not only emphasize knowledge covered on the MCAT but they also differentiate graduates from the typical medical school applicant. Ideal candidates present with a strong foundation in the basic sciences and math. The American Association of Medical Colleges site now lists our MHS as a post-baccalaureate program.

Courses in Toxicology for Human Risk Assessment are designed to match the needs of students with research interests that extend from laboratory-based study of the toxicological and pathophysiological mechanisms of environmental chemical and biological agent exposures to the methods for applying toxicology data to human risk assessment and the development of regulatory policy. Students interested in these courses should have strong backgrounds in the basic sciences and be considering subsequent PhD-level training, applying to medical school with master’s-level research experience, or who may decide to pursue a career in government or private sector research positions.​ Students interested in this area may also complete the course requirements to receive the Certificate in Risk Sciences and Public Policy .

What Can You Do With a Graduate Degree In Environmental Health?

Individuals with this degree go on to work in environmental health policy, climate science, government and NGO settings, continuing graduate study, or medical school. Meet some of our graduates. 

Visit the Graduate Employment Outcomes DashboaRD

Alumni Spotlight: Mona Dai, MHS '17

Mona is a PhD student in environmental science & engineering at Harvard University, working on global pollutants including perfluorinated compounds (PFAS).

Jonathan Josephs-Spaulding, MHS '17

Jonathan is a computational microbiology doctoral student at a German University hospital.

Spotlight: Yinka Bode-George, MHS '17

Yinka N. Bode-George, MHS ’17, leads a national philanthropic nonprofit that transforms sustainability to maximize community impact and achieve environmental justice.

Curriculum for the MHS in Environmental Health

Browse an overview of the requirements for this master's program in the JHU  Academic Catalogue , explore all course offerings in the Bloomberg School  Course Directory , and find many more details in the program's Student Handbook.

Admissions Requirements

For the general admissions requirements see our How to Apply page.

Standardized Test Scores

Standardized test scores (GRE, MCAT) are  optional  for this program. The admissions committee will make no assumptions if a standardized test score is omitted from an application, but will require evidence of quantitative/analytical ability through other application components such as academic transcripts and/or supplemental questions.  Applications will be reviewed holistically based on all application components.

Tuition and Funding

Limited number of partial-tuition scholarships

Which degree is right for you?

We have a number of degrees designed to meet various professional and educational goals.

QUIZ: WHICH DEGREE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

DURATION:   9 months full-time, onsite/online;  2 years, part-time, onsite/online

BEST FOR:   Applicants who wish to pursue a PhD or a career in the intersection of environmental and public health

BOTTOM LINE:   One-year program culminates in a short essay

GOOD TO KNOW:   Academic degree focusing on a specific area of public health, typically science-oriented

MHS PROGRAM PAGE

DURATION:  2 years, full-time, onsite

BEST FOR:  Applicants interested in hands-on experiences leading to research careers; good for students considering PhD programs

BOTTOM LINE:  The first year involves classes, while the second year involves full-time research with faculty (based on a proposal from year one), culminating in a thesis

GOOD TO KNOW:  Students get hands-on experience and conduct their own research

ScM PROGRAM PAGE

DURATION :  9 months (onsite) followed by a 7- to 12-month internship

BEST FOR:   Those seeking a career in the field of human health and environmental risk assessment

BOTTOM LINE:   Professional degree focused on fundamental concepts and testing approaches used in classic risk assessment processes

GOOD TO KNOW:   Only program of its kind in the U.S. Students completing the program can also earn the Certificate in Risk Sciences and Public Policy .

MS PROGRAM PAGE

DURATION:   1.5 years full-time (onsite)

BEST FOR:   Applicants with prior coursework in basic sciences who want a career in occupational health

BOTTOM LINE:   Designed to prepare students to pass the Certified Industrial Hygienist Examination

GOOD TO KNOW:   Complete an internship between years one and two to get work experience in industrial hygiene . This program is administered by the Whiting School of Engineering, but all classes are offered through the Bloomberg School of Public Health.

MSOEH PROGRAM PAGE

DURATION:   up to 5 years part-time (hybrid)

BEST FOR:   Professionals currently working in the field who want to advance their career in occupational health

GOOD TO KNOW:   Flexible format; complete independent project at your place of employment . This program is administered by the Whiting School of Engineering’s Engineering for Professionals program, but all classes are offered through the Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Questions about the program? We're happy to help. [email protected]