Program Overview

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Doctor of Health Administration Program

The Doctor of Health Administration program prepares experienced health professionals to lead complex organizations, influence health policy, and drive meaningful improvements in health care delivery. Through a hybrid format combining online coursework with immersive on-campus experiences, students gain advanced knowledge in leadership, strategic management, policy analysis, and organizational change.

Program Overview

The program fosters both intellectual growth and practical skills, with graduates emerging ready to address evolving health care challenges with innovation, integrity, and a clear focus on improving outcomes for the communities they serve.

Application Timeline

• Fall 2026: Aug 1, 2025 – Jul 15, 2026

Learning Experience

• Engage in online classes with faculty mentors, on-campus learning intensives, and an immersive Health Policy Seminar in Washington, D.C.
• Inside the Program Curriculum:
  • Health Policy Seminar
  • Doctoral Project

Inside the Program

The Doctor of Health Administration (DHA) program is designed to allow ambitious health care professionals to turn their clinical or administrative experiences into opportunities to teach, shape public policy, and/or lead complex organizations.

Curriculum

• Year 1, Fall B (8/25/25–12/12/25)
  • DHA800, DHA802: Organizational Behavior, or Healthcare Leadership (3 credits)
  • DHA805: Qualitative Methods (3 credits)
  • Semester Total: 6 credits
• Year 1, Spring (1/5/26–5/1/26)
  • DHA801: Financial Management (2 sections) (3 credits)
  • DHA807: Managing Healthcare Info (3 credits)
  • DHA816: Leading a Dynamic Workforce (2 credits)
  • Semester Total: 8 credits
• Year 1, Summer A, Trailer (5/4/26–8/14/26)
  • DHA808: Health Politics & Advocacy (3 credits)
  • DHA867: Quantitative Methods for Research (3 credits)
  • Semester Total: 6 credits
• Year 2, Fall B (8/25/25–12/12/25)
  • DHA865: National Health Policy (3 credits)
  • DHA812: Evidence-based Decision Making (3 credits)
  • Semester Total: 6 credits
• Year 2, Spring (1/5/26–5/1/26)
  • DHA809: Change Management & Negotiation (3 credits)
  • DHA850: Population Health Management (3 credits)
  • Semester Total: 6 credits
• Year 2, Summer A, Trailer (5/4/26–8/14/26)
  • DHA814: Study Execution (4 credits)
  • DHA817, DHA872: Strategy & Operations, or Leadership III (3 credits)
  • Semester Total: 7 credits
• Year 3, Fall B (8/25/25–12/12/25)
  • DHA990: Doctoral Project (9 credits)
  • Semester Total: 9 credits
• Year 3, Spring (1/5/26–5/1/26)
  • DHA990: Doctoral Project (9 credits)
  • Semester Total: 9 credits
• Year 3, Summer A, Trailer (5/4/26–8/14/26)
  • DHA990: Doctoral Project (9 credits)
  • Semester Total: 9 credits
• Curriculum Total: 66 credits

Health Policy Seminar

The Health Policy Seminar is designed to provide students with an advanced understanding of the structure and functioning of the health policy process, particularly at the national level.

Doctoral Project

Year three of the program is devoted to individual, supervised doctoral project research. The purpose of the doctoral project is to give students an opportunity to work under the direction of a faculty member to conceive, implement, and analyze an applied research problem that generates new knowledge or adds a new perspective to existing knowledge.

Eligibility Requirements

• Possess a master's or post-baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• Possess at least three years of significant health care experience, which may include administration, clinical care, management, or another health care-related field.

Application Process

1. Submit the MUSC application.
2. Submit all supplemental materials, if not included within the application.
3. Once all materials have been received and verified, your application will be reviewed. Admissions decisions are generally available in two to four weeks after an application is complete.

Application Requirements

1. MUSC Application: All applicants must submit the MUSC application, which includes:
   • Letters of recommendation: All applicants must provide the email addresses of three professional references who will receive a notification to submit a recommendation form electronically. Personal references will not be accepted.
   • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
   • Personal essay: Applicants should write an essay (not to exceed 1,000 words) describing their professional aspirations and career goals to include how they believe this program will contribute to this trajectory.
   • Resume or CV: Applicants should include any relevant presentations, publications, or research experience. There are no length requirements.
2. Supplemental Material: Applicants will need to submit the following supplemental materials.
   • Organizational chart: Provide the organizational chart of the applicant's current organization with the applicant's position highlighted, if available. This can be included within the resume in the application.
   • Position description: Provide a brief description of the applicant's current position. This can be included within the resume in the application.

International Applicants

MUSC's DHA degree program is unable to sponsor student visas. Applications will only be accepted from U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or those holding other valid nonimmigrant visa classifications that allow participation in lawful study while in the United States.

Tuition

• Application Fee (per application): $100
• Matriculation Fee (upon applicant acceptance): $500
• Tuition and fees listed below are per semester unless otherwise noted.
  • In-state Tuition: $10,290
  • Out-of-state Tuition: $10,290
  • Program Fee: $214

Cost of Attendance

• Item | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Est. Total
  • Direct Costs
    • Tuition - In-state/Out-of-state: $30,870 / $30,870 | $30,870 / $30,870 | $30,870 / $30,870 | $92,610 / $92,610
    • Fees: $642 | $642 | $642 | $1,926
    • Health Insurance: $3,780 | $3,780 | $3,780 | $11,340
    • Direct Costs Subtotal: $35,292 / $35,292 | $35,292 / $35,292 | $35,292 / $35,292 | $105,876 / $105,876
  • Indirect Costs
    • Housing/Food: $24,882 | $24,882 | $24,882 | $74,646
    • Personal: $2,640 | $2,640 | $2,640 | $7,920
    • Transportation: $2,970 | $2,970 | $2,970 | $8,910
    • Books/Required Expenses: $3,160 | $1,710 | $1,360 | $6,230
    • Indirect Costs Subtotal: $33,652 / $33,652 | $32,202 / $32,202 | $31,852 / $31,852 | $97,706 / $97,706
  • Total - In-state/Out-of-state: $68,944 / $68,944 | $67,494 / $67,494 | $66,569 / $66,569 | $203,582 / $203,582

Scholarships

MUSC offers scholarships for which you may be eligible. Some are awarded based on academic achievement; others are awarded based on community service, for example. However, the majority of scholarships awarded at MUSC are based on financial need.

Career Outlook

Graduates join academia, advocacy, clinical leadership, and executive roles with strong project-based doctoral research backing their success.

Program Faculty

• Jillian B. Harvey, Ph.D., MPH: Professor, MUSC College of Health Professions, Division Director, Doctor of Health Administration
• Jami Jones, MHA, Ph.D.: Professor, MUSC College of Health Professions, Chair, Department of Healthcare Leadership & Management
• Kit N. Simpson, DrPH: Distinguished University Professor, Director, Comparative Effectiveness Data Analytics Research (CEDAR) Core

Frequently Asked Questions About Admissions

• Do I need a degree before I enter the DHA program?: Yes. A post-baccalaureate professional degree or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution is required for admission.
• Is the GRE or GMAT required for admission?: No. The GRE and GMAT tests are not required for admission to the DHA program.
• Is financial aid available?: Yes, financial aid services are available.

Learning Experience FAQs

• How is the DHA degree different than a Ph.D.?: The DHA is an applied professional degree emphasizing the solving of real-world problems or addressing issues of practical concern. The Ph.D. is a research-oriented degree emphasizing generation of new knowledge.
• Can I work while I am in the DHA program?: Yes. The program is designed for students who are working full-time in high-level health care positions.
• Is the program fully online?: No. The MUSC DHA program is a blended format. The didactic portion of the program includes one on-campus visit per semester.

Objectives

The DHA program aims to prepare graduates to:

• Lead effectively in emerging and evolving roles within the health care arena
• Apply systematic problem-solving methods to achieve measurable and sustainable results
• Translate theory into practice in real-world health care settings
• Build and sustain mutually beneficial professional relationships with health care professionals and academicians

Competencies

Upon completion of the DHA program, graduates will be able to:

• Lead complex health care organizations with strategic vision, operational efficiency, and ethical decision-making
• Apply advanced qualitative and quantitative research methods to solve organizational and policy challenges
• Influence and shape health care policy through evidence-based recommendations and stakeholder engagement
• Drive successful organizational change using proven leadership, communication, and change management strategies
• Integrate health information systems, population health data, and financial analytics into strategic planning and decision-making
• Communicate complex health care concepts effectively to audiences, including executives, policymakers, and community stakeholders

Vision

To advance health systems leadership that fosters sustainable and evidence-informed improvements in population health and organizational performance.

Mission

The program develops scholarly leaders prepared to address complex challenges in health administration through rigorous research, ethical decision-making, and interprofessional collaboration, equipping graduates to guide policy, strategy, and practice across health care environments.

Values

At the core of our program, we are guided by a commitment to the following values that drive our mission:

• Compassion: We act with kindness, empathy, and dignity.
• Collaboration: We achieve common goals through teamwork and partnerships.
• Innovation: We drive transformation by embracing innovative ideas, discoveries, and practices.
• Integrity: We do the right thing and commit to accountability in words, actions, and use of resources.
• Respect: We value everyone and their many perspectives to build trust and a sense of belonging.

Accreditation & Recognition

The Medical University of South Carolina is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to offer the Doctor of Health Administration.