This doctorate is designed for senior health administration leaders — hospital administrators, nursing division executives, and healthcare operations directors — who want to apply advanced research to improving health system performance rather than pursue an academic research career. Coursework focuses on health system leadership, nursing workforce strategy, and evidence-based operations management.
Instead of a research-only dissertation, the program culminates in an applied capstone project built around your own health system or facility: you'll use doctoral research methods to diagnose an operational or workforce challenge and deliver a reform plan ready for real implementation. Graduates go on to serve as hospital administrators, nursing division executives, or senior healthcare operations directors.
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Thesis Courses
3 Courses
PHD 910Qualitative and Quantitative Research
Integrated training in qualitative and quantitative techniques used to design rigorous, mixed-methods doctoral research.
- Comparing qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research paradigms
- Designing data collection instruments for interviews, surveys, and archival sources
- Selecting appropriate analytic techniques for different research questions
PHD 911Preparing a Thesis
Structured guidance on planning, organizing, and drafting a doctoral thesis from proposal to completed manuscript.
- Framing a researchable problem statement and objectives
- Structuring chapters and building a coherent argument
- Working effectively with a supervisory committee
PHD 912Econometrics
Applying econometric modeling techniques to analyze relationships within research data.
- Building and interpreting regression-based models
- Testing assumptions and diagnosing model specification issues
- Applying econometric findings to real-world policy and practice questions
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Research Courses
5 Courses
ST 913Preparatory Thesis I
Framing a research proposal and identifying a viable research question.
- Selecting a research topic
- Drafting a research proposal
- Identifying a research gap
ST 914Preparatory Thesis II
Second stage of thesis preparation centered on building a comprehensive review of the existing scholarly literature.
- Systematically searching and organizing relevant scholarly sources
- Synthesizing prior findings into a coherent literature review
- Positioning the proposed study within existing theoretical debates
ST 915Preparatory Thesis III
Third stage of thesis preparation dedicated to designing the study's methodology and analytic approach.
- Selecting a research design suited to the study's questions
- Specifying data sources, sampling strategy, and measurement instruments
- Addressing validity, reliability, and ethical considerations
ST 916Preparatory Thesis IV
Planning and carrying out the data collection phase of the study.
- Data collection logistics
- Managing research participants
- Recording and organizing data
ST 917Preparatory Thesis V
Finalizing the dissertation proposal and preparing to defend it before a committee.
- Integrating prior preparatory work into a complete proposal document
- Anticipating and rehearsing responses to committee questions
- Securing formal committee approval to proceed to dissertation research
3
Dissertation Courses
1 Courses
T 918Dissertation
Independent, faculty-supervised research culminating in a completed dissertation.
- Full dissertation writing
- Data analysis and findings
- Final defense preparation
$84,000
Total Program Cost
Fees are billed per term and are subject to change. Financial aid, scholarships, and flexible payment plans are available to students who qualify.
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Admission requires Master's Degree.
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Submit Your Application
Complete the online application with your basic and academic details.
An admissions advisor reviews your application and any transfer credit.
Receive your decision, complete enrollment, and start your first term.
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