Doctor of Education in Leadership and Learning – Health Care Administration and Leadership
Develop high-level skills in health care administration and leadership with an affordable Ed.D.
The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership and Learning – Health Care Administration and Leadership program will teach you realistic problem-solving strategies for managing and strengthening your health care environment. Through practical, real-world applications, learners will gain adeptness with leading health care practitioners and nursing educators to create cultures that are highly innovative, ethical, and evidenced based. The program explores leadership from personal, group, and organizational aspects. Throughout this program, students will explore topics including innovation and technology in health care, nursing accreditation and advocacy, project management, building successful organizational that endure, financial management in health care environments, and legal and ethical issues in healthcare.
Individuals seeking greater knowledge and skills in accreditation policies and practices for health care settings, integration of health care technology strategies, and financial management of those environments would benefit most from this doctoral degree emphasis. This Ed.D. will help you understand the dynamics impacting the creation of an enduring and effective strategic plan and lead positive, organizational change around current policy and critical issues. This program is not designed as a teacher certification program, and different states and municipalities often have specific requirements concerning different degree programs. Depending on your goals for this program, please check with your local and state regulatory requirements for program acceptance.
Dissertation: This program requires students to complete a dissertation. The dissertation is the final step of a doctoral program and the culmination of a student’s doctoral studies. The dissertation is a written document that summarizes a completed research study that is grounded in theory and is methodologically sound. Students will select their own dissertation topic.
View the Doctor of Education in Leadership and Learning Handbook
For more information about the program, see the Academic Catalog.
Enjoy Flexibility– 20 online courses with program start dates every 2 weeks
Choose Where You Learn– Online courses
Affordable Monthly Payments
Focus on Your Passion– Choose your dissertation topic
Aspen also offers online Ed.S. programs for students who do not wish to complete a dissertation.
Why More Students Are Choosing Aspen
Ed.D. Health Care Administration and Leadership Courses
Aspen’s Ed.D. curriculum features 20 courses designed to equip you with advanced leadership skills. Taught by experienced educators from diverse settings, you’ll have the opportunity to apply new knowledge through the integration of your dissertation.
View the course plan for this program: EdD Health Care Administration and Leadership Degree Plan
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EDD830 - Leadership Theory
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RSH900 - Doctoral Writing and Inquiry into Research
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EDD832 - Human Potential and Motivation
- **Purchase the following text if you are starting on or BEFORE this date: 3/25/2025**Understanding Motivation and Emotion (7th Edition) - 9781119367604
- **Purchase this text if you are starting on or AFTER this date: 4/8/2025**Understanding Motivation and Emotion (8th Edition) - 9781394219018
- Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th Edition) - 9781433832154
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EDN810 - The Nature of Health Care Organizations and Systems
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EDN812 - Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care Administration
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EDD834 - Creating Strategic Change That Lasts
- **Purchase the following text if you are starting on or BEFORE this date: 4/8/2025**Leading the High Energy Culture: What the Best CEOs Do to Create an Atmosphere Where Employees Flourish - 978-0071781268
- **Purchase the following text if you are starting on or BEFORE this date: 4/8/2025**Leading the Way - 978-0273776802
- Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th Edition) - 9781433832154
- **Purchase the following text if you are starting on or AFTER this date: 4/22/2025**Organizational Behavior in Education (12th Edition) - 9780135809235
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RSH910 - Research Design and Methodology
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EDD836 - Project Management Techniques
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RSH912 - Introduction to the Dissertation
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EDN814 - Nursing Accreditation and Advocacy in the Profession
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EDD838 - Building Successful Organizations that Endure
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RSH914 - Techniques and Interpretation for Statistical Analysis
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EDN816 - Financial Management in Healthcare Environments
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EDN818 - Innovation and Technology in Health Care
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RSH916 - Problem-Based Research in Action
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EDN820 - Evidence-Based Practice and Quality Improvement
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EDD820 - Dissertation I: Dissertation Committee Selection and Research Proposal
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EDD821 - Dissertation II: Literature Review, Methodology, and IRB Process
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EDD822 - Dissertation III: Research and Results
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EDD823 - Dissertation IV: Conclusions, Oral Defense, and Publication
The emphasis of this course is on leadership with the focus on the application of leadership concepts and leadership skills. Through the examination of a wide array of different leadership theories, the student gains knowledge and skills for a plethora of theoretical paradigms and models, which can be used to influence others towards positive and lasting change. Working with teams and dealing with the politics and power within an organization are also examined in depth.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This research course examines the basic principles and techniques of doctoral scholarship, and offers an overview of the development of theory and research logic, explores the relationship between theoretical and empirical constructs, and provides a wide variety of specific research methodologies, including the scholarly publication process. Students study the principles of the scientific method and research design techniques common to both qualitative and quantitative research, including sampling methods and data collection techniques. Material includes examination of various research methods including electronic searches and retrieval methods. Students learn to critically read research papers and articles, and are introduced to the writing techniques necessary to produce expository and analytical papers to the standards of publishable work. This course is a prerequisite for all other doctorate courses.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course examines a meaningful and sophisticated understanding of motivation and emotion. Blending motivation and emotion with leadership builds a powerful sense of tolerance and meaning in many domains of life: home, school, workplace, clinical setting, athletic fields, healthcare, and interpersonal relationships. The course deeply explores individual emotion, mindset, and interventions. A leader can use this knowledge to motivate individuals and evaluate how emotion drives behavior to obtain the best performance out of their employees and relationships in all facets of life.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course examines the organizational structure of healthcare systems. It assists the student in evaluating resources and competition. Students learn to create strategic initiatives and add value to an organization. This is grounded in theories that drive health care organizations in the 21st century. Leaders of health care organizations should be able to conceptualize, initiate, and support organizational change that meets the needs of the business, patient, and employees. The National Association guides leaders in these endeavors for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course reviews the legal impact on a local, state, and federal level for health care organizations. Students evaluate laws, regulations, and mandates as well as implement effective processes to assure compliance and reporting to a variety of agencies. Students learn what constitutes the elements of negligence, malpractice, and intentional criminal acts. They learn how to establish processes for end-of-life issues, informed consent, and root cause analysis for sentinel events. Leaders of health care organizations should understand how personal feelings influence morality and ethics to be able to avoid discriminatory actions toward employees, establish a collaborative relationship with organized labor, and create fair and fiscally responsible contracts with managed care organizations. The National Association guides leaders in these endeavors for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
3 CreditsRequired Books
Creating strategic change that lasts is a fine art of every successful leader. Throughout this course, students examine what the best leaders do to create an atmosphere where employees in the organization can flourish. The focus is on learning essential behaviors that promote a high-energy culture.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course begins to ask the doctoral student to reflect on past courses, studies and articles that support and build upon personal areas of interest. The course is designed to challenge students to think about an area of interest and begin develop a comprehensive research topic aligned with their professional goals. Students expand on the research topic, identify appropriate theories, methodologies and consider research design. At the end of eight weeks, students will frame the beginning of a doctoral research dissertation.
3 CreditsRequired Books
Every career today requires both leadership and management. Traditionally, leadership is seen as charting the vision while management provides the execution. Modern day leaders understand that it is more complex than that. Precise and thoughtful management does more than simply execute a collective leadership vision. It creates continuity, organization, and the capacity to understand the systemic objectives ahead. This course helps to provide guidance in the all-important area of project management and the techniques that support those outcomes.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course provides the student with an overview of each part required in the completion of the dissertation writing process. It reflects each of the five chapters necessary when preparing the doctoral dissertation and includes the ethical and professional requirements to help make the author accountable and reflective in its presentation, validity, and significance to future researchers and readers. The student selects an existing, published dissertation in their discipline and examines it throughout the course as a model for how to effectively design and write a solid dissertation.
3 CreditsRequired Books
Nursing Accreditation and Advocacy in the Profession delves into the rationale, processes, and importance of programmatic accreditation for nursing and nursing programs. Programmatic accreditation is the industry standard for the nursing profession. Understanding the factors, processes, and options for programmatic accreditation guides the nursing professions decisions. The programmatic accreditation process also becomes a critical aspect of nursing leadership and nursing leadership decisions. This course investigates the programmatic accreditation options, selecting an appropriate accrediting body, discuss the accrediting process, and review the future of programmatic accreditation to nursing.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course is about the steps that leaders take to create organizations that are fully undergirded in a way that leads to their ongoing sustenance and growth and continued innovation and improvement. This is an essential course in pursuit of highly effective organizations; it is imperative to create cultures of change and to attempt to create organizations that are self-sustaining and highly organized. This course addresses a number of pertinent topics regarding this change dynamic and offers the student an opportunity to give considerations to theory and instructional practices.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This research course emphasizes practicality and flexibility in its approach to augmenting organizational decision-making. In this course, a practical approach is adopted that prepares students to identify the correct method, calculate the statistics, and properly interpret the results to solve the question at hand. Application and interpretation of statistics is stressed as students see for themselves how statistics work.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course provides the student with the information and skills to review, understand, and implement basic principles in healthcare finance. The student discerns the unique aspects of finance in healthcare organization for the management of patient care decisions. Accounting principles, government oversight and healthcare financial management concepts provide the student with the skills necessary to make informed leadership decisions. This course assists the student in making sound leadership decisions using financial management as a foundation.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course is about authentic leadership and how leaders drive innovation in organizations. It assists future leaders in developing the unique skill set required in the health care environment that exists today. Creativity can be developed for use in both the organization and classroom. Authentic leadership, properly developed, can be intuitive and support innovative environments. This course also explores technological advances and prepares leaders for the next phases of the digital revolution. Leaders must embrace evidence-based practice and understand how to explore innovation in complex systems with theories such as Complex Adaptive System Theory. Leaders need to be able to enact cost saving measures such as Six Sigma and Lean Enterprise Theory. Leaders are accountable to the Code of Ethics of the American College of Healthcare Executives and these are explored as well.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course is designed to provide students with additional research tools used to solve everyday problems through a process of inquiry and developing solutions to significant problems in the workplace. This useful strategy can provide the leader a design for decision-making based on data and supportive research. This course satisfies the Proctored Exam requirement for this program.
3 CreditsRequired Books
Evidence-based practice and quality improvement gives healthcare professionals tools to assess the applicability of evidence-based practice to healthcare delivery. The course integrates evidence-based results into practice decisions. The student also synthesizes patient outcomes into a quality improvement plans for positive patient outcomes.
3 CreditsRequired Books
EDD 820 is designed to provide students the guidance to select a dissertation research topic, create a research plan and form their dissertation committee. After establishing the committee, students begin work on Chapter 1 of their dissertation. Chapter 1 serves as the guiding document as it overviews the scope, purpose, nature and intent of the dissertation. At the completion of this course, students are ready to defend their dissertation proposal.
3 CreditsRequired Books
EDD 821 is designed to guide students through two integral components of the dissertation process, the literature review and methodology. Under the direction of their dissertation committee, students frame their dissertation research study within the context of the relevant academic literature. Using this knowledge, students design the methodology of their dissertation research study, complete the required ethical training to conduct research, and submit their proposal to the Institutional Review Board. At the completion of this course, students will have finalized Chapters 2 and 3 and are prepared to conduct their dissertation research study.
3 CreditsRequired Books
EDD 822 focuses on the implementation of the dissertation research study and the analysis of the results. Students conduct their research study with an understanding of key ethical, practical, theoretical and methodological considerations. At the conclusion of the data collection, students analyze and interpret data in relation to the research questions and theoretical framework. Through this process, students complete Chapter 4 of their dissertation.
3 CreditsRequired Books
EDD 823 brings students to the completion of their dissertation journey. Students complete the final chapter of their dissertation, polish the completed work, and then organize and facilitate an oral defense of their work. Upon receiving final approval and grade, students are able to apply for publication as well as their commencement from Aspen University.
3 CreditsRequired Books
“With the encouragement and support of my husband and the professors at Aspen University, I gained the determination I needed to be successful beyond belief. My faculty mentor and the committee members for my dissertation defense were amazing and gave me the confidence to truly believe in myself.”
Amy G.
Ed.D. K-12 Educational Leadership, graduated January 2024Cost & Time to Completion
The Best Fit for Working Professionals
We understand the difficulties in pursuing your Ed.D. when you have a demanding work and family schedule. Aspen’s course format and frequent start dates are designed to help working professionals move through their degree efficiently.
Our Monthly Payment Plan Makes Us Different.
Paying for your Ed.D. shouldn’t be complicated. Our Monthly Payment Plan makes it easy for you to finance your program
Tuition Rates
| $35,700 | Tuition |
| $4,500 | Fees |
| $3,000 |
Estimated
Textbook
Costs
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| $43,200 | |
Other Ways to Finance Your Ed.D.
Students who have served, or are currently serving in the United States Military and their legal spouses are eligible to receive a Military Affiliation Discount from Aspen University.
Aspen University is currently approved by the U.S. Department of Education to offer federal student aid for the Ed.D. program.
Aspen University maintains employee tuition discount partnerships with a large and growing number of organizations. Tell your enrollment advisor where you work and ask them to check for you prior to enrolling.
Aspen offers several payment plans for students to fund their education.
Kristine B.
Ed.D. Organizational Leadership, graduated November 2022Admission Requirements
Application – A completed application; Aspen does not charge an application fee
Resume – Current resume or curriculum vitae
Statement of Goals – A statement of your goals reflecting the academic, professional, and personal goals you would like to achieve through your work with Aspen University. The statement of goals should be between 300 – 500 words.
Master’s Degree – Official Transcript demonstrating a master’s degree from an institution that is accredited by a CHEA recognized accrediting body or an international equivalent; applicants must have earned at least a 3.0 GPA in their master’s program (see Catalog for more information)
Government-Issued Photo Identification – Identification must be valid, current, and legible.
Career Outlook
The healthcare industry is experiencing transformative changes fueled by advancements in technology, evolving regulations, and an increased focus on patient-centered care. As these trends continue, the demand for skilled leaders in healthcare administration is becoming increasingly critical.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in healthcare management is projected to grow by 29% by 2033—significantly faster than the average for all occupations. This rapid growth reflects the increasing complexity of healthcare systems and the need for effective leadership to manage operations and ensure high-quality patient care.
Healthcare organizations are seeking leaders with advanced degrees who possess specialized expertise in navigating these challenges. An Ed.D. in Health Care Administration and Leadership provides professionals with the strategic vision and leadership skills needed to address the complexities of modern healthcare environments. Graduates can pursue a wide range of leadership roles, including hospital administrators, healthcare consultants, policy advisors, academic administrators, and executive positions in healthcare organizations.
Programs focusing on health policy, organizational behavior, and strategic management are particularly beneficial for those aiming to lead healthcare institutions or influence healthcare policy. With these qualifications, graduates are well-prepared for leadership roles in healthcare, positioning themselves for a rewarding career trajectory.
Average Annual Salary for Health Services Managers
$110,680
Data pulled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics in Fall 2024. Salary can vary widely depending on geographical location and role.
Ed.D. Health Care Administration and Leadership Frequently Asked Questions
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What is an Ed.D. in Health Care Administration and Leadership?
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Is this program offered fully online?
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Who is this program intended for?
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What are the core subjects covered in this program?
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Is a dissertation required for the Ed.D. in Health Care Administration and Leadership?
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Are there any residency requirements?
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Do I need to have a background in healthcare to apply?
An Ed.D. in Healthcare Administration and Leadership is a doctoral program focusing on developing leadership and administrative skills specifically for the healthcare sector. The program integrates educational theory with practical application to prepare graduates for leadership roles in healthcare organizations.
Yes, the program is delivered entirely online, offering flexibility for working professionals. It incorporates both live (synchronous) and on-demand (asynchronous) learning, allowing students to balance their studies with their professional responsibilities.
The Ed.D. in Health Care Administration and Leadership is designed for professionals aiming aspiring to assume leadership roles within healthcare organizations. The program is well-suited for individuals looking to apply research and theory to improve healthcare systems through better policy, management, and organizational leadership.
Core subjects include healthcare policy, ethics, leadership in healthcare, organizational behavior, strategic management, research methods, and healthcare economics. These areas equip students with a comprehensive understanding of healthcare leadership.
Yes, a dissertation is required. Students will conduct research on a practical issue in healthcare administration, demonstrating their ability to apply theoretical and research-based solutions. The dissertation process begins after completing coursework. Students collaborate with a dissertation committee to develop a proposal, conduct research, and defend their findings. Click here to view the IRB Handbook.
Although the program is fully online, it includes two virtual residencies. These residencies are designed to enhance learning, provide networking opportunities, and prepare students for the dissertation process. Click here to view the Doctoral Residency Guide.
While a background in healthcare is preferred, it is not required. The program is designed for professionals with relevant experience in public health, business administration, or education who are looking to transition into healthcare leadership.