Doctor of Health Administration

Curriculum

The Doctor of Health Administration curriculum consists of 66 credits and is designed to be completed in nine semesters. Below is the standard plan of study outlining the structured progression of coursework as you advance through the program.

Year 1, Fall

Year 1, Spring

Year 1, Summer

Year 2, Fall

Year 2, Spring

Year 2, Summer

Year 3, Fall

Year 3, Spring

Year 3, Summer

Health Policy Seminar

For the majority of DHA students, the Health Policy Seminar is cited as the highlight and hallmark of the DHA program. The course is designed to provide students with an advanced understanding of the structure and functioning of the health policy process, particularly at the national level. The central didactic component of this course consists of a series of visits to federal health agencies and health professional organization offices during a week-long trip to Washington, D.C. These sessions include presentations by and discussions with high-level agencies and other policy-relevant health professionals. In addition, students are given time to complete their own (as individuals or in pairs) visit to a Congressional office, health-related Federal Government agency, or health-related organization.

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. The doctoral project is geared toward a publishable paper (or five chapter) written document that examines a complex health care issue within the real-world health care setting and context.

Application Process

This program has a rolling admissions process. The following process outlines how and when your materials will be reviewed.

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.

Applicants are encouraged to contact Jillian B. Harvey, Ph.D., Director of the Division of Doctor of Health Administration, or Leslie Anderson, Student Services Coordinator, via email at anersol@musc.edu or phone at 843-792-8549.

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. This is not a fully remote program and travel to campus in Charleston, South Carolina, is required once per semester for the required in-person sessions.

Cost of Attendance

Disclaimer: The Estimated Total listed above reflects an approximation of educational costs for planning purposes only. Actual expenses may vary based on individual circumstances, program requirements and annual changes in tuition, fees and other costs. The Medical University of South Carolina reserves the right to adjust tuition, fees and other charges at any time without prior notice.

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. This means that these scholarships are only awarded to students who need some financial assistance to cover the cost of tuition and fees. If you would like to be considered for a financial need-based scholarship, you must have an up-to-date Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file. Make sure you list the Medical University of South Carolina on your FAFSA form, along with MUSC's code: 003438. We encourage you to submit your FAFSA as early as possible. It is recommended to submit your FAFSA in January if you plan to enroll in the fall.

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.