If you’re looking to affect meaningful change in the healthcare system, earning a PhD in Health Services might be the path for you.
You may be interested in this degree if you’d like to explore the leadership, research, and analysis skills needed to influence healthcare policy. There are many career opportunities for program graduates in the private, government, and nonprofit sectors.
Editorial Listing ShortCode:
You might also consider health services doctoral programs if you’re interested in analyzing operations of healthcare systems or work-related healthcare. Careers in health services are on the rise, with job growth only expected to continue in the foreseeable future.
Online PhD in Health Services Programs
A PhD in Health Services program can give you an in-depth understanding of healthcare systems, policies, operations, and standards. With a strong focus on research and analysis, these PhD courses may prepare professionals for leadership roles in:
- Healthcare
- State and federal government
- Postsecondary institutions
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Insurance companies
- Non-profit organizations
- Occupational health in other private businesses
Many graduates go on to become health services analysts. They may critique healthcare systems and their operations. Financing, budgeting, spending, organization, operations, policies, and procedures are all aspects of healthcare that affect performance and require operational oversight.
Editorial Listing ShortCode:
As a doctor in health services, you may be uniquely positioned to solve critical problems in healthcare. You may also be interested in turning research into public healthcare policy and seeking roles in the state or federal government. These positions could enable you to enact change on a larger scale.
As part of your course studies, you may gain in-depth knowledge of:
- Healthcare law
- Health economics
- Socioeconomic factors in healthcare
- Medical research
- Epidemiology
- Occupational health
- Health data collection and analysis
Some programs may offer concentrations that allow you to focus on areas like overall healthcare policy or specific patient behavior and treatment, such as addiction sciences.
As part of your coursework, you may study theoretical and practical applications designed to improve healthcare systems, focusing on real-world implementation.
Health Services Careers & Salaries
With a doctorate in health services administration, you may choose from a diverse field of career paths in public and private industries.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are potential career paths related to advanced studies in health services.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Chief Executives | $179,520 |
| Compensation and Benefits Managers | $127,530 |
| Training and Development Managers | $120,130 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $101,340 |
| Administrative Services and Facilities Managers | $99,290 |
| General and Operations Managers | $97,970 |
| Medical Scientists | $95,310 |
| Operations Research Analysts | $82,360 |
| Postsecondary Teachers | $79,640 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $74,000 |
You may choose to bring your health services expertise to various fields. Applicable fields include postsecondary education, public health policy, hospital administration, health insurance, pharmaceuticals, research science, and health policy consultation.
Editorial Listing ShortCode:
With a focus on improving healthcare systems and managing policy implementation, many graduates seek leadership and administration positions that can positively affect change.
Health Services Research PhD Curriculum & Courses
Health services doctoral programs cover various topics to develop your research, analysis, and policy skills. To earn a doctorate in health services, you may complete courses similar to the following:
- Biostatistics: In this course, you’ll learn and evaluate statistical methods that can be used in biological and medical research.
- Health Economics: You’ll examine the factors that shape the healthcare systems, including healthcare provider spending, patient habits, and outside economic forces.
- Implementation Science: In this course, you’ll focus on theories and methods for practical application to improve the quality of health-related services.
- Health Services Research: You’ll develop in-depth knowledge of the research and analysis skills needed to examine interventions designed to improve healthcare systems.
- Occupational Health: This course will focus on assessing and evaluating work-related health practices and standards.
- Legal Aspects of Public Health: You’ll gain an understanding of health law as well as the legal and ethical aspects of healthcare.
- Health and Human Rights: This course provides practical skills to protect human rights in healthcare and to design and evaluate rights-based programs and policies.
- Social and Ecological Determinants of Health: In this course, you’ll evaluate how social status and a population’s environment contribute to healthcare disparities. You could also work on advanced solutions for bridging social healthcare gaps.
- Health Policy Leadership: This course will focus on leadership strategies in the policy-making process, with a focus on a group advocacy perspective.
- Health Data: Vocabulary and Standards: This course focuses on the challenges and potential solutions for inconsistencies across healthcare systems in data, policies, semantics, and procedures, with a focus on future standardization.
In addition to completing your required core classes, you may be able to choose a concentration with a potential focus on research and analysis or health systems and policy.
Admissions Requirements
Admission requirements of health services doctoral programs can vary from program to program, but some common requirements are listed here:
- A master’s degree. While it can be helpful if your masters is in a health-related field, this may not always be required.
- Prior research experience. Some schools require prior coursework in research or proof of research in publications.
- Statement of intent. In a letter of intent, you can express your goals, objectives, and interest in the program.
- GRE or GMAT scores. A growing number of schools no longer require standardized test scores, but some may still request them.
In addition, some programs require online applications, postsecondary transcripts, and at least one letter of recommendation.
Accreditation
Accreditation is a process of ensuring an educational institution meets predetermined standards for quality. Regional accreditation is the most widely-recognized type of accreditation. Choosing a PhD program through a regionally accredited institution can affect your decisions and opportunities, from admissions to career opportunities after graduation.
Editorial Listing ShortCode:
Accreditation can also be a factor in whether your credits are transferable to another school if needed. After graduation, you may also find that certain employers value candidates with degrees from accredited schools. You can visit the US Department of Education’s website to learn more and find school accreditation information.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
While seeking to earn your doctorate in health services, you may look into various financial assistance opportunities that might be available to you.
Some employers offer discounts or funding for professional development or continuing education. If you’re employed in a healthcare environment, you might look into whether your employer offers incentives for healthcare-related programs with cooperating institutions.
Another option you might consider is funding through federal or state grants, loans, or work-study programs. While any loans need to be repaid, grants do not. Federal work-study programs allow you to work part-time to help pay for your program. You can visit the Federal Student Aid website to learn more. Scholarships are also available for qualifying students through a variety of private and non-profit organizations.
What Can You Do with a PhD in Health Services?
Earning a PhD in Health Services could lead to a diverse and robust selection of career opportunities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, leadership careers in public and private healthcare, government, and non-profit organizations are just some of the potential options.
Many graduates choose careers that focus on research, analysis, and implementation of healthcare policies and procedures. You may also look into opportunities at universities as well as pharmaceutical and insurance companies. If you’re interested in more scientific opportunities, you might seek a career in medical research, biotechnology, or artificial intelligence in medicine.
How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD in Health Services Research Online?
Traditionally, a PhD program takes 3 to 5 years to complete with full-time study. This may vary depending on the number of credit hours required for the program as well as the length of time needed to complete a dissertation. While program requirements vary, most PhD in Health Services programs require a dissertation.
If your chosen program doesn’t require a dissertation, you can likely complete your doctoral program in 3 years of full-time study. Various factors can affect program completion time, including the intensity of your course schedule and individual program requirements.
Is a PhD in Health Services Worth It?
Yes, a PhD in Health Services is worth it for many students. The variety of career opportunities available to graduates makes it an appealing choice for a PhD program.
Editorial Listing ShortCode:
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, jobs for medical and health services managers are expected to grow 28% over the next ten years, which is much faster than average across all occupations. There will always be a need for healthcare and health services jobs as well as evaluation of the effectiveness of policies and standards in healthcare systems.
Universities Offering Online Doctorate in Health Services Degree Program
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Bellarmine University offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Health Professions Education. Students pursuing teaching and training roles in either academic or healthcare settings may find an excellent fit in this program. Courses cover key concepts like health professions pedagogy, student assessment and evaluation, research methods, and diversity in the healthcare workforce. All classes meet online.
Bellarmine University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Clarkson College offers a fully online program for a Doctor of Education in Healthcare Education and Leadership.
The curriculum is designed to provide students with essential skills for healthcare educators, administrators, researchers, and practitioners. To graduate, students must complete 51 credit hours. Students attending full-time can typically complete the program’s requirements in 8 semesters, while part-time students usually finish in 14 semesters.
Clarkson College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The Doctor of Education program at Houston Baptist University offers a concentration in Executive Leadership in Mental Health and Human Services. This degree is designed for students hoping to advance their careers in healthcare and mental health settings. Most students can complete the program’s requirements in 3 years of full-time study. The program is housed entirely online.
Houston Baptist University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Texas Woman’s University offers a fully online program for a Doctor of Philosophy in Health Studies. Graduates often pursue careers as university professors, post-doctoral fellows, or public health educators. Students must complete 96 credits to graduate. The program allows the transfer of up to 39 previously completed, program-approved credits from outside institutions.
Texas Woman’s University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Thomas Jefferson University offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Population Health Science. The program offers specializations in Health Policy, Health Data Science, Applied Health Economics, Health Behavior Science, and Healthcare Quality and Safety. To graduate, students must complete 62 credits. Students can attend classes using a hybrid online and on-campus learning model.
Thomas Jefferson University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
The Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy at the University of Maryland—Baltimore offers a concentration in Emergency Services. This interdisciplinary program blends key concepts from public health and health sciences fields. Students must choose a further specialization in either Emergency Health or Emergency Management. Both specialties meet fully online and require the completion of 48 credits.
UMBC is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The University of North Dakota offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Indigenous Health. This program is designed for students who are passionate about working to reduce healthcare disparities in indigenous populations. The program can be completed online or on campus. To graduate, students must complete 60 credits. On average, students can complete their requirements in 3 years.
The University of North Dakota is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Walden University offers a 100% online program for a Doctor of Philosophy in Health Services. Students can select specialty tracks in Healthcare Administration, Leadership, Public Health Policy, Community Health, or Self-Designed Studies. All classes are held online. Students can potentially transfer in up to 52 approved credits from outside institutions.
Walden is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Western Michigan University offers a Doctorate in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. This program is designed for students holding a master’s degree in health services or a related field. Students must complete a minimum of 51 credit hours to graduate. The program utilizes a combination of weekend sessions on campus, in-person summer intensives, and a distance learning format.
Western Michigan University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Youngstown State University offers a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership for Health and Human Services. Students interested in pursuing education and leadership opportunities in the field of healthcare may find an ideal fit in this program. Courses cover topics like organizational leadership, educational politics, healthcare reform, and fiscal management in healthcare. All classes meet online.
Youngstown State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Getting Your PhD in Health Services Online
Earning your PhD in Health Services can help you advance your expertise and qualify for a variety of rewarding job possibilities.
Some graduates of health services degree online or on-campus programs work to influence healthcare policy at the state or federal level or focus on individual institutions and managing healthcare systems. Others may choose research-based positions that focus on data collection and analysis. Careers in the field of health services are on a strong growth trajectory and offer higher than average competitive salaries.
If you’d like to advance your career in this growing field, you can look into online PhD in Health Services programs from accredited universities.
