Home PhD IN HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATION DEGREE PROGRAMS PhD in Health Administration Degree Programs in Virginia

PhD in Health Administration Degree Programs in Virginia

Why Should I Get My PhD in Healthcare Administration in Virginia?

With healthcare issues taking precedence over the country, it is crucial for each state to have healthcare experts advocating for cost transparency, evidence-based care, and good patient care outcomes. The professional and educational background you have may help you take Virginia healthcare to the next level.

Ready to earn your doctor of healthcare administration? Virginia schools, listed below, may have the classes and research opportunities you need.

Whether your background is in business or healthcare, you may be ready to learn how to think critically about health systems issues and use your knowledge to impact change via legislation, leadership, or research.

The healthcare industry is extremely active in Virginia, with many professionals already working hard to make Virginia residents healthier. The Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association recently updated their patient safety scorecards, which are used in hospitals and clinics across the state. These scorecards reflect the steps taken by healthcare professionals and opportunities for care improvement.

One area that has gotten a lot of attention in Virginia is minority healthcare. The Virginia Department of Health indicates that there are significant disparities in care and disease outcomes in minority groups, making this an issue that demands further research and action.

Are There Online PhD Programs in Healthcare Administration in Virginia?

Doctor of health administration programs in Virginia tend to have extremely high standards for their students, due to the responsibility and prestige that typically come with a PhD. For that reason, it is extremely important to study admissions requirements early and ensure that you have the needed experience and education to succeed.

PhD programs may be designed with Bachelor’s degree graduates or Master’s degree graduates in mind, with the average program requiring about 70 credits beyond the Bachelor’s degree. Well over half of these courses should cover health administration and theory, techniques, and research. You should also take an assortment of practical experience courses, which may include clinical rotations, practicum experiences, and internships.

To get the basic education you need as a doctoral student, check a school’s curriculum for courses like:

  • Health System Organization, Financing, and Performance
  • Healthcare Managerial Accounting
  • Financial Management in Healthcare Organizations
  • Clinical Concepts and Relationships
  • Healthcare Organization and Leadership
  • Health Analytics and Decision Support
  • Health Economics
  • Information Systems for Healthcare Management
  • Healthcare Politics and Policy
  • Healthcare Law and Bioethics

The third component of your curriculum is your dissertation. This is the research project that defines the PhD, so don’t underestimate its importance while evaluating doctoral programs. Schools throughout Virginia note that they evaluate students based on their compatibility with faculty research interests, so it’s crucial to have a fairly established plan for your health administration research before you start seriously weighing your options. At minimum, you’ll likely spend at least one year on your dissertation, so take your time on this step.

What Kind of PhD in Health Administration Jobs Can I Find in Virginia?

With a doctoral degree, you may be ready to take on the workforce and apply for positions in research, postsecondary instruction, and executive-level management. The right option for you depends on how you spend your time as a doctoral student, so ensure that your courses and experiences are valuable to your career goals.

At private and nonprofit organizations across Virginia, you may look into medical management careers. Medical services managers earn an average salary of $118,530 per year. Between 2018 and 2028 medical management jobs in Virginia are projected to increase by 18%.

Research coordination is another option. The average salary for a clinical research coordinator is $148,490 per year. Between 2018 and 2028, Virginia jobs in this field are forecast to increase by 4%.

Get involved in local organizations to build your professional network. Relevant organizations in Virginia include the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association and the Virginia Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration.

If you’re ready to explore your degree options, contact local schools to learn more about earning a doctor of healthcare administration in Virginia.

2020 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for Medical and Health Services Managers. Job growth projections sourced from the Virginia Employment Commission and published in the U.S. Department of Labor-funded Long Term Occupational Projections (2018-2028) database. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics expressly refers users to this source for state-specific job market data. Salary figures and job market projections reflect state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed December 2021.

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