Full Course Description List:

DDHA Courses

3 credits

In this course, students explore the multidisciplinary nature and integration of professional practice in the health field. Students have the opportunity to utilize their scholarly voice with diverse audiences and with academic integrity to ensure academic and professional success as a scholar-practitioner and social change agent. As leaders in their profession, students discuss critical public health and health services in the health field utilizing a response to a natural disaster, review of emerging issues in the health field, and what it means to be part of a multidisciplinary team to develop community partnerships with key stakeholders to address health issues impacting their communities, agencies, and/or organizations.

3 credits

In the DHA Doctoral Foundations course, students will examine various aspects of being a doctoral student. Students will be exposed to DHA program requirements, support resources, research requirements, healthcare administration professional domains, and networking activities. This course will also provide information about the doctoral capstone process at Walden, including major benchmarks and expectations. This course is required to be taken in the first term of the program for all students.

3 credits

In the DHA Doctoral Foundations course, students will examine various aspects of being a doctoral student. Students will be exposed to DHA program requirements, support resources, research requirements, healthcare administration professional domains, and networking activities. This course will also provide information about the doctoral capstone process at Walden, including major benchmarks and expectations. This course is required to be taken in the first term of the program for all students.

5 credits

Students are provided with an in-depth review of how global health-based strategies are used in the prevention of disease and disability in diverse populations. They explore global health topics and disease prevention activities from the perspective of understanding the determinants of health. Using a cross-disciplinary approach, students examine how economics, social factors, cultural competency, health literacy, health policy, urbanization, globalization, the environment, and other factors influence disease. They consider how research in disease prevention, health determinants, cultural ecology, and global health applies to public and community health efforts.

5 credits

Healthcare is increasingly moving to the care and the delivery of services in a value-based care model. This course will describe and have student experience the impacts of delivery of healthcare in management care, value-based systems. Will also detail and develop knowledge in a system that is tiered for reimbursement and care bundles, how the US compares to other systems of health globally and include in impact of medical tourism.

5 credits

The focus of this course is on the analysis of quality and risk management trends, models, issues, and strategies. It begins with an examination of the differences between quality and risk in healthcare, as well as the interconnectedness of the two. Students will apply quality and risk management concepts to their selected HSO and use frameworks and models to perform critical analyses. The benefits of membership in professional healthcare associations are also discussed. Threaded throughout the course is the application of elements of an Integrative Review (IR), which is the basis of the DHA doctoral study. Through an analysis and appraisal of literature, students will evaluate quality and risk management issues and recommend strategies for improvement in a comprehensive final project.

Prerequisites

• DDHA 8203 or DDHA 8203A
• RESI 8601
• DDHA 9003
• RSCH 8110X

5 credits

This course will introduce students to concepts related to understanding, measuring, implementing, and leading successful change initiatives. Students will examine organizational and leadership theories and will explore topics related to knowledge management, problem solving, conflict resolution, and mediation. By the end of the course, students will have developed skills to enhance organizational effectiveness and promote innovation to include diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and positive social change within healthcare organizations.

Prerequisites

• DDHA 8750
• DDHA 8203
• DDNA 9013
• RESI 8601

5 credits

An overview of marketing and public relations principles as they relate to healthcare administration, highlighting theoretical concepts that are commonly used in healthcare administration research and practice, is provided to students in this course. Topics include principles of communication, social marketing techniques, public relations techniques, promoting health literacy, identifying key stakeholders and community partnerships, principles of culturally appropriate health services delivery, marketing healthcare services, and ethical practice in healthcare administration.

5 credits

In this course, students analyze the important operations that take place in healthcare services organizations (HSOs). Students examine HSO performance improvement tools, criteria, and frameworks. Transitioning from volume-to-value-based healthcare will be examined as well as the impact on the HSO. Students select one HSO type on which to focus. Within this HSO type, students interview an administrator on leadership, analyze the impact of operational problems on various stakeholders, examine metrics and data to improve performance, and apply process improvement tools to operational problems. Students utilize doctoral research skills to complete a poster project that will examine a current issue in HSO operations. Students also engage in networking activities to build professional peer contacts and further career opportunities.

Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA) Track 1 Prerequisites

• DDHA 8006 or DDHA 8011

Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA) Track 2 Prerequisites

• DDHA 8006 or DDHA 8011
• DDHA 8801
• DDHA 8051
• DDHA 8300
• DDHA 8301
• DDHA 8601
• DDHA 8501

5 credits

The goal of this course is to provide participants with an understanding of the methods and principles of applied research (quantitative, qualitative, and/or mixed-method designs) in health, focusing on cultural sensitivity, appropriate literacy levels, and Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR). Students gain an appreciation of advantages and limitations of this approach, and skills necessary for participating effectively in CBPR projects. Additional topics include the role of funding in health research and principles of community health assessment. Students learn to identify and prioritize problems, then assess and utilize community resources to address these problems. Students also develop their Doctoral Study Premise.

5 credits

In this course, students gain contemporary knowledge of financial and economic principles such as efficiency and value as it relates to health care. The principles of health care financial management, including accounting and finance, are vitally important to the viability and ongoing operations of a health care entity. Students have the opportunity to interpret and analyze the financial statements, use and analyze financial ratios, utilize variance analysis, understand and implement operating and capital budgeting, and develop knowledge of the business planning process. Students create portions of a business/financial plan and assess the viability of their plan using accepted financial management tools.

5 credits

The rapidly evolving health care system presents the health care administrator with complex challenges and risks. Health care administrators must possess the skills needed to assess federal, state, and local health care policies that frame the delivery of health care services. In this course, students assess and discuss key legal and ethical initiatives from diverse perspectives. Course work focuses on required knowledge of health care laws, policies, and regulations enacted by policymakers and regulatory agencies that impact health care. This also includes comprehensive health care reform issues impacting and influencing the role of the health care administrator. To help frame these concepts, students examine and analyze the ethical underpinnings and principles that health care organizations and administrators observe and follow in the delivery of services to patients.

Prerequisite:

RESI 8601

5 credits

In this course students will build on what they learned from their previous courses in preparation for their doctoral study. Students will examine the application of key performance indicators and related metrics in healthcare administration research. Students will evaluate research methodologies by reviewing published research, illustrating findings in descriptive and narrative format, and synthesizing the information in a practice-focused healthcare administration problem statement and research strategy.

Prerequisites

• DDHA 8503
• DDHA 9043

5 credits

In this course, students address the role of human resources in healthcare organizations as well as the recruitment, retention, management, and development of these resources. Students gain an understanding of the key roles of human resource personnel in establishing goals and expectations regarding organizational performance as well as how individuals contribute to effective performance in terms of controlling costs, improving quality, and providing excellent customer service. They explore major federal and state legislation that influences human resources, key management functions within workforce planning and recruitment, and functions within workforce retention. Students devote specific attention to the administrative, operational, and strategic aspects of managing human resources, focusing on managing clinical and direct-care practitioners whose perspectives and expectations differ from those of management. Other topics that students explore and discuss include employment and contract labor law; compensation strategies, including benefits and pay for performance; staffing models; labor relations; performance management; workforce retention; and strategies for ensuring employee engagement, motivation, and satisfaction.

5 credits

The goal of this course is to provide participants with an understanding of the methods and principles of applied research (quantitative, qualitative, and/or mixed-method designs) in health, focusing on cultural sensitivity, appropriate literacy levels, and Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR). Students gain an appreciation of advantages and limitations of this approach, as well as the skills necessary for participating effectively in CBPR projects. Additional topics include the role of funding in health research and principles of community health assessment. Students learn to identify and prioritize problems, and then assess and utilize community resources to address these problems. Students also develop their doctoral study premise.

5 credits

In this course, students focus on the strategic resource management process in an organizational setting. As leaders in the healthcare field, students explore resource management within the context of the healthcare mission, planning resource allocation, program implementation, and program evaluation. Students have the opportunity to assess their organization's current strategic position and apply relevant theoretical models in healthcare settings to adjust management practices in a changing healthcare environment. Students can also address the organizational dynamics and change management processes of integrated health systems and their networks of hospitals, nursing homes, group practices, and medical offices. 

5 credits

In this course, students explore leadership models and theories, the core principles of public health leadership, and the application of systems thinking to public health. They examine how to create strategies and solutions that efficiently utilize public health and healthcare resources. Students also discuss descriptive and prescriptive systems, focusing on the application of these processes to current public health issues and challenges at the organizational and community levels.

5 credits

In this course, students address the role people management in health care organizations, including the recruitment, retention, management, and development of these resources. Students gain an understanding of key roles that professionals play in planning for workforce needs and how management should be directly aligned with the strategic goals of the organization. Also in this course, students examine organizational behavior and dynamics, as well as the roles and responsibilities of management within health care organizations. Students focus on understanding management and leadership principles to help navigate change. Students consider the theory and practice of managing individuals and groups through motivation, communication, teamwork, collaboration, leadership, organizational change, negotiation, and conflict management and resolution. Students will also be exposed to the influence of physician and extenders in the system, mergers and acquisitions, and how these influence team management.

5 credits

In this course, students explore strategic management theories and the application of systems thinking to healthcare administration. They examine how to create strategies and solutions that efficiently utilize healthcare resources. Students also discuss descriptive and prescriptive systems, focusing on the application of these processes to current health issues and challenges at the organizational and community levels. Students will learn strategies for communicating.

Prerequisites

• DDHA 8703
• DDHA 9033

5 credits

Students in this course examine healthcare organization governance principles, health laws and mandates, and health policy issues and practice, which directly impact healthcare leaders. Using case studies and hypothetical situations, students assess leadership roles and key ethical principles and challenges underpinning healthcare organizations. Students apply an interdisciplinary approach that employs sociological, political, economic, and ethical perspectives to increase performance and assure quality in healthcare delivery. Topics include healthcare policy, advocacy, laws, mandates, contracts, and ethical obligations to provide quality healthcare by being stewards of their organization.

5 credits

Students in this course will find that technology creates influences and innovations that are limitless. Leaders in effective healthcare systems understand how these influences effect the delivery of healthcare and can manage the change and have the leadership skills to use the influence as an organizational strength. Innovations are quickly changing the delivery of healthcare. Leaders not only need to be open to innovations within their organization they also need to adapt innovations with are external but influencing the care within the organization. Innovations and influences examples are studied in case-studies and professional analysis.

Prerequisites

• DDHA 8006 or DDHA 8011

5 credits

Students in this course have the opportunity to learn how sustainable health information technologies and applications assist leaders in the execution of organizational strategies and the transformation of the health care environment. They can also learn how these complex systems help decision makers in the organization to improve patient care outcomes and performance. Topics include evolving technologies such as data analytics, eHealth, personalized medicine, and social media; using technology applications to manage population health; risk assessment, including legal and ethical issues in health information technology; and change management. Students are challenged by scenario-based discussions that analyze best information technology practices across multiple industries.

Prerequisites

• DDHA 8006 or DDHA 8011

5 credits

The challenges of the changing health care environment from a volume-based to a value-based focus require health care administrators to examine forces that affect organization business and operational performance and patient care outcomes. In this course, students examine the forces and trends that affect performance outcomes within health care organizations and analyze how high reliability health care organizations model and implement sustainable operations management practices. Students assess and apply how changes in health care organization structure, logistics, and supply chains can result in positive patient care outcomes and explore evidence-based management practice models to promote and implement performance excellence standards in various health care settings.

5 credits

To make informed decisions, healthcare administrators need to synthesize an abundant and wide variety of healthcare data. Students in this course are provided with techniques to transform healthcare data and analytical tools needed to make critical decisions. This course helps students understand healthcare analytics so they can make data-driven decision for the healthcare organization. Data mining, using operational data, methods for interpreting data, and the use of technology in the collection and application of data are explored. Students apply data-driven decision-making skills to practical application through the use of contemporary and practical case studies. They also apply techniques for presenting data to stakeholders.

Prerequisites

• DDHA 8113

5 credits

Healthcare administrators, more than ever before, are facing challenges and opportunities, given the dynamic nature of the healthcare industry. In this seminar-style course, students address how executive-level managers leading complex health systems can use strategic planning, risk management, and innovative business practices to take advantage of healthcare trends, as well as the current social and economic forces that guide strategic planning of healthcare systems. Students explore ways to improve Board of Director relationships, address financial challenges, and implement healthcare reform measures. As a result of this course, healthcare leaders are better able to visualize and address the quickly changing landscape of healthcare delivery per the guidelines outlined in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. Students also have the opportunity to address the cultural issues that are present in the healthcare environment.

Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA): Students who started before August 31, 2021

Prerequisites

• RESI 8601

Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA): Students who started August 31, 2021, and later

Prerequisites

• RESI 8601
• DDHA 8203
• RSCH 8110
• DDHA 9003

5 credits

To make informed decisions, healthcare administrators need to synthesize an abundant and wide variety of data. Students in this course are provided with techniques to transform data into the information needed to make critical decisions. Data mining, using operational data, methods for interpreting data, and the use of technology in the collection and application of data are explored. Students apply data-driven decision-making skills to practical application through the use of contemporary and practical case studies. They also apply techniques for presenting data to stakeholders.

Prerequisites

• RSCH 8201
• RSCH 8210

5 credits

Students in this course apply principles, theories, and relevant contemporary concepts of health care branding, marketing and how the impact relationships. They evaluate the effectiveness of health care branding tools. The interrelationship of a health care organization’s branding, contracting, partnership and alliances will be explored. Students will apply best practices of communications as they practice effective oral and written business communication skills.

5 credits

The focus of this course is on the development of leadership strategies and competencies to support healthcare and organizational quality delivery of care. Emphasis is placed on a systems approach exploring the organizational structures that impact healthcare quality performance and, ultimately, patient outcomes. Using macro (enterprise-wide) and micro (individual and team performance) perspectives, students examine the leadership roles, which define, develop, and support decisions affecting quality strategies. Students in this course address how key organizational theories, principles, and concepts relate to achieving the effective and efficient delivery of safe healthcare services. Through the development of a quality program initiative, students demonstrate an understanding of the impact an initiative has on organizational structure, its environment, and the system's leadership.

Prerequisites

• RSCH 8201
• RSCH 8210

0 credits

The purpose of this forum is to assist students with making initial progress toward earning a Doctor of Health Administration (DHA) degree. Students begin working on the prospectus with their chair and become familiar with the resources available for doctoral students. The course offers doctoral students the opportunity to integrate their program of study and demonstrate knowledge of an in-depth exploration of a healthcare administration issue or problem. Students will engage in regular scholarly discussions with a faculty chair and fellow doctoral students, submit Quarterly Plans, and progress toward completion of the DHA degree. Information and resources related to the doctoral study, residencies, research and writing, and doctoral program expectations are provided for guidance.

5 credits per term for a minimum of three terms until completion

In this Doctoral Project course students will demonstrate their expertise by proposing a solution to a real-world healthcare administration problem. Throughout the program students have studied and researched a health services organization that will serve as the basis of this DHA project. Using their previous course work and knowledge about current organizational challenges, students will work with a project mentor to review current industry evidence and propose a solution to a single healthcare administration problem. Students will work with a project mentor to complete an advanced doctoral level project that can be submitted to organizational leadership, professional association, or conference to create positive social change immediately upon completion.

Students will take this course for a minimum of three quarters and are continuously enrolled in the course until they receive final approval from Walden’s Chief Academic Officer.

Prerequisites

• DDHA 8303
• RESI 8601
• RESI 8602

1 credit

Doctoral Study Seminar I - the Journey to the Community of Scholars gets students prepared for the capstone process. Students are introduced to the Doctoral Degree Coach, helpful capstone resources, time management strategies, and potential topics relevant to their field of study. Students also examine exemplar capstones to better understand the journey they will be undertaking.

Prerequisites

• DDHA 8006 or DDHA 8011
• DRWA 8000 or 8000G

1 credit

Doctoral Study Seminar Course 2 on the Journey to the Communities of Scholars represents the preboarding phase of the journey. Students learn how to use the library, develop doctoral-level writing strategies, and write a literature review. Students also examine how problems of interest drive scientific inquiry.

Prerequisites

• DDHA 9003
• RESI 8601

1 credit

Doctoral Study Seminar III - the Journey to the Communities of Scholars has students take off into developing critical elements of a scientific study. Students distinguish the characteristics of strong practice-focused questions and evaluate conceptual and theoretical frameworks with respect to their alignment with a study. Students will engage in an iterative process of developing practice-focused questions through peer review and feedback.

Prerequisites

• DDHA 9013

1 credit

Dissertation Seminar IV - the Journey to the Communities of Scholars has students travel towards completing their prospectus by selecting sources of evidence to answer a practice-based questions as well as explain the nature and significance of a doctoral study. Students evaluate how to align various elements of a scientific study and ensure ethical concerns are addressed. Students end this course with a solid draft of their prospectus.

Prerequisites

• DDHA 9023

1 credit

Doctoral Study Seminar V - the Journey to the Communities of Scholars culminates the student's journey towards developing a prospectus. This course focuses on completing the Prospectus Form. Students deliver an asynchronous oral and visual presentation of their proposed doctoral study and get feedback from peers and the instructor.

Prerequisites

• DDHA 9033

5 credits per term for a minimum of 4 quarters until completion

In this capstone course, doctoral students have the opportunity to integrate their program of study and demonstrate their knowledge into an in-depth exploration of a healthcare administration issue or problem. Students complete an applied practice-based project independently, with the guidance of a capstone supervisory committee chair and committee members, in a learning platform classroom in which weekly participation is required. Students complete a prospectus, proposal, Institutional Review Board application, and carry out and analyze a research protocol and project.

Students take this course for a minimum of four quarters and are continuously enrolled until the completion of their dissertation with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval.

To complete a dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Students must also publish their dissertation on ProQuest before their degree is conferred. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Dissertation Guidebook.

5 credits

In this capstone course, doctoral students have the opportunity to integrate their program of study and demonstrate their knowledge into an in-depth exploration of a healthcare administration issue or problem. Students complete an applied practice-based project independently, with the guidance of a capstone supervisory committee chair and committee members, in a learning platform classroom in which weekly participation is required. Students complete a prospectus, proposal, Institutional Review Board application, and carry out and analyze a research protocol and project.

Prerequisites

• DDHA 8303
• RESI 8601
• RESI 8602

5 credits

In this capstone course, doctoral students have the opportunity to integrate their program of study and demonstrate their knowledge into an in-depth exploration of a healthcare administration issue or problem. Students complete an applied practice-based project independently, with the guidance of a capstone supervisory committee chair and committee members, in a learning platform classroom in which weekly participation is required. Students complete a prospectus, proposal, Institutional Review Board application, and carry out and analyze a research protocol and project.

Prerequisites

• DDHA 9200

5 credits

In this capstone course, doctoral students have the opportunity to integrate their program of study and demonstrate their knowledge into an in-depth exploration of a healthcare administration issue or problem. Students complete an applied practice-based project independently, with the guidance of a capstone supervisory committee chair and committee members, in a learning platform classroom in which weekly participation is required. Students complete a prospectus, proposal, Institutional Review Board application, and carry out and analyze a research protocol and project.

Prerequisites

• DDHA 9203