The University of North Florida’s Doctor of Health Administration (DHA) program is designed for experienced health professionals seeking to advance their leadership in complex, evolving healthcare systems. This rigorous, practice-focused doctoral program equips students with the strategic, analytical, and policy-driven skills needed to shape the future of healthcare delivery, administration, and innovation. With a flexible format tailored for working professionals, UNF’s DHA prepares leaders to make meaningful, measurable impacts in health organizations and communities nationwide.
Rising to Lead a Healthier Future
Combining the convenience of online learning with valuable in-person sessions, this program supports working professionals while building advanced expertise in health systems, strategy, and organizational leadership.
Program Overview
The Doctor of Health Administration (D.H.A.) program at the Brooks College of Health is a practice-focused doctoral degree designed for seasoned healthcare professionals who aspire to advance into roles in executive leadership, health policy development, organizational innovation, consulting, or academia. This program equips students with the applied knowledge, leadership acumen, and strategic thinking necessary to tackle the complex challenges of today’s rapidly evolving healthcare systems.
Delivered in a hybrid format, the D.H.A. program offers the flexibility of asynchronous online coursework combined with rich, in-person learning experiences. Each semester, students gather for a required weekend-long seminar on UNF’s Jacksonville campus, where they engage in collaborative learning, professional networking, and direct faculty interaction. This cohort-based model promotes peer support, interdisciplinary dialogue, and long-term professional connections.
The program consists of 48 credit hours and emphasizes evidence-based decision-making, health policy analysis, strategic leadership, organizational change, and systems-level thinking. Designed for working professionals, the curriculum allows students to apply new knowledge directly to real-world challenges in their organizations.
Applicants must hold a master’s degree in a related field, such as healthcare administration, public health, nursing, or business. They should have relevant leadership or administrative experience in the healthcare sector.
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Program Contact
Graduate Program DirectorBrooks College of Health
UNF Online
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Program At-a-Glance
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Admissions Requirements
The below Program Requirements, University Requirements, and International Applicant Requirements*, if applicable, must be submitted no later than the deadline posted above. Incomplete applications or those with required materials post-marked after the deadline are subject to cancellation. Once an application has been canceled, the decision cannot be reversed.
*International students must be fully admitted to a full-time, on-campus, in-person, degree-seeking program at the University of North Florida. Please contact the International Center for more information.
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University Requirements
University Requirements
Application and Fee
Prospective students are required to use our online system to create an account and submit an application. The application opens approximately one year in advance and is only good for the term and program in which it is submitted. Applicants who have submitted their application and wish to change their admission term or major/concentration may submit a new application and associated application fee. If you would like to cancel an open application, please contact us.
A $30 (USD) application fee is required regardless of previous enrollment. The application fee is non-refundable and cannot be waived. Undergraduate application fees cannot be used for a graduate application, and vise versa. The application fee must be submitted prior to the review of an application.
Current students who would like to add or change a major, concentration or certificate should submit the Change of Concentration or Major form.
College Transcripts
All applicants must provide transcripts from a U.S. institution accredited by an accepted institutional accreditor or its equivalent from a non-US institution that awarded the bachelor’s degree and master’s degree, if applicable, and transcripts from institutions where any post-baccalaureate and/or graduate credits were earned.
All admits must provide official transcripts.
All international transcripts will require a course-by-course evaluation by an approved third-party credential evaluation agency unless a graduate program has established an alternative credential evaluation procedure that is approved by the graduate school. To be accepted, the evaluation must be:
- Translated to English and be the U.S. equivalent
- Evaluated course-by-course
- Include the overall academic GPA
- Be from an approved third-party accredited evaluation service. Recommended evaluation agencies:
- SpanTran. They have created a custom application for UNF that will make sure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate. You can access their application through the SpanTran Application - UNF Graduate School portal.
- Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.
- World Education Services
Important Notes
- The UNF Graduate School cannot request transcripts on an applicants behalf.
- Unofficial transcript copies are accepted for admissions but must clearly state the institution name, student name, course information, terms, grades, and credits. Degree audits are not accepted. Admitted students will be prompted to provide official transcripts.
- If currently enrolled in courses, an incomplete transcript must be submitted before the posted deadline.
- Applicants who also have to apply through systems such as ATCAS or PTCAS, must submit separate transcripts to UNF.
- Official transcripts must:
- Must be less than one year old from the date of printing
- Must be submitted in a sealed envelope from your institution, or emailed through official electronic means.
- When requesting college transcripts, please verify with your institution(s) whether or not they are able to submit electronic transcripts in the proper EDI format. Institutions can submit transcripts via e-mail to graduateschool@unf.edu from an approved vendor such as ScriptSafe, Credentials, or Parchment.
- Former or current UNF students should not request UNF transcripts. After application submission, the UNF requirement will be updated to a "waived" status.
Where do I send transcripts and test scores?
Mail
UNF Graduate School
1 UNF Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32224Email
Test Score Institutional Codes
GRE: institutional code 5490
GMAT: institutional code CF3QB51 -
Program Specific Requirements
Program Requirements
Specific Requirements
All applicants must have significant experience in clinical care or another health administration related position as well as relevant leadership experience. A wide variety of related backgrounds could apply. A master's degree in the following areas: Master of Health Administration, Master of Public Health, Master of Health Information Technology or a masters in another related clinical field is required.
Each applicant must submit the following:
- Career Goal Essay
- This is a brief essay outlining the candidate's reasons for pursuing doctoral education in health administration, career objectives, and any other information he or she would want the UNF DHA Admission Committee to know
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Education and work background; honors; memberships in professional and service organizations; any relevant publications, presentations, or research experience
- Three recommendation letters
- Must address the following: 1) Characteristics that make you an ideal candidate for the UNF DHA Program, and 2) Length of time they have known you and in what capacity
- Competitive candidates should have a minimum graduate GPA of 3.30
- A personal interview with the faculty may be required
- Career Goal Essay