Doctor of Education
Specialization in Executive Leadership
Prepare for executive leadership roles in healthcare and interprofessional education. The online Executive Leadership specialization at USAHS offers a flexible, hands-on experience to empower innovative healthcare education leaders who are change agents and scholars.
Focusing on education/academic administration in healthcare, the Executive Leadership specialization at USAHS brings together students from across disciplines, providing unique opportunities for interprofessional collaboration. You’ll learn from faculty mentors who are experienced healthcare providers, leaders and educators. They are passionate about what they do and dedicated to helping you succeed—in the classroom and in your career.
Share ideas and network with professors and fellow students in two required in-person or virtual residencies. Engage in optional immersions that allow you to complete your EdD with a specialization in executive leadership in less time. Take part in an independent directed study to accelerate your research work.
Is Executive Leadership Specialization For You?
The Executive Leadership specialization at USAHS is ideal for working professionals who are interested in pursuing leadership positions in healthcare education.
Our students are motivated, engaged and passionate about making a positive impact in their communities and in the health system. They are looking for an online executive leadership program to balance with family time and busy work schedules.
USAHS’ flexible Doctor of Education program is designed to meet the needs of full-time professionals. We also offer accelerated learning options that can help you earn your degree and advance in your career sooner.
EdD Executive Leadership Opportunities
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical and health services managers is growing much faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for postsecondary education administrators is also growing steadily.
With a terminal degree from one of the most innovative graduate institutions devoted to health sciences, you can take the next step in your professional journey with confidence. Career pathways for our EdD with a specialization in executive leadership graduates include:
- Academic dean
- Academic program chair
- University provost, president, or chancellor
- Health education director
- Director of corporate development
- Human resources administrator
- Head of training department within a health system
What You’ll Learn in the Executive Leadership Program
What is executive presence? It’s about inspiring confidence in everyone around you. That’s what our Executive Leadership specialization focuses on—developing the problem-solving, critical thinking, analytical and communication skills it takes to excel as a health education leader.
The Executive Leadership specialization includes a series of courses that emphasize education administration in healthcare. You’ll learn to build and manage effective teams and employ decision-making strategies that balance stakeholder considerations. You’ll also explore leadership models and learn how to use quality performance standards to achieve organizational outcomes.
The education doctorate culminates with a research project—an opportunity to make an original scholarly contribution to your field. You may also choose to engage in independent directed study on a special topic of your choice.
View the curriculum for the Executive Leadership specialization.
Learn From Award-Winning Faculty
Our faculty bring diverse expertise in education, leadership, technology, healthcare education, and teaching and learning. They are accomplished researchers in areas such as interprofessional education, mental health, physical and occupational therapy development and disorders, and global healthcare.
Several faculty in the Executive Leadership specialization have won our Board of Excellence Awards. All are published and hold terminal degrees. Our faculty are also dedicated teacher-mentors, here to guide your work and help you succeed.
Engage in Networking and Interprofessional Learning
Opportunities to work together and make meaningful connections set us apart from many online executive leadership programs.
The Executive Leadership specialization includes two required on-campus residencies—valuable opportunities to meet and share your ideas with your professors and peers. Optional virtual immersions offer more chances for you to build connections and gain diverse leadership perspectives as part of an interprofessional cohort.
Other Specializations for the Doctor of Education Degree
Nursing Education Specialization
Designed for experienced nurses interested in teaching within higher education, this specialization features four elective courses that combine practical theory and application. Learn more.
Teaching and Learning Specialization
Gain the skills to become an educational leader in your profession who can teach in a traditional or online classroom, share real-world healthcare expertise, and develop curricula for today’s learners. Learn more.
Athletic Training Specialization
Study emerging topics such as cultural competency and evidence-based injury prevention in this specialization designed for athletic trainers who want to pursue a teaching role. Learn more.
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