Doctor of Business Administration in Healthcare Management - New England College
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Doctor of Business Administration in Healthcare Management

NEC’s Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) with specialization in Healthcare Management offers experienced professionals the opportunity to expand their leadership skills, apply advanced research to real-world issues, and generate new knowledge to strengthen organizations. The fully online DBA includes synchronous online residency experiences. The Executive Hybrid DBA includes in-person residencies in Henniker, NH.

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Virtual Information Sessions

Learn about NEC’s Doctor of Business Administration program that is tailored for senior professionals and executives who want to bring advanced strategic insight, applied research skills, and evidence-based leadership to complex business environments.

At a virtual information session, you will hear from Dr. Erin Wilkinson Hartung, Doctor of Business Administration Program Director, as you learn about the program’s three concentrations—Healthcare Management, Organizational Leadership, and Technology and AI Strategies—and which one may be right for you. Plus, you can ask any questions you have.

Tuesday, July 21, from 12:00–12:30 p.m. EST
Register for this session.

 

Doctor of Business Administration in Healthcare Management Program Overview

This fully online Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a three-year, 63-credit program designed for experienced professionals, executives, and administrators who seek to enhance their leadership skills, apply advanced research to address real-world challenges, and develop new knowledge to drive their organizations forward.

Students can choose between an academic track with an applied dissertation or a professional track with a strategic project focused on developing a solution to a real-world industry problem. The dissertation or strategic project will demonstrate advanced analytical, research, and leadership skills, preparing professionals for high-level roles and contributing to organizational change and development. Accessible faculty members, who are scholar-practitioners with substantial professional experience, mentor students as they examine, analyze, and resolve issues impacting business today and in the future.

Healthcare Management Specialization

NEC’s DBA in Healthcare Management prepares students to lead complex healthcare organizations through effective leadership, data-informed decision-making, and strategic planning. Students build practical knowledge of governance, security, and policy to ensure compliance and protect health information. They examine how informatics and decision-support methods strengthen decision-making across organizations. The specialization culminates in strategic planning to improve performance and outcomes across healthcare settings.

 

Available Certificates

As students advance through the program, they may earn three stackable certificates: an Executive Leadership certificate, a Specialization certificate, and an Executive Certificate in Applied Doctoral Research.

Students can earn a DBA and three doctoral certificates within the same program timeframe and tuition, creating a tailored, personalized learning path that supports career advancement.

 

Practical Training

Students engage in practical training as part of their hands-on learning throughout the DBA program. Practical training is a one-credit practicum course taken each term to develop professional and practice-related skills through various work and learning experiences.

 

Fully Online or Hybrid Delivery

NEC’s Executive Doctor of Business Administration in Organizational Leadership program is offered in two formats. The fully online DBA includes synchronous online residency experiences. The DBA is also offered in an Executive Hybrid format, which includes in-person residencies in Henniker, NH, to continue enrollment. Learn more about executive residencies.

Why Earn Your Online Doctor of Business Administration in Healthcare Management?

NEC’s DBA program is built on a foundation of courses designed to develop the essential knowledge and skills necessary for advanced doctoral studies. These courses cover key concepts in research methods, strategic analysis, leadership theory, and organizational practice.

 

DBA Program Learning Outcomes

In the online Doctor of Business Administration, you’ll learn to:

  • Investigate and synthesize advanced business knowledge to create evidence-based solutions for complex organizational challenges
  • Evaluate and apply rigorous research methodologies to generate valid, data-driven insights for actionable decision-making
  • Construct governance frameworks and ethical decision-making models that foster accountable and responsible leadership
  • Integrate theory and practice across organizational systems to drive innovation and improve long-term performance
  • Defend applied solutions within a chosen specialization that advance professional practice and contribute to applied scholarship in the field
  • Design and deliver advanced written, oral, and digital communications that persuasively convey strategic insights, research findings, and policy recommendations to academic, professional, and global audiences

Why Choose NEC?

New England College (NEC) is a private, nonprofit college founded in 1946 to serve the needs of servicepeople attending college on the GI Bill after World War II. It is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. Today, NEC is an innovative, military-friendly institution and one of the top five liberal arts colleges in New Hampshire.

NEC offers 60 associate and bachelor’s degrees, more than 20 master’s degrees, and two doctoral degree programs, all delivered by dedicated faculty focused on giving students opportunities to live what they learn. With access to many clubs, outdoor activities, natural areas, internships, and professor-led trips, NEC students can meet new people and try new things.

At NEC, the world is your classroom.

Find Out More

Recognition and Rankings

Forbesadvisor.com logo for best online colleges in New Hampshire

NEC Ranked Top Online College in New Hampshire

New England College in New Hampshire has earned recognition as one of the best Online Colleges in New Hampshire, as acknowledged by Forbes Advisor, a credible source for evaluating higher education programs.

 

 

logo badge for Best Online Programs as ranked by US News & World Report

NEC Ranked Top Online Bachelor Program

New England College in New Hampshire has earned recognition as a top online bachelor program in NH, as acknowledged by U.S. News and World Report, a credible source for evaluating higher education programs.

 

 

 

Edurank logo for best college in New Hampshire

NEC Ranked Leading College in New Hampshire

New England College in New Hampshire has earned recognition as a leading college in NH, as acknowledged by EduRank, a credible source for evaluating higher education programs.

 

 

 

 

Research.com rankings logo for Best College in the Northeast 2026

NEC Ranked Leading College in the Northeast

New England College in New Hampshire has earned recognition as one of the best colleges in the Northeast, as acknowledged by Research.com, a credible source for evaluating higher education programs.

 

 

 

 

 

Degree Requirements

Foundational Courses
DBA 8700: Academic Writing
DBA 8701: Executive Leadership
DBA 8702: Ethics, Governance, and Responsible AI
DBA 8703: Market Economics and Finance
DBA 8704: Innovation and Entrepreneurship
DBA 8705: Accounting and Financial Strategy

Research Courses
DBA 8710: Applied Statistics for Executives
DBA 8711: Research Design & Methods
DBA 8712: Advanced Research Design

Practical Training Course
DBA 8990: Practicum

Healthcare Management Specialization Courses
DBA 8801: Healthcare Information Governance, Security, and Policy
DBA 8802: Healthcare Informatics and Decision Support
DBA 8803: Healthcare Leadership, Operations, and Quality Control
DBA 8804: Strategic Planning for Healthcare Organizations

Academic Track Courses
DBA 8721: Dissertation I: Problem Identification
DBA 8722: Dissertation II: Literature Review
DBA 8723: Dissertation III: Proposal Design
DBA 8724: Dissertation IV: Data Collection
DBA 8725: Dissertation V: Final Report and Defense

OR

Professional Track Courses
DBA 8821: Strategic Analysis and Foresight
DBA 8822: Data Visualizations for Strategic Planning
DBA 8823: Strategic Research Project I
DBA 8824: Strategic Research Project II
DBA 8825: Strategic Research Project III

Faculty

  • Dr. Erin Wilkinson Hartung

    Photo of business professor Erin Wilkinson Hartung

    Dean of Management; Associate Professor, Business Administration
    Phone: 603.428.2301
    Email: ewilkinsonhartung@nec.edu

    Educational Background

    • DBA, Specialization in International Marketing, Alliant International University
    • MBA, Specialization in International Business, U.S. International University
    • BA in International Relations, Second Major in Business Economics, University of San Diego

     

    Bio
    Erin Wilkinson Hartung is an educator, writer, and business consultant with a passion for global learning and entrepreneurial growth. A former Fulbright Scholar in Tanzania, she brings a rich international perspective to the leadership and marketing courses she teaches. Her research focuses on the intersection of small business models and consumer behavior across both emerging and established markets. Outside the classroom, Erin enjoys exploring new places, experimenting in the kitchen, and spending quality time with her family and two energetic dogs.

  • Dr. Jimmy Brown

    Adjunct Faculty Jimmy Brown

    Educational Background
    PhD in Organization Development, Benedictine University
    MA in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, University of Tulsa
    BA in Psychology, University of Arkansas at Little Rock

    Research Interests
    Currently developing a new 360-degree assessment tool and a personality measure to assess people’s ability to assimilate to new technologies

    Bio
    I began my “work life” by funding my undergraduate education through sales and retail jobs, including two years as a store manager. I have spent the last 25+ years in various consulting roles with leading firms such as Booz-Allen & Hamilton, Accenture, and Hewlett-Packard. My focus right now is on teaching, researching, and executive coaching. I am also a Board-Certified Coach.

    Most of my consulting and academic careers have focused on organizational change, leadership development, and business strategy. I have worked across numerous industries, including government, pharmaceutical, healthcare (both provider and payer), manufacturing, and retail.

  • Dr. Joan Lawson

    Professor Joan Lawson

    Visiting Assistant Professor MSCIS;
    Program Director, Executive Information Technology & Cybersecurity and Data Science & Analytics
    Office: John Lyons Center
    Email: jlawson@nec.edu

    Educational Background
    EdD in Information Technology, University of the Cumberlands
    MS in Software Engineering with specialization in Database Technologies, Regis University
    BS in Computer Information Systems, Bentley University

    Bio
    Joan Lawson had an extensive career in Information Technology—working in enterprise architecture, IT management, software development, and more—at companies such as IBM, Monster, and Kronos. She has over 15 years as an adjunct professor and completed her doctoral studies to expand her knowledge of the educational environment. Joan joined NEC in 2022 and assumed the role of Program Director in 2023.

    Joan feels very fortunate to have been involved in the evolution of IT. She started with paper tape and punch cards and is now working on artificial intelligence, with so many great experiences on the way. Outside of NEC, Joan loves to travel, cook, quilt, ski, kayak, and camp.

  • Dr. Joseph Chavez

    Associate Professor of Business Administration

    Educational Background
    Doctor of Public Administration, Nova Southeastern University
    MS in Urban Affairs, Boston University
    Studies in Administration and Management Graduate Certificate, Harvard University
    BS, UMass Boston

  • Dr. Lina Parra

    Dr. Lina Parra, Director of Spanish Language and Graduate Management Programs at New England College

    Director, Spanish Language and Graduate Management Programs
    Email: lparra@nec.edu

    Bio
    Born in Medellin, Colombia, Dr. Parra dreamed of acquiring a prestigious education in the United States. She came to the U.S. with an international student visa, and through the years, she had the opportunity to study at institutions such as Miami-Dade College, Barry University, Florida Gulf Coast University, and Nova Southeastern University where she earned her Doctorate in Public Administration. A professional with over 19 years of experience in the field of education, Dr. Parra presents significant contributions as an administrator and faculty member, including exceptional organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills. She offers 18+ years of multi-site college/university leadership experience gained via exemplary long-term tenures with two of Florida’s largest academic institutions.

    As an Enrollment Services Administrator with a background covering all aspects of undergraduate and graduate student support services, her experience includes:

    • Recruitment and admissions
    • Academic advisement
    • Registration and retention
    • Financial aid
    • Employment services
    • Career/vocational counseling
    • Student academic progress
    • Judicial affairs

     

    Dr. Parra’s ability to work with a diverse population of national and international students has allowed her to oversee academic programs in English and Spanish. This includes teaching from undergraduate to doctoral courses in both languages.

  • Dr. Reza Jalili

    Faculty Reza Jalili

    K. H. William and Andrea Krueger Endowed Faculty Chair in Business Administration with a focus on Accounting
    Email: ajalili@nec.edu

    Expertise and Affiliations

    Expertise

    • Business economics
    • Experimental and behavioral economics
    • International accounting
    • Internal audit
    • Risk management
    • Research and publications in areas of managerial economics, quantitative methods, Middle Eastern economies, and behavioral economics

     

    Affiliations

    • Member of nine academic and professional organizations
    • Reviewer for six academic journals

     

    Educational Background
    PhD in Economics, University of New Hampshire
    MSA in Accounting, Bentley University
    MA in Economics, University of New Hampshire
    MBA in Managerial Accounting, James Madison University
    MS in Operation Management, Rensselaer Polytechnic institute
    BS in Accounting and Finance, N.I.O.C., College of Accountancy and Finance, Tehran, Iran

    Bio
    Dr. Jalili’s accounting career includes five years of experience as a staff accountant and supervising auditor, two years as an internal auditor, and three years as a chief financial officer. Beyond his hands-on accounting experience, he has worked as an independent consultant and has taught at the undergraduate, graduate, and executive levels for over 25 years.

    Dr. Jalili is married with two children. His interests include reading, formulating and solving problems, soccer, martial arts, mountain climbing, watching classic movies, opera, and old boxing matches.

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