This program, through SACSCOC, is moving from a Level V to Level VI institution that offers four or more doctoral degrees and pending curriculum approval.
The University of Lynchburg’s Doctor of Executive Leadership in Healthcare program is specifically designed for all practitioners and administrators who aspire to leadership roles in health care. This program equips you with the skills needed to navigate the complexities of the health care system, drive organizational change, and inspire innovation in a rapidly evolving industry.
Why Choose the Health Care-Focused Doctor of Executive Leadership?
- Designed for Health Care Leaders: The DEL program is tailored for health care professionals who are ready to step into executive roles and lead health care organizations.
- Flexible, 100% Online Learning: Our online, asynchronous format allows you to balance your education with your health care career, offering flexibility for both full-time and part-time students.
- Competency-Based Curriculum: The DEL program aligns with key leadership competencies recognized by the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), ensuring that you gain essential skills in leadership, communication, relationship management, and business principles specific to the health care environment.
- Accelerated Track: Complete your DEL in as little as 12 months if you already hold a qualifying master’s degree.
Whether you’re an advanced practice provider, physician, health care administrator, registered nurse, or other health care provider, Lynchburg’s DEL equips you with the strategic insights and leadership skills needed to excel in the rapidly evolving health care landscape.
Program Highlights
37 credit hours
Modality: 100% online and asynchronous
- Eight-Week Term Course Structure: Our DEL program offers exceptional flexibility through its eight-week, online course structure, which allows professionals to balance their academics with other commitments. This format enables our students to explore specific topics for a shorter duration, comprehensively understand them, and apply their acquired knowledge in real-world situations. The eight-week course structure provides an efficient and adaptable approach to learning that caters to the diverse needs of our students, allowing them to design their educational journey to fit their lifestyles and goals.
- Strategic Leadership: Learn how to create and implement strategic plans that align with organizational goals, drive positive growth, and develop efficiency in health care settings.
- Communication and Relationship Management: Develop the ability to communicate clearly and concisely with internal and external stakeholders, establish lasting relationships, and lead multidisciplinary teams in a health care context.
- Ethics and Social Responsibility: Gain a deep understanding of ethical leadership, with a focus on professional standards and responsibilities to both patients and the broader health care community.
- Health Care Systems Knowledge: Develop a robust understanding of the health care environment, including regulatory frameworks, health care policy, and the dynamics influencing health care organizations.
- Business Acumen in Health Care: Apply systems thinking and business principles to the health care environment, including financial management, risk assessment, and operational improvement.
Applying for the Doctor of Executive Leadership in Healthcare
Starting your DEL application process is simple at the University of Lynchburg. Follow our step-by-step guide to apply to the Lynchburg DEL program.
Application Deadlines:
March Cohort:
- Priority deadline: March 10
June Cohort:
- Priority deadline: May 15
August Cohort:
- Priority deadline: Aug. 1
October Cohort:
- Priority deadline: Oct. 5
Admissions Requirements:
- Earned master’s degree from:
- An accredited U.S. institution; or
- From a foreign university based on transcript evaluation completed by an agency from the NACES website.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- At least two years of professional full-time experience in the U.S. health care system.
- This program is not an entry-level doctoral program.
- If applicable, you must:
- Meet requirements for graduate student international admissions.
- Complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language. It is required for students whose first language is not English.
- University of Lynchburg code: 5372
How to Apply
- Complete the online application.
- Submit an official transcript from every college or university you attended.
- Current resume or CV.
- One letter of recommendation.
- Professional statement outlining your goals for obtaining the DEL.
Tuition and Fees
- Tuition: $790 per credit hour / $29,230 total for the program*
- Technology fee: $60 per term
- Program fee: $25 per term
*Subject to change
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available. To determine eligibility, a student should fill out the FAFSA. Visit the Lynchburg Graduate Financial Aid page for more information, or contact the Solutions Center at 434.544.8217 or solutionscenter@lynchburg.edu.
Why Health Care Needs Strong Leadership
As health care becomes increasingly complex and demand rises, the need for visionary leaders is more critical than ever. Employment for medical and health services managers is expected to grow by 28% from 2021 to 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The DEL program at the University of Lynchburg provides the advanced training necessary for you to step into high-level leadership roles and navigate these changes.
Graduates of the Doctor of Executive Leadership in Healthcare program are prepared for top-level leadership roles, including:
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of health care organizations.
- Chief Operations Officer (COO) of hospitals or health care systems.
- Senior Healthcare Administrator.
- Director of Health Care Operations.
- Health Care Risk Management Director.
Required courses ( 37 credit hours)
- DEL 900 Organizational Behavior and Leadership in Health Care (3)
- DEL 901 Health Care Management (3)
- DEL 902 Health Care Informatics (3)
- DEL 903 Health Care Advocacy (3)
- DEL 904 Health Care Administration (3)
- DEL 905 Health Care Law (4)
- DEL 933 Evidence-based Medicine (4)
- DEL 934 Executive Leadership Doctoral Project I (4)
- DEL 935 Executive Leadership Doctoral Project II (4)
- DEL 936 Artificial Intelligence in Health Care (3)
- DEL 937 Health Care Finance (3)
Core Competencies/Learning Outcomes
- Strategic Leadership:
- Develop and implement strategic plans that align with organizational goals and values.
- Analyze complex health care environments and identify opportunities for improvement.
Make informed decisions based on data and evidence. - Lead and manage change effectively.
- Organizational Development:
- Understand organizational culture and its impact on performance.
- Develop and implement effective organizational structures and processes.
- Foster a positive and inclusive organizational climate.
- Manage human resources effectively.
- Financial Management:
- Understand financial concepts and metrics relevant to health care organizations.
- Develop and manage budgets effectively.
- Analyze financial data to inform decision-making.
- Quality Improvement:
- Implement quality improvement methodologies and tools.
- Measure and evaluate performance outcomes.
- Drive continuous improvement in health care delivery.
- Healthcare Policy and Regulation:
- Understand the health care policy landscape and regulatory environment.
- Analyze the impact of policy changes on health care organizations.
- Advocate for policies that improve health care access and quality.
Course and Scheduling Resources
- Academic Calendar: Familiarize yourself with our fall, spring, and summer sessions.
- Course Offerings: Search course offerings by term, department, instructor, and more.
- Graduate Catalog: Find additional course descriptions, academic regulations, and more.
- Graduate Course Descriptions: View course descriptions and prerequisites.
Additional Resources
- A link to the session will be provided via email on the day of the session.
- You will have the opportunity to ask questions during the presentation.
If no information sessions are available or the current times don’t fit your schedule, don’t worry! Schedule a one-on-one meeting that works for you.
Contact:
434.544.8300
gradsuccess@lynchburg.edu
