Build and Lead a Better Health Care System

Doctor of Executive Leadership (DEL)

Advance your expertise in health care leadership.

100% Online

Complete your degree online and asynchronously.

37 Credit Hours

Learn from experts in the field.

1 Year

Finish your doctorate degree in one year.

Doctor of Executive Leadership (DEL)

The University of Lynchburg’s Doctor of Executive Leadership 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

Emergency Management and Global Health Concentration

This concentration is pending curriculum approval.

The Doctor of Executive Leadership in Emergency Management and Global Health at the University of Lynchburg is a one-year, 37-credit, fully online program with an in-person practicum designed for healthcare professionals seeking advanced expertise in disaster response, crisis leadership, and global health. This innovative program equips you with the skills to navigate complex emergencies, humanitarian missions, and healthcare operations in austere environments.

You will develop expertise in disaster medicine, crisis communication, emergency preparedness, and incident command while gaining a deeper understanding of global health disparities, infectious disease management, and the challenges of delivering medical care in resource-limited settings. The program also emphasizes wilderness and austere medicine, training you to provide critical care in extreme conditions. A strong focus on research and policy development ensures you can analyze global health trends, implement evidence-based strategies, and lead emergency response efforts with confidence.

A key feature of this program is the in-person practicum, where you will choose between participating in a Global Health Humanitarian Mission or a Disaster Medicine Intensive Exercise in Virginia. These hands-on experiences provide real-world application of leadership, medical response, and crisis decision-making, enhancing your ability to lead in high-stakes situations. Upon completion, you will be prepared to take on executive leadership roles in emergency management, humanitarian response, and global health, ensuring ethical, efficient, and resilient solutions to global crises.

Curriculum and Resources

2024-25 Academic Year Information

DEL in Healthcare Curriculum

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 Research (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)

Total Credit Hours: 37

DEL in Emergency Management and Global Health Curriculum

DEL 933 Evidence Based Medicine (4)
DEL 934 Executive Leadership Doctoral Project I (4)
DEL 935 Executive Leadership Doctoral Project II (4)
DEL 938 Disaster Medicine (3)
DEL 939 Global Health Issues (3)
DEL 943 Emergency and Disaster Management Principles and Practice (3)
DEL 944 Wilderness Survival Medicine (3)
DEL 945 Clinical Issues in Infectious Disease (3)
DEL 946 Social and Behavioral Issues in Global Health (3)
DEL 947 EMGH Practicum I (2)
DEL 948 EMGH Practicum II (2)
DEL 949 EMGH Practicum III (3)

Total Credit Hours: 37

The Emergency Management and Global Health Concentration is pending curriculum approval.

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.

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.

Academic Resources

Additional Resources

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 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.

Salary and job projections come from national averages in the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other sources, including Glassdoor, Indeed, and industry-specific posts and publications. The data is meant to provide you with an idea of career options and salary ranges, not as a guarantee of obtaining these positions after graduation. These represent national averages and may vary by source and time frame collected. Actual salaries vary by region. Some jobs may require additional training or graduate education.

Applying for the Doctor of Executive Leadership

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

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.

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
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