Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Leadership and Learning- Health Care Administration
Develop high-level skills in health care administration efficiently with an EdS degree
The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Leadership and Learning; Healthcare Administration will teach you realistic problem-solving strategies for managing and strengthening your health care environment. Through practical, real-world applications, learners will gain adeptness with leading health care practitioners and nursing educators to create cultures that are highly innovative, ethical, and evidenced-based. Graduates will be prepared to lead innovation and technology in health care, nursing accreditation and advocacy, and legal and financial management in health care environments.
This degree is centered around collaborative and ethical leadership, transformational leadership, and reflective scholarship. Individuals seeking greater knowledge and skills in accreditation policies and practices for health care settings, integration of health care technology strategies, and financial management of those environments would benefit most from this Education Specialist degree.
This program is not designed as a teacher certification program, and different states and municipalities often have specific requirements concerning different appropriate degree programs. Depending on your goals for this program, please check with your local and state regulatory requirements for teacher certification.
For more information about the program, see the Academic Catalog.
Enjoy Flexibility– 11 online courses with program start dates every 2 weeks
Choose Where You Learn– Online courses
Affordable Monthly Payments
Focus on Your Passion– Choose your dissertation topic
Why More Students Are Choosing Aspen
Ed.S. Health Care Administration Courses
Aspen’s Ed.S. curriculum features 11 courses designed to equip you with advanced leadership skills. Taught by experienced educators from diverse settings, you’ll have the opportunity to apply new knowledge directly to your career.
View the degree plan for this program: EdS Health Care Administration Degree Plan
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EDD830 - Leadership Theory
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RSH900 - Doctoral Writing and Inquiry into Research
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EDD832 - Human Potential and Motivation
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EDD834 - Creating Strategic Change That Lasts
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RSH910 - Research Design and Methodology
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EDN810 - The Nature of Health Care Organizations and Systems
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EDN812 - Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care Administration
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EDN814 - Nursing Accreditation and Advocacy in the Profession
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EDN816 - Financial Management in Healthcare Environments
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EDN818 - Innovation and Technology in Health Care
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RSH916 - Problem-Based Research in Action
The emphasis of this course is on leadership with the focus on the application of leadership concepts and leadership skills. Through the examination of a wide array of different leadership theories, the student gains knowledge and skills for a plethora of theoretical paradigms and models, which can be used to influence others towards positive and lasting change. Working with teams and dealing with the politics and power within an organization are also examined in depth.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This research course examines the basic principles and techniques of doctoral scholarship, and offers an overview of the development of theory and research logic, explores the relationship between theoretical and empirical constructs, and provides a wide variety of specific research methodologies, including the scholarly publication process. Students study the principles of the scientific method and research design techniques common to both qualitative and quantitative research, including sampling methods and data collection techniques. Material includes examination of various research methods including electronic searches and retrieval methods. Students learn to critically read research papers and articles, and are introduced to the writing techniques necessary to produce expository and analytical papers to the standards of publishable work. This course is a prerequisite for all other doctorate courses.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course examines a meaningful and sophisticated understanding of motivation and emotion. Blending motivation and emotion with leadership builds a powerful sense of tolerance and meaning in many domains of life: home, school, workplace, clinical setting, athletic fields, healthcare, and interpersonal relationships. The course deeply explores individual emotion, mindset, and interventions. A leader can use this knowledge to motivate individuals and evaluate how emotion drives behavior to obtain the best performance out of their employees and relationships in all facets of life.
3 CreditsRequired Books
Creating strategic change that lasts is a fine art of every successful leader. Throughout this course, students examine what the best leaders do to create an atmosphere where employees in the organization can flourish. The focus is on learning essential behaviors that promote a high-energy culture.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course begins to ask the doctoral student to reflect on past courses, studies and articles that support and build upon personal areas of interest. The course is designed to challenge students to think about an area of interest and begin develop a comprehensive research topic aligned with their professional goals. Students expand on the research topic, identify appropriate theories, methodologies and consider research design. At the end of eight weeks, students will frame the beginning of a doctoral research dissertation.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course examines the organizational structure of healthcare systems. It assists the student in evaluating resources and competition. Students learn to create strategic initiatives and add value to an organization. This is grounded in theories that drive health care organizations in the 21st century. Leaders of health care organizations should be able to conceptualize, initiate, and support organizational change that meets the needs of the business, patient, and employees. The National Association guides leaders in these endeavors for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course reviews the legal impact on a local, state, and federal level for health care organizations. Students evaluate laws, regulations, and mandates as well as implement effective processes to assure compliance and reporting to a variety of agencies. Students learn what constitutes the elements of negligence, malpractice, and intentional criminal acts. They learn how to establish processes for end-of-life issues, informed consent, and root cause analysis for sentinel events. Leaders of health care organizations should understand how personal feelings influence morality and ethics to be able to avoid discriminatory actions toward employees, establish a collaborative relationship with organized labor, and create fair and fiscally responsible contracts with managed care organizations. The National Association guides leaders in these endeavors for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
3 CreditsRequired Books
Nursing Accreditation and Advocacy in the Profession delves into the rationale, processes, and importance of programmatic accreditation for nursing and nursing programs. Programmatic accreditation is the industry standard for the nursing profession. Understanding the factors, processes, and options for programmatic accreditation guides the nursing professions decisions. The programmatic accreditation process also becomes a critical aspect of nursing leadership and nursing leadership decisions. This course investigates the programmatic accreditation options, selecting an appropriate accrediting body, discuss the accrediting process, and review the future of programmatic accreditation to nursing.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course provides the student with the information and skills to review, understand, and implement basic principles in healthcare finance. The student discerns the unique aspects of finance in healthcare organization for the management of patient care decisions. Accounting principles, government oversight and healthcare financial management concepts provide the student with the skills necessary to make informed leadership decisions. This course assists the student in making sound leadership decisions using financial management as a foundation.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course is about authentic leadership and how leaders drive innovation in organizations. It assists future leaders in developing the unique skill set required in the health care environment that exists today. Creativity can be developed for use in both the organization and classroom. Authentic leadership, properly developed, can be intuitive and support innovative environments. This course also explores technological advances and prepares leaders for the next phases of the digital revolution. Leaders must embrace evidence-based practice and understand how to explore innovation in complex systems with theories such as Complex Adaptive System Theory. Leaders need to be able to enact cost saving measures such as Six Sigma and Lean Enterprise Theory. Leaders are accountable to the Code of Ethics of the American College of Healthcare Executives and these are explored as well.
3 CreditsRequired Books
This course is designed to provide students with additional research tools used to solve everyday problems through a process of inquiry and developing solutions to significant problems in the workplace. This useful strategy can provide the leader a design for decision-making based on data and supportive research. This course satisfies the Proctored Exam requirement for this program.
3 CreditsRequired Books
Cost & Time to Completion
The Best Fit for Working Professionals
We understand the difficulties in pursuing your Ed.S. when you have a demanding work and family schedule. Aspen’s course format and frequent start dates are designed to help working professionals move through their degree efficiently.
Our Monthly Payment Plan Makes Us Different.
Paying for your Ed.S. shouldn’t be complicated. Our Monthly Payment Plan makes it easy for you to finance your program.
Tuition Rates
| $19,635 | Tuition |
| $1,450 | Fees |
| $1,650 |
Estimated
Textbook
Costs
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| $22,735 | |
Other Ways to Finance Your Ed.S.
Students who have served, or are currently serving in the United States Military and their legal spouses are eligible to receive a Military Affiliation Discount from Aspen University.
Aspen University maintains employee tuition discount partnerships with a large and growing number of organizations. Tell your enrollment advisor where you work and ask them to check for you prior to enrolling.
Aspen offers several payment plans for students to fund their education.
Admission Requirements
Application – A completed application; Aspen does not charge an application fee
Resume – Current resume or curriculum vitae
Statement of Goals – A statement of your goals reflecting the academic, professional, and personal goals you would like to achieve through your work with Aspen University. The statement of goals should be between 300 – 500 words.
Master’s Degree –Official Transcript demonstrating a master’s degree from an institution that is accredited by a CHEA recognized accrediting body or an international equivalent; applicants must have earned at least a 3.0 GPA in their master’s program (see Catalog for more information)
Career Outlook
The healthcare industry is experiencing transformative changes fueled by advancements in technology, evolving regulations, and an increased focus on patient-centered care. As these trends continue, the demand for skilled leaders in healthcare administration is becoming increasingly critical.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in healthcare management is projected to grow by 29% by 2033—significantly faster than the average for all occupations. This rapid growth reflects the increasing complexity of healthcare systems and the need for effective leadership to manage operations and ensure high-quality patient care.
Healthcare organizations are seeking leaders with advanced degrees who possess specialized expertise in navigating these challenges. An Ed.S. in Health Care Administration provides professionals with the strategic vision and leadership skills needed to address the complexities of modern healthcare environments. Graduates can pursue a wide range of leadership roles, including hospital administrators, healthcare consultants, policy advisors, academic administrators, and executive positions in healthcare organizations.
Programs focusing on health policy, organizational behavior, and strategic management are particularly beneficial for those aiming to lead healthcare institutions or influence healthcare policy. With these qualifications, graduates are well-prepared for leadership roles in healthcare, positioning themselves for a rewarding career trajectory.
Average Annual Salary for Health Services Managers
$110,680
Data pulled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics in Fall 2024. Salary can vary widely depending on geographical location and role.
Ed.S. Health Care Administration Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the difference between an Ed.D. and an Ed.S. degree?
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What is an Ed.S. in Health Care Administration?
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Is this program offered fully online?
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Who is this program intended for?
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What are the core subjects covered in this program?
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Is a dissertation required for the Ed.S. in Health Care Administration?
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Do I need to have a background in healthcare to apply?
An Ed.D. (Doctor of Education) is a terminal, doctoral degree, focused on preparing educators to solve complex problems in educational practice, often emphasizing leadership, policy development, and applied research. An Ed.S. (Education Specialist) is a post-master’s degree that bridges the gap between a master’s and a doctorate. It is designed for educators looking to deepen their expertise in a specific area of education without committing to a full doctoral program.
An Ed.S. in Healthcare Administration is a post-master’s program focusing on developing leadership and administrative skills specifically for the healthcare sector. The program integrates educational theory with practical application to prepare graduates for leadership roles in healthcare organizations.
Yes, the program is delivered entirely online, offering flexibility for working professionals. It incorporates both live (synchronous) and on-demand (asynchronous) learning, allowing students to balance their studies with their professional responsibilities.
The Ed.S. in Health Care Administration is designed for professionals aspiring to assume leadership roles or advanced practitioner roles within healthcare organizations. The program is well-suited for individuals looking to apply research and theory to improve healthcare systems through better policy, management, and organizational leadership.
Core subjects include healthcare policy, ethics, leadership in healthcare, organizational behavior, strategic management, research methods, and healthcare economics. These areas equip students with a comprehensive understanding of healthcare leadership.
No, the Ed.S. program does not require students to complete a dissertation.
While a background in healthcare is preferred, it is not required. The program is designed for professionals with relevant experience in public health, business administration, or education who are looking to transition into healthcare leadership.