Develop the advanced skills to improve care, teams, and systems
| Format | Coursework is delivered 100% online |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Enrollment available to all master’s degree graduates from an accredited program; admissions into the Clinical specialization for those with a master’s in a behavioral health-related major |
| Specializations | Two available DBH degree options: Clinical and Management specializations |
| Capstone | Integrate your work experience into your capstone project, which you will build and refine throughout the program |
| Accreditation | Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission |
| QuickPaths | Transfer credit, stackable credentials, and adaptive learning technology build a faster pathway to a higher education with Herzing University |
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Satisfaction rate
Our overall student satisfaction rate, according to the 2024 Herzing Graduate Survey.
Advance your expertise. Expand your impact.
Herzing’s online Doctor of Behavioral Health program is designed for professionals prepared to lead the future of integrated behavioral healthcare.
With Clinical and Management specializations, the program helps students with a variety of backgrounds build advanced skills in care integration, behavioral health leadership, population health, digital health, applied research, and systems improvement.
Students will explore how to connect behavioral health, physical healthcare, and community-based support to help improve outcomes across diverse populations. Through an applied capstone project, you can turn your experience and academic learning into a project with real-world relevance.
We exist to help students like you take the next step toward deeper expertise, greater influence, and meaningful change. Build on your professional experience and reach new career heights. We know you are possible.
Career-focused curriculum
Discover the crucial knowledge and skills required to succeed in your work and build a foundation for continued career growth.
Flexible schedule
We work hard to help you maintain school-life balance, striving to be as flexible as possible for busy non-traditional students.
Virtual services
Access to extensive virtual services, including academic advising, tutoring, support services, technical support and library services.
Lifelong support
We support your ongoing career advancement by providing comprehensive, personalized student services with lifelong career coaching.
Rolling admissions
No application deadlines to worry about. Apply when you’re ready and prepare to get started soon.
Courses & curriculum details
Herzing’s DBH curriculum combines behavioral health knowledge with practical leadership, innovation, and applied research skills. Students complete core coursework in integrated care, healthcare policy, medical literacy, legal and ethical practice, health equity, population health, telehealth, AI-supported healthcare innovation, leadership, and program development.
The Clinical specialization is designed for advanced practitioners interested in complex behavioral health needs, chronic disease management, psychopharmacology, and addictive behaviors. Clinical integrated health models align with the connection of physical and behavioral health.
The Management specialization focuses on quality improvement, data analytics, financial decision-making, strategic planning, and organizational transformation.
All courses are delivered 100% online via the Canvas learning management system.
| Program | Months i | Semester Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor of Behavioral Health - Clinical or Management | 18-36 | 54 |
i. Average number of months for students to complete the program attending full-time
Full list of courses
Specializations
Doctor of Behavioral Health specializations
Clinical
DBH Specialization
Advanced behavioral health practitioners and leaders can complete a Clinical DBH program and learn to integrate health and well-being initiatives within healthcare and community systems.
Management
DBH Specialization
Our Management DBH curriculum equips leaders and administrators with the knowledge and skills to transform and sustain behavioral health organizations and integrated care systems.
The DBH capstone project: Put your learning into practice
The DBH capstone is a culminating applied research experience designed to connect doctoral-level learning with real behavioral health challenges.
You’ll begin by refining a topic, complete a literature review, finalize methodology, and obtain Institutional Review Board approval. From there, you’ll conduct a behavioral health research project focused on a clinical, organizational, or population health issue.
In the final capstone course, you will analyze and interpret data, develop ethical and culturally responsive conclusions, and create actionable recommendations. The experience culminates in a scholarly presentation and final report focused on implications for behavioral health practice, integration, sustainability, and future improvement.
You’ll demonstrate advanced problem-solving, leadership, and applied research skills, helping you show employers your ability to identify a behavioral health challenge, analyze data, develop evidence-based recommendations, and support measurable improvement in care delivery, operations, or community health.
Meet Our Leadership
Dr. Hyacinth McKee DBH, LCSW-BACS, ACSW
Professor of Social Work, DBH Subject Matter ExpertDr. Hyacinth McKee has 22 years of combined experience as a licensed clinical supervisor, clinical practitioner and professor. Her expertise includes integrated health, disease care management and educational social work. She holds leadership positions in the social work profession as she serves as the board chairperson of the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners, her state social work licensing board, and on other boards nationally in the social work profession. She holds additional national and state certifications in the areas of school social work, school-based mental health counseling, and trauma informed supports. Dr. McKee has conducted local, state and national presentations on school based mental health, behavioral health, and social work services. She continues to provide supervision to clinical social workers who aspire to engage in independent clinical practice. She is considered among her colleagues as an expert in the field of behavioral health, mental health, child welfare and educational social work. Dr. McKee is an advocate for diversity, equity and inclusive practices as evidenced by her life's work serving marginalized and disadvantaged populations.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition & Cost
The cost of tuition for the Master of Science in Health and Human Services Leadership program is $770 per credit.
You can potentially earn even greater savings by transferring credit from prior college coursework, applying for financial aid, or potential partnership opportunities through your employer.
Our goal is your career advancement. That's why we are always working to improve our curriculum and processes to make our program as affordable as possible while preparing you best for success in your work.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
You may be eligible for multiple scholarships and grants, both through Herzing University and several national scholarship websites.
Military/Veteran Discounts
Veterans, Active Duty U.S. Servicemembers, and spouses may qualify for a 10-20% tuition discount.
Requirements
Admissions requirements
Requirements to enroll in the Doctor of Behavioral Health program include:
- A minimum 3.0 GPA
- Prior degree requirement:
- Management specialization: Master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited university
- Clinical specialization: Master’s or doctoral degree in an accredited behavioral health-related program (e.g., social work, counseling, psychology, nursing, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, clinical degree, or a degree in a related field)
- Official transcript with highest degree earned
- Personal statement describing your interest in pursuing the DBH
- Review of your professional work experience, including resumé review
Accreditation & Recognition
Our accredited & recognized online school
We strive to earn rank as one of the top private, nonprofit universities in the United States. Just as you work every day to become the best version of yourself, so do we as a university.
We are proud to have attained institutional and programmatic accreditation in addition to industry recognition for our accomplishments helping students earn a college education and find career success.
Ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the best online graduate nursing degree programs in 2026.
Herzing University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Waived Enrollment Fee
Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.
Faq
Frequently Asked Questions
Didn't find the answer to your question? Send us an inquiry and we will be happy to answer all your questions!
A DBH is an applied (not research-based) doctorate focused on improving how behavioral health, mental health, physical healthcare, and community systems work together. Compared with other doctoral degrees, the DBH is especially centered on integrated care, whole-person health, behavioral health leadership, and systems-level improvement.
Here’s how it compares with similar doctorates:
- A Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) is more psychology-practice oriented. These programs are designed for students pursuing advanced clinically psychology training.
- A Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) is more public-health oriented, emphasizing public health policy, health leadership, and healthcare systems
- A Doctor of Social Work (DSW) is more social-work oriented. This program can cover similar subject matter, but content is more contextually relevant to the social work field specifically.
- A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is generally more research oriented. The DBH is designed for professionals who want to apply doctoral-level knowledge to improve integrated behavioral healthcare in practical, measurable ways.
No. A DBH degree by itself does not qualify you to prescribe medication. Prescriptive authority is typically limited to specific licensed healthcare professionals, such as physicians, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and certain specially trained psychologists in select states.
A Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) is a practice-focused doctoral degree designed for professionals who want to lead improvements in behavioral health, mental health, and integrated care.
Unlike a purely research-focused doctorate like a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), a DBH emphasizes applying advanced knowledge to real healthcare and community settings, helping bridge the gap between physical health, behavioral health, and whole-person wellbeing.
Our DBH program is designed to prepare doctoral-level professionals to think clinically, lead strategically, and innovate systemically. Students build skills in integrated behavioral health, healthcare policy, population health, leadership, program development, telehealth, digital behavioral health, and the ethical use of AI-supported tools and analytics.
Herzing offers two DBH specializations: Clinical and Management. The Clinical track is designed for advanced practitioners seeking to strengthen their ability to integrate behavioral health within healthcare and community systems. The Management track is designed for leaders and administrators who want to transform behavioral health organizations, improve access and quality, support workforce development, and guide system-level change.
A DBH can be a strong fit for professionals with a background in behavioral health, healthcare, social work, counseling, psychology, nursing, public health, or related fields who want to expand their impact. Herzing’s program is 100% online, designed as an applied, workforce-driven doctorate.
Online coursework is delivered mostly asynchronously, with some synchronous participation required.
No, licensure is not required for admission.
However, keep in mind the master’s degree requirement is different depending on the track you choose (Clinical or Management).
To qualify for the Clinical DBH program, you’ll need to have earned a master’s degree in a behavioral health-related program.
There is no behavioral-health-related degree requirement for the Management DBH program.
Yes, all program coursework is delivered 100% online.
A Doctor of Behavioral Health can help you build advanced skills for leadership, integrated care, program development, and system-level improvement in behavioral health and healthcare settings.
Depending on your background, licensure, and professional experience, you may use a DBH to pursue roles focused on improving access to care, coordinating services, evaluating programs, leading teams, supporting health equity, or facilitating collaboration between behavioral health and medical providers.
Potential job titles may include:
- Director of Behavioral Health
- Behavioral Health Program Director
- Clinical Director
- Director of Clinical Services
- Integrated Care Management Manager
- Integrated Behavioral Health Consultant
- Behavioral Health Consultant
- Behavioral Health Quality Manager
- Program Manager, Behavioral Health
- Director of Behavioral Health Management
- Professor
The Herzing University Doctor of Behavioral Health program offers Clinical and Management tracks, helping students align their education with goals in advanced practice, administration, healthcare innovation, behavioral health, population health, and organizational leadership.
Earning a doctorate can help social workers, health and service managers, social and community service managers, behavioral counselors, and others advance their education, become more competent in their profession, and increase their earning potential.
Because a doctorate in behavioral health may be applied towards so many different types of jobs, it can be very difficult to precise, reliable salary expectations.
Across all U.S. occupations, those who earned a doctoral degree earn 24% more than those whose highest degree earned is a master’s degree—according to 2024 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
You can review Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics to determine which occupational category is most relevant to your current job. Earning a DBH can help you potentially compete for top percentile estimates aligned with your occupation.*
Yes. After earning a Doctor of Behavioral Health degree, graduates may generally use the title “doctor” in academic and professional settings.
However, it is important to clearly identify the degree as a DBH and avoid implying that the credential is a medical degree, psychology license, or prescribing credential.
No, our program does not require a clinical practicum or internship.
While there isn’t a traditional hands-on component like a practicum, our program does include a crucial capstone project to put your academic learning into practice.
The DBH capstone gives students the opportunity to explore a real-world behavioral health challenge and develop actionable recommendations for practice. The project builds across the program and culminates in data analysis, interpretation, a final report, and a scholarly presentation.
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Disclosures
Herzing University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
* BLS pay estimates calculate the median annual wage for various occupations. Per the BLS the median wage for an occupation is: "The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount, and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey." Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2024. BLS median wage estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geographic market in which you want to work, and degree level and field, will affect career outcomes, including starting salary and earnings as an experienced employee. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the median salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, particular wage or salary, or other career growth.
Waived Enrollment Fee
Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.