Support High-Quality Behavioral Healthcare with a Doctoral Degree
Earn Your Doctor of Behavioral Health Online
Whether you’re an advanced practitioner looking to deepen your clinical expertise or a leader ready to drive organizational change, Herzing’s Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) program offers the doctoral-level preparation you need. Two distinct tracks let you tailor your education to your career goals—all delivered 100% online.
100% online coursework
18 months / 4.5 semesters to complete
Two program tracks: Clinical or Management
Experienced faculty with extensive professional practice in behavioral health
Emphasis on strategic thinking, systems integration, and technology, including AI
Applied capstone project that builds through the program
Why Choose Herzing’s DBH Program
Herzing’s DBH program was designed by experienced behavioral health professionals and structured to ensure that learning outcomes align with current workforce needs, industry standards and future trends. Dedicated courses in AI and technology, telehealth, and data analysis equip you to leverage technology to support change initiatives.
The focus is on practical application of skills, not just theory. You’ll integrate your professional work experiences into a capstone project that builds throughout the program and is designed to make an immediate impact where you work.
Choose Your Track
Herzing’s DBH program is designed with flexible online scheduling to help busy professionals like you earn a doctoral degree while balancing work, home and life.
Clinical Track
The Clinical track combines clinical expertise with leadership and systems training to improve population health outcomes, address chronic medical and behavioral conditions and advance innovative, integrated models of care.
- 54 semester credit hours, 18 months / 4.5 semesters
- 100% online
- For graduates of a behavioral-health related master’s or doctoral program
- Covers advanced clinical thinking, strategic leadership, and systemic innovation
- Courses in psychopharmacology, clinical pathophysiology, evidence-based interventions and addictive behaviors
- AI-supported insights and decision-making integrated throughout the curriculum
Management Track
The Management track integrates strategic leadership, organizational management, financial and policy analysis and population health approaches to advance behavioral health within healthcare and community settings.
- 54 semester credit hours, 18 months / 4.5 semesters
- 100% online
- For graduates of any master’s or doctoral program
- Develops expertise in systems thinking, organizational change leadership and data-informed decision-making
- Courses in data analytics, financial management, quality improvement and strategic planning
- AI-supported analytics and digital health innovations integrated throughout the curriculum
What Will I Learn in the Online DBH Program?
Both the Clinical and Management tracks share a strong foundation of 12 core courses covering integrated behavioral health, research methods, health equity, telehealth, AI in healthcare and leadership. You’ll also complete a two-course capstone sequence.
Core courses topics include:
- Foundations of Integrated Behavioral Health
- Policy and Value-Based Care in Behavioral Health
- Legal, Ethical and Professional Issues in Integrated Healthcare
- Integrated Behavioral Health and Primary Care
- Medical Literacy and Clinical Communication
- Research Design and Applied Methods in Behavioral Health
- Health Equity and Stigma Reduction in Behavioral Healthcare
- Population-Based Community Behavioral Health
- Artificial Intelligence and Technology in Healthcare Innovation
- Telehealth and Digital Behavioral Health
- Behavioral Health Leadership and Operations
- Healthcare Entrepreneurship and Program Development
Capstone Sequence
- BH 880 DBH Capstone I: Project Design and Implementation
- BH 890 DBH Capstone II: Data Analysis and Dissemination
Take the next step to learn more about Herzing's DBH program.
Get StartedThe Herzing Advantage
At Herzing, we want to help you build the advanced behavioral health skills you need to reach your professional goals. That’s why we offer:
- Convenient online education that gives you more control over your schedule
- AI-integrated coursework and innovative telehealth curriculum designed to reflect the skills today’s behavioral health industry demands
- Mentorship and guidance from experienced behavioral health faculty who bring professional knowledge to your courses
You're Much More Than a Number
At Herzing, we believe that providing you with a caring, supportive community will have a positive impact on your learning experience. We know our students by name and are committed to your academic, personal, and professional success. Discover why Herzing's student-first approach, individual attention, and caring community set us apart from other colleges and universities.