Master’s in Healthcare Administration (MHA) Programs

Any healthcare organization — big or small, public or private — needs a team of healthcare administrators to take charge of overall management. From overseeing budgeting to weighing in on staffing decisions, healthcare administrators approach their daily tasks with a unique set of skills and an in-depth expertise of healthcare policies that affect both patients and health professionals. And as technology continues to bring about new medical advancements, healthcare administrators have the job of factoring in data acquired through predictive analytics as well as data surrounding evidence-based care, into their clinical decision-making processes.

George Washington University

Milken Institute School of Public Health

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Master of Health Administration

With GW’s online Master of Health Administration program, MHA@GW, you can earn your degree and become a health care leader in as few as 24 months. Bachelor’s degree required. No GRE/GMAT required.

  •  Complete online in as few as 24 months
  • Bachelor’s degree required
  • No GRE/GMAT scores required

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Earning a master’s in healthcare administration or an MHA is one way you can learn to coordinate medical services and manage human and financial capital within hospitals, long-term care facilities, health insurance companies, government agencies, nonprofits and more. MHA programs, like many other advanced healthcare degree programs, may help you enter into or advance within one of the fastest-growing industries in the country — the healthcare industry. Employment of medical and health services managers, one type of healthcare administrator, is expected to grow 32% from 2020 to 2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That’s more than three times the average growth rate for all occupations during the same time period.

Admissions Requirements for an MHA Program

Dozens of schools across the country offer master’s in healthcare administration programs. Traditional master’s-level graduate programs often last between two and three years, depending on a student’s enrollment status.

Each school will have its own set of admissions requirements for the program they are offering, but there are a few similarities among those requirements, a bachelor’s being one of them. Certain institutions look for students with a bachelor’s in healthcare or related field, while others will consider students with a bachelor’s in another discipline. Schools may also ask for your GRE scores, a personal statement, and some work experience in the field of healthcare.

Curriculum

As a degree that focuses on both management and healthcare, a master’s in healthcare administration program typically combines business-related courses with lessons in medical terminology, health information systems and more. An MHA may include courses covering the following topics:

  • Accounting & Budgeting
  • Health Economics
  • Health Information Systems (HIS)
  • Health Services Management
  • Human Resources
  • Health and Human Behavior
  • Law and Ethics
  • Strategic Planning

Many MHA programs are also designed to include up to a year of supervised administrative experience in a hospital or healthcare consulting setting. This allows students to gain hands-on training in the real world.

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Online Masters in Healthcare Administration Programs

An increasing number of colleges and universities are offering master’s in healthcare administration programs online to better fit the lifestyles and needs of today’s working professionals and students. An online MHA program offers students an opportunity to study from home and at their own pace, while still working full-time or part-time jobs and juggling personal responsibilities, such as taking care of family.

Here are some online MHA programs for you to consider. This list was updated in January 2022, please be sure to check with your preferred university for the most current information:

Austin Peay State University

Department of Health and Human Performance

Master of Healthcare Administration

Clarksville, Tennessee

Name of Degree: Master of Healthcare Administration

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 2 years

Credits: 30

Concentrations:

Healthcare Administration

Admission Requirements:

  • Official transcripts
  • bachelor’s degree
  • 2.5 GPA
  • GRE scores
Learn more about the Master of Healthcare Administration from Austin Peay State University

Bellevue University

School of Business

Master of Healthcare Administration

Bellevue, Nebraska

Name of Degree: Master of Healthcare Administration

Enrollment Type: Part-Time

Length of Program: N/A

Credits: 36

Concentrations:

Healthcare Administration

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s or master’s degree
  • GPA of 2.5 minimum from the most recent 60 credits of coursework in undergraduate degrees, or 3.0 minimum GPA for graduate degrees,
  • letter of recommendation
  • essay
Learn more about the Master of Healthcare Administration from Bellevue University

California State University at East Bay

Department of Public Affairs and Administration

Master’s in Healthcare Administration

Hayward, California

Name of Degree: Master’s in Healthcare Administration

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: N/A

Credits: 48

Concentrations:

Healthcare Administration

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • GPA of at least 2.5
  • statement of purpose
  • two letters of recommendation
  • resume
Learn more about the Master’s in Healthcare Administration from California State University at East Bay

California State University, Long Beach

College of Health and Human Services

Accelerated Master’s in Healthcare Administration

Long Beach, California

Name of Degree: Accelerated Master’s in Healthcare Administration

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: 2 years

Credits: 45

Concentrations:

Healthcare Administration

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • GPA of at least 2.5
  • A current resume
  • A Statement of purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Official GMAT or GRE score (waived with five or more years of experience in health care)
Learn more about the Accelerated Master’s in Healthcare Administration from California State University, Long Beach

Colorado State University

Office of Graduate Studies

Master’s in Healthcare Administration

Aurora, Colorado

Name of Degree: Master’s in Healthcare Administration

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: 1 year

Credits: 36

Concentrations:

Healthcare Administration

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • GPAs of at least 3.0
  • resumes
  • essays
  • requested 30-minute assessment when applying
Learn more about the Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Colorado State University

Excelsior College

Office of Graduate Studies

Master’s in Healthcare Administration

Albany, New York

Name of Degree: Master’s in Healthcare Administration

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: N/A

Credits: 36

Concentrations:

Healthcare Administration

Admission Requirements:

  • Contact admissions for more information
Learn more about the Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Excelsior College

Des Moines University

College of Medicine and Health Sciences

Master of Health Care Administration

Des Moines, Iowa

Name of Degree: Master of Health Care Administration

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: 1+ years

Credits: 48

Concentrations:

Healthcare Administration

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • three references
  • statement of purpose
  • resume
Learn more about the Master of Health Care Administration from Des Moines University

Ferris State University

College of Health Professions

Master of Healthcare Administration

Big Rapids, Michigan

Name of Degree: Master of Healthcare Administration

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: 1+ years

Credits: 40+

Concentrations:

Healthcare Administration

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • GPA of 3.0
  • personal statement
  • contact information for three professional references
  • resume
Learn more about the Master of Healthcare Administration from Ferris State University

Florida Atlantic University

College of Business

Master’s in Healthcare Administration

Boca Raton, Florida

Name of Degree: Master’s in Healthcare Administration

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 1+ years

Credits: 30

Concentrations:

Healthcare Administration

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree  
  • GPAs of at least 3.0 
  • Four years of work experience
  • Resume
  • Two letters of recommendation
Learn more about the Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Florida Atlantic University

Louisiana State University Shreveport

Office of Graduate Studies

Master’s in Healthcare Administration

Shreveport, Louisiana

Name of Degree: Master’s in Healthcare Administration

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: Less than 1 year

Credits: 10

Concentrations:

Healthcare Administration

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 minimum GPA 
  • Bachelor’s degree with a 2.5 minimum GPA
  • Three years of professional experience 
Learn more about the Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Louisiana State University Shreveport

Midwestern State University

Robert D. and Carol Gunn College of Health Sciences and Human Services

Master’s in Healthcare Administration

Flower Mound, Texas

Name of Degree: Master’s in Healthcare Administration

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: 2+ years

Credits: 45

Concentrations:

Healthcare Administration

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0 
  • GRE scores least in the 50th percentile
Learn more about the Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Midwestern State University

Montana State University of Billings

Office of Graduate Studies

Master of Health Administration

Billings, Montana

Name of Degree: Master of Health Administration

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: 1+ years

Credits: 51

Concentrations:

Healthcare Administration

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 
  • GMAT or GRE scores
  • Resume
  • A letter of application
  • Three references
Learn more about the Master of Health Administration from Montana State University of Billings

Peirce College

Office of Graduate Studies

Master’s Program in Health Administration

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Name of Degree: Master’s Program in Health Administration

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: 1.25 years

Credits: 36

Concentrations:

Healthcare Administration

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degrees
  • GPA of 2.75
  • Personal admissions essays
  • Letters of recommendation
Learn more about the Master’s Program in Health Administration from Peirce College

Seton Hall University

School of Health and Medical Sciences

Master of Science in Healthcare Administration

South Orange, New Jersey

Name of Degree: Master of Science in Healthcare Administration

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: 2 years

Credits: 36

Concentrations:

Healthcare Administration

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree 
  • 3.0 GPA
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Statement of goals and career interests.
  • Curriculum vitae or résumé
Learn more about the Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from Seton Hall University

Texas Woman’s University

College of Business

Master’s in Healthcare Administration Degree

Denton, Texas

Name of Degree: Master’s in Healthcare Administration Degree

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: 1+ years

Credits: 36+

Concentrations:

Healthcare Administration

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree 
  • 3.0 GPA
  • GPAs between 2.5 and 2.99 in their final 60 undergraduate hours must take the GRE/GMAT
Learn more about the Master’s in Healthcare Administration Degree from Texas Woman’s University

University of Arizona

Forbes School of Business and Technology

Master of Science in Healthcare Administration

Chandler, Arizona

Name of Degree: Master of Science in Healthcare Administration

Enrollment Type: N/A

Length of Program: N/A

Credits: 36

Concentrations:

Healthcare Administration

Admission Requirements:

  • Official undergraduate transcripts
  • TOEFL or IELTS scores, if applicable.
Learn more about the Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from University of Arizona

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration

Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Healthcare Administration

Lafayette, Louisiana

Name of Degree: Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Healthcare Administration

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: 1+ years

Credits: 39

Concentrations:

Healthcare Administration

University of Nevada at Las Vegas

School of Public Health

Executive Master of Healthcare Administration Program

Las Vegas, Nevada

Name of Degree: Executive Master of Healthcare Administration Program

Enrollment Type: N/A

Length of Program: N/A

Credits: 36

Concentrations:

Healthcare Administration

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree 
  • 3.0 GPA
  • Personal essay 
  • Resume
Learn more about the Executive Master of Healthcare Administration Program from University of Nevada at Las Vegas

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Gillings School of Global Public Health

Master’s in Executive Healthcare Administration

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Name of Degree: Master’s in Executive Healthcare Administration

Enrollment Type: Full-Time

Length of Program: 2+ years

Credits: 49

Concentrations:

Healthcare Administration

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree 
  • GPA of at least 3.0
  • Three years or more of experience in the healthcare or human services industries
  • GRE or GMAT scores
  • Personal Statement.
  • Three Letters of Reference.
Learn more about the Master’s in Executive Healthcare Administration from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of Southern Indiana

College of Nursing and Health Professions

Master of Health Administration

Evansville, Indiana

Name of Degree: Master of Health Administration

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: 1+ years

Credits: 39

Concentrations:

Healthcare Administration

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree  
  • 3.0 GPA
  • Two years of relevant work experience
Learn more about the Master of Health Administration from University of Southern Indiana

University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley

College of Health Professions

Master’s in Healthcare Administration

Edinburg, Texas

Name of Degree: Master’s in Healthcare Administration

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: 1 year

Credits: 36

Concentrations:

Healthcare Administration

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s
  • GPA of 3.0 
  • A letter of intent 
  • Two letters of recommendation
Learn more about the Master’s in Healthcare Administration from University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley

University of West Florida

Department of Health Sciences and Administration

Master’s in Healthcare Administration

Pensacola, Florida

Name of Degree: Master’s in Healthcare Administration

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: N/A

Credits: 40.5

Concentrations:

Healthcare Administration

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degrees
  • GPAs of 3.0
  • GRE, GMAT, or MAT or a GPA
  • Resume
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Personal essays
Learn more about the Master’s in Healthcare Administration from University of West Florida

Weber State University

Dumke College of Health Professions

Executive Master’s in Health Administration

Ogden, Utah

Name of Degree: Executive Master’s in Health Administration

Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time

Length of Program: 2 years

Credits: 45

Concentrations:

Healthcare Administration

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree 
  • GPA of at least 3.0 
  • GRE or GMAT unless 5 or more years of experience  
  • 2 letters of recommendation
  • Resume
  • Essay
Learn more about the Executive Master’s in Health Administration from Weber State University

Western Kentucky University

Department of Public Health

Master of Health Administration

Bowling Green, Kentucky

Name of Degree: Master of Health Administration

Enrollment Type: N/A

Length of Program: 2 years

Credits: 42

Concentrations:

Healthcare Administration

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • 2.7 GPA
  • Resume
  • Personal statement 
  • Two letters of reference
Learn more about the Master of Health Administration from Western Kentucky University

Youngstown State University

The Bitonte College of Health and Human Services and the Warren P. Williamson, Jr. College of Business Administration

Master’s in Health and Human Services

Youngstown, Ohio

Name of Degree: Master’s in Health and Human Services

Enrollment Type: N/A

Length of Program: N/A

Credits: 24

Concentrations: N/A

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • GPA of at least 2.7
Learn more about the Master’s in Health and Human Services from Youngstown State University

Why Pursue a Masters in Healthcare Administration?

Medical and health services administrators and managers are core members of any healthcare community or system. They usually possess a thorough understanding of current best practices within their healthcare settings, as well as healthcare regulations. If you have strong analytical, interpersonal, communication skills that you want to put to use to benefit both patients and healthcare professionals, then the career path of a healthcare administrator may be for you.

Kathie Powel is the CEO of the Petaluma Health Center in Petaluma, California. She finds leading a team of highly skilled healthcare professionals truly impactful, particularly to her community. “Highly educated and trained staff members are needed to build systems to document and audit all of our operating, clinical and administrative activities,” Powel told the Sonoma Index-Tribune In 2019.

What Can I Do with a MHA?

A master’s in healthcare administration offers both valuable skills and great opportunities to practice and progress within various healthcare fields. Those in management roles may be able to advance into higher paying positions with more responsibility, with some becoming top executives at hospitals or other institutions.

Healthcare Administration Careers

As employment of health and medical service management roles continue to rise, candidates with a master’s degree in health administration or a related field will likely have better job prospects within the field, according to the BLS.

Professionals who hold an MHA can practice in a range of settings and have several career paths available to them including:

  • Administrative Services Managers
  • Clinical Managers
  • Health Services Managers and Executives
  • Healthcare Social Workers
  • Medical records and Health Information Technicians
  • Nursing Home Administrators

Salary for Healthcare Administration Professionals

The 2020 median annual wage for professionals in the healthcare and medical services management fields was $104,280, according to the BLS. The highest 10 percent of professionals in these fields earned more than $195,630. Of course, salary ranges for MHA graduates will vary depending on many factors including location, experience, and specific job responsibilities.

The BLS also reports that the U.S. is expected to add about 2.6 million new healthcare jobs between 2020 and 2030, thanks to the aging population. With more and more workers entering existing healthcare systems and perhaps creating new ones, healthcare administrators will become key in ensuring those systems are managed and run efficiently.

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FAQS

Still wondering what your educational and professional journey might entail as an MHA holder? Here are a few questions and answers to help you figure that out:

Is a master’s in healthcare administration worth it?

Whether a master’s in healthcare administration pays off in the long run, in part depends on the professional goals you’ve set for yourself. Your degree should ultimately equip you with skills you may need to take on the daily responsibilities of a healthcare administration role. You might also find that your degree was worth it once you begin to create the impact you’ve always dreamt of creating within the healthcare field.

Apart from personal gratification and achieving one’s career goals, the earning potential of an MHA holder may further incentivize you to pursue the degree. According to the BLS “Measuring the value of education”, those who hold a master’s degree may earn close to $1,000 more a month than bachelor degree holders.H3: Is healthcare administration a good career choice?

The outlook for employment in this field is bright. The healthcare industry is now one of the largest job sectors in the U.S. economy, having surpassed retail and manufacturing. Beyond that, people who choose a career in healthcare administration can make a real difference to patients and communities, according to the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA). These professionals often belong to organizations that positively impact the health of the populations they serve. In addition to more traditional healthcare administration roles, opportunities also exist outside the obvious settings, in places like pharmaceutical companies, health insurance companies, professional societies, and state and federal agencies.

How do I get a master’s degree in healthcare administration?

Accredited graduate programs generally last two or three years, according to AUPHA. Online master’s in health administration programs are also an option for those who work full time or have a need to study remotely. Like traditional programs, online graduate coursework focuses on healthcare’s business and management aspects

Where can I get a master’s in healthcare administration degree?

Researching online for an MHA program that is right for you is a good first step. The process can seem overwhelming in the beginning since there are numerous options and schools. One of the first items you can look for is the accreditation status of the program or school offering the program. In the U.S., colleges and universities receive accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. A school’s accreditation can affect credit transfers as well as federal financial aid eligibility, so students should make sure that the schools they are considering have earned national or regional accreditation. In addition, MHA programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).

There are tremendous professional and personal opportunities that can come from obtaining a master’s degree in healthcare administration. The work done by those with an MHA can help improve the quality of life for large groups of people, and positively impact the communities they serve.

Last updated January 2022.