The Best Online Master's of Healthcare Administration
Feb 09, 2021
TBS Staff
Are you ready to discover your college program?
A master's in healthcare administration program prepares professionals for complex and demanding roles.
The healthcare field is currently experiencing faster-than-average growth driven by an aging population and increasing demand for services. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects an 18% growth rate in health services manager employment between 2018 and 2028. Health services managers also have a median annual salary of $100,980, with the highest earners working in government or local, state, and private hospitals.
The following guide discusses how to choose a program, what to expect from your classes, and what careers are available to graduates.
Top 10 Online Master's in Healthcare Administration Programs
What Is an Online Master's in Healthcare Administration Degree?
An online healthcare administration master's prepares students for management positions in health services organizations. Healthcare administration programs provide students with a broad understanding of leadership styles and information systems. Students also learn to solve financial problems and assess strategies for improved patient care.
An online healthcare administration master's prepares students for management positions in health services organizations.
Some programs offer specializations like informatics, organization development and leadership, or healthcare policy. These options allow students to gain career-oriented skills like electronic medical records management, program development, and policy interpretation. Having a specialization can make candidates stand out to potential employers.
Online MHA programs typically attract healthcare professionals looking to enhance their management capabilities and pursue career advancement opportunities. Flexible online formats and limited on-site requirements allow for minimal interference with work, family, and other obligations.
Choosing an Online MHA Program
While online MHA programs have much in common with one another, especially in terms of subject matter, prospective students should evaluate their differences to select the program that best fits their own unique goals and needs. Some factors to consider include the following:
Program Cost: It is important to research each prospective school's tuition costs, fees, and financial aid options. Estimate your ROI by researching salaries in your local area.
Transfer Policies: Look for generous transfer policies if you want to apply credits from another school or hope to earn competency-based credit for prior learning.
School Size and Type: Online experiences can be greatly impacted by things like class sizes, whether the program uses a cohort or individual learning, and the amount and availability of student services.
Program Length: Most master's programs take two years to complete, but some specializations or joint degrees, like MHA/MBA programs, take longer. Longer programs can increase overall cost.
On-Campus Requirements: Some online MHA programs require students to attend on-campus residencies, which enrich the educational experience. However, they can be challenging obligations to meet for students who live far from campus, so it's best to research any such requirements before enrolling.
Thesis, Fellowship, and Work Requirements: MHA programs usually culminate in a final project or on-site practicum at a local healthcare facility. Before enrolling, make sure you are prepared to complete all degree requirements.
What Else Can I Expect From a Master's in Healthcare Administration Program?
Most online healthcare administration master's programs include coursework in team leadership, financial skills, information technology management, and organizational awareness. MHA programs typically require 36-42 credits.
Some degrees offer concentrations in areas like informatics, strategic leadership, healthcare policy, and global health. MHA programs may also require on-campus residencies or an on-site practicum.
Healthcare Administration Curriculum
Clinical Systems Management: This course introduces concepts related to computerized clinical information systems and computer-based patient records. Coursework focuses on quality improvement, change management, governance, and clinical leadership development in complex healthcare settings.
Organizational Behavior: This course explores the factors that affect the behavior, performance, and job satisfaction of employees. Coursework focuses on best practices for managing teams, individuals, and whole organizations. Students gain the knowledge and skills needed to manage and lead in healthcare settings.
Health Economics: This course introduces students to the economic forces affecting the production, consumption, reimbursement, and financing of healthcare services. Coursework covers market characteristics of acute and long-term care services, insurance services, and healthcare labor. Students analyze healthcare operations and planning through the lens of demand, cost production, profit, and competition.
Accreditation for Online MHA Programs
Accreditation ensures that a school or program adheres to certain standards. The three types of accreditation are regional, national, and programmatic. All three types involve a rigorous, third-party review process of curriculum content and other factors like student services, school spending, and faculty qualifications.
National and regional accreditation apply to an entire institution. Regional accreditation, overseen by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, is generally considered more reputable than national accreditation, which often applies to for-profit institutions. Most regionally accredited schools do not accept transfer credits from nationally accredited schools.
Programmatic accreditation is a separate form of accreditation. Agencies and organizations evaluate and award this type of accreditation to individual programs and departments based on industry-specific educational standards. When researching online MHA programs, look for programmatic accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education.
Healthcare Administration Jobs
An MHA provides highly transferable skills applicable to many careers. Potential industries include higher education, social services, advocacy, and government. A few of these careers are explored below.
College administrators oversee administrative departments at universities, including things like student services, academics, or admissions. Job duties vary depending on the department. Administrators in student affairs assess and support non-academic activities, while academic administrators manage budgets and participate in appointing faculty.
These professionals typically need a master's degree in a relevant field, and employers may prefer prior experience in a postsecondary setting. An MHA provides applicable training in project management, team leadership, and financial skills. Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and interpersonal skills are required to succeed in this career.
Medical and health services managers plan, direct, and coordinate the business activities of hospitals, outpatient facilities, and long-term care facilities. Tasks include goal development, staff development and supervision, financial management, and record-keeping.
An MHA is an ideal degree for aspiring medical and health services managers thanks to its interdisciplinary focus on healthcare systems, business administration, and health information technology. Successful managers have keen analytical, technical, and leadership skills.
Social and community service managers coordinate and oversee community organizations and social service programs. Specific job duties vary depending on the organization's size and target demographic, but these professionals often recruit and train staff, analyze the effectiveness of service programs, and write funding proposals.
This career typically requires several years of experience and a bachelor's or master's in social work, business administration, public health, or a related field. Ideal candidates demonstrate excellent managerial, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Healthcare Administration Professional Organizations
Consider joining a healthcare administration professional organization, like those listed below, to access webinars, scholarships, conferences, and online discussion boards.
Association for Healthcare Administrative Professionals AHCAP is the nation's only nonprofit healthcare association for administrative professionals. MHA students receive a discounted student membership rate. Benefits include free webinars, networking and professional development opportunities, and access to the AHCAP job bank and discussion forum.
American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management AAHAM is the nation's premier professional organization for healthcare administrative managers. The association's primary goal is professional development of its members through publications, conferences, certifications, and networking opportunities. The association also represents the legislative and regulatory interests of members through participation in major industry groups. Full-time students can join for free.
Health Care Administrators Association HCAA is the nation's largest nonprofit trade association supporting the needs of medical managers, human resource managers, and other administration professionals in healthcare. Members are organizations rather than individuals, but students and young professionals can take advantage of online resources like job postings and expert interviews.
The Best Online Master's in Healthcare Administration Programs
The University of Southern California is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
About this school
USC opened its doors in 1880 with 53 students and 10 instructors. Now home to more than 44,000 learners and 4,000 full-time faculty members, USC operates two campuses in Los Angeles, California.
USC's online master's in healthcare administration prepares practicing clinical and management professionals for leadership roles in healthcare. Provided through the Sol Price School of Public Policy, this program requires 36 credits. Students complete the program in six semesters.
During two on-campus residencies, students participate in healthcare-based exercises with industry executives, policy-makers, and trendsetters. The first five-day residency takes place at the beginning of the program, while the second residency reunites students, faculty, and healthcare professionals at the end of the program. Core courses include cost-effective care in the era of value-based purchasing and efficient management and administration.
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Additional requirements include three letters of recommendation, a resume indicating at least five years of professional experience, and a statement of purpose.
The University of Minnesota Twin Cities is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Comission (HLC).
About this school
The flagship institution of the University of Minnesota System, UMN serves nearly 47,000 students annually. Established in 1851, UMN now offers over 300 undergraduate and graduate programs, including two masters degrees in healthcare administration.
UMN's traditional master of healthcare administration integrates on-campus coursework with summer residency requirements, while the executive master's degree in healthcare administration blends online and on-campus components. Designed for practicing healthcare executives, physicians, and other professionals, the online executive healthcare administration program requires students to spend 26 days on campus over 25 months. Students complete 42 credits of coursework as members of a cohort.
Coursework in UMN's online master's in healthcare administration explores healthcare services accounting, health and health systems, innovation in healthcare services, and health policy. The executive master's degree in healthcare administration meets competencies developed by the National Center for Healthcare Leadership.
Students build analytical and critical thinking skills through courses in statistics, competitive strategy, and healthcare management ethics in anticipation of a culminating capstone project. During the capstone project, degree-seekers work with faculty and advisors to introduce an innovation into the healthcare organization where they work.
Applicants must submit transcripts from a regionally accredited bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Prospective students must also provide three letters of recommendation, a resume, and a statement of purpose.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
About this school
Established in 1789, UNC-Chapel Hill was the first public university founded in the United States. UNC-Chapel Hill is one of 16 institutions within the University of North Carolina System, providing nearly 250 undergraduate and graduate programs to over 30,000 students every year.
UNC-Chapel Hill's 49-credit, online master's in healthcare administration takes two years to complete. Learners participate in three on-campus sessions each year.
During the program's first year, learners study healthcare statistics, financial and managerial accounting, economics of healthcare, and public health concepts. Additional leadership modules accompany a leadership practicum.
The program's second year emphasizes strategic planning, advanced analytics, healthcare information quality, and health law. The program culminates in a capstone business plan or technical paper.
Applicants must be currently employed in healthcare or human services with at least three years of experience in the field. Additional requirements include GMAT or GRE scores, a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA, a personal statement, and three letters of reference.
George Washington University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
About this school
Chartered by an act of Congress in 1821, GW serves more than 26,000 students annually at its three Washington, D.C. campuses and online. The university houses 14 academic schools and colleges. GW's Milken Institute School of Public Health offers an online master's in healthcare administration that learners can complete in two years.
The 50-credit curriculum prepares health service professionals to thrive in leadership roles throughout the healthcare industry. The program emphasizes eight core skills, taught through 10-week learning modules. Learners study healthcare management and strategy, medical informatics and decision management, healthcare financial management, and community and public health. Additional modules explore health economics and quantitative methods, quality and performance improvement, law and policy, and systems thinking and learning.
Throughout the program, degree-seekers participate in four immersion experiences. Three immersions take place on campus, while a fourth immersion involves placement at a health organization.
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution and at least two years of relevant work experience. Additional requirements include a statement of purpose, two letters of recommendation, and a resume.
The University of Cincinnati is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
About this school
Founded in 1819, UC now offers more than 400 undergraduate and graduate programs to nearly 47,000 students annually. In addition to its 476-acre campus in Cincinnati, Ohio, UC also operates branch campuses in Blue Ash and Clermont.
UC's 40-credit, online master's in healthcare administration delivers coursework asynchronously and has no in-person requirements. Core coursework includes global health systems, healthcare finance, health policy, and health economics. Students explore fundamentals of health systems management, evidence-based decision-making for managers, and legal and ethical issues in healthcare. There is also a capstone sequence.
During the first capstone course, learners integrate key knowledge and skills from the program to address a problem or issue in healthcare administration through a project. During the second capstone course, students produce a literature review, discuss best practice solutions, and prepare their work for publication.
Applicants must hold a regionally accredited bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Prospective students must also submit three letters of recommendation, a resume, and a letter of intent.
George Mason University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on College (SACSCOC).
About this school
Once a branch campus of the University of Virginia, Mason became an autonomous institution in 1972. With a main campus in Fairfax, Virginia, Mason provides undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 38,000 learners each year.
Mason's online master's in healthcare administration emphasizes health systems management. Learners complete eight-week courses one at a time, taking part in case studies, project reports, reflective papers, and student presentations. Practicing healthcare professionals develop strategic, business, analytic, and decision-making skills applicable to leadership roles.
Students complete the 47-credit program in phases. Phase one includes classes in leadership in the healthcare delivery system. Coursework covers organizational behavior and healthcare leadership, essentials of health insurance and managed care, and legal issues in health administration.
The second phase of Mason's online health administration master's degree emphasizes problem-solving and decision-making. Learners complete courses in managerial accounting, strategic management, quantitative methods, and health policy. As part of phase two, students also participate in a capstone practicum in health systems management.
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. They must also submit a personal and professional goal statement and three letters of recommendation and complete a brief interview.
American University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
About this school
Chartered by Congress in 1893, AU is devoted to its Methodist origins and founding mission to train public servants. AU emphasizes public service, global leadership, and experiential learning through more than 150 undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.
AU's online master's in healthcare administration includes 30 credits of coursework. Students can complete the program within 20 months, preparing for careers as healthcare leaders in government, nonprofit, and for-profit settings.
AU's healthcare management curriculum aligns with standards established by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration, the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education, and the Healthcare Leadership Alliance.
Offered through AU's four-phase curriculum model, the program includes core courses in innovation through new technologies, intercultural communication for professionals, and data-driven decision-making. The program culminates in a healthcare management capstone.
Prospective students must have a bachelor's degree. AU prefers applicants with professional experience in healthcare.
Ohio University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
About this school
Founded as Ohio's first public university in 1804, OU offers programs from more than 10 campuses and centers throughout the Buckeye State. Through 13 academic colleges, OU provides more than 250 undergraduate and graduate degrees to over 44,000 students each year.
OU's 36-credit, online master's in healthcare administration takes two years to complete, and the comprehensive curriculum integrates theory with practical learning. Required courses include information systems for health services, leadership of health organizations, and health policy. Additional courses cover research and quantitative methods for health services, ethical issues in healthcare, and strategic planning and marketing in health services.
The program prepares students for careers in health information management, hospital administration, and health services administration.
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Prospective students must also have at least two years of recent, professional, full-time work experience within the U.S. healthcare system. Additional requirements include transcripts, a resume, and a personal statement.
University of Mississippil is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
About this school
Ole Miss is the flagship university in Mississippi, tracing its origins back to 1848. Home to 15 academic divisions, Ole Miss enrolls over 24,000 students annually, and nearly 60% of its student body is from Mississippi.
Ole Miss's online master's in healthcare administration provides current healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to assume leadership roles. Part-time students can complete the 48-credit curriculum in three years, while full-time learners can graduate in two years.
Required courses include quantitative methods in healthcare, organization of healthcare systems, health policy and regulatory environment, and integrative business analysis. Learners gain a comprehensive understanding of the U.S. healthcare system while building competencies in health program evaluation, healthcare finance, and community and long-term care administration. At the end of the program, students participate in an internship and a capstone course in integrated healthcare leadership.
Applicants must submit transcripts, GMAT or GRE scores, a resume, and a statement of purpose.
Drexel University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
About this school
Drexel offers over 200 undergraduate and graduate degrees through 15 academic colleges and schools, serving more than 24,000 students each year. Drexel's online master's in healthcare administration requires 45 credits. Part-time students complete the program in three years, while full-time students graduate in two years.
As part of the degree, students attend a five-day, on-campus residency to foster collaboration with peers. Required courses include epidemiology, business of healthcare, healthcare financial management, and historical influences on the U.S. healthcare system.
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Prospective students must also have three years of experience working in healthcare management. Additional requirements include two letters of recommendation, a resume, and a personal statement.
University of Denver is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
About this school
Initially a seminary established in 1864, DU now offers nonsectarian academic programs to more than 11,000 students every year. DU operates 10 academic schools and colleges and boasts a 12-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio.
Learners can complete DU's online master's in healthcare administration in 18 months. The program offers concentrations in global health program management, healthcare policy and regulatory leadership, managing legal issues in healthcare, and strategic leadership in healthcare organizations.
Regardless of concentration, all students must complete 48 credits to graduate. Core courses include healthcare communication and leadership, healthcare finance, healthcare systems and regulatory environments, and research practices and applications. The program culminates in a capstone project, seminar, or interdisciplinary activity.
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Prospective students must submit two recommendations, a personal statement, and a resume. The healthcare management program accepts up to 12 transfer credits.
Valparaiso University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
About this school
A Lutheran institution founded in 1859, Valpo now serves over 3,500 students every year at its main campus in northern Indiana and online. Valpo incorporates the Lutheran tradition of scholarship, freedom, and faith in its more than 110 undergraduate and graduate programs.
Valpo's interdisciplinary, online master's in healthcare administration degree comprises 39 credits. Full-time learners complete the program in 18 months, while part-time students can graduate in 30 months.
Core courses include financial management, understanding healthcare organizations, and research and program evaluation. Elective courses explore topics such as marketing and promotion, health in the community, and global health. All students also complete a healthcare administration internship.
Admission requirements include a 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Students with lower GPAs must have at least five years of work experience in the field. Applicants also need previous coursework in statistics and must submit two letters of reference and a goal statement.
Virginia Commonwealth University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
About this school
Based in Richmond, Virginia, VCU operates branch campuses and satellite locations around the world. The university's online master's in healthcare administration integrates online coursework with six on-campus sessions. Students can complete the program in 22 months, gaining the knowledge and skills needed to advance to executive and leadership positions in the healthcare industry.
The 41-credit curriculum includes required courses in health system organization, financing, and performance; health economics; and healthcare organization and leadership. The program also includes on-campus residencies, which each last one week.
Prospective students must have a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.75 GPA and five years of experience working in a healthcare organization. VCU prefers applicants with managerial or supervisory experience. Additional requirements include GMAT or GRE scores, a resume, three recommendation letters, and a personal statement.
University of Scranton is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
About this school
Scranton offers academic programs grounded in the Jesuit educational tradition. Founded in 1888, the university is located on 58 acres in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and enrolls roughly 5,000 students annually.
Scranton's 44-credit, online master's in healthcare administration blends online coursework with a 150-hour fieldwork requirement. Foundational coursework covers healthcare organization and administration, financial management, statistics and research methods, and health services and systems. The curriculum also includes optional nine-credit specializations in health informatics and global health, which allow students to build the specialty knowledge needed for certain leadership roles within the healthcare industry.
Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation, transcripts documenting a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA, and a resume detailing three years of professional experience working in healthcare.
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
About this school
A member institution within the University of Wisconsin System, UWM opened its doors in 1956. Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, UWM also operates campuses in Waukesha, West Bend, and Wauwatosa. UWM houses 15 academic schools and colleges, providing nearly 200 undergraduate and graduate programs to over 26,000 students annually.
UWM's 39-credit, online master's in healthcare administration explores statistical analysis in health sciences, health and human service systems design, and operations management in healthcare organizations. The program culminates with an internship.
Students can personalize the curriculum through electives in corporate finance, global food security and systems, healthcare systems applications, and predictive analytics in healthcare. UWM also offers a 33-credit, executive, online program designed for individuals with previous health-related administrative experience and advanced professional degrees.
Applicants must hold an accredited bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.75 GPA. They must also submit GMAT or GRE scores.
Saint Joseph's University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
About this school
Grounded in Jesuit educational and spiritual traditions, SJU opened its doors in 1851. Today, SJU offers undergraduate and graduate programs through three academic schools and colleges, providing undergraduate learners with an 11-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Graduate students enjoy a 7-to-1 student-to-faculty-ratio.
SJU's online master's in healthcare administration includes career-focused concentrations in informatics and organization development and leadership. Each specialized degree integrates 42 credits of core and concentration coursework. Core courses emphasize financial management, economics, and accounting for healthcare organizations. Learners also study healthcare law, ethics, and research before taking part in an integrative capstone requirement.
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.75 GPA. Additional requirements include a personal statement, a resume, and two letters of recommendation. SJU prefers applicants with professional experience in health services.
University of Nevada Las Vegas is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
About this school
UNLV offers more than 300 programs to nearly 39,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students every year.
UNLV's online master's in healthcare administration prepares practicing healthcare professionals to advance to leadership roles. The 40-credit curriculum emphasizes strategy over operations and emphasizes the cross-functional responsibilities of healthcare executives. Core courses include a survey of the U.S. healthcare system, epidemiology in health services management, and public health fundamentals for healthcare leaders.
The program culminates in a capstone course. All learners complete either a research project or a comprehensive examination.
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Prospective students also need at least three years of administrative experience in administrative or managerial healthcare positions, at least five years of professional experience, or a terminal degree in a healthcare-related field. Additional requirements include a resume, a personal statement, and three letters of recommendation.
Seton Hall University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
About this school
Seton Hall derives its name from Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American-born saint. Established in 1856, the university offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate programs grounded in Catholic faith and tradition.
Seton Hall's online master's in healthcare administration builds knowledge and skills required for managerial roles in healthcare. At the start of the 42-credit program, students take six credits of coursework and participate in an on-campus orientation. The program's second semester includes six credits of coursework in healthcare management and financial and managerial accounting in healthcare.
During subsequent semesters, learners study health economics, population health management, and legal and human resource issues in healthcare. At the midway point of the program, learners take part in another on-campus intensive, spending three days focusing on professionalism and leadership.
The program's final year emphasizes quality and risk management and ethics in healthcare. Students complete a comprehensive capstone project before visiting Seton Hall's campus for a final intensive at the end of the degree.
Seton Hall prefers applicants with relevant professional experience. Prospective students must have a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Additional requirements include three letters of recommendation, a statement of goals and career interests, and a resume.
Florida International University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
About this school
FIU opened its doors in 1972 to an initial enrollment larger than any school in U.S. collegiate history. The university now serves nearly 59,000 undergraduate and graduate students each year.
Offered through the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences, FIU's online master's in healthcare administration requires 48 credits. The comprehensive program hones the skills needed to thrive as executive leaders in healthcare organizations. Learners can complete the degree in 24 months.
Foundational courses explore healthcare policy, management and organization, and financing in health systems. The core curriculum includes courses in economic and decision analysis, health law, quality assessment and outcomes, and design and management of health systems. During an integrative health services management and research seminar, students synthesize theoretical and practical content through case studies. Learners then complete an administrative residency or master's research project.
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution and show promise for graduate study. They must also submit two essays.
The Sage Colleges is regionally accredited by the Middles States Commission on Higher Education.
About this school
Established in 1916, Sage is named after its founder, Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage. Operating campuses in Troy and Albany, New York, and online, Sage offers more than 50 undergraduate and graduate programs.
Sage's online master of science in health services integrates business and healthcare coursework to meet the diverse needs of the health services industry. Learners complete a comprehensive curriculum to build analytical and managerial skills, with opportunities to complete elective coursework in a specialty.
Required courses include health systems and policy, healthcare strategy, and legal aspects of health services administration. By completing the program, learners gain competencies applicable to leadership roles in public and private healthcare settings. All students complete a relevant externship or internship.
Applicants must submit transcripts, a resume, a statement of personal and professional goals, and two recommendations.
Samford University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
About this school
Incorporated by the Baptist State Convention in 1841, Samford moved to its current campus in 1957. The university offers nearly 250 undergraduate and graduate programs through 10 academic schools and colleges to more than 5,600 students each year.
Samford's online master's in healthcare administration requires 48 credits. Full-time students complete the program in 21 months, while part-time learners can graduate in three years.
The curriculum includes sequential courses in health systems, organizations, and policy; leadership for the health professional; and biomedical informatics and analytics. The program culminates in a capstone project.
Students with fewer than five years of clinical or healthcare management experience must complete a 120-hour internship. Students with at least five years of experience may complete an advanced leadership project in lieu of an internship.
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Additional requirements include three letters of reference, a resume documenting at least three years of experience in healthcare, and a video interview.
Widener University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
About this school
Based in Chester, Pennsylvania, Widener also offers academic programs at locations in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Wilmington, Delaware; and online. Offering more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degrees, Widener enrolls nearly 6,500 learners each year.
Widener's online master of business administration degree with a healthcare management concentration requires 33 credits, and students can complete the program in 18-24 months.
The core business administration curriculum emphasizes leading organizations and people, information systems and data analytics, and managerial economics. The healthcare management concentration focuses on healthcare policy, community health management, and developing management skills. Incoming students without a business background must take up to five additional foundation courses. The program culminates in a managing for results capstone course.
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.7 GPA. Additional requirements include GMAT scores, a resume, two letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. Prospective students may receive GMAT waivers based on previous academic and professional experience.
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
About this school
Initially a pharmacy college founded in 1823, MCPHS now houses 12 academic schools, offering medical, pharmacy, and health sciences programs from its campus in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and online.
MCPHS offers an online master of business administration degree with a specialization in healthcare management. The interdisciplinary program fosters the ethical decision-making, critical thinking, and communication skills needed among leaders in the healthcare industry.
Designed for part-time learners, the program requires 36 credits. Core courses include health systems policy and management, organizational dynamics, and value-based healthcare. Students also explore revenue cycle, value chain, and operations management. Students without a business background must complete 12 additional credits of foundational courses.
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. MCPHS prefers applicants with relevant managerial experience. Additional requirements include a resume and an essay. Incoming students can apply for the MCPHS Advantage Scholarship.
The University of Central Florida is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
About this school
Established in 1963, UCF offers more than 200 undergraduate and graduate programs through 13 academic colleges. Serving more than 69,500 students every year, UCF operates campuses and extension locations throughout Central Florida.
UCF's 44-credit, online master's in healthcare administration helps students build on existing knowledge and skills related to healthcare informatics, policy, and risk management. The program prepares students for careers as hospital administrators, operations directors, public health directors, and nursing home administrators.
All students in the program enroll full time as members of a cohort. Learners take eight credits each semester, completing the degree in two years. Required courses include leadership for healthcare executives, financial accounting, and epidemiology and health planning. The program culminates in a healthcare capstone that emphasizes strategic management.
Applicants must have at least three years of relevant professional experience in healthcare. Prospective students must submit an essay, a resume, and three letters of recommendation.
Salve Regina University is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
About this school
Salve Regina opened its doors in 1947 to offer academic programs grounded in the mission of its founders, the Sisters of Mercy of Providence. Based in Newport, Rhode Island, Salve Regina provides over 80 undergraduate and graduate programs and serves nearly 3,000 students every year.
Learners can complete the university's online master's in healthcare administration in 18-24 months. Graduates are prepared to fill management roles in hospitals, health systems, mental health facilities, and government or nongovernment agencies.
The 36-credit curriculum includes core courses in healthcare marketing, human resources management, and healthcare finance. Students in the program also complete an internship.
Learners with professional experience may take additional elective coursework instead of the internship.
Applicants must submit a personal statement, a resume, and two letters of recommendation.
School Type
Private Nonprofit
Graduation Rate
72%
Percent Receiving Loans
91%
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End of list, bravo!
Ranking Methodology
Online Master's in Healthcare Administration Programs Ranking Guidelines
We selected the degree programs based on the quality of program and range of courses provided as well as school awards, rankings, and reputation.
Methodology for College Rankings
The motto of TheBestSchools.org is Finding the best school for you. Here is how we do it:
The value of any ranking list of schools and/or degree programs depends on having a methodologically sound assessment of each school’s/program’s characteristics, especially insofar as these can be objectively measured. A college or university is a complex entity, with numerous factors to consider, and distilling these down to the place where meaningful comparisons can be made to form a defensible ranking list becomes part science and part art.
To meet this challenge—and thereby provide you with the most useful and insightful educational rankings on the Internet — TheBestSchools.org formulates our rankings based on five informational categories (six, when considering online schools). The major metrics and qualities for which we rank are these (with expanded, detailed considerations and weights listed):
1. Academic excellence based on a school’s curriculum generally or within the selected discipline [weight = 25%]
Weighs school against known leading schools in that discipline
Weighs number of core curricula listed as advanced courses within that discipline and compares against introductory courses
Weighs school’s curriculum against known knowledge needs of major employers in that discipline
Considers number and types of specializations offered within that discipline
Considers faculty expertise in that discipline
Considers range of electives within that discipline
Considers quality of online environment offered to students (if applicable), particularly within that discipline
2. Strength of faculty scholarship [weight = 25%]
Considers education background of the faculty
Considers years of faculty experience both inside and outside of academia.
Considers faculty membership and leadership within relevant, prominent associations
Considers academic papers published by faculty in relevant, prominent periodicals
Considers awards and recognitions given to faculty members from prominent organizations and from other sources
3. Reputation [weight = 20%]
Considers a school’s reputation among academic peers and employers regarding the following:
Faculty
Curriculum
“Freshness” of academic knowledge
Adaptability to changes in employment sectors
Suitability of graduates for the workplace
4. Financial aid [weight = 10%]
Mandatory: Requires full accreditation from an agency endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and listed on the federal register to accept student federal financial aid
Considers range of school-sponsored financial aid such as scholarships and grants
5. Range of degree programs [weight = 20%]
Considers range of degree levels: associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral and professional
Considers range of degree subjects offered, such as art & design, computers & technology, education & teaching, criminal justice, and business
6. Strength of online instruction methodology (if applicable) [weight = 25%; subtract 5% from each of the above for online schools/programs]
Considers the following of the online classes:
Types of online technology used to deliver content
Pedagogy style: asynchronous, synchronous, or both (depending on the degree)
Extent and quality of the online, community learning environment, including options for communication, interactivity, and collaboration between students and also between students and instructors
Variety, breadth, and depth of coursework, and its support, including project options and online tutoring
Considers the following of instructors:
Extent of training for teaching within an online learning environment
Amount of timely, consistent feedback to students
Extent of collaboration with prospective employers to ensure suitability of instructional materials for achieving desired skills
Ratio to number of students in a class
Number and quality of internships in a student’s geographical area for applicable degrees
Because students tend to review a variety of information when choosing a school, the weight a student gives any one criterion will vary. For instance, it’s not enough to offer a carefully constructed ranking of great schools if many are too expensive or too difficult to get into.
To better serve the needs of prospective students, we are therefore increasingly offering filters that help you better use our rankings to find the schools that match your specific needs. These supplement our ranking criteria and include:
Accreditation
Public or private status
Acceptance rate
Retention rate
Graduation rate
ACT/SAT requirements
Cost in-state / out of state
Undergrad, grad, or both offered
Region
State
City
Get the best rankings here AND get them to suit your personal needs. That’s TheBestSchools.org advantage!
If you have any questions about our ranking methodology, please contact us.
Citations: For a broader account of our ranking methodology, especially as it relates to TheBestSchools.org's underlying educational philosophy and, in other ranking articles, looks beyond academic excellence (as here) to such factors as return on investment or incidental benefit, see our article "Ranking Methodology: How We Rank Schools at TBS." Reputation of schools and degree programs can at least in part be gauged through the school or department's publishing activity, citations, and desirability. At TheBestSchools.org, we keep track of such social and peer validation: "Making Sense of College Rankings." For nuts-and-bolts information about colleges and universities, we look to the National Center for Education Statistics and especially its College Navigator. Insofar as salary and inflation data are relevant to a ranking, we look to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Finally, nothing beats contacting schools and degree programs directly, which our researchers often do, with the result that all the entries in this article should be considered as belonging to this citation!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take to Complete a Master's in Healthcare Administration?
Full-time students can complete an online master's in healthcare administration in two years. Certain specializations and joint degrees may require 3-4 years.
What Can I Do With a Master's in Health Administration?
Students who earn a master's in healthcare administration online can pursue careers in health services management, administrative services management, healthcare social work, and health information technology.
How Much Do You Make in Healthcare Administration?
Salary potential varies by career, employer, and geographic location. According to the BLS, medical and health services managers earn a median annual salary of $100,980.
What Is Healthcare Administration?
Healthcare administration encompasses both the daily and long-term management, leadership, and oversight of complex healthcare systems like hospitals, outpatient facilities, and nursing homes.
What Is a Master's in Healthcare Administration?
An MHA is a graduate degree that prepares students for management careers in healthcare. Courses often cover health policy, marketing and communications, and financial analysis.
What's the Difference Between an MBA and an MHA?
MBAs and MHAs teach similar competencies in business management, but an MHA focuses on the healthcare field. Some MHAs also require on-site practica.
What's the Best Career With a Master's in Healthcare Administration?
While MHA graduates have excellent job prospects across the country, determining the best career is a subjective process that depends on individual priorities like pay, location, schedule, and job duties.
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