Explore the Best Online MHA Programs in Missouri (MO)
St. Louis is home to some of the largest health insurers in the country, as well as a cluster of large hospitals. Add in Kansas City’s health systems and companies headquartered on the other side of the state, and Missouri ends up needing talented administrators in two distinct markets. An online Master’s in Healthcare Administration (MHA) is a practical way to advance your career toward leadership positions. In this EduMed guide, we’ll share a look at Missouri’s top programs so you can weigh their cost, format, and timeline against your goals.
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School Spotlights: Inside Popular Missouri MHA Programs
Missouri’s online MHA programs have a significant amount of institutional history behind them. This is a state where healthcare management education got its start decades before online learning was available and that legacy still shapes how programs are structured today.
Some run on a fixed cohort calendar rather than traditional semesters with a single entry point each year akin to other executive education programs. Others allow working students to move at whatever pace they need while juggling other responsibilities.
Regardless of structure, students have access to plenty of degree specialization options and paths to earning multiple credentials at once.
Webster University
Webster University’s Master of Health Administration, running for more than 50 years, holds both CAHME and ACBSP accreditation. This is a rare combination among MHA programs and prepares graduates with high-level business acumen as well as the ability to manage the intricacies of healthcare leadership.
The 42-credit curriculum is delivered through Webster’s Live Virtual format, a fully synchronous option that puts remote students in the same real-time classroom as those attending at the St. Louis campus.
Program length runs anywhere from 16 to 33 months depending on enrollment status. For students interested in adding multiple credentials, dual MHA/MBA and MHA/MSN options are available on a compressed timeline.
Duration: 16 to 33 months
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $800 per credit hour
Admissions Requirements:
- Completed online application
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Personal statement, resume, and one letter of recommendation
University of Missouri
One of the longest-running MHA programs in the country, The University of Missouri’s Executive Master of Health Administration has held CAHME accreditation since 1968. Designed for professionals already working in healthcare, the Executive MHA track combines independent study and online coursework with one on-campus weekend session a month.
Those interested in public health can earn a Graduate Certificate in Informatics for Public Health simultaneously.
Applicants must have at least two years of work experience in a technical, clinical, or administrative role before starting the program. Once admitted, students complete a substantial independent research project and present it during their final semester, creating a valuable portfolio piece that aids in job hunting.
Duration: Two years
Mode: Online coursework with some in-person weekend sessions
Cost: $1,247 per credit hour
Admissions Requirements:
- Completed online application
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Personal essay and resume
- Minimum two years of professional experience
A.T. Still University
A.T. Still University’s Master of Health Administration is another fully online option with plenty of room to tailor the curriculum to your career goals. The 42-credit program offers four start dates per year and allows students to specialize in one of four concentrations. The Quality and Patient Safety track prepares graduates to sit for the Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality exam.
MHA graduates can also apply up to 15 credits toward A.T. Still’s Doctor of Healthcare Administration program to continue their education. The program currently holds CAHME candidate status rather than full accreditation, a distinction that reflects its ongoing commitment to improvement, while the university is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission.
Duration: Two years
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $806 per credit hour
Admissions Requirements:
- Completed online application
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Personal essay and resume
- Meet English proficiency and technology requirements
FAQs About Online/Hybrid MHA Programs in Missouri
Are there CAHME-accredited online MHA programs in Missouri?
Yes. Missouri has three CAHME-accredited healthcare management master’s programs, including two with online offerings. There is also a fourth program in candidate status working toward CAHME accreditation.
Programs without CAHME standing rely on accreditation through their institution or through a business-focused organization like ACBSP.
Before applying, it’s important to verify a program’s current status on the CAHME website, as standings can and do change over time.
What are the general admissions requirements for Missouri MHA programs?
Missouri’s MHA programs all require applicants to hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and have a GPA somewhere in the 2.5 to 3.0 range. Most programs offer a path to conditional admission for students whose GPA falls a bit short.
Some programs go a step further, requiring healthcare experience in a professional capacity. This is most common for executive track curriculums, which are typically designed for those who already have a baseline understanding of the basics of healthcare and management.
Many admissions guidelines also list:
- A personal essay
- Official transcripts
- A resume
- At least one letter of recommendation
Is financial aid available for MHA programs in Missouri?
Yes. Federal aid is available to all students in the form of Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Grad PLUS Loans.
Missouri’s programs also offer military-specific tuition benefits more consistently than most states, including scholarships covering the gap between civilian and military tuition rates for qualifying service members, veterans, and their families.
Beyond this, many of Missouri’s major health systems and insurers offer tuition assistance as a benefit for current employees. If you fall into this category, consider reaching out to your company’s HR department to verify what sort of aid you may qualify for.
How long do MHA programs in Missouri take to complete?
Most full-time students finish in about two years, though this timeline can vary. Some programs offer condensed terms or year-round admissions, which make it possible to finish in under two years.
Students enrolling part-time should plan for at least three years to complete their degree.
Is it worth pursuing an MHA in Missouri?
Yes, for most students. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for medical and health services managers is nearly $118,000 and employment is projected to grow by 23% by 2034.
In Missouri, MHA graduates can find roles in hospitals, health systems, and insurance companies both in managerial and executive roles. Most opportunities are clustered around the state’s largest cities of St. Louis and Kansas City, though there are also jobs to be had in regional systems of all sizes.
How Much Will I Earn with an MHA in Missouri?
Medical and Health Services Managers
| Area ↕︎ | 10th Percentile ↕︎ | Median ↕︎ | 90th Percentile ↕︎ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | $64,620 | $104,370 | $186,430 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $65,270 | $104,010 | $223,160 |
| Columbia, MO | $68,680 | $111,760 | $179,740 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $61,710 | $94,900 | $160,790 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $62,340 | $98,620 | $164,190 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $74,570 | $124,990 | $206,050 |
| Springfield, MO | $60,570 | $99,470 | $178,450 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $66,010 | $98,080 | $167,380 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $67,990 | $106,200 | $200,900 |
Source: Medical & Health Services Managers, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025
Data reflects national numbers, not school-specific information.
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