Top Master’s in Healthcare Administration (MHA) Online Degrees

Online MHA Profiles: What to Know

A master’s in healthcare administration online might be on your radar, but you’re not 100% sure. Or maybe you know you want the degree, but you’re not sold on taking it virtually. At this point, one of the best things you can do is research. Look at the details of some of today’s most popular online MHA programs to see if the programs’ goals, courses, and online learning practices are what you want. See how these three online options stack up.

New York University

The goal of New York University’s online Master of Health Administration degree program is to provide its graduates with a solid foundation of real-world leadership skills that can be applied directly and immediately to their careers. This seven-semester (28-month) part-time program is designed to allow students to maintain their current full-time professional employment by combining live, online lectures and discussions with additional asynchronous and offline coursework. Additionally, students are required to attend a single, two-and-a-half-day on-site “immersion experience” on NYU Wagner’s campus in New York City. The curriculum culminates in a project in which students work as a team to solve real-world problems through use of a healthcare system simulation.

Admission into the program requires a minimum of one year of full-time professional experience along with current employment in healthcare management or a closely-related U.S. healthcare field. A minimum 3.0 GPA on previous undergraduate studies is recommended. Application requirements include submittal of a current resume or CV, two letters of recommendation, and two essays (one exploring the complexities of a specific healthcare issue, and one detailing the applicant’s professional goals).

University of Southern California

Designed for mid-career management and clinical healthcare professionals, USC’s online Executive MHA program takes an integrated thematic academic approach to leadership and accountability in health services organizations. Program study for this 36-credit hour program is delivered online through a combination of on-demand video lectures, synchronous video conference sessions, course assignments, and class discussions via social network platforms and discussion boards. In addition to online coursework, students participate in two short intensive residencies on USC’s Los Angeles campus at which students attend lectures and meet with faculty, peers, and professionals employed in the healthcare administration field.

Minimum program admissions requirements include both a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years of professional experience in either healthcare or a closely-related field. In most cases, applicants with a GPA below 3.0 on their most recent 60 credit units of college-level coursework will not be admitted. However, meeting minimum application requirements does not guarantee admission into the program. Acceptance is determined through an assessment of a number of criteria including impressive professional and managerial experience, prior academic accomplishments and community service, strong letters of recommendation, and a persuasive written statement of purpose.

Colorado State University

Customized study is a key feature of the online Master of Health Administration degree offered by Colorado State University’s CSU Global program. The MHA curriculum consists of 24 to 27 credit hours of core healthcare administration coursework in subjects such as Healthcare Information Systems, Healthcare Finance, and Operations Management. Students additionally complete 12 credit hours in one of a wide range of specializations, including subjects like Project Management, International Management, Population Health, and Finance. CSU also offers a number of degree path options that allow students to earn certificates and complete specializations along the way to earning their MHA degrees. Another key feature of this MHA program is that all degree work can be completed 100% online through asynchronous course study.

Admission into CSU’s online MHA program requires a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited college or university. An undergraduate or graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred. Students not meeting standard admissions requirements may still be admitted by meeting certain provisional admissions requirements.

Interviews with Online MHA Leaders

Hearing straight from schools can make all the difference as you try to decide which online MHA program is best for you. We reached out to program directors at several universities to let them share what makes their online master’s degrees in healthcare administration stand apart and how the curriculum prepares students for a successful career after graduation.

University name		location	School type	online programs	Get more info	Program Description
West Coast University		location: Campuses in CA, FL, TX	School type: Private for-profit	online programs: 1	Get more info	Q&A with Dr. Justin Ako, DC, BSBA Dean and Program Director, Health Administration Master of Health Administration What’s your involvement at West Coast University with online learning? I have been involved with online learning since 2011 when the MHA program was in a bookend format through the transition into fully online in 2016 and the introduction of the BSHA program online. What makes your online MHA program stand out from others? Our program is 100% online and mobile-friendly which can provide you with the flexibility to learn on your own schedule anywhere at any time. Although our program is online, it’s heavily student-centric where you can receive student support, gain access to the dean, career services, a success advisor and admission reps who are all available to you to help prepare you for success. West Coast University strives to support our students every step of the way. What makes us stand out is our program has accelerated and working professional options available to you. Our time to completion for MHA program is in as little as 12 months. Many of our students have obligations and responsibilities, so we understand how tough it is to balance everything. At West Coast University, there are partner grants available for those who qualify, and we can help find internships in California when it’s time for students to get the hands-on experience they need. How does your online MHA program prepare students for successful careers in the field? The mission of the MHA program is to prepares graduates with multidisciplinary skills required for entry-level managerial positions in hospitals, long-term care facilities, medical group practices, and other health care facilities. Our online program is designed to provide the fundamental knowledge required to prepare our students as supervisors or managers in the healthcare industry including planning, directing, coordinating and supervising the delivery of healthcare products and services. Our curriculum is based on the Healthcare Leadership Alliance (HLA) 5 cored competencies to include courses in finance, marketing, informatics, strategic planning, hospital administration, leadership, project management, and entrepreneurship. What support services do you offer students enrolled in your online MHA program? Our students not only get access to me, the dean, they also receive continuous support from our career services department, our 24-hour access to library, Blackboard Mobile App and eTextbooks to take wherever you go! At West Coast University, we prepare our students to go to the next level of leadership, and we strive to provide our students the education to take the next step in your career by offering support beyond graduation. We continuously support our students even when they have obtained a career. Our Career Services Department provides ongoing assistance with professional and career development workshops to guide our students and graduates to help prepare for professional success. We also offer students an immersive Interprofessional Education (IPE) through courses that integrate IPE. We focus on the four core competencies of interprofessional collaborative practice: Values/Ethics for Interprofessional Practice, Roles and Responsibilities, Interprofessional Communication and Teams and Teamwork. Hands-on experience is an important part of building leadership skills. That’s why West Coast University offers MHA students a variety of internship opportunities—leveraging our relationships with the Red Cross, local organizations, and International internship partners to help place you in a rewarding and intellectually challenging environment. Any other information you’d like students to know about your MHA program? There are many benefits to earning an advanced degree, which may include job security, flexibility and increased earning potential. Without an advanced degree in this field, it can be very difficult to progress upward. This is a super exciting field where you gain limitless learning possibilities from finance, marketing, HR, quality control, infectious control, risk management, and director roles just to name a few. It’s a rewarding field to be a part of, and this is a great way to dip your toes into different roles in the health care industry.
Northcentral University		location: La Jolla, CA	School type: Private for-profit	online programs: 1	Get more info	Q&A with Dale L. Gooden DHSc, MBA Program Director, Master of Health Administration and Assistant Professor, School of Health Sciences Master of Health Administration What’s your involvement at Northcentral University with online learning? In my role I manage the operations of the MHA program using synchronous technology for mentoring and engaging learners in our NCU one-to-one model of student engagement. Additionally, I work closely with the instructional design and curriculum assessment teams to ensure that the program reflects current and contemporary content per our accreditation standards. What makes your online MHA program stand out from other programs? The MHA program was developed and designed to mirror both industry and professional competencies. Our program aligns with the high standards for graduate programs per the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) and we embed Interprofessional Education (IPE) and the National Center for Health Care Leadership competency model (NCHL) into our curriculum. Our program is an associate member of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) and was named New Program of the Year in 2019. Our assistant dean was recently named Faculty Member of the Year for 2020! We also participate in the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Higher Education Network and in 2018 we started a chapter of Upsilon Phi Delta, the national academic honor society for health administration students. Faculty and students in the MHA program have the opportunity to collaborate, present and publish on industry related topics. How does your online MHA program prepare students for successful careers in the field? Students are provided with ample opportunities to practice and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities that employers require of their employees in the healthcare industry. For example, graduates of the MHA program will be qualified for careers in various types of health service organizations, such as hospitals, ambulatory settings, home health agencies, and government agencies. We have a Program Advisory Council (PAC) which consists of leaders and administrators with a wide variety of healthcare experience. The primary purpose of the PAC is to ensure our program includes the content and exposes students to the information they will need to become leaders in their prospective positions. What support services do you offer students enrolled in your online MHA program? NCU offers an array of student support services including but not limited to: Enrollment Services Academic and Finance Advising Disability/ADA Services Center for Teaching and Learning Academic Success Center Educational Materials and Resources NCU Library Alumni Services Office of the Registrar IT Service Desk Team Institutional Review Board Well-Being and Safety Any other information you’d like prospective students to know about your MHA program? The SHS has a Student Advisory Council (SAC) that serves as a liaison between students, faculty, and administration in the School of Health Sciences. SAC members work to evaluate and provide feedback/recommendations for the MHA program. The MHA students also participate in an annual Day of Service where they are encouraged to work within their individual communities to make difference.

What Types of Online MHA Programs Are Available?

Not all online MHA programs are created alike, and that’s a good thing because MHA students are not all looking to get the same things out of their degree studies. Finding the right program type can play a big role in a student’s academic success. Here’s a quick look at the various types of online MHA programs available to help you find the one that’s the right fit for you.

MHA with No GRE

In the past, admission to a master’s in healthcare administration degree program (or any master’s program, for that matter) almost always required submission of an acceptable GRE or GMAT score. Times have changed, though. Many campus and online MHA programs today no longer require taking either the GRE or GMAT, relying instead on an assessment of other application requirements, such as demonstrated work experience, a solid undergraduate GPA, prior academic and/or professional distinction, letters of recommendation, and a persuasive statement of purpose. Below are just a few of the online MHA programs that do not require taking the GRE or GMAT for admission:

George Washington University – MHA

Pennsylvania State University (PennState World Campus) – MHA in Health Policy and Administration

University of Cincinnati – MHA

University of Missouri (Mizzou Online) – MHA

University of Scranton – MHA

The Best Online MHA Programs for 2024

Earning a master’s is a massive achievement. It shows that you’re ready to learn more, take on more, and move into a leadership position. Online MHA programs give you the opportunity to advance your education and your career in management. But which schools offer the quality, affordability, and cost structure you need to make your master’s a reality? The data team at EduMed.org has researched and analyzed data from more than 7,700 accredited colleges and universities, and identified which schools and programs offer what students need to succeed. Check out the best master’s in healthcare administration online for the ’23-’24 school year.

Which is Better, an MHA or MBA?

Anyone searching for a master’s in healthcare administration or leadership has more than likely run across several MBA degree programs specializing in healthcare management or administration. And finding such programs leads to the inevitable question, “How does an MBA with a Healthcare Administration concentration differ from an MHA degree?” Generally speaking, an MBA with a Healthcare Administration concentration prepares business professionals to apply advanced banking and investment skills to their work with client healthcare organizations. An MHA, on the other hand, provides current healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to carry out the administrative operations of healthcare organizations as a direct employee.

There is, of course, major overlap regarding the topics covered and skills developed in these two degree programs. So, if you are still unsure which one is best for you, consider the following:

Choose the MHA if …

• You intend on pursuing an administration or management career at an organization within the healthcare field.
• Your main professional focus concerns the management of healthcare services and systems.
• You think of yourself as a “people person.”

Choose the MBA if …

• You want a career in banking or investment management that deals with organizations in the healthcare industry. You may also work with other non-healthcare industries as well.
• Your main professional interests are in the areas of banking and finance, particularly in how they apply to the healthcare business.
• You think of yourself as a “numbers person.”

A Look at MBA/MHA Dual Degree Programs Online

You’ve carefully examined your career goals and interests. You’ve taken a close look at programs for both MHA degrees and MBA degrees with a Healthcare Administration concentration. Still, neither degree seems to be quite the right fit. The right answer may be to earn both. Fortunately, there are a number of excellent schools out there that offer online MBA/MHA dual degree programs. These programs allow students to gain the knowledge and skills provided by both degrees individually, but in much less time.

Below are three examples of MBA/MHA dual degree programs that can be completed either fully or partially online:

Pfeiffer University – MHA/MBA

Stetson University – MBA/MHA

William Woods University – MBA/MHA

How Long Does It Take to Earn an Online MHA?

The program lengths given below are typical of MHA programs online. The most accurate answer to this question, however, is that completion times vary – sometimes substantially – from program to program. So, be sure to carefully review the curriculums and graduation requirements of any and all master’s in healthcare administration programs online you’re considering before you enroll. In addition to the programs below, you can also check out accelerated MHA programs, which often last an estimated 12-15 months.

What Do You Learn in an Online MHA Program?

The purpose of online MHA program coursework is to provide students with comprehensive skills and training in a broad range of topics that, taken together, make up the duties of an effective administrator of a large and complex healthcare organization. Those duties include:

5 Popular Courses in Online MHA Programs

What Can You Do with an Online MHA Degree?

MHA graduates can find challenging, in-demand, high-paying leadership and management careers in clinical settings like hospitals, medical clinics, doctors’ offices, and nursing homes. Careers can also be found in a wide range of non-clinical settings with governmental agencies, insurance companies, medical equipment suppliers, professional consulting firms, and more. Below is a small sampling of the job titles MHA graduates have in today’s employment market. All salary and job growth figures are taken from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Are Online MHA Degree Programs Accredited?

Yes, online MHA degree programs are eligible to receive the same level of accreditation as campus programs. There are two types of accreditation to look for: institutional accreditation and programmatic accreditation. Institutional accreditation (accreditation of the college or university as a whole) for colleges and universities in the U.S. is administered by one or more national or regional accrediting agencies recognized by the Department of Education (DOE). Programmatic accreditation (accreditation of the particular degree program) for MHA programs in the U.S. is administered by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). Relatively few online MHA programs you’ll currently run into are directly accredited by the CAHME, so make sure schools hold regional or national institutional accreditation at minimum. You can check the CAHME and institutional accreditation status of online MHA programs you’re considering by using this CAHME search feature, searching the DOE’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs, and by visiting individual school websites.

How Affordable Are Online Master’s Degrees in Healthcare Administration?

Tuition prices and other costs associated with pursuing a master’s in healthcare administration online vary from program to program. In most cases, for example, students can expect to spend more on a program offered by a private school than one offered by a public school. Online MHA programs at public universities may offer a discounted rate for in-state residents. Below are examples of tuition prices (current as of fall 2019) taken from three online MHA programs:

Clarkson
College

Master of Health
Administration

$621/credit

Colorado State
University (GSU Global)

Master of Health
Administration

$500/credit

University of Central
Florida (UCF Online)

Executive Master of
Health Administration

$773/credit

To learn more on how to pay for your online MHA degree program, check out EduMed’s guide to financial aid and browse our list of healthcare leadership and administration scholarships.