Written By
Shannon Lee
- Bio
last updated
Like many other parts of the country, Florida faces a growing demand for healthcare services. This isn’t surprising, given that Florida’s population is expected to risefrom about 21.6 million in 2020 to 24.4 million by 2030. Besides hiring more doctors, nurses, therapists, and technicians, the healthcare system in Florida will also need more administrators to efficiently manage limited healthcare resources. To make it to the highest levels of healthcare management, you’ll need a graduate degree, and one of the most popular options is a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA).
Many accredited universities in Florida offer these programs, including some offered online. In this guide, we’ll show you this year’s best MHA programs in Florida, answer commonly asked questions from prospective students just like you, and explore popular careers you may be able to pursue after graduation.
Spotlights: Top MHA Programs in Florida for 2022
If you’re looking to attend an MHA program in Florida, you’re in luck, as there are plenty of high-quality programs to choose from. To help make your school search process a little easier, we’ve reviewed a plethora of programs and found the standouts in terms of affordability, student support, and learning flexibility. Below are three top-tier options for earning an on-campus or online MHA degree in Florida. See if one of them has what you’re looking for or simply use them as a quality standard to compare other programs your considering against.
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida (UCF) stands out as a premier option because it’s the only online MHA program in Florida that’s accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). For the Executive Master of Health Administrationprogram, incoming students are expected to have at least three years of relevant experience and can graduate in just two years. The program consists of 44 credits at a cost of $772.69 each, regardless of the student’s residency status. Students interested in more traditional on-campus learning can choose UCF’s Master of Health Administrationprogram or the Master of Health Administration—Health Services Administrationprogram. Both programs base tuition on if you live in Florida. In-state students pay $369.65 per credit while out-of-state students pay $1,194.05 per credit.
University of Florida
The Master of Health Administrationprogram from the University of Florida is ideal for students who want flexibility and great student support services. Students choose a full-time or part-time track. Full-time students can complete all 57 credits in two years, while part-time students take three years to complete the same number of credits. To get the most hands-on training possible, as well as to create connections with healthcare administration professionals, students complete an internship in which they work full-time at a healthcare organization for 10 to 12 weeks. Besides experience and networking, another benefit of these internships is that they usually are paid, either hourly or with a stipend.
University of North Florida
Students who want to graduate as quickly as possible will appreciate the Master of Health Administration Graduate Programfrom the University of North Florida. The curriculum consists of just 45 credits, so full-time students can graduate in less than two years. For those who prefer a slower pace, there’s also a part-time program that takes about three years to complete. Regardless of their path, students take most of their classes in the evening. The program is accredited by CAHME. Graduates will not only have a master’s degree when done, but they’ll also have their Lean Competency System Certification 1C Green Belt equivalent and training in Human Centered Design.
Frequently Asked Questions About MHA Programs in Florida
What knowledge and skills do you learn in MHA programs in Florida?
Many students in Florida MHA programs already have business experience but lack formal instruction. With that in mind, many of the early MHA classes cover foundational business concepts, such as marketing, finance, and accounting. Students also take high-level healthcare courses that focus on strategic thinking. At the University of West Florida, this includes classes such as healthcare law, informatics, healthcare human resources, and healthcare data analysis. Many programs also have a culminating requirement that allows students to demonstrate their understanding and application of the concepts they’ve learned. For example, at the University of North Floridastudents complete a capstone course.
Are there CAHME-accredited online MHA programs in Florida?
Eight MHA programs in Florida have been accredited by CAHME. That said, accredited online MHA programs in Florida are limited. The University of Central Florida is the only one of the eight programs that offers its CAHME-accredited curriculum online.
What are the admissions requirements for MHA programs in Florida?
Most traditional MHA programs in Florida have the same basic admissions requirements. These include:
- An application
- A minimum undergraduate GPA for the last 60 credits (usually a 3.0)
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Several years of work experience, preferably in a healthcare setting
- One or more letters of recommendation
- Copies of official transcripts
One thing that’s not usually required is a GMAT or GRE score. Many MHA programs, like the one at Florida Atlantic University, don’t require any sort of admissions test.
How long do MHA programs in Florida take to complete?
The school and program you choose will impact your time for completion. For example, students taking classes full-time at the University of North Florida can expect to graduate in about two years; students enrolled part-time need about three years. Another factor is if students are taking classes online. For example, at Florida International University, students enrolled in the hybrid program complete 48 credits in about 18 months, while fully online students need 24 months to complete the program. In certain situations, students can graduate in just 15 months, such as with the online MHA program from Florida Atlantic University.
How much do Florida MHA programs cost?
Schools’ tuition rates and fees vary widely. In addition, many other factors affect how much a program costs, such as cost of living for an on-campus program and availability of financial aid. That being said, the following three schools provide a rough idea of what to expect in terms of tuition rates for the typical MHA program in Florida.
How much do Florida MHA programs cost?
Schools’ tuition rates and fees vary widely. In addition, many other factors affect how much a program costs, such as cost of living for an on-campus program and availability of financial aid. That being said, the following three schools provide a rough idea of what to expect in terms of tuition rates for the typical MHA program in Florida.
University of South Florida
Master of Health Administration
Total Credits: 54
$429.93/credit to $431.43/credit (in-state); $875.67/credit to $877.17/credit (out-of-state)
Florida Atlantic University
Online Executive Master of Health Administration Program
Total Credits: 30
$900/credit
Can I get financial aid to help pay for my MHA program in Florida?
There are plenty of opportunities for financial aid for students attending an MHA program in Florida. Some of the most common forms are federal student loans, grants, scholarships, fellowships, and private loans. There’s also Florida’s State Tuition Waiver Program, which allows qualified state employees to take up to six credits per semester from a Florida state college or university for free. Each individual school has discretion to decide which classes are open to the program. To learn more about scholarships open to MHA students in Florida, check out our healthcare administration student scholarships guide and financial aid guide.
Inside Look at Online MHA Programs in Florida
Most MHA programs in Florida offer either all or most of their classes on campus. Students may have the option to take a few required classes online, but they should expect the bulk of their learning to occur in person. In addition, many programs include internships, such as the MHA program at the University of South Florida. The only fully online MHA program in Florida that’s also accredited by CAHME is the Executive MHA program from the University of Central Florida. This fully online program is designed for professionals already working in the healthcare industry. There’s also another online MHA program in Florida that’s accredited, this one by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business—the Online Executive Master of Health Administration Programat Florida Atlantic University. Coursework in this program is fully online and asynchronous, meaning students can “attend” class at any time that’s most convenient for them. If students want to take some classes on campus, a hybrid learning model is also possible with this program.
Earnings and Job Outlook for MHA Graduates in Florida
A master’s in healthcare administration not only can lead to increased responsibility, but it also can lead to better pay. Let’s discuss what kind of paycheck and employment new MHA graduates can expect.
Are healthcare managers with an MHA degree in high demand in Florida?
There’s a solid demand for healthcare professionals and administrators in Florida. The demand for health and medical managers in certain metropolitan areas of Florida is very high, even compared to the rest of the nation. For example, of the top 10 metropolitan areas in the United States with the highest number of medical and health service managers, the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, Florida metropolitan area ranks seventh, with 9,220 medical and health service managers.
Job Outlook for Healthcare and Social Assistance Workers in Florida (2021-2029)
| 2021 Employment | 2029 Projected Employment | Job Growth Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare and Social Assistance Employment | 1,250,410 | 1,453,434 | 6,430 |
| All Industries | 9,460,897 | 10,669,873 | 12.8% |
Source: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity – Employment Projections
How much do healthcare managers with an MHA make in Florida?
How much a Florida medical and health service manager can make with an MHA degree depends largely on where they work. Like most other states, healthcare managers who work in major cities and metropolitan areas will earn more, on average, than a comparable healthcare manager in a more rural area.
For instance, a healthcare administrator in Crestview, FL, which has less than 30,000 residents, can expect a median annual wage of $79,870. But a comparable healthcare manager working in Tallahassee, Florida’s capital (which has about 196,000 residents), has a median salary of $97,930. Learn more about what you might expect to earn in your area in the table below.
Annual Earnings for Medical and Health Services Managers in Florida
| Location | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2021
Additional Resources for MHA Students in Florida
Scholarships and Online Resources for Healthcare Administration Students
EduMed’s comprehensive listing of scholarships and online resources specifically for those in healthcare administration.
American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE)—Chapter Directory
ACHE is one of the leading professional organizations for healthcare executives. ACHE has chapters in north Florida, south Florida, and western Florida, plus an American College of Healthcare Executives of Central Florida chapter.
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration
This organization engages in several initiatives, including regulation of medical facilities in Florida, the administration of Florida’s Medicaid program, and informing the public about healthcare quality.
Florida Health Care Association
Their mission is to promote and advocate on behalf of many of Florida’s long-term medical care centers and facilities.
Florida Medical Group Management Association
This is the Florida chapter of the Medical Group Management Association, the primary professional association for healthcare professionals who work in medical practice groups.
Florida Society for Healthcare Risk Management and Patient Safety
Besides ensuring efficient delivery of healthcare services, health service managers also need to make sure medical care is delivered in a safe manner. This organization exists to help medical professionals who have leadership roles in ensuring patient safety.
Healthcare Financial Management Association—Florida Chapter
If a healthcare manager focuses on the financial health and management of a medical facility in Florida, they will be interested in joining this professional organization.