Online MHA Degrees in Georgia: Finding the Right Program
Earning your Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) degree is a great way to learn the skills you need for advanced healthcare administration roles. Many universities in Georgia offer both campus and online MHA programs that make it possible to earn a degree while you work. Use EduMed’s guide to learn details about tuition, admissions requirements, program content, and earnings after graduation.
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Detailing Online MHA Programs in Georgia
Many healthcare administration programs in Georgia come in a hybrid format, which allows students to attend in-person classes and take online courses. This provides greater flexibility as well as an opportunity to get to know professors and peers.
These programs also give you the chance to specialize in areas such as clinical care management or public health management. To see how they work, to learn what they offer, and to discover whether one might be right for you, check out some of Georgia’s most popular online MHA programs below.
South University – Savannah Online
The Master of Healthcare Administration at South University is a fully online program that can be completed in 12 courses or 48 credits. Students learn everything from financial management to marketing to strategy and operations. The 19 to 1 student-faculty ratio means excellent one-on-one time with professors and better potential relationships with peers.
Expert Insight
Fully online courses are ideal for many working professionals who are balancing jobs, family, and education. In my experience, setting aside dedicated study time and treating classes like a second job made it easier to stay on track while still managing my other responsibilities.
To enter the program, students must hold a bachelor’s degree completed with a minimum 2.7 GPA. Students have access to academic counseling services throughout the journey, as well as career placement services when they complete their program.
Duration: 2 years
Mode: Online
Cost: $33,360 ($695 per credit)
Admissions Requirements:
- Completion of application for admission
- Official transcripts for bachelor’s degree or graduate degree with 5 weeks of the start date
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- A 2.0 overall GPA or higher on completed requirements for the baccalaureate degree
Curriculum:
- Healthcare Management and Organizational Behavior
- Healthcare Organizations and Administration
- Current Economies in Healthcare
- Regulation and Policy in Healthcare
- Health Law and Ethics
- Healthcare Planning and Marketing
- Executive Leadership in Healthcare Organizations
- Management Information Systems in Healthcare
- Quality Performance and Management
- Financial Management of Healthcare Organizations
- Human Resource Management in Healthcare Organizations
- Seminar in Healthcare Cases
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Georgia Southern University
The Master of Health Administration (MHA) program at Georgia Southern University is hybrid, allowing students to experience both campus life and distance learning. The 39-40 credit program has a fall start date and offers an affordable option with close supervision by professors. Students can complete the program in as little as 20 months but might take longer depending up on their personal educational needs.
This Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)-accredited program prepares students to develop health policy at various levels, run healthcare organizations, handle marketing and quality improvement, make sound financial decisions, and manage a workforce dedicated to healthcare.
Expert Insight
CAHME-accredited is considered the gold standard in healthcare administration education and highly valued when pursuing leadership roles.
Duration: 20 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $11,360 ($284 per credit)
Admissions Requirements:
- Completion of application for admission
- Official transcript(s) from each college or university previously attended
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- A 2.75 overall GPA or higher on completed requirements for the baccalaureate degree
- Two letters of recommendation
- A CV/Resume
- Complete the Structured Admissions Questionnaire
Curriculum:
- Professional Ethics
- Professional Skills Development
- Socio-Cultural Environment
- Healthcare Workforce Environment
- Health Systems Organizations
- Economic Environment
- Legal, Regulatory, and Policy Environment
- Financial Analysis and Management
- Human Resource Management
- Organizational Dynamics/Management/Governance
- Strategic Management and Marketing
- Information Systems and Informatics
- Continuous Quality/Performance Improvement
Strayer University
With two concentrations to choose from, the online Master of Health Administration program at Strayer University offers students the flexibility they need to choose their best career option. Students can specialize in clinical care management or in public health management.
The program requires 54 credits, which are earned through 11-week courses. It also offers significant assistance from advisors and faculty members with a small student-faculty ratio. Those who want to make the most of their time can opt to take additional classes that enhance their concentration even further.
Expert Insight
A small student-faculty ratio often means more personalized attention and mentorship where close interaction with instructors can deepen your understanding of complex topics throughout the program.
Duration: 2 years
Mode: Online
Cost: $20,160 ($1,680 per course)
Admissions Requirements:
- A completed application and enrollment agreement, as applicable
- Proof of a completed baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 out of 4.0
- Official copies of transcripts from all other colleges or universities attended
- A valid, current and legible government-issued photo identification
Curriculum:
Core Requirements:
- Management in Healthcare
- Health Services Strategic Marketing
- Grantsmanship in Public Administration
- Health Economics
- Health Information Systems
- Healthcare Policy, Law and Ethics
- Health Financial Management
- Health Services Human Resource Management
- Health Services Administration Capstone
- Quantitative Methods for Health Services
Concentration Requirements:
- Clinical Care Management Concentration:
- Healthcare Operations Management
- Long-Term Care Management
- Physician’s Practice Management
- Public Health Management Concentration:
- Managerial Epidemiology
- Public Health Management
- Environmental Health Management
FAQs about Online MHA Programs in Georgia
Choosing to earn your MHA is a significant investment in money and time. Before you commit to any program, you should have answers to all your questions. Here are some of the most common questions from aspiring MHA students in Georgia.
What knowledge and skills do you learn in MHA programs in Georgia?
On-campus and online MHA programs in Georgia involve curricula that focus on two main areas. The first, strategic healthcare issues, affects the overall direction and financial health of a hospital or other healthcare provider. At Georgia State University, for example, students take classes like Health Policy and Ethics as well as Healthcare Planning and Financial Management.
The other major area in many MHA programs involves learning the business-related concepts often seen in business school programs. At Clayton State University, for instance, students complete classes in healthcare accounting and organizational behavior in health care. Near the end of their MHA program, students also have projects and/or internships where they apply these concepts to actual problems faced by today’s healthcare providers.
Are there any CAHME-accredited MHA programs in Georgia?
Only two MHA programs in Georgia are accredited by the CAHME, Georgia Southern University and Georgia State University. Neither school offers online or hybrid learning options for MHA students.
When you choose to earn your master’s degree, make sure that the school itself has full accreditation – this helps ensure that your degree means something to potential employers. The school itself should be proud of their accreditation and thus make it very clear on their website, but if you can’t find it, get in touch with the school to ask about their regional accreditation. You can also find information on accreditation through the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
What are the admissions requirements for MHA programs in Georgia?
The admissions requirements differ for each Georgia school and MHA program, but common admissions requirements include:
- A minimum GPA (usually 2.5 to 3.0) from an accredited college or university
- A personal statement
- Two or three letters of recommendation
- A resume or curriculum vitae
- A statement of purpose
- Application
- Application fee
Most programs do not require GRE or GMAT scores. If they do, it’s likely to be for students lacking a minimum GPA. This is the case at Clayton State University. There also could be a requirement for work experience. Many programs, such as the one at Georgia State University, prefer students who have relevant healthcare work experience.
Is financial aid available for MHA programs in Georgia?
Seeing the tuition numbers might make you nervous, but keep in mind that those are the starting point, not the finish line. Financial aid options can bring that cost down considerably.
Traditional financial aid possibilities include federal student loans, private student loans, grants, and scholarships. Graduate assistantships are also offered by some schools, such as Georgia Southern University. Another potential source of financial aid is tuition reimbursement from your employer. Before you enroll in courses, speak to admissions or the financial aid office about the options that might be available to you.
Expert Insight
Employers can be a great source of financial support for students. Many offer tuition assistance programs that cover a set amount each year, though they’re usually contingent on maintaining a certain grade or GPA. It’s always worth checking with your HR department to see what benefits may be available.
How long do MHA programs in Georgia take?
The biggest variable affecting how long it takes to graduate is if you take classes part-time or full-time. Many programs follow the cohort-learning model where students proceed at the same pace and finish in about two years. Some programs, like that at Georgia State University, allow students to complete classes more quickly with an accelerated time frame of only 16 months.
Career & Salary Trends for MHA Graduates in Georgia
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $69,680 | $117,960 | $219,080 |
| Georgia | $83,200 | $136,030 | $239,200+ |
| Albany, GA | $75,530 | $137,550 | $239,200+ |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $78,680 | $140,640 | $209,990 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $92,940 | $143,850 | $239,200+ |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $72,590 | $119,100 | $191,340 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $45,400 | $101,560 | $239,200+ |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $79,070 | $113,320 | $216,610 |
| Gainesville, GA | $86,480 | $137,910 | $223,760 |
| Hinesville, GA | $88,380 | $110,140 | $172,810 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $73,850 | $132,790 | $234,090 |
| Rome, GA | $83,620 | $124,010 | $199,990 |
| Savannah, GA | $83,030 | $129,270 | $235,960 |
| Valdosta, GA | $69,250 | $113,570 | $208,170 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $62,660 | $106,090 | $183,500 |
Source: Medical & Health Services Managers, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2024, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 509,500 | 654,200 | 144,700 | 28.40% | 54,700 |
| Georgia | 8,760 | 11,860 | 3,100 | 35.40% | 1,020 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
