Written By
Blake Huggins
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Earning a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) is one of the best ways for New York medical professionals to begin or advance their management careers. An MHA can unlock higher-paying positions and equip you for in-demand leadership roles where you’ll use key management principles to enhance the quality of healthcare delivery.
Working professionals and prospective students can use this guide to learn about the best online and on-campus MHA programs offered by universities in New Yorkstate. It also answers key questions, previews what you’ll study, and highlights career opportunities after you graduate. Keep reading to get started on your path to earning your MHA in New York.
Spotlights: Top MHA Programs in New York for 2022
This year’s best overall New York MHA programs are spotlighted below. Each scores high marks on curriculum quality and study flexibility to give you the managerial skills and clinical know-how you need to succeed as a healthcare administrator in New York. Read on to find out which programs rise above the rest in 2022.
New York University
NYU offers an Online Master of Health Administration that features distinguished faculty and small class sizes. Tailored for working professionals and part-time learners, the program empowers students to lead healthcare organizations and develop innovative, patient-centered solutions. NYU uses synchronous and asynchronous course delivery, allowing students to complete the program within two years at a pace that meets their needs. Classes cover topics like healthcare policy, data analysis and strategic management, managerial accounting, and entrepreneurship.
Near the end of the program, students complete a two-and-a-half-day immersive experience in the New York metro area with room and board costs covered by NYU. Students seeking additional in-person or hands-on experiences can do so through their offline lessons and other group work.
Columbia University
Columbia University extends a Master of Health Administration with three different tracks to qualified applicants with an accredited bachelor’s degree. Part-time students take two and a half years to complete the program, while full-time students and experienced executives can finish in two years. A core curriculum develops knowledge foundations and practical skills in project management, performance measurement, organizational operations, and healthcare finance.
Columbia offers a range of integrated experiences (e.g., research, hands-on fieldwork, and professional networking) to supplement didactic coursework for these in-person programs. Students also benefit from additional resources (e.g., financial aid, global health initiatives, and corporate partnerships) through the Mailman School of Public Health. Graduates typically obtain senior-level leadership roles in healthcare or health management.
Hofstra University
At Hofstra University, students complete their Master of Health Administration using online or in-person formats. The program requires 48 credits and develops specialized competency in hospital organization, health information systems, data analytics, and healthcare management. Free electives include ambulatory care and public health. Hofstra extends financial aid to qualified students and has career-building and professional development resources available as well.
All students complete a 300-hour internship experience at an approved site in the New York metro area. Each student also receives a faculty mentor to aid in navigating the program and selecting a health services specialization. Eligible applicants can transfer up to nine graduate-level healthcare-related credits.
Frequently Asked Questions About MHA Programs in New York
What do you learn in MHA programs in New York?
These programs focus on how to improve the delivery of quality, patient-centered care in large organizations using core management and business administration insights. Curricula at schools like Cornell and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai develop knowledge foundations in finance and accounting, healthcare law and public policy, project and operations management, and quantitative analysis.
Students build competency by completing didactic coursework, either in person or online, and capstone or internship experiences provide the opportunity to apply that knowledge in real-world contexts. Graduates are prepared to coordinate and manage complex medical and health services efforts in hospitals and other large healthcare facilities.
Are there CAHME-accredited online MHA programs in New York?
NYU, Hofstra University, and Stony Brook University all offer online MHA programs accredited by CAHME. This extra credential is not mandatory, but it provides additional endorsement specific to healthcare administration and could make you a more desirable candidate on the job market.
What are the admissions requirements for MHA programs in New York?
Eligible applicants need an accredited bachelor’s degree, preferably in a healthcare-related field, with a competitive GPA (minimums range from 2.5 to 3.5). Beyond that, the process and criteria depend on the school and program. For both NYU and Russell Sage College, admissions applications should include:
- Academic transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- An updated resume
- A short, written statement discussing career goals
- GRE/GMAT scores (optional or waived in some cases)
Some schools, like Cornell, call for additional components such as course prerequisites or relevant professional experience in business or healthcare. Adhere to the admissions process specific to the schools you’re applying to.
How long do MHA programs in New York take to finish?
Full-time students, including those at Utica University and D’Youville College, can finish their MHA studies in two years or less. Factors like pacing and availability of online delivery will impact your timeline as does enrollment status since part-time students tend to finish at a slower pace. Some schools account for these circumstances, though, but others may not. Columbia University, for example, accommodates both paces.
How much do New York MHA programs cost?
Tuition costs vary widely among schools, impacted by factors like the type of school, where you live, and whether you’re enrolled full-time or part-time. Private schools are generally more expensive than public schools, especially if you’re an out-of-state resident, and part-time students tend to pay more than full-time students.
Stony Brook University
Master of Health Administration Program
Total Credits: 54
$582/credit (in-state); $963/credit (out-of-state)
Can I get financial aid to help pay for my MHA degree in New York?
Most new and returning MHA students are eligible for scholarships offered at the institutional level when they register. Some schools, like Hofstra University and Fordham University, extend special fellowships and scholarships in healthcare administration. Outside organizations like Healthcare Leaders of New York offer similar opportunities as well. Navigate to our financial aid resource and our healthcare administration scholarship guide for tips on how to obtain financial aid.
Inside Look at Online MHA Programs in New York
NYU, Hofstra University, and Monroe College are all good examples of what to expect when pursuing your MHA degree online in New York state. At Monroe, students choose from a range of options, including hybrid and fully online delivery, and use an accommodating scheduling system that allows engagement with content at their convenience. Hofstra uses a similar model and offers courses on 14–15-week rhythm. Both schools use a combination of synchronous and asynchronous methods and extend extra provisions to part-time students and working professionals.
Other schools expect students to complete programming on a part-time basis and make additional resources (e.g., virtual libraries, technical support, and online faculty office hours) available to support students. Most programs don’t have on-campus commitments. Those that do, like NYU, ensure that such components occur at a reduced capacity such as a multi-day, immersive, experience either at the beginning or end of the program.
Earnings and Job Outlook for MHA Graduates in New York
Below is a look at the job market for recent MHA graduates with details on what working professionals can expect after earning their MHA. Salary and job growth trends specific to New York are also provided.
Are healthcare managers with an MHA degree in high demand in New York?
The job outlook for working professionals with an MHA in New York is exceptionally bright, outpacing positive national trends for the profession and well above the average for all occupations.
New York state is expected to add nearly 12,000 new jobs in medical and health services management through 2030, due in part to localized demand and aging populations in need of sustained care. The job growth rate for these professionals is over 40%, nearly 10 percent higher than the national growth rate for the occupation. By contrast, the growth rate for all occupations nationwide is just 7.7%.
Job Outlook for Medical and Health Services Managers in New York (2020-2030)
| New Jobs | Job Growth Rate | Avg. Annual Openings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 11,640 | 42.1% | 3,700 |
| United States | 139,600 | 32.5% | 51,800 |
Source: Projections Central
How much do healthcare managers with an MHA make in New York?
New York MHA graduates benefit from above-average earnings with the biggest increases found in highly-concentrated urban centers like New York City, Buffalo, and Albany. As the table below indicates, the median annual wage for medical managers and health services administrators statewide exceeds the national average by over 25%. Working professionals in the greater NYC metro area see the highest earnings. There’s also plenty of room for advancement as you accrue professional experience. Top MHA-backed earners take home more than 30% above the median wage.
Annual Earnings for Medical and Health Services Managers in New York
| Location | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2021
Additional Resources for MHA Students in New York
Scholarships and Online Resources for Healthcare Administration Students
These resources point to key financial aid providers in healthcare management and administration and can help you locate scholarship and grant opportunities. They offer tips on submitting a winning scholarship application and look at additional student support resources that focus on community-building, professional networking, and study aids.
Healthcare Association of New York State
HANYS serves healthcare professionals throughout the Empire state through advocacy initiatives, policy analysis, and an active newsroom that reports developments affecting healthcare administrators. It also sponsors local events, awards outstanding achievements in healthcare management, and connects qualified career-seekers with new job opportunities.
New York State Department of Health
This government agency oversees and regulates healthcare delivery across New York state. It also offers tools to help connect MHA professionals with care facilities and patients or communities in need. Students can also use its financial aid tools, employment resources, and regulation databases.
Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
In addition to administering accreditation to qualified programs, CAHME offers scholarships and other funding opportunities to students in New York MHA programs. It also sponsors quality assurance initiatives, produces official white papers, and hosts an extensive continuing learning center.
Health Resources & Services Administration
An arm of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, HRSA offers valuable resources to MHA students. These include financial aid opportunities, current data sets and information on public advocacy efforts, and training and continuing education initiatives.