North Carolina’s Online MHA Programs: Find Top Schools

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

UNC Chapel Hill’s Executive Master of Healthcare Administration, housed in the Gillings School of Global Public Health, is consistently one of the nation’s top-ranked programs. Most coursework happens online through Zoom sessions during the evening. However, students will need to be on campus in Chapel Hill a handful of times throughout the two-year program for hands-on work.

The CAHME-accredited curriculum consists of 49 credits and is designed with full-time healthcare professionals in mind. In fact, current employment is required throughout the program, not just during application, so all students in the cohort are expected to be working alongside their studies.

Duration: 2 years

Mode: Fully online live sessions (with occasional in-person sessions required in Chapel Hill)

Cost: Roughly $598 per credit hour (NC resident); $1,635 per credit hour (non-NC resident)

Admissions Requirements:

• Complete online application
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• 3.0 minimum GPA
• Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
• Current full-time employment in healthcare, required throughout the program
• Three letters of reference, personal statement, and virtual interview

Appalachian State University

Appalachian State’s online Master of Health Administration is CAHME-accredited and offers students one of the most flexible formats available. The entire curriculum is delivered asynchronously, meaning students don’t have to attend live sessions or meet at scheduled times. There is one on-campus event each fall, but attendance is optional.

Across 46 credits, the program allows students to choose from two concentration options: Healthcare Leadership or Health Informatics. Most students finish the degree in about two years with year-round enrollment, but it’s possible to enroll part-time as well.

Duration: 2 years of full-time enrollment

Mode: Fully online, asynchronous coursework

Cost: $511 per credit hour (NC resident); $1,495 per credit hour (non-NC resident)

Admissions Requirements:

• Complete online application
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• 3.0 minimum GPA
• Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
• Minimum three years of full-time healthcare experience
• Current full-time employment in healthcare, required throughout the program
• Three letters of reference, personal statement, and virtual interview

University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW)

UNCW’s online Master of Healthcare Administration is CAHME-accredited and built for early- to mid-career professionals. It offers rolling admissions with six start dates per year, which is rare to find among online MHA programs.

The 48-credit hour curriculum is delivered in accelerated seven-week courses. Beyond coursework, students without a healthcare background have an opportunity to participate in faculty research and international travel programs to apply what they’ve learned. In addition, students who meet certain experience and role criteria can waive two practicum courses, dropping the total to 42 credits.

Lastly, UNCW’s program is aligned with the National Center for Healthcare Leadership’s Health Leadership Competency Model 3.0. This ensures coursework is designed around information relevant to today’s healthcare sector and prepares graduates for the work they’ll actually be doing.

Duration: As little as 15 months

Mode: Fully online

Cost: Total cost $17,033 (NC-resident); $63,865 (non-NC resident)

Admissions Requirements:

• Complete online application
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• 3.0 minimum GPA
• Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended