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Blake Huggins
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Healthcare administrators oversee budgeting, hire and train staff, and, most importantly, ensure that their organization delivers quality, patient-centered care. In order to qualify for these positions and enjoy added benefits like high job growth and increased pay, you’ll first need to obtain a master of healthcare administration.
If you’re curious about where to begin, look no further. This guide details everything you need, including information about what you’ll learn, programs with online courses, and financial aid opportunities. We’ve also spotlighted this year’s best MHA programs in Ohio to help get you started on your grad school search. Keep reading to find the answers you need about earning you MHA and explore how the degree can take your healthcare career to the next level.
Spotlights: Top MHA Programs in Ohio for 2022
To help you begin your search for a quality MHA program in Ohio, we’ve identified three top options. These programs offer a winning combination of curriculum quality, affordability, and student support. Learn more about each below and see if one of them meets your needs. These program spotlights serve as a preview of our full college rankings list, coming soon.
The Ohio State University
The Ohio State University’s College of Public Health administers a Master of Health Administration that prepares mid-career professionals for leadership roles in healthcare policy and management. This hands-on, on-campus program covers four main areas of competency: health systems and community, management function, leadership and professionalism, and analytic skills. Most students finish the program in just two years, completing courses in healthcare law, finance and accounting, and strategic management.
Students receive a clinical placement halfway through their 60-credit course of study. These administrative residencies provide time for networking and integrative practice and generally occur at OSU’s Wexner Medical Center or with local partners in the Columbus area. The school awards several merit-based scholarships in addition to research assistantships and other funding opportunities.
Xavier University
Xavier University offers a Master of Health Services Administration through its main campus in Cincinnati. Students complete the standard 66-credit program in person, but experienced professionals can enroll in an accelerated executive track available online and achievable in just eight to 12 months. Xavier uses a scholar-practitioner model for its MHA course of study. This involves a range of real-world experiences (e.g., professional development classes and administrative placements) that supplement didactic coursework
Full-time students typically graduate in three years or less and benefit from four semesters of instruction followed by a yearlong practicum in the field. They gain core skills in quantitative data analysis, healthcare policy and law-making, and operations management for health administrators. The school also offers a dual MHA/MBA degree for those interested in broader applications in business and corporate governance.
Ohio University
Ohio University extends a fully online MHA program available in part-time or full-time formats. Full-time students complete their course of study at an accelerated pace, graduating in one year with options for summer study. Working professionals using the part-time format double that timeframe. All students complete 12 courses, developing core competencies in health law and finance, human resource leadership, health information systems, and evidence-based delivery.
Learning objectives for this online MHA include financial management and quality improvement in healthcare, market and data analysis, and conflict management. Graduates can apply organizational behavior and strategic planning principles within larger healthcare entities. Ohio University prefers that applicants possess at least two years of professional experience in the U.S. healthcare system.
Frequently Asked Questions About MHA Programs in Ohio
What knowledge and skills do you learn in MHA programs in Ohio?
MHA programs combine the evidence-based and patient-centered aspects of healthcare delivery with core business and management skills. Students receive instruction in key knowledge areas that equip them to plan, coordinate, and direct medical and health services. For example, the online MHAprogram at Mercy College of Ohio focuses on health leadership and builds competency in areas like business literacy, relationship and human resources management, and healthcare delivery systems.
Many programs conclude with a capstone course designed to ready students for high-level employment or promotion. At schools like the University of Cincinnati, that requirement means completing a two-semester seminar exploring current and emerging issues in healthcare management.
Are there CAHME-accredited online MHA programs in Ohio?
While this may not be true of every program, schools like Xavier University offer an online MHA in Ohio with full CAHME accreditation. This form of accreditation provides healthcare-specific backing to qualified programs and could set you apart as a job-seeking graduate. Minimally, always make sure prospective schools hold institutional accreditation.
What are the admissions requirements for MHA programs in Ohio?
The most important requirement is that prospective applicants hold a relevant, accredited bachelor’s degree with a competitive GPA (typically 2.75 or above). Ohio University provides an additional list of admissions components shared by many other programs. It includes:
- Official academic transcripts
- Entrance examinations (usually for international applicants only)
- A short statement of purpose (500-1,000 words)
- Two or three letters of reference
- A professional resume
Some programs require additional materials like relevant work experience or course prerequisites, so follow the instructions on your application closely.
How long do MHA programs in Ohio take to complete?
Timeframes for completion fluctuate quite a bit and depend on factors like enrollment status (i.e., full-time vs. part-time), program pacing, and availability of online coursework. The program at Cleveland State, for example, uses fully-online formats to accommodate working professionals and typically graduates students along an expedited path. Most programs take two years or less to complete, however. The course of study at Franklin takes 21 months, while schools like Case Western offer an accelerated program (one year) alongside a two-year option for part-time students.
How much do Ohio MHA programs cost?
The examples below give you a sense of the range of possible costs involved with MHA programs in Ohio. There are several main factors impacting the final price tag of your degree, including the type of school you attend (i.e., public vs. private), your residency status, and whether you enroll full-time or part-time.
University of Cincinnati
Master of Health Administration
Total Credits: 40
$754/credit (resident); $769/credit (non-resident)
Can I get financial aid to help pay for my MHA program in Ohio?
The availability depends on factors like your enrollment status, background, and location. Schools like Xavier, Case Western Reserve, and the University of Cincinnati offer financial aid to all students at the graduate level. Others, like The Ohio State, set aside scholarships specifically for new and returning MHA students. See our healthcare administration scholarship guide and broader financial aid resource for more information on how to finance your degree when attending an MHA program in Ohio.
Inside Look at Online MHA Programs in Ohio
In general, earning your MHA online in Ohio means you’ll finish more quickly and enjoy a higher degree of flexibility than campus-based alternatives. Some schools only extend limited online options, though. Xavier University, for instance, offers online delivery for its executive MHA track for part-time working professionals. Other schools, like Mercy College and Ohio University, allow students to complete some or all requirements entirely online.
The University of Cincinnati offers a good example of what to expect from an online MHA program in terms of pacing and delivery. Courses are mostly asynchronous with occasional live sessions. This means students can access material and complete assignments at their convenience. Expedited classes often run in seven-week sessions with longer courses lasting up to 14 weeks. Many online Ohio MHA programs use the same faculty as in-person programming and result in the same CAHME-accredited degree.
Earnings and Job Outlook for MHA Graduates in Ohio
The earnings and job outlook for MHA graduates in Ohio, like the rest of the U.S., is positive. Below is a look at the state of the job market and what you can expect to make as a healthcare manager with an MHA degree in Ohio.
Are healthcare managers with an MHA degree in high demand in Ohio?
The job market for MHA-holders in Ohio reflects nationwide trends and the continued need for qualified and competent healthcare leaders. As the table below indicates, work for medical and health services managers in Ohio will be in high demand for the remainder of the decade. With a job growth rate of 14%, working professionals across the state could benefit from increases nearly double the national average for all occupations, which is currently just 8%. These projections hold throughout Ohio and are most visible in larger urban areas like Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland where higher population numbers translate to increased demand.
Job Outlook for Medical and Health Services Managers in Ohio
| New Jobs | Job Growth Rate | Avg. Annual Openings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio (2018-2028) | 2,173 | 14% | 1,535 |
| United States (2020-2030) | 139,600 | 32.5% | 51,800 |
Source: Projections Central; Ohio Dept. of Jobs and Family Services
How much do healthcare managers with an MHA make in Ohio?
Income for MHA graduates in Ohio aligns with broader trends for the profession nationwide, due in part to continued increases in demand. Medical and health services managers in Ohio earn more than double the median wage for all occupations. Those located in larger metropolitan areas like Cleveland and Cincinnati, as the table below indicates, stand to benefit from even higher increases that exceed the national average in some cases.
Annual Earnings for Medical and Health Services Managers in Ohio
| Location | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2021
Additional Resources for MHA Students in Ohio
Scholarships and Online Resources for Healthcare Administration Students
This guide offers plenty of tips on how to secure financial aid as a healthcare administration graduate student. It also looks at additional resources like professional support networks, student associations, and scholarly journals related to healthcare management that can enhance your experience.
Representing over 1,000 different service providers, clinics, and long-term care facilities, this organization connects and supports professionals in healthcare administration. It sponsors state-wide publications, extends continuing education opportunities, and hosts an annual convention for its members.
Ohio Association of Community Health Centers
This Columbus-based nonprofit represents community health centers across Ohio along with the managers and administrators who run them. It maintains a robust career center, provides loan repayment services and other benefits, and engages in several public policy efforts at the state and federal levels.
Association for Healthcare Administration Professionals
A nationwide organization, the AHCAP extends a variety of free resources available to Ohio MHA students and graduates. Opportunities include webinars on new and emerging issues in healthcare management, regular newsletters containing information on the latest trends and events, and an ongoing job bank for current career-seekers.
ACHE of Greater Ohio – Student Associates
A chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives, this organization provides special resources and benefits to MHA and other healthcare students. Programming includes mentorship with local corporate executives, educational courses, networking summits, internship and fellowship opportunities, and other special events.