Explore the Best Online MHA Programs in Tennessee

Most people know Nashville for its country music scene, but Tennessee’s largest city is also known as the “Healthcare Capital of America” thanks to a massive concentration of healthcare companies headquartered there. An online Master’s in Healthcare Administration (MHA) prepares graduates for high-paying jobs in their own backyard as the industry’s biggest players compete for new talent.

The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:

Author: Cody DeBos, RN, BSN

Healthcare EducationNursingPediatric Nursing

Editor: Jordan Cosselman

Healthcare EducationOnline Learning

Updated: 08/13/2026

Jump To Section

Degree Details
FAQs
Salary & Pay

Jump ToSection:

Degree Details
FAQs
Salary & Pay

School Spotlights: Inside Popular Tennessee MHA Programs

Tennessee’s online MHA programs are more tightly bound to Nashville’s healthcare business scene than you might expect. This connection shapes what these programs emphasize in their curriculums and what networking opportunities are available to students. Tennessee has several CAHME-accredited online programs to choose from, making it an outlier among most states.

Whether you’re aiming for a job in the executive suite or want a hands-on role in shaping healthcare policy at the highest levels, these programs are among the most respected and best-connected in the country.

Austin Peay State University

Austin Peay’s Master of Healthcare Administration earned CAHME accreditation in May 2024 and is now one of the most popular choices in Tennessee. The 42-credit program is delivered online with a focus on experience-based learning that develops leaders who can navigate the practical realities of modern healthcare.

Though coursework is completed entirely online, students are required to attend a two-day residency during both the first and last semesters of the program at Austin Peay’s Clarksville campus. This gives students in each cohort an opportunity to network and form working bonds that they will lean on throughout the program.

Duration: Roughly 18 months for full-time students

Mode: Fully online coursework with two required on-campus residencies

Cost: $533 per credit hour

Admissions Requirements:

Complete online application
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
Minimum 2.75 GPA
Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
Interview with MHA faculty

Lipscomb University

Based in Nashville, Lipscomb’s Master of Health Administration program boasts both CAHME and AACSB accreditation, a rarity among programs nationwide. The 39-credit curriculum is delivered online and asynchronously, offering students maximum flexibility when completing a degree around a job or other responsibilities.

One in-person “Integration Weekend” session is required at the end of each semester where students will pair classroom learning with visits to real Nashville-area healthcare organizations. Students also build a personal advisory board of healthcare executives they meet with throughout the program.

These excellent networking opportunities have helped the program maintain a 100% post-graduation job placement rate and make it one of the best-connected in the country.

Duration: 16 months

Mode: Fully online with asynchronous coursework (one on-campus weekend per semester)

Cost: $800 per credit hour

Admissions Requirements:

Complete online application
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
Personal statement, resume, and two letters of recommendation
Online interview with MHA faculty

University of Memphis

The University of Memphis’s CAHME-accredited Executive Online Master of Health Administration draws on nearly three decades of history, having turned out more than 450 alumni who now work across 35 states and countries.

Its 45-credit executive track is delivered asynchronously online and is aimed specifically at professionals who already have a foothold in healthcare. At least five years of management or clinical experience are required to apply.

However, the trade-off to a difficult admissions process is a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio, meaning you’ll get more personalized attention throughout the program. This can also lead to valuable networking opportunities to help secure your future after graduation.

Duration: Roughly two years

Mode: Fully online

Cost: $697 per credit hour

Admissions Requirements:

Complete online application
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
Minimum GPA of 3.0
Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
Minimum five years of relevant healthcare management or clinical experience
Personal statement, resume, and two letters of recommendation

FAQs About Online/Hybrid MHA Programs in Tennessee

Are there CAHME-accredited online MHA programs in Tennessee?

Yes. Tennessee has three CAHME-accredited MHA programs, which is more than most states. It’s worth noting that all three programs have fully online offerings.

Given the high density of healthcare organizations in the Nashville area, these programs are also incredibly well-connected and provide students with plenty of opportunities for networking.

What are the general admissions requirements for Tennessee MHA programs?

Across the board, a bachelor’s degree and an undergraduate GPA in the 2.75 to 3.0 range are expected. Most programs also require a packet of additional information, usually including:

A personal statement or essay
Official transcripts
A resume
Letters of recommendation

Depending on the emphasis of the program, prospective students may also need to have some experience working in a managerial or clinical setting before applying.

Is financial aid available for MHA programs in Tennessee?

Yes. At the federal level, Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Grad PLUS Loans can be used regardless of program choice.

Beyond this, MHA students in Tennessee have many options for financial aid. Scholarship programs are available from both institutions and industry organizations, including the Tennessee Public Health Association. Military veterans can also benefit through the Yellow Ribbon Program, which is honored by many in-state institutions.

Finally, students who are already employed by a healthcare organization may qualify for tuition reimbursement for pursuing a graduate degree. Given Tennessee’s landscape of competing health systems and public companies, these benefits are often quite generous, so investigating whether your employer offers them is worth the time.

How long do MHA programs in Tennessee take to complete?

Most online MHA programs can be completed in under two years by full-time students. Part-time pacing can stretch this timeline to three years or more depending on courseload.

Note that some programs which offer flexible coursework may be bound by in-person sessions that are only scheduled once per year. This can limit the speed at which you can complete your degree, regardless of courseload.

Is it worth pursuing an MHA in Tennessee?

Yes, for most students. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for medical and health services managers is nearly $118,000 and employment is projected to grow by 23% by 2034.

Tennessee’s case is stronger than the national average since Nashville alone is home to more than 900 healthcare organizations. Giants like HCA Healthcare and Vanderbilt University stand alongside regional startups and government-related organizations, fostering high competition in Tennessee’s healthcare job market. This dynamic gives MHA graduates access to hospital administration roles as well as corporate healthcare leadership positions most states simply don’t have at the same scale.

Salary & Pay Outlook with an MHA in Tennessee

Show entries

Medical and Health Services Managers

Area ↕︎	10th Percentile ↕︎	Median ↕︎	90th Percentile ↕︎
Tennessee	$71,820	$107,120	$202,060
Chattanooga, TN-GA	$68,180	$102,920	$205,400
Clarksville, TN-KY	$67,100	$105,500	$163,130
Cleveland, TN	$64,560	$94,780	$149,990
Jackson, TN	$64,730	$100,770	$156,710
Johnson City, TN	$75,320	$105,470	$190,420
Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA	$65,230	$99,370	$161,280
Knoxville, TN	$67,290	$104,250	$191,990
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	$72,800	$112,800	$196,130
Morristown, TN	$58,600	$82,360	$153,510
Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN	$71,980	$116,480	$221,330

Source: Medical & Health Services Managers, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025

Showing 1 – 10 of 11 entries | Data reflects national numbers, not school-specific information.

Explore the Best Online MHA Programs in Tennessee

School Spotlights: Inside Popular Tennessee MHA Programs

Austin Peay State University

Lipscomb University

University of Memphis

FAQs About Online/Hybrid MHA Programs in Tennessee

Are there CAHME-accredited online MHA programs in Tennessee?

What are the general admissions requirements for Tennessee MHA programs?

Is financial aid available for MHA programs in Tennessee?

How long do MHA programs in Tennessee take to complete?

Is it worth pursuing an MHA in Tennessee?

Salary & Pay Outlook with an MHA in Tennessee

Cody DeBos, RN, BSN AUTHOR

Jordan Cosselman EDITOR