Master's in Healthcare Administration | Admissions, Curriculum & Careers

A master's degree in healthcare administration (MHA) equips professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to manage and lead healthcare organizations effectively.

Below, you'll learn the key aspects of pursuing an MHA, including the types of programs available, specializations, admissions requirements, and the coursework you can expect. You'll also learn about the potential MHA career paths and get tips on choosing the right program.

What Is a Master's Degree in Healthcare Administration?

A master's degree in healthcare administration focuses on the management, leadership, and administrative aspects of healthcare organizations. The program is designed for individuals who are interested in pursuing leadership roles within hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare settings.

The curriculum typically covers healthcare policy, financial management, human resources, healthcare law, and ethics. In these classes, students learn how to navigate the complexities of the healthcare system, manage healthcare operations, and lead teams effectively.

The program emphasizes strategic decision-making, financial acumen, and the ability to implement and manage change within healthcare organizations.

Graduates of an MHA program are well-prepared for a variety of roles in the healthcare industry, including hospital administration, healthcare consulting, practice management, and policy analysis.

The degree also provides a solid foundation for those interested in pursuing further education, such as a Doctor of Public Health or a Doctor of Health Administration.

Master's Degree in Healthcare Administration Admissions Requirements

The typical requirements for applying to an MHA program include:

• bachelor's degree in healthcare administration or a related field
• transcripts from that degree and all other coursework
• minimum GPA of 3.0
• Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores
• letter(s) of recommendation
• personal essay and/or statement of purpose
• resume
• program's application form

Types of Master's Programs in Healthcare Administration

You can focus on healthcare administration in several different types of master's programs. Here are the types of degrees you could earn:

• Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA): focuses specifically on the management and leadership of healthcare organizations, emphasizing healthcare policy, finance, and operations
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in healthcare administration: combines broad business management education with specialized healthcare administration training, ideal for leadership roles
• Master of Public Health (MPH) with a concentration in healthcare administration: emphasizes the intersection of public health and healthcare management, preparing students for roles in policy-making and public health administration
• Executive MHA programs: designed for experienced healthcare professionals seeking advanced leadership roles, often offered in part-time or hybrid formats
• Online MHA Programs: offers flexibility for working professionals, allowing them to complete coursework remotely

Specializations in Master's Programs in Healthcare Administration

When you select your MHA program, you'll typically have the option to choose a specialization focusing on specific areas of interest within the healthcare field. This includes:

• Project management: gives students the ability to manage large-scale projects and examine why others failed or succeeded
• Health Policy and Management: concentrates on healthcare policy development, implementation, and analysis, preparing students for roles in government or policy organizations.
• Quality improvement: compares current healthcare to other countries along with the history of improving healthcare quality
• Healthcare Informatics: emphasizes the use of information technology in healthcare, including electronic health records, data management, and healthcare analytics
• Hospital management: prepares students for leadership roles within hospitals, focusing on operations, patient care, and hospital management

Master's Degree in Healthcare Administration Coursework

All programs have slightly different required coursework, but the main topics you will focus on are listed below.

• Healthcare policy and ethics: examines the development, implementation, and impact of healthcare policies and ethical issues in healthcare administration
• Financial management in healthcare: focuses on financial decision-making within healthcare organizations, including budgeting, financial analysis, and revenue cycle management
• Human resource management in healthcare: covers the management of healthcare personnel, including recruitment, retention, training, and labor relations
• Healthcare law and compliance: explores the legal and regulatory environment of healthcare, including patient rights, compliance, and risk management
• Healthcare operations management: teaches strategies for managing healthcare operations, including supply chain management, quality control, and process improvement

Timeline To Complete a Master's Degree in Healthcare Administration

The time required to complete a master's degree in healthcare administration varies depending on the program format and whether you study full-time or part-time. Typically, a full-time program can be completed in 12 to 24 months.

Part-time programs, which allow students to balance work and studies, may take two to three years to complete. Accelerated programs are also available, offering a faster path to completion, often within 12 to 18 months.

Cost of a Master's Degree in Healthcare Administration

Below, we list out the average cost of tuition for healthcare administration degrees according to where the school is located in the U.S.

• West: $36,212 ($705 per credit)
• Southwest: $37,843 ($759 per credit)
• Midwest: $53,475 ($945 per credit)
• Northeast: $63,122 ($1,321 per credit)
• Southeast: $32,486 ($690 per credit)

How To Pay for a Master's Degree in Healthcare Administration

Before you look into using your savings to pay for your MHA, fill out the FAFSA form online. This form will let you know if you're eligible for student loans with low interest rates and other forms of federal financial aid.

You can also explore scholarships specifically for your MHA program. Your university or private organizations may offer them.

If you're already working in healthcare, your employer could help pay for the degree as well. Check with HR to see if tuition reimbursement is a part of your benefits package.

Careers With a Master's Degree in Healthcare Administration

Whether you want to work in a hospital or medical clinic, an MHA will equip you with the tools needed to succeed in many facets of the healthcare field. With this degree, you can explore career paths such as:

• Hospital administrator: oversees the operations of a hospital or healthcare facility, ensuring efficient management and high-quality patient care
• Healthcare consultant: advises healthcare organizations on improving efficiency, implementing new technologies, and optimizing patient care services
• Practice manager: manages the operations of a medical practice or clinic, including staffing, budgeting, and patient care coordination
• Healthcare policy analyst: analyzes and develops healthcare policies, working with government agencies, think tanks, or non-profit organizations
• Long-term care administrator: manages the operations of long-term care facilities such as nursing homes or assisted living communities
• Health services manager: oversees specific departments within a healthcare organization, such as human resources, finance, or patient services

How To Choose the Right Master's Program

Earning a master's in health administration is very popular; therefore, there are many programs available to you. To help you make sure you choose the right one, use the tips below.

Accreditation

Accreditation is of utmost importance. Make sure the program is regionally accredited and also approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).

Curriculum

Review the program's curriculum to ensure it covers the topics and skills relevant to your career goals. Look for courses in healthcare policy, finance, operations management, and ethics.

Flexibility

Consider your personal schedule and responsibilities to help you choose a program that is as flexible as you need it to be. Some programs may offer asynchronous learning, part-time options, or accelerated tracks. This is particularly important if you are balancing work, family, or other commitments while pursuing your degree.

Faculty Expertise

Research the qualifications and experience of the faculty members. Learning from professors who have real-world experience in healthcare administration will provide valuable insights and practical knowledge.

Learn more: Top MHA Programs

Tips for Applying To a Master's in Healthcare Administration Degree Program

Once you find a few programs you're interested in, it's time to apply. Use the following tips to help you secure a spot in an MHA program.

Ensure You Meet All Prerequisites

Before you spend a lot of time working on the application, you want to make sure you meet the minimum requirements, such as years of experience or undergraduate GPA. Some programs have higher requirements, while others are more lenient.

Craft a Compelling Statement of Purpose

Use your statement of purpose to clearly articulate your career goals, your interest in healthcare administration, and why you are pursuing a master's degree.

Highlight how the specific program you are applying to will help you achieve these goals and share relevant experiences or projects that demonstrate your commitment to advancing in the field.

Don't Waste the Letters of Recommendation

Whoever you ask to write your letters of recommendation should be people who know your true strengths and what you bring to the healthcare field. Ideally, these should be professionals or academics who have supervised your work in healthcare or a related area.

Adjust Your Resume

Make edits to your resume so that it matches what MHA recruiters are looking for. Include any certifications, such as Certified Healthcare Administrator (CHA), that demonstrate your expertise.

FAQs About a Master's Degree in Healthcare Administration

You may still have several questions about earning a master's in healthcare administration. Below are some frequently asked questions that we've answered to help you make an informed decision about earning this degree.

Is Getting a Master's Degree in Healthcare Administration Worth It?

Yes, earning a master's degree in healthcare administration is worth it because the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 28% growth in this career field, a rate that is extremely high. There are 54,700 openings a year for leadership roles in the healthcare industry. al.

Can I Earn a Master's Degree in Healthcare Administration Online?

Yes, you can earn a master's degree in healthcare administration online. Online accredited programs are just as rigorous and respected as in-person degrees.

Do I Need Work Experience to Apply for a Master's Degree in Healthcare Administration?

Not every program requires it�some are designed for students to enroll in while they are still earning their bachelor's degree. If you have a lot of experience, it's best to look for executive master's programs so as not to waste time and money when your experience will count toward credits.