What Is a Master's in Healthcare Administration Degree?
A Master's in Healthcare Administration, also known as an MHA, is a worthwhile masters's degree which can help you to advance in the healthcare field while making a difference in the lives of countless patients. Although there are both pros and cons to getting a master's in healthcare administration, ultimately, this degree is both practical and rewarding. This degree may be the right move for a healthcare professional looking to further their education.
There are other types of master's degree options that students can pursue such as a Master's in Public Administration in Healthcare Administration, commonly referred to as an MPA in Healthcare Administration, a Master's in Healthcare Management, or a Master's in Business Administration with a specialization in Healthcare Administration, commonly known as an MBA in Healthcare Administration.
Although these degrees may sound similar, they are not interchangeable. An MHA is tailored specifically to the healthcare field. In contrast MBA is a broader business degree in which healthcare administration would be your concentration. This means that you may only take a couple of healthcare administration classes during your MBA coursework. An MPA, therefore prepares students who want to work in healthcare policy, public healthcare, or nonprofit management.
Knowing what the career direction you want to take after graduation will help you to decide if pursuing a master's degree in healthcare administration is the best fit for you.
The Best Masters Degree Programs in Healthcare Administration
| School | Tuition* | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | $12522 | 23% | 91% | 65% | No | Yes | AP Credits |
| 2 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus | $19293 | 52% | 84% | 57% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 3 | Georgetown University | $51790 | 14% | 95% | 55% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 4 | California State University-East Bay | $8434 | 76% | 50% | 86% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 5 | AdventHealth University | $18230 | 51% | 41% | 91% | No | Yes | AP Credits |
| 6 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College | $11450 | 43% | 70% | 77% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 7 | Stony Brook University | $13558 | 44% | 76% | 79% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 8 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | $19221 | 57% | 83% | 81% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 9 | University of Florida | $12737 | 37% | 88% | 92% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 10 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | $18083 | 59% | 85% | 64% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 11 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | $8069 | 67% | 52% | 82% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 12 | University of Utah | $8396 | 62% | 70% | 85% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 13 | University of Alabama at Birmingham | $8100 | 74% | 63% | 95% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits |
| 14 | Ohio State University-Main Campus | $12425 | 54% | 86% | 79% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 15 | Cornell University | $30022 | 11% | 95% | 62% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 16 | University of California-Irvine | $13349 | 27% | 84% | 63% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 17 | George Mason University | $15648 | 87% | 71% | 74% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits |
| 18 | University of Illinois at Chicago | $16566 | 73% | 61% | 78% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 19 | George Washington University | $31824 | 41% | 82% | 77% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 20 | Ohio University-Main Campus | $9720 | 82% | 65% | 94% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 21 | Rutgers University-New Brunswick | $19983 | 61% | 84% | 71% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 22 | Clarkson College | $11658 | 46% | 38% | 78% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 23 | University of South Carolina-Columbia | $14137 | 69% | 77% | 95% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 24 | California State University-Long Beach | $8268 | 39% | 74% | 81% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
| 25 | Columbia University in the City of New York | $49968 | 5% | 95% | 59% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 26 | Florida Atlantic University | $6693 | 63% | 50% | 82% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 27 | Saint Joseph's University | $17334 | 75% | 81% | 98% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 28 | Texas State University | $8664 | 81% | 54% | 76% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 29 | University of North Florida | $10857 | 72% | 67% | 84% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 30 | University of Missouri-Columbia | $10478 | 81% | 71% | 89% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 31 | Texas Woman's University | $7497 | 93% | 43% | 93% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 32 | California State University-Bakersfield | $8853 | 81% | 43% | 90% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 33 | Temple University | $17846 | 60% | 74% | 90% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 34 | Midwestern State University | $6609 | 79% | 45% | 93% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits |
| 35 | Georgia Southern University | $7069 | 54% | 50% | 91% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 36 | Utica College | $22030 | 87% | 54% | 98% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 37 | California State University-Northridge | $8411 | 59% | 55% | 86% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 38 | The University of Texas at Arlington | $10248 | 83% | 51% | 90% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 39 | Park University | $6012 | No Available Data (2019-2020) | 62% | 93% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
To get a more in-depth look at our school ranking methodology, please visit our ranking methodology page.
*Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Common Undergraduate Degrees for Healthcare Administration
There are many undergraduate degrees that will prepare you to continue onto your master's in healthcare administration. A bachelor's of science (BS) degree would be the most relevant type of degree, especially if you went on to use that degree in a healthcare related field after graduation. Many nurses who have obtained their bachelor's of science in nursing (BSN) degree, pursue an MHA after spending some time in the workforce as a registered nurse.
Although not a strict requirement at every school, many universities will value real world experience. These schools favor applications to have worked in the healthcare field for a specified amount of time before going back to school to earn their master's. Whether you have experience working as a nurse or an administrative assistant in health administration, many schools and admissions offices consider this to be an advantage and actively prefer applicants who have a proven interest and experience in the field.
Admissions Requirements for Healthcare Administration Master's Programs
As mentioned previously, professional experience within the healthcare field is highly recommended by universities in order to enroll in an MHA program. However, there are a couple of other things you want to consider before choosing programs and starting the application process.
You will need to meet the GPA requirement for the MHA programs you are interested in. In many cases, this will mean that how well you did during your undergraduate program will influence which graduate programs you can apply for. The required GPA is usually 3.0 but be sure to check with each university for their program's specific requirements, as they may differ.
Many universities do not require any type of additional standardized testing to be admitted into their programs, although they will accept and take into consideration any test scores. If you decide to take the GRE or GMAT and score well, you may want to consider including those scores on your application even if they are not required, as they may help your chances of being accepted.
How to Choose a Master's in Healthcare Administration Program
One of the most important factors for deciding on a Master's in Healthcare Administration program is whether or not the program is accredited. Never waste your money on an unaccredited program, as many employers' won't consider it valid.
The university you consider should be accredited on either the regional or national level. Then they should also have obtained accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Educators or CAHME who specializes in healthcare accreditation. The program should advertise its accreditation on its website, like the University of Pittsburg does here. But if their accreditation is not visible on the website, be sure to call the school directly or reach out via email to an admissions counselor or advisor within your program to make sure they are CAHME accredited.
Healthcare Administration Master's Degree Courses
The healthcare administration field is a very complex, nuanced, and important field. Healthcare administration requires very specialized knowledge but is also a constantly changing and evolving field. This presents a unique challenge to the curriculum developers of MHA programs as they aim to fully prepare students to thrive and make a difference in this field upon graduation.
Most programs, therefore, include a range of foundational courses, which may include some writing and research courses, and elective courses, such as field-specific courses or government policy courses, to ensure both comprehensive and extensive treatments of the many knowledge areas needed for this career field.
Healthcare Administration Foundational Courses
Graduates of an MHA program can go onto many different careers in many different sectors, ranging from hospitals to working for health insurance companies. Because of this flexible and wide range of career outcomes, a solid foundation is a key to a well-rounded master's degree in healthcare administration.
Below are some examples of foundational courses which many programs may require you to take. These, in conjunction with the electives of your choosing, will help prepare you for a successful career in healthcare administration.
- Healthcare Finance or Accounting
- Healthcare Policy
- HR Management
- Research Methods
- Managerial and Organizational Behavior
- Strategic Management
- Ethics
- Leadership and Management
- Economics of Healthcare
- Concepts in Health Administration
Healthcare Administration Specialist & Elective Courses
Once you have begun to build a strong foundational knowledge in healthcare administration, electives give you the option to personalize your education. By choosing electives in areas in which you think you may want to work, you will have the opportunity to specialize within a certain sub-field and explore whether it's a direction you want to pursue upon graduation.
Below are some examples of elective courses your program may offer:
- Nonprofit Organizational Effectiveness
- Community and Public Health
- Hospital Organization and Management
- Medicare and Medicaid Policy
- Global Health
- The Future of Healthcare
Licensure & Certification in Healthcare Administration
Your MHA may be enough for you to land a position in your desired field, however, there are also plenty of certificates you can obtain which will expand your knowledge and credentials.
Four certificates within healthcare management that may be worth obtaining are:
- Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPRHM)
- Certified Health Administrative Professional (CHAP)
- Certified Medical Manager (CMM)
- Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE)
In order to obtain one or more of these certifications, first, check to see if the admission requirements are for each specific organization. The requirements for each certification may differ slightly. In order to qualify for a certificate, you will have to pass an exam. It is important to mention that often these certificates have to be renewed, that is you will have to take the exam again after a certain period in order to renew your certification status.
Concentrations Offered for a Master's in Health Administration Degree
If you are interested in pursuing a specific career, such as a human resources manager, or entering a specific field, such as public health, you may want to consider pursuing a concentration within your health administration program. Although the type of concentrations offered may vary slightly depending on the school, some of the popular concentrations that you can specialize in throughout your master's coursework include:
Post-Graduate Options After Master's in Healthcare Administration
Once you've completed your master's degree in healthcare administration, you have the option to further your education by pursuing either a doctoral degree in health administration, commonly referred to as a DHA, or enrolling for a Ph.D in healthcare administration.
Both the DHA and Ph.D will help prepare and qualify you to become an effective and knowledgable leader within your industry as you will gain extensive knowledge in your field while also developing specific technical and analytical skills and strategic thinking abilities.
In addition to your core curriculum and electives, these doctoral degree programs will require that you dedicate a large amount of your time to research and also complete a dissertation before being awarded the qualification.
Healthcare Administration Professional Organizations
Professional organizations within your field can be a great resource. Being aware of important professional organizations within healthcare administration can keep you informed and up to date about key developments and important policy changes in your field. You can therefore choose to join these organisations and obtain membership. An alternative is to simply follow them on social media so that you are aware of any updates or important news within your industry.,
If you start out your career as an administrative or executive assistant within the healthcare field, which can be a place to start when you graduate with your bachelor's, you should check out the Association for Healthcare Administrative Professionals. This is a great resource and can be helpful for networking and establishing vital connections with other professionals. Attending one of their conferences is an ideal way to start networking.
If you are looking for support and educational resources as you strive to become a leader within the healthcare administration and management field, then you should visit the American College of Healthcare Executives' (ACHE) website. ACHE also facilitates many volunteer opportunities, which can be a great resume builder and a way to interact and build your community.
What Can I Do with a Healthcare Administration Master's Degree?
There are many job opportunities for graduates with a master's degree in healthcare administration, and many of these jobs pay exceptionally well. One of the best things about obtaining an MHA degree is that you have the ability and flexibility to work in very different roles within this broad field.
Common career options for MHA graduates include hospital administrator, clinical director, admissions director, chief executive officer, department director, facility manager, medical records manager, medical services manager, or nursing director.
You can work in many different environments including hospitals, nursing homes, dental offices, health clinics, insurance companies or outpatient care centers.
Job Outlook for a Master's in Healthcare Administration
As mentioned previously, a master's in healthcare administration opens up many different career options and gives you lots of freedom when looking for job opportunities as it is a high-demand sector.. As a result, a graduate with an MHA degree can expect stable growth opportunities for healthcare administrators and remain confident that their skills and knowledge will stay in demand.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics cites the ageing baby-boom population as one of the key factors in keeping the demand for jobs in healthcare high in the years to come, which can make an MHA extremely useful throughout your career.
How to Become a Hospital Administrator
As a hospital administrator, you will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the hospital and will interact with many of the departments, staff and third-party vendors in order to ensure that everything runs smoothly. This is a job where you will wear a lot of hats and have to interact with many different people.
Although there are no certifications required to start a job as a hospital administrator, becoming specialized or certified in one or many different areas, such as with a CMM or CPHRM certificate, could help you get hired and inspire confidence in your knowledge of the industry.
Certain hospitals prefer to hire social workers and registered nurses who also have an MHA. If you are currently in one of these roles and want to move into an administrative role, this is a good path to take.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic, the annual median salary for a hospital administrator or other types of medical and health services manager is $104,280 and the projected growth for 2019-29 is 32%, which is 28% faster than the national average.
How to Become a Hospital Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
As a Hospital CEO, you will represent the hospital and be tasked with making sure that the hospital is running smoothly and making money. As the CEO, you will work with many other chief officers of the hospital, such as the CNO (chief nursing officer), CFO (chief financial officer) and the CMO (chief medical officer). It will be your responsibility to oversee all aspects of the hospital and ensure that any concerns from different departments are addressed.
You do not need to be a medical doctor or medical professional to become the CEO of a hospital. Obtaining an MHA is one of the most popular routes to this type of executive management position. Although a doctorate level degree will serve as an advantage.
The projected growth between 2019-29 in this type of position is 32%, which is 28% faster than the national average. The annual median salary for a hospital chief executive officer or other types of medical and health services manager is $104,280.
Master's in Healthcare Administration Program Financial Aid & Scholarship Resources
Once you've decided to pursue a master's degree in health administration, you next need to decide how you are going to fund that degree. Fortunately, there are many ways to do this.
Loans or grants are a common way to fund a master's degree. You can complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA application ( to see if you are eligible to receive federal loans or participate in a work-study program if your school offers any such programs. If you are not eligible for federal aid, you can always reach out to private banks and apply for an education loan there. The loan rates may not be as good as federal loans rates, but it is a legitimate option if you aren't deemed eligible via FAFSA.
Scholarships are another way to accessing funding for your studies. There are specific scholarships that are aimed at certain study levels, a particular community demographic, or a specific program. Scholarships that are specific to health administration and which may be worth checking out include the Tylenol Scholarship and the Corris Boyd Scholarship.
