What Is an Online Master's in Healthcare Administration Degree?
Healthcare is a large field and needs many professionals who are prepared to help lead teams, offices, departments, organizations, and other groups to help ensure that everything runs smoothly and patients are well taken care of. Online master's degree programs in healthcare administration aim to equip students with graduate-level knowledge in the field of healthcare. Students learn how to perform various administrative tasks that are required in the field, study the various laws and policies that affect healthcare, and further develop their leadership skills. These online programs are intended to provide a flexible pathway for full-time working students to earn their degree and are most commonly offered as a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) or Master of Science (MS) degree. Here, we will explore these online degree programs in greater detail.
The Best Online Masters Degree Programs in Healthcare Administration
| School | Tuition* | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | $15826 | 66% | 48% | 95% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 2 | Appalachian State University | $7976 | 77% | 73% | 70% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 3 | University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | $14468 | 77% | 71% | 75% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 4 | Virginia Commonwealth University | $15086 | 87% | 67% | 81% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 5 | Ohio University-Main Campus | $9720 | 82% | 65% | 94% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 6 | University of Memphis | $10746 | 85% | 53% | 97% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
| 7 | University of Southern Indiana | $10046 | 93% | 50% | 92% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 8 | Austin Peay State University | $9683 | 95% | 43% | 99% | No | Yes | AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits |
| 9 | Ferris State University | $7608 | 87% | 47% | 95% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 10 | Central Michigan University | $17150 | 70% | 61% | 96% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 11 | Florida International University | $11106 | 58% | 63% | 90% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 12 | Western Kentucky University | $12140 | 97% | 48% | 98% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 13 | California State University-East Bay | $8434 | 76% | 50% | 86% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 14 | Midwestern State University | $6609 | 79% | 45% | 93% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits |
| 15 | Concordia University-Saint Paul | $8550 | 98% | 51% | 98% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
| 16 | Winston-Salem State University | $6412 | 68% | 51% | 97% | No | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 17 | Utica College | $22030 | 87% | 54% | 98% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 18 | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $6158 | 81% | 45% | 92% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 19 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | $12522 | 23% | 91% | 65% | No | Yes | AP Credits |
| 20 | Louisiana State University-Shreveport | $7349 | 84% | 31% | 94% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 21 | University of North Texas | $7788 | 74% | 56% | 82% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 22 | Minnesota State University Moorhead | $9540 | 65% | 53% | 93% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 23 | William Woods University | $6580 | 64% | 58% | 99% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 24 | Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences | $15660 | 78% | 63% | 89% | No | Yes | AP Credits |
| 25 | The University of West Florida | $9062 | 31% | 46% | 90% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 26 | AdventHealth University | $18230 | 51% | 41% | 91% | No | Yes | AP Credits |
| 27 | Belhaven University | $10620 | 49% | 50% | 95% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 28 | Clarkson College | $11658 | 46% | 38% | 78% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 29 | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | $8433 | No Available Data (2019-2020) | 35% | 93% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 30 | Peirce College | $14296 | No Available Data (2019-2020) | 42% | 100% | No | Yes | AP Credits |
To get a more in-depth look at our school ranking methodology, please visit Study.com's ranking methodology page.
*Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Why Should I Get an Online Healthcare Administration Master's Degree?
The main reason a student may choose to earn their master's in healthcare administration is to advance their career in the field of healthcare and pursue more leadership- and/or administration-based positions. This advancement in education and/or position may also lead to an increase in salary. According to PayScale.com, the median annual salary for those with a Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree as of January 2021 was $77,182.
Students may decide to pursue their master's in healthcare administration online for flexibility. These online programs give students the ability to log into class from anywhere and/or work on assignments more independently. Some programs may offer asynchronous courses that do not require any specific meeting times, allowing for even greater flexibility.
How Long Does It Take to Earn an Online Master's in Healthcare Administration?
Many online master's degree programs in healthcare administration are designed to be completed in the traditional 2 years that many master's degree programs require. However, there are some online programs that may offer a slower degree path for students who need more time, such as a 3-year plan. There are also online programs that can be completed much faster, some in as little as 15 months. This variation in time to degree completion may be due to various format options, such as full-time, part-time, self-paced, and more. Some programs may also allow students to finish faster by accepting some transfer credit from prior graduate work.
Curriculum for Online Master's Degree Programs in Healthcare Administration
The curriculum for online master's degree programs in healthcare administration may differ between different institutions and programs, but in general, students take some core healthcare administration courses and/or some elective courses. Students may be required to complete between 36 and 52 credits of coursework, depending on the program. While many of these online master's programs do not offer additional areas of concentration, students may also decide to pursue additional online certificates, such as an online healthcare project management certificate to further focus their studies and develop specific skill sets. Depending on the program, online students may be required to complete a short, in-person residency experience to work with peers and faculty members face-to-face. Below, we explore the curriculum for these master's degree programs further.
Healthcare Administration Foundational Courses
Students in online healthcare administration master's programs may take between 36 and 48 credits of core or foundational healthcare administration courses. These courses are designed to provide students with skills in leadership, communication, critical thinking, and more. Learners also understand the healthcare environment on a deeper level and the ethics that must be applied to the field. Students usually do not get to pick these core courses. Some programs may also require and conclude with a healthcare administration capstone of some kind. This capstone experience may require a final comprehensive project where students apply what they have learned throughout the program. Some other common topics for these core courses include:
- Health policy and law
- Business of healthcare
- Biostatistics
- Leadership in healthcare
- Ethics
- Community health assessment
- Healthcare informatics
- Human resources in healthcare
Healthcare Administration Specialist and Elective Courses
There are some online healthcare administration master's programs that may offer additional areas of concentration to students. These concentrations are designed to help students focus their studies and prepare for a specific kind of job within the field of healthcare and/or further develop a specific skill set. Students may find programs that offer specializations in areas like population health, leadership and organizational development, or systems and policy. Students usually take some courses within these areas in addition to their core healthcare administration courses.
Other programs may allow students to choose some open electives. Programs usually do not require many of these electives, so depending on the program, students may only choose about 4 credits worth of elective coursework. Students may be able to choose between different courses that focus on various aspects of management, such as risk management, global health and management issues, or group dynamics and leadership.
Licensure and Certification in Healthcare Administration
Licensure and certification varies by position in the field of healthcare administration and/or the state. For instance, all nursing home administrators have to be licensed, but each state has its own requirements. However, most states require these professionals to meet education requirements (typically a bachelor's degree and approved training program) and pass a licensing exam. Managers who oversee certain healthcare professionals may need to hold a similar license, such as a nurse manager having a registered nurse (RN) license.
Professional certification is also available in various areas of healthcare management. While it is not usually required, certification can help professionals stand out to employers by demonstrating their expertise. Professionals may pursue certification from groups like the American Health Information Management Association or the Professional Association of Health Care Office Management.
Admissions Requirements for Online Healthcare Administration Master's Programs
Admissions requirements for an online master's degree in healthcare administration varies by institution. In general, students need to have at least a bachelor's degree and will likely be required to meet a minimum GPA. For example, some programs may prefer students who have a 3.0 GPA or higher, while other programs may offer provisional acceptance for students with a GPA between a 2.0 and 2.75. Some of these degree programs do not require students to submit any type of entrance exam test scores, such as the GRE or GMAT. There are some online master's programs in the field that may require students to have some prior management experience in the field of healthcare. Other common application materials for these programs may include items like transcripts, letters of recommendation, a resume, and/or an essay.
What Can I Do with a Healthcare Administration Master's Degree?
A master's degree in healthcare administration can help prepare students for a wide range of leadership and management positions within the field and/or specific areas of expertise. For example, students more interested in the business side of healthcare may become a healthcare business analyst, while those with a background in nursing may become a nursing home administrator. While the specific duties of these various positions differ, in general, these professionals are given greater responsibility and may need to oversee the work and actions of other staff members. They may work in hospitals, physicians' offices, healthcare consulting firms, nonprofit health and social services agencies, and more. The overall goal of those working in healthcare administration is to ensure that their organization is running well and providing patients with quality care. Here we explore some job options for graduates in greater detail.
Job Outlook for a Master's in Healthcare Administration
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for medical and health services managers, which includes positions like clinical managers, nursing home administrators, and health information managers, was 32% from 2019 to 2029. This outlook is much faster than the national average and may be due in part to the increased demand for healthcare services as our population ages. The BLS states that those with a master's degree in healthcare administration will likely have the best job prospects and the need for managers will continue as people retire. These professionals may need to have growing knowledge of health information technology as the use of electronic health records grows.
How to Become a Medical and Health Services Manager
Students wishing to become a healthcare administrator or healthcare manager need to first earn a bachelor's degree. Some employers may prefer these medical and health services managers to have a master's degree. Typically, these professionals need to have some prior work experience and may work in various leadership positions before moving up to more advanced administration and/or management positions. Depending on the position, students may be required to earn a license or certification.
As of 2019, the BLS reported that medical and health services managers earned a median annual salary of $100,980. These managers may perform a range of duties specific to their area of management. For example, the duties of a healthcare office manager may differ somewhat from that of a clinical manager or nursing home administrator. However, in general, these professionals will work to improve services, oversee schedules, manage budgets, train employees, and other duties that keep the organization running.
How to Become a Top Executive
Top executives include positions that may work in healthcare organizations, like executive directors, managing directors, chief financial officers (CFOs), and more. These executives must have at least a bachelor's degree, but a master's degree may be required or preferred. These professionals must also have some prior work experience and have typically worked other lower-level management positions. Depending on the area they oversee, these executives may need to hold a specific license or certification.
According to the BLS, top executives had a median annual salary of $104,690. The BLS also reported that these professionals had a job outlook of 4% from 2019 to 2029. Again, job duties vary by specific position, but most top executives play a role in setting goals for their organization and overseeing the daily operations that help make these goals a reality. This may involve working with other managers and staff members, checking finances, adjusting policies and programs as needed, and negotiating contracts.
Common Undergraduate Degrees for Healthcare Administration
Students pursuing their master's degree in healthcare administration may have a bachelor's degree in a wide range of areas. Most often, these degrees will be healthcare- or business-related. Students interested in earning a master's in healthcare administration may first earn a bachelor's in areas like healthcare management, healthcare administration, nursing, business, or public health administration. It is usually important for aspiring healthcare administrators to have prior coursework in areas like accounting, medical terminology, hospital organization, health information systems, ethics, strategic planning, and more.
Post-Graduate Options After Completing a Master's in Healthcare Administration
Earning a master's degree in healthcare administration can typically help students reach advanced positions within their healthcare-related organization. However, students wishing to further their education in an online format may decide to pursue an online Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA) degree. These programs are generally designed for professionals looking to take on more leadership responsibility, move into top positions in their organization, conduct more research, and/or educate the next generation in the field. Some of these programs can be completed in as little as 3 years and usually require a dissertation.
Financial Aid, Scholarships and Grants for Online Master's in Healthcare Administration Programs
Paying for an online master's program in healthcare administration can get expensive, but there are several ways for students to help lower the out-of-pocket cost. Although graduate students are not required, they should still fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what federal and state grants and/or loans they qualify for. Since they are graduate students, the FAFSA considers them independents and parents' financial information is not needed.
Students may then decide to apply for additional scholarships and/or grants to help make up any difference that loans do not cover. These scholarships are available from an array of sources, including schools and outside organizations, for a variety of reasons, including financial need, interests, merit, demographics, and more. A couple of examples of scholarships available to those pursuing an online master's in healthcare administration include:
- NYU Scholarships- New York University offers some limited scholarships to its online MHA program for eligible students. These partial-tuition scholarships are awarded on merit to exceptional students.
- Andrea M. Rossiter, FACMPE Scholarship- This scholarship is sponsored by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) and is open for undergraduate or graduate students in healthcare administration and other medical practice management-related areas who are members of MGMA. Winners are awarded $2,500.
Choosing an Online Master's in Healthcare Administration
Students should consider a variety of factors when selecting the online master's degree program in healthcare administration that is right for them. Students may begin by finding a program that meets their specific needs and/or preferences with formatting, like self-paced options, and/or any in-person requirements, such as a residency. Students may also prefer to attend a program that is offered from an accredited institution and has aligned its curriculum with standards set by groups like the National Center for Healthcare Leadership (NCHL), the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA), or the Healthcare Leadership Alliance (HLA). Those who wish to study a particular area of healthcare administration may look for a program that offers a specific concentration area.
Students may also need to explore factors outside of the program, such as the cost and/or available resources to online students. Tuition rates vary greatly by institution, so students should be sure to research the different tuition rates and fees at different schools of interest and find one that fits their personal budget. Students may also need to consider any available scholarships from the school. Some students may value a school that offers various resources to online students, such as career resources, academic advising, and library access.
Healthcare Administration Professional Organizations
Healthcare administrators may decide to join one or more of many professional organizations available in the field. Typically, professional organizations in any field work to help advance the field through advocacy, education, training, and other resources for professionals. Many of these groups offer membership and may provide additional benefits to members. Some of these groups may even be available in specific areas of a field. For instance, within healthcare administration, there are groups focused on financial management and health information management. A few examples of available healthcare administration organizations include:
- Medical Group Management Association- The MGMA not only offers scholarships to professionals, but also provides a number of professional certifications and events for those in the field. The group is involved in the advocacy of medical management and provides data and consulting resources in the field.
- American College of Healthcare Executives- The ACHE has an online learning center to help professionals further their education and careers, as well as a career resource center. The group consists of various chapters and helps train future leaders through leadership development opportunities.
- Health Care Administrators Association- The HCAA provides a number of resources from its website, including job postings and an emerging leader program. The group hosts a number of events and has committees and task forces in place to help further advance the field.
