Accredited online programs leading to a master’s in healthcare administration (MHA) prepare graduates for advancing their careers, increasing their earning power.  An Online MHA is specifically tailored for working health professionals that cannot attend campus programs or devote the time to commuting or relocating.  The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts that jobs for medical administrators and health services managers will increase by 20 percent during the 2016 to 2026 decade, adding 72,100 positions. The median annual wage is $98,35.  It typically takes two years of full-time study to complete an MHA degree online.  It may take three to four years if students opt for master’s specializations or a joint-degree.

Most online healthcare administration master’s degree programs require 32 to 60 credits for completion.  This comprehensive guide helps students review the types of online MHA programs, school admission requirements, the importance of accreditation, and voluntary certifications.  Discover the top online MHA programs, graduation requirements, and types of available financial aid.

Featured Online Programs

Southern New Hampshire University

PROGRAM: Online Masters Degrees in Healthcare Administration

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with more than 3,000 on-campus students and over 60,000 online students, making us one of the fastest-growing universities in the country. Founded in 1932, we’ve been relentlessly reinventing higher education ever since and have gained national recognition for our dedication to helping students transform their lives and the lives of those around them.

We’re proud to provide affordable, accessible education that students can pursue on our 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH, over our innovative online platform or at our regional centers in Manchester, Nashua, Portsmouth and Salem, NH, and Brunswick, ME.

SNHU has earned the GetEducated.com Best Buy and Best of Business – Best Online Degree awards and is consistently ranked as a top Military Friendly® School by G.I Jobs®.

Best Online Master of Health Administration Programs

Schools’ admission prerequisites, time-to-degree, accreditation, and total cost are a few key points to factor in when reviewing online master’s programs in healthcare administration. The total price of an online MHA degree can vary greatly depending on whether the institution is public or private, and whether the student pays resident tuition or out-of-state fees. Considering many factors, here are some of the Best Online MHA Programs for 2023:

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College Name & AddressTuitionGraduation Rate
#1
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
103 South Bldg Cb 9100, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
$10,55291%
#2
Marist College
3399 North Rd, Poughkeepsie, New York 12601
$15,30084%
#3
University of Scranton
800 Linden Street, Scranton, Pennsylvania 18510
$11,58083%
#4
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
100 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
$17,58083%
#5
Saint Joseph’s University
5600 City Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19131
$17,33481%
#6
George Washington University
1918 F Street, NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20052
$31,77082%
#7
University of Southern California
University Park, Los Angeles, California 90089
$46,27292%
#8
Appalachian State University
287 Rivers St, Boone, North Carolina 28608
$4,83973%
#9
University of Central Florida
4000 Central Florida Blvd, Orlando, Florida 32816
$6,91672%
#10
George Mason University
4400 University Dr, Fairfax, Virginia 22030
$12,14471%
#11
Valparaiso University
US Highway 30 and Sturdy Road, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383
$11,70071%
#12
University of Cincinnati
2624 Clifton Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221
$12,79071%
#13
American University
4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20016
$30,35179%
#14
University of Denver
2199 S. University Blvd, Denver, Colorado 80208
$51,33677%
#15
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine
278 Whites Bridge Rd, Standish, Maine 04084
$9,47067%
#16
Ohio University
020 Chubb Hall, Athens, Ohio 45701
$9,44465%
#17
Virginia Commonwealth University
910 W Franklin St, Richmond, Virginia 23284
$12,70167%
#18
Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences
850 Greenfield Road, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17601
$15,66063%
#19
Drexel University
3141 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
$35,18169%
#20
William Woods University
One University Avenue, Fulton, Missouri 65251
$6,48058%
#21
University of Southern Indiana
8600 University Blvd, Evansville, Indiana 47712
$9,48650%
#22
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
4505 S Maryland Pky, Las Vegas, Nevada 89154
$5,45945%
#23
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
2200 E Kenwood Blvd, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211
$10,54344%
#24
Peirce College
1420 Pine Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102
$13,89642%
#25
University of Providence
1301 Twentieth St S, Great Falls, Montana 59405
$14,00038%

Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

Most Affordable Online Master in Healthcare Administration Programs

With the student debt rising at record levels and the tuition fees increasing ever-so, affordability is perhaps the most important factor. This is more true in Online MHA programs as the program can get expensive for students.Here are the Most Affordable MHA Online Programs for 2023:

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College Name & AddressTuitionGraduation Rate
#1
Appalachian State University
287 Rivers St, Boone, North Carolina 28608
$4,83973%
#2
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
4505 S Maryland Pky, Las Vegas, Nevada 89154
$5,45945%
#3
Oklahoma State University, Tulsa
1111 W 17th St, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74107
$5,530NA
#4
Louisiana State University, Shreveport
One University Place, Shreveport, Louisiana 71115
$6,19631%
#5
William Woods University
One University Avenue, Fulton, Missouri 65251
$6,48056%
#6
University of Central Florida
4000 Central Florida Blvd, Orlando, Florida 32816
$6,91672%
#7
California State University, East Bay
25800 Carlos Bee Blvd, Hayward, California 94542
$7,17650%
#8
University of Maryland, Global Campus
3501 University Blvd East, Adelphi, Maryland 20783
$8,64015%
#9
Colorado State University, Global Campus
585 Salida Way, Aurora, Colorado 80011
$9,000NA
#10
Ohio University
020 Chubb Hall, Athens, Ohio 45701
$9,44465%
#11
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine
278 Whites Bridge Rd, Standish, Maine 04084
$9,47067%
#12
University of Southern Indiana
8600 University Blvd, Evansville, Indiana 47712
$9,48650%
#13
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
2200 E Kenwood Blvd, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211
$10,54344%
#14
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
1
03 South Bldg Cb 9100, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
$10,55291%
#15
University of Scranton
800 Linden Street, Scranton, Pennsylvania 18510
$11,58083%
#16
Valparaiso University
US Highway 30 and Sturdy Road, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383
$11,70071%
#17
George Mason University
4400 University Dr, Fairfax, Virginia 22030
$12,14471%
#18
Virginia Commonwealth University
910 W Franklin St, Richmond, Virginia 23284
$12,70167%
#19
University of Cincinnati
2624 Clifton Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221
$12,79071%
#20
Peirce College
1420 Pine Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102
$13,89642%
#21
University of Providence
1301 Twentieth St S, Great Falls, Montana 59405
$14,00038%
#22
Marist College
3399 North Rd, Poughkeepsie, New York 12601
$15,30084%
#23
Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences
850 Greenfield Road, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17601
$15,66063%
#24
Saint Joseph’s University
5600 City Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19131
$17,33481%
#25
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
100 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
$17,58083%

Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

Understanding an Online MHA Program

The online MHA degree is designed for working healthcare professionals who seek advancement in the administrative sector.  Specializations in the degree include financial management, human resources, program management, and patient advocacy. But before students enroll into a program, it is essential to understand the MHA Degree Programs fully. In this section, we will walk you through the full details of Online MHA Programs.

Time to complete an online master’s in healthcare administration program

The timeline depends on the number of credit-hours and internships required for graduation, as well as if the master’s student is full-time or part-time. Generally, most online programs take two or three years to complete.

Curriculum in Online MHA Programs

Online MHA course requirements vary by program. Some include on-site internships, some do not. Core coursework can include studies in:

  • Health Care Finance
  • Strategic Planning
  • Organizational Leadership
  • Total Quality Management
  • Policy and Legislative Development Processes
  • Healthcare Law and Ethics
  • Medical Informatics
  • Health Services Marketing
  • Principles of Population Health in Public Health
  • Health Informatics
  • Health systems management
  • Health services management
  • Health Law

CAHME Accreditation for Online MHA programs

The Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) is voluntary for programs and universities. However, a CAHME regional accreditation provides assurance to employers that their programs adhere to strict professional guidelines respected by healthcare employers.  It also shows that an MHA-grad didn’t come from a substandard diploma mill.  Employers may favor the hiring of candidates who graduate from a CAHME Accredited institution.  According to the Commission, over 90 percent of graduates of accredited programs land a healthcare management job within three months following graduation.  In January 2015, CAHME announced accreditation for wholly online MHA programs.

It’s important to search each prospective university to determine the quality of the degree program. CAHME reports that just over 80 percent of all programs hold CAHME accreditation. All the programs listed in this guide are CAHME accredited.

Admission Requirements

These also vary by each program.

  • Undergraduate Degree: Generally, online master’s in healthcare administration degree programs require the student to hold a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA.
  • Professional Experience:  Many expect master’s students to have two years or more of healthcare administrative experience.
  • Background: Schools may require a specific performance level on graduate exams.  Helpful undergraduate courses include studies in economics, marketing, finance, biological and clinical sciences.
  • Letters of Recommendation: Master’s students should compile two to three recommendation letters from former professors and employers familiar with their career objectives, academic advisers and colleagues.  Letters should focus on a student’s work ethic, financial/analytical skills, leadership qualities, public health and collaborative skills.
  • Statement of Purpose: In most cases, grad students also must submit a personal statement. The essay should address a master’s student’s career objectives, professional experience, reasons for selecting their MHA degree program, and the progression of their interest and education toward their career.
  • GRE Test : Some universities require a GRE test score.

Concentrations in Master’s of Healthcare Administration

If you have always envisioned a career in the healthcare field but aren’t quite sure you want to go to medical school, a master’s degree in healthcare administration may be right for you. A health administration degree can open up the opportunities for a wide assortment of career options. Healthcare administration involves the management and supervision of different health systems in our society, including public health systems and hospital networks. There are several concentrations you students can focus on when earning your Master of Healthcare Administration.

Education

Educators in the healthcare industry provide patients with information and help professionals learn new skills and take on more responsibilities within their scope of practice. A Master of Healthcare Administration with a concentration in education will help individuals learn how to develop a curriculum and assess and evaluate various approaches to teaching and learning. Once you graduate from a program like this, you’re typically ready to provide continuing education to professionals in the healthcare field. You’ll be a leader who knows how to effectively harness the changing trends in the industry and deliver appropriate knowledge to a variety of audiences.

Informatics

One of the crucial aspects of healthcare administration is dealing with patient information. Privacy is of utmost importance in patient care, and regulations for managing clinical information are constantly developing as the scope of the healthcare industry progresses. A Master of Healthcare Administration with a concentration in informatics focuses on the organization, storage and use of information such as patient records. With a degree in informatics, you can help medical practices optimize their recordkeeping so patients retain privacy and information is easily accessible, helping the organization runs as efficiently as possible.

Gerontology

The average lifespan has increased in the past century. As more and more seniors are retiring and trying to balance their health with a high-quality lifestyle, more medical providers are necessary to assist them. In fact, the Administration on Aging estimates that in 2060, the number of people aged 65 and older will double from what it was in 2013. Elder care does not just involve medical treatment; it also encompasses aging adults’ physical, emotional and social needs. Individuals completing a Master of Healthcare Administration with a concentration in gerontology may go on to develop strategies for medical practices that specialize in elder care to humanize the aging process and remain aware of the comprehensive needs of aging adults.

Operations

A concentration in operations will provide graduates of a master’s program in health administration with the skills and knowledge to help healthcare organizations reach their goals. It takes much more than skilled medical professionals to run a successful medical practice. Efficiently managing all the moving parts, including employees, patient records, professional knowledge, marketing and finances is required for a fruitful future. When you graduate with a Master of Healthcare Administration with a concentration in operations, you can go on to direct or manage a healthcare facility, operate in an insurance company or laboratory or work as a healthcare consultant.

Health Policy

A Master of Healthcare Administration with a concentration in health policy is ideal for individuals who have strong health-related job experience and business administration skills. Health policy is changing quickly, and individuals who are interested in being leaders at the forefront of these changes will excel in a health policy career. Graduates from a program like this can work at medical facilities, consulting firms, federal regulatory agencies and public health agencies to help create solutions for healthcare issues facing society today.

FAQs for CAHME Accredited Online Healthcare Administration Master’s Programs

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an online master’s in healthcare administration degree cost?

Tuition and fees vary dramatically by institution. Private colleges and universities typically charge rates at the top of the scale, while public universities can cost much less. Most programs charge between $20,000 to $50,000.

Can a master’s student work while attending the MHA program?

It is extremely challenging to undertake an online MHA degree on a full-time basis while maintaining an outside job. Part-time students may have an easier go of it, but the work will still be rigorous.

What do health services managers do?

Is Health Administration a good career?

Are all MHA distance degree programs offered entirely online?

Will the MHA faculty want to interview me?

Will I still have access to student resources in an online MHA program?

What are the computer/technology requirements for an online master’s in healthcare administration program?

What does a healthcare administrator do?

What is accreditation and why is it important?

How to Pay for Online MHA Programs?

MHA programs can be pricey. So before you enroll, one should look at the per cost per credit, total tuition fee etc. Fortunately, students have abundant sources of public and private financial aid to pay for their online programs:

Federal Aid

The first step in applying for federal loans and grants is to complete the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA ®). This one-stop application service analyzes financial need and reports finding to selected online MHA programs.  Federal assistance is offered in the form of the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program.  Master’s students may borrow up to $20,500 in non-subsidized loans.  Direct PLUS Loans are for students with tuition that exceeds the maximum amount on non-subsidized loans.

State Assistance

All states have their own programs for graduate loans and grants.  The U.S. Department of Education has a search tool to find contact information for each state.

Scholarships

Most online MHA programs offer their own scholarships, grants and tuition waivers.  MHA students should check with each program on their list of potential schools to find out what’s available.  There are professional associations and health management organizations that offer scholarships healthcare administration graduate students. Some of these are:

Certifications and Licensing for Healthcare Administration Master’s Graduates

Certification is voluntary. A certification recognizes an MHA grad’s core knowledge in healthcare administration areas and may be required by employers.  It also demonstrates a commitment to ongoing education to maintain certification. To earn the credential, a must pass the Certified in Public Health exam, administered by the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE). The exam is open to Public Health students or graduates from a CEPH-accredited program. The exam covers core areas in General Principles, Public Health, Biostatistics, Environmental Health Sciences, Epidemiology, Health Policy and Management, and Social and Behavioral Sciences.  Learn more at NBPHE.  Public Health administrators may also earn a voluntary certification from the Public Health Practitioner Certification Board (PHPCB).  Other certifications are available from the Professional Association of Health Care Office Management and the  American Health Information Management Association.

Careers & Salaries for Online Healthcare Administration Master’s Graduates

Graduates of an online MHA degree program are prepared to take on a wide range of professional options.  Here are some positions that fit the specializations offered in an online master’s in healthcare administration along with annual wages reported by Indeed.com:

  • Healthcare Administrators: $98,350
  • Biostatisticians: $106,225
  • Director of Healthcare Operations: $96,111
  • Epidemiologists: $83,647
  • Directors of Environmental Health: $88,584
  • Health Information Management Managers: $69,473
  • Healthcare Policy Analysts: $67,357
  • Clinical Coordinators: $53,878
  • Healthcare Consultant: $52,989
  • Public Health Educators: $42,736

Additional Resources for Online MHA Students

Students pursuing their master’s in healthcare administration online, or those who have recently graduated, should examine membership in a professional organization. These associations provide job boards, articles and forums in healthcare administration, and extensive networking opportunities:

  1. National Public Health Association: Dedicated to supporting the research and teaching of healthcare leadership principles, the National Public Health Association promotes ethical public health and the importance of public health competency to improve humanity.
  2. Association for Women in Public Health: AWC has represented women in public health for more than 100 years. The organization promotes First Amendment rights, advocates for professional standards in the field and campaigns for equal pay for women. Members receive access to job boards, online publications, professional development events and travel benefits.
  3. Social Media Association: As social media transforms healthcare administration and marketing for both brands and consumers, the Social Media Association helps members navigate the evolution of this dynamic form of public health. Events and a regularly updated blog with social media news always give members something new to discover.
  4. International Public Health Association: Everything related to public health is covered in the International Public Health Association, which is an academic association for those interested in the application of all aspects of the field. The organization is a non-governmental association recognized by the United Nations.

Sources

Financial Aid for Graduate Students – U.S. Department of Education

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