Are There CAHME-Accredited Dual Degree Programs?
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In short, yes! There are CAHME-accredited dual degree programs awarding master of healthcare administration (MHA) degrees paired with MBA and JD degrees.
A two-year MHA curriculum covers business and law topics, and when combined with an MBA or JD, students can earn two graduate degrees in approximately three years.
What types of degrees are offered in MHA dual degree programs? The most common combinations are an MHA paired with a master of business administration (MBA) or an MHA paired with a juris doctorate (JD). The degree with the most credits is listed first, followed by the second. For example, some common dual degree program credentials include:
- MHA-MBA: master of healthcare administration & master of business administration
- MBA-MHA: master of business administration & master of healthcare administration
- MHA-JD: master of healthcare administration – juris doctorate
Why should students consider earning two master’s degrees instead of one? There are many benefits to earning a dual MHA degree, also known as a joint MHA degree. One advantage of earning a dual degree is that students can complete their education more quickly than if they were to earn each degree separately. In addition, earning a dual degree demonstrates an applicant’s mastery of two fields of study and shows employers they are ambitious, motivated, knowledgeable, and experienced in multiple disciplines.
Prospective applicants to MHA programs are advised to search for programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). The accreditation process is rigorous; only programs that demonstrate excellence in all areas are accredited. This designation carries significant weight in the healthcare industry, and employers know that graduates of accredited dual degree programs are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in today’s competitive environment.
There are ten CAHME-accredited dual degree programs, two of which are offered online and in hybrid formats. As an alternative to dual degree programs, MHA prospective applicants can consider a CAHME-accredited hybrid MHA and healthcare MBA program, featuring an MBA with a concentration in healthcare.
Combining an MHA with an MBA or JD degree can boost graduates’ credentials and prepare them for a broader range of careers and specialty areas. This guide features online, hybrid, and on-campus dual degree programs that have met the rigorous standards of educational quality established by CAHME. Read on to learn more about CAHME-accredited dual-degree MHA programs.
Online & Hybrid CAHME-Accredited Dual Degree Programs – MHA & MBA
University of Scranton (MBA & MHA)
The online dual MBA-MHA program at the University of Scranton’s College for Public Health and Social Justice provides a unique opportunity for individuals seeking advanced education on the business side of healthcare administration. The 100 percent online format allows students to balance their studies with work and personal commitments, while the condensed curriculum saves time and credits compared to completing the degrees individually.
In addition to a core curriculum covering various aspects of healthcare and business management, the program offers elective options and hands-on experience through an internship or residency course. This dual degree program is perfect for those looking to advance their business and healthcare administration careers.
The University of Scranton is firmly grounded in the Jesuit learning approach, emphasizing ethics and social responsibility. Additionally, the MHA portion of the degree follows the ACHE Healthcare Leadership Alliance model, preparing students for success in healthcare management. Students interested in this program must have an accredited bachelor’s degree, a minimum GPA of 3.0, and at least three years of professional experience. No GMAT or GRE test scores are required for admission. Those looking for a comprehensive business and healthcare administration education will find the dual MBA-MHA program at Scranton a perfect fit.
- Location: Scranton, PA
- Duration: 2.5 years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Tuition: $965 per credit
Texas Woman’s University (MBA & MHA)
Texas Woman’s University offers a dual degree program in both MBA and MHA, providing students with the opportunity to study both general business and the business of healthcare services. Classes are offered online for the MBA program, combining hybrid and face-to-face options for the MHA program on TWU’s Dallas and Houston campuses. While 89 percent of the student body identifies as female, 11 percent of students at TWU identify as male.
The dual degree requires 57 semester credit hours and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). Applicants must apply to both programs separately, and GRE/GMAT scores are required for admission to the MHA program. This dual degree offers a unique opportunity to expand their business and healthcare management skills.
- Location: Campuses in Dallas & Houston, TX
- Duration: Three years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
- Tuition: $267.42 per credit
Please read our guide to CAHME-accredited online MHA programs to learn more about online degree programs in healthcare management.
On-Campus CAHME-Accredited Dual Degree Programs – MBA & MHA
Georgia State University (MBA & MHA)
Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business offers a dual degree program for individuals interested in graduate degrees in business and healthcare administration. This program gives students the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in managerial roles. In addition to traditional coursework, students can deepen their understanding through collaborative projects with healthcare facilities. The program covers market forces, policy, strategic management, emerging trends in health IT, and ethics.
The MHA curriculum aligns with the International Healthcare Association’s competency model for healthcare administrators. In addition, those looking for a comprehensive education in healthcare and business can benefit from GSU’s MBA/MHA dual degree program and earn two master’s degrees in an accelerated time frame.
- Location: Atlanta, GA
- Duration: 30 to 36 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
- Tuition: $15,519 per year (residents); $35,858 per year (non-residents)
University of Pittsburgh (MHA & MBA)
The University of Pittsburgh’s MHA-MBA 73-credit dual degree program offers the unique opportunity to combine expertise in the healthcare industry with a focus on business and financial management. This dual degree program, which can be completed in three years instead of four if taken consecutively, combines coursework from the School of Public Health and the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business. Students fulfill all requirements for both degrees, gaining a comprehensive understanding of healthcare management and leadership skills such as finance, strategy, and quality improvement.
With this dual degree program, the University of Pittsburgh offers students unparalleled healthcare management and business administration education. Graduates learn valuable skill sets that set them apart in an increasingly competitive job market. A management residency in a supervised health industry setting that involves an applied management project is required to complete this program.
- Location: Pittsburgh, PA
- Duration: Three years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
- Tuition: $30,342 per year (residents); $51,456 per year (non-residents)
Other on-campus MHA-MBA programs accredited by CAHME include:
On-Campus CAHME-Accredited Dual Degree Programs – MHA & JD
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (MHA & JD)
The dual degree program in law and health administration at the University of Oklahoma’s College of Law and College of Public Health offers students the unique opportunity to combine their passions for both fields. This four-year program combines the juris doctorate, typically requiring a minimum of 90 credit hours, with the master’s in health administration, requiring a minimum of 52 credit hours. Students complete 81 credits at the College of Law and receive nine credits towards their degree from coursework at the College of Public Health. In addition, students must complete a health law course during their studies at the College of Law.
Students must first be accepted to the law school and healthcare administration program to participate in this unique program. Dual-degree students will receive their degrees during the same academic season and apply to both schools simultaneously. This dual education offers a distinct advantage for those looking to enter healthcare law or management, providing graduates with expertise in legal and administrative matters.
- Location: Oklahoma City, OK
- Duration: Four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
- Tuition: $11,649 per year (residents); $31,494 per year (non-residents)
Other on-campus MHA-JD programs accredited by CAHME include:
