CAHME-Accredited Online MHA Programs & Related Disciplines

The Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) is the go-to organization for awarding prestigious accreditation to healthcare management graduate programs, ensuring they meet impeccable standards of excellence. An extensive, multi-step review process involves on-site appraisals by qualified professionals and self-assessments – all working towards recognizing that these institutions are committed to delivering exceptional health administration education.

When pursuing higher education, it’s essential to consider two forms of accreditation. Institutional accreditation offers an overall evaluation of universities or colleges, while programmatic accreditation hones in on professional specialties like nursing, business, and healthcare management – ensuring students have the knowledge needed for their fields.

CAHME stands firmly among the few select organizations that honor superior colleges and institutions with esteemed recognition through a rigorous yet impartial process. As of September 2024, CAHME has accredited 150 graduate programs in healthcare management. Notably, CAHME is recognized by the institutional accrediting body, the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). In addition, some master of health administration (MHA) programs are further distinguished by prestigious programmatic accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), upholding high excellence in business education.

This guide features notable CAHME-accredited online, hybrid, and on-campus MHA degrees, certificates, and related health administration programs.

Featured CAHME-Accredited Online MHA Programs
Texas State University	Master of Healthcare Administration - Executive Track	Visit Program Website
The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health	Online MHA (MHA@GW)	Visit Program Website
George Mason University	MHA in Health Systems Management - Executive Concentration	Visit Program Website
George Mason University	MHA in Health Systems Management - Healthcare Quality	Visit Program Website
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CAHME accredits the following types of degree programs:

• Master of health administration (MHA)
• Executive master of health administration (EMHA)
• Dual-degree MBA/MHA programs
• Master of business administration (MBA) in healthcare
• Master of healthcare quality and safety (MHQS)
• Master of public health (MPH)
• Master of public administration (MPA)
• Master of science in nursing (MSN)

CAHME’s accreditation process is one of the foremost standards in higher education, driven by top-tier healthcare management practitioners and designed to guarantee exceptional quality. This rigorous assessment provides universities with comprehensive feedback about their programs’ performance, allowing them to maintain a high level of excellence or enhance any areas requiring attention.

By obtaining this distinction from renowned experts worldwide, graduates from CAHME-accredited programs are given enhanced opportunities for employment – from internships through completion of fellowships up to executive roles.

What’s the difference between CAHME accreditation and certification? In short, they are two distinctions of programmatic excellence for health administration and management education programs. Pending approval, CAHME-certified programs can be granted initial accreditation, which lasts three years. By comparison, CAHME-certified programs must recertify annually.

George Mason University – MHA

George Mason University’s online master of health administration (MHA) in health systems management prepares students for leadership positions in healthcare. The program provides insight into the healthcare sector and helps students develop a strategic business sense. Students with a background in nursing or pharmacy looking to move into leadership positions should consider this program. While the program is offered online, it is identical to its CAHME-accredited on-campus counterpart.

Applicants to the program must have a bachelor’s degree. A prior health-related bachelor’s or field experience is not required but is considered in the admissions process.

The program comprises 45 credits and has two concentration options: a healthcare quality concentration and an executive concentration. Courses include statistics in health services management; leadership and organizational behavior; the role of government in healthcare and public health; quality measurement and evaluation; health economics; and management of health information systems. In addition, students develop management skills, communication techniques, leadership qualities, and professionalism.

Students graduating from the program can pursue many opportunities in hospitals, health insurance, IT systems, ambulatory clinics, and medical practice groups.

• Location: Fairfax, VA
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 30 months

George Washington University – MHA

An online MHA (master of health administration) program offered by George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health is designed to prepare healthcare professionals for leadership positions in both public and private sector environments.

With both full-time and part-time options, the program is offered with a blend of online and in-person sessions. In addition, students will experience hands-on learning by attending four immersions (two 40-hour and two 20-hour requirements, totaling nine credits), three of which will be at GW’s Washington, D.C. campus and one at a reputable health organization worldwide.

The program’s 50-credit curriculum includes coursework in healthcare management and strategy; healthcare financial management; medical informatics and decision management; community engagement; quality and performance improvement; systems thinking and learning; and healthcare law and policy.

Applicants to the program must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university, at least two years of full-time health experience or three years of full-time experience in any industry, a completed online application, a statement of purpose, official transcripts from all educational institutions attended, two letters of recommendation, and a current resume. GRE or GMAT scores are not required for admission.

• Location: Washington, DC
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

Texas State University – MHA

The College of Health Professions at Texas State University offers a 49-credit master of healthcare administration (MHA) program which includes core courses and either field experience or a thesis in the hybrid format or a thesis or administrative practicum in the executive online model.

Principal areas of study include health and disease, economic, sociological, political, and legal forces affecting healthcare, and management and organizational behavior with specializations in human resource management, financial management, marketing and data generation, analysis, and planning.

Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university, with a GPA of 2.75 or higher, and must have taken statistics, economics, and financial accounting (passed with a C or better).

The non-thesis MHA option comprises 42 credits, the thesis MHA option consists of 40 credits and the executive MHA concentration is made up of 40 credits. Courses include healthcare organization and delivery; analytics and information systems management in healthcare; healthcare financial management; healthcare law and policy; data-guided healthcare decision-making; and public health for healthcare administrators.

• Location: San Marcos, TX
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years

University of North Carolina, Wilmington – MHA

University of North Carolina, Wilmington offers an online MHA program providing students with the practical expertise and essential knowledge they need to deliver ethical, innovative, and effective leadership across a wide range of healthcare organizations. This specialized degree prepares students with the best practices, theoretical insights, and resources to effect positive outcomes in the continuously evolving field of healthcare administration.

Comprising 48 credits, the program includes courses such as introduction to healthcare management; healthcare systems; managing human capital in healthcare; operations management & quality assessment in health organizations; healthcare informatics; strategic management & marketing for healthcare professionals; legal and ethical issues for health professionals; and quantitative methods and evidence-based decision-making in healthcare.

• Location: Boston, MA
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 12 months

University of New Haven – MHA

The University of New Haven’s master of healthcare administration (MHA) program provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead a healthcare organization in the 21st century. The program is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of healthcare’s past, present, and future, preparing them to identify challenges and changes in the healthcare system and address them effectively.

The MHA program also prepares students to develop competency in 11 critical areas of healthcare management. Graduates of the program have a proven track record of creating successful careers in healthcare. The MHA program is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).

Admission to the University of New Haven’s MHA program is based on a holistic review of each applicant’s file, considering factors such as previous GPA, work experience, statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation. Most students who enroll in the MHA program have undergraduate GPAs of 3.3 or higher and an average of two or more years of work experience. The GRE or GMAT score is not required for admission.

Comprising 36 credits, the program includes courses such as management of healthcare organizations; management information systems in healthcare; financial management of healthcare organizations; law and public health; healthcare ethics; statistics in healthcare administration; communication in healthcare; and healthcare leadership.

• Location: West Haven, CT
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years

Duquesne University – MHA

Duquesne University offers an online MHA program which is the first fully online MHA program in the Pittsburgh area. The program prepares students for healthcare leadership with a comprehensive curriculum and practical experiences in policy, quality improvement, and management. Three concentration options are available in health informatics and data analytics; population health; and healthcare compliance and risk management.

Comprising 42 credits, the program includes courses such as introduction to the healthcare systems; healthcare managerial accounting; health services research methods and statistics; healthcare human resources management; healthcare marketing and strategic planning; healthcare economics and policy; and healthcare law and ethics.

• Location: Pittsburgh, PA
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 16 months

University of Scranton – MHA

This online MHA offered by the University of Scranton is designed according to the dynamic nature of the healthcare industry. In addition, it is offered online, allowing flexibility for working students. Students in this program may add an optional MHA specialization in global health, post-acute care, or health informatics. These specializations incorporate 150 hours of fieldwork and add just six more credits to the curriculum, for a total of 53 credits.

The CAHME-accredited program offers a quality curriculum, ensuring students have access to the best and latest knowledge of the industry. While the program does not require campus visits, students must complete a three-credit healthcare administration internship which requires 150 hours of fieldwork.

The program includes 47 to 53 credits. The curriculum includes courses such as healthcare financial management; human resources management; healthcare economics and policy; administrative issues; healthcare planning and marketing; healthcare research and analytics; health services and systems; healthcare operations and quality; healthcare IT management; healthcare law and ethics; and leadership and organizational behavior.

This program offers synchronous lectures where students interact with faculty and classmates to bridge the gap between online and on-campus learning.

In addition, the University of Scranton provides another online program for those looking to make inroads into the healthcare sector: an executive certificate in health administration. The curriculum aligns with the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) criteria and includes five courses selected from the CAHME-accredited MHA program.

• Location: Scranton, PA
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 30 months

Georgetown University – MHSA

The master of science in health systems administration (MHSA) from Georgetown University is a competency-based program that prepares aspiring healthcare leaders with the skills to shape the future of healthcare. The program is delivered in a unique hybrid format of online, synchronous coursework paired with on-site campus and thematic global comparative immersions. The MHSA program is accredited by CAHME and based in Washington, D.C., which provides unique access to influential health systems and healthcare legislative exposure.

The MHSA cohort is diverse and features small class sizes and exposure to industry leaders and subject matter experts. The program culminates in an extensive professional coaching and networking opportunity. Graduates of the MHSA program serve in leadership roles in hospitals, integrated health systems, community health centers, ambulatory & home health agencies, medical group practices, health maintenance organizations, consulting firms, and federal agencies.

Consisting of 42 credits, the program includes courses such as financial management; strategic management; quality and performance; health economics; healthcare operations and talent management; and managerial law and ethics, among others.

• Location: Washington, DC
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 21 to 24 months

Concordia University – MHA

Concordia University Irvine’s online master of healthcare administration program prepares students for leadership positions in various healthcare settings. The curriculum emphasizes the foundational knowledge and competencies needed across healthcare management roles. The faculty are dedicated professionals with backgrounds in a variety of sectors of healthcare administration, and the advisory board consists of healthcare directors, executives, and administrators committed to adding value to the program.

To graduate, students complete a culmination capstone course showcasing students’ studies and allowing them to integrate prior coursework and experience. In addition, Concordia University offers the only CAHME-accredited online MHA program on the west coast, meaning students can be sure that their education from Concordia is industry-aligned and highly sought after by employers.

Made up of 40 credits, the program includes courses such as healthcare organizational management; healthcare law; healthcare quality assurance; financial management of healthcare organizations; healthcare strategic planning and marketing; healthcare quality assurance; and vocation and ethics in healthcare management, among others.

• Location: Irvine, CA
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years

Des Moines University – MHA

Des Moines University offers a 48-credit online master of healthcare administration (MHA). Courses take place over five 8-week terms per year and include a three-credit internship or field-based learning experience at an organization of the student’s choosing.

In addition, online students participate in seminars with peers and healthcare community members to foster collaboration and solve real-world problems. A one-year, 15-credit graduate certificate is also available for public health and healthcare professionals who want to learn more about knowledge and skills of disease prevention, population health, and healthcare management practices. Program values include integrity, excellence, communication, and lifelong learning.

Course topics include healthcare human relations management; healthcare law and ethics; financial management in healthcare; organizational behavior; health information management; and professional development.

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, strong writing and composition skills, and complete a criminal background check.

• Location: Des Moines, IA
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years

Ferris State University – MHA

The Ferris State University MHA program is designed for students pursuing a career in healthcare leadership. The program is entirely online, and applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a GPA of 3.00 or higher.

In addition, applicants must submit transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended, a resume or curriculum vitae, and a personal statement of interest in healthcare administration. Applicants must also complete a college-level mathematics course, an introductory statistics course, and coursework that includes college-level social and natural science courses. Finally, international students whose first language is not English must submit English proficiency test scores.

Provisional admission may be granted if an applicant fails to meet all the admission requirements. If provisional admission is granted, the applicant must complete the first nine credits of graduate-level coursework with a minimum 3.0 GPA and correct all deficiencies in their admission requirements within the first nine credits of the program. These requirements also apply to transfer students.

This 40 to 46-credit fully online program includes courses such as leadership in healthcare; health organizational behavior; population health management; healthcare finance application; quantitative decision-making; health administration law; healthcare strategic planning; healthcare quality management; healthcare informatics; healthcare finance management; and healthcare marketing, among others.

• Location: Big Rapids, MI
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years

Indiana University Indianapolis – MHA

The Fairbanks School of Public Health at Indiana University offers a master of health administration (MHA) degree that prepares students for management and leadership positions in healthcare organizations. This CAHME-accredited program has a long and distinguished history of preparing graduates for successful careers in various healthcare organizations.

The faculty is outstanding and includes full-time educators with practical experience and adjunct faculty who are working professionals in the field. The program is ranked as one of the best healthcare management programs in the country, and the alums include half of the hospital CEOs in Indiana. The hybrid program accommodates full-time and part-time students and offers outstanding career services support.

The program comprises 42 credits. The curriculum includes courses such as human resources and organizational behavior in health administration; managing healthcare accounting information for decision-making; financial management principles of healthcare; health economics; health services delivery and the law; management science for health services administration; marketing health services delivery; and leadership in healthcare administration, among others.

• Location: Indianapolis, IN
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years

Minnesota State University of Moorhead – MHA

The MSUM master of healthcare administration (MHA) program is designed for early to mid-career healthcare practitioners. The program provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to manage and improve healthcare delivery within various settings effectively. In addition, graduates complete a two-part capstone summarizing practical and professional healthcare leadership applications.

For those with a bachelor’s degree in nursing, dual enrollment in the MS in nursing with the MHA degree allows nurses to gain leadership credentials and knowledge in healthcare administration. Also, a graduate certificate in informatics, evidence-based practice & project management strategy (IPEMS) is available and prepares professionals to serve in integral roles in managing health information systems. This unique certificate offers courses from current master’s programs at MSUM, providing students with an attractive, short-duration post-baccalaureate option.

The 43-credit online MHA includes courses such as healthcare economics; marketing management; human resource management; healthcare quality and regulatory management; research and evidence-based practice; healthcare law and ethical decision-making; applied healthcare financial management; and health program planning and evaluation. Notably, students who add an emphasis on long-term care will complete nine additional credits.

• Location: Moorhead, MN
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years

Penn State University – MHA

The Penn State World Campus online MHA in health policy and administration program is designed for experienced healthcare professionals who want to enhance their applied business management skills. The program is a collaboration between Penn State World Campus and the Department of Health Policy and Administration in the Penn State College of Health and Human Development, which connects students with experienced faculty from a highly ranked program.

Applicants must hold either a baccalaureate degree or a tertiary (postsecondary) degree comparable to a four-year bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. Graduates of the program can obtain an administrative, management, or executive position in one of several healthcare-related organizations.

Made up of 49 credits, the program includes courses such as financing healthcare; introduction to health services organizations and delivery; leadership ethics in health services organizations; health services organizational behavior; financial management in health institutions; managing healthcare operations; management of health services organizations; change leadership in health services organizations; introduction to health economics; and health law.

• Location: University Park, PA
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years

Robert Morris University – MSHA

Robert Morris University offers an MS in health services administration degree designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful leaders in the healthcare industry. The 42-credit program is entirely online and taught by experienced professionals, and students are admitted in cohorts to have networking opportunities with their peers.

The program is accredited by CAHME and approved by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA). As a result, students and employers can be guaranteed the highest academic and professional standards. In addition, this program has been designed following the National Center for Healthcare Leadership’s Health Leadership Competency Model, which includes competencies that healthcare managers need to succeed in the field.

Courses include executive leadership in healthcare; performance improvement & quality management in healthcare; strategic planning and marketing; healthcare logistics & operations; evidence-based decision-making for healthcare managers; coordinated care & population health management; managing healthcare information systems; and ethical issues in health services administration.

• Location: Moon Township, PA
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years

Seton Hall University – MHA

Seton Hall University’s School of Health and Medical Sciences offers an online/hybrid master of healthcare administration (MHA) program preparing students for management and leadership positions in today’s dynamic, complex healthcare industry. With three intensive residencies required, this program embraces contemporary and theoretical-practical applications of healthcare management, policy, and leadership.

The 42-credit curriculum includes courses such as research methods and statistical analysis for healthcare; healthcare management; financial and managerial accounting and costing in healthcare; healthcare data analytics; health finance; health policy; health economics; and population health management.

• Location: South Orange, NJ
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

Stony Brook University – MHA

The Stony Brook Medicine master of health administration (MHA) program is an online degree that develops highly qualified health management professionals who understand population health competencies. The curriculum couples a strong foundation in general management principles with specialized instruction in healthcare administration and population health.

Full-time faculty members lead courses with terminal degrees and subject matter experts who are active practitioners. As part of a world-class university and academic medical center, the MHA program offers students unique opportunities to learn from seasoned experts in the healthcare field.

Graduates of this 51-credit program will develop competencies in a variety of critical topics that are relevant to the management of healthcare organizations. Courses include health systems performance; human resources management in the health sector; health finance and accounting; health governance and organizational analysis; social & behavioral determinants of health; health economics and policy; fundamentals of healthcare management; health operations management; health law and compliance; and health strategic planning and management.

The degree culminates with integrative experience and capstone courses, preparing graduates to enter the health administration workforce or advance to the next level in their careers.

• Location: Stony Brook, NY
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years

Trinity University – MSHA

Trinity University offers a hybrid executive track for the master’s of science in healthcare administration program in a part-time, distance-learning format providing working professionals with an opportunity to invest in their future while continuing to work full-time. Designed to be completed in 23 months, this program consists of 41 credits emphasizing experiential and conceptual learning integration. Each semester begins with three days of intensive on-campus study at Trinity University, followed by distance learning to complete each course.

Some of the topics students will delve into include statistical analysis in healthcare organizations; operations management in healthcare organizations; health services organization and policy; economic aspects of healthcare administration; healthcare organization theory and management; legal aspects of healthcare administration; and healthcare human resource management.

• Location: San Antonio, TX
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 23 months

University of Alabama at Birmingham – MSHA

The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s School of Health Professions offers a hybrid executive master of science in health administration (MSHA) program preparing students for senior management positions in the health field. Providing a comprehensive understanding of almost every aspect of healthcare, the program emphasizes essential healthcare management areas such as marketing, leadership, operations management, economics, quality improvement, strategic management, and epidemiology, to name a few.

Delivering almost half of the content online, this program requires students to attend campus for only four and a half days thrice each year to complete the program in two years. Students will also have the option to pursue a dual degree with the MS in healthcare quality and safety (MSHQS) or add a graduate certificate in healthcare quality and safety.

Consisting of 57 credits, the program includes courses such as introduction to healthcare systems; essentials of health and human disease; operation management for health services; health law; process improvement; health economics; and human resources management in health services administration.

• Location: Birmingham, AL
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

University of Detroit Mercy – MHSA

University of Detroit Mercy’s master of health services administration (MHSA) program prepares students to become innovative leaders in today’s dynamic healthcare organizations. Having a solid connection with the community and the healthcare industry, the program brings health-related work experience into the classroom, helping students develop advanced competencies in research techniques, management, and fiscal management.

Classes will be offered in the evening, and online class formats meet the needs of adults working and living in metropolitan areas. In the classroom portion, students will learn from highly qualified faculty members focusing on case-based instruction and active learning.

As part of this 42-credit program, students will delve into topics such as theory and practice of health services management; career management for health services administrators; accounting principles in the healthcare profession; information systems for health services administration; financial management of health services; legal and ethical aspects of health services administration; health economics; and quality improvement in healthcare organizations.

• Location: Detroit, MI
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

University of the Incarnate Word – MHA

The H-E-B School of Business and Administration at the University of the Incarnate Word offers a master of health administration (MHA) degree, ideal for those working in the workforce. This value-based, experientially focused, and competency-driven program helps students develop their ethical, professional, and theoretical skills. Offered in a hybrid format, the program’s curriculum includes three on-campus sessions at the beginning, middle, and end. These on-campus sessions allow students to interact face-to-face with faculty members and peers in a collaborative learning environment.

The program’s 48-credit curriculum includes courses such as population health and epidemiology; managing healthcare organizations; organizational behavior and theory in healthcare; healthcare economics; human resource management and ethics in healthcare; quantitative analysis for healthcare managers; healthcare policy; and quality and continuous improvement in healthcare.

• Location: San Antonio, TX
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 21 months

Appalachian State University – MHA

Appalachian State University offers an online master of health administration (MHA) program preparing graduates to become engaged healthcare executives who are eager to acquire knowledge, communicate effectively, think critically, and promote a spirit of inclusion. As graduates, students will be prepared to advance their management careers in a variety of healthcare organizations such as hospitals, urgent care, long-term care, mental health, research facilities, medical health equipment companies, and biotech organizations.

Moreover, the program also offers two concentration options in healthcare leadership and health informatics. Applicants to the program must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and work full-time in a healthcare setting.

Made up of 46 credits, the program includes courses such as foundations of the US healthcare system; statistics for health administration; health and disease; organizational development and behavior in healthcare; financial management for health organizations; performance improvement and operations management; health economics; management and human resources in health organizations; and healthcare informatics.

• Location: Boone, NC
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two to three years

University of North Texas Health Science Center – MHA

The master of health administration online program at UNT Health Science Center is designed to prepare students for effective organizational management. The 48-credit program aims to improve health services through research and community engagement within complex health-related organizations.

The program is delivered 100 percent online and is based out of the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Classes are taught in eight-week sessions with five start dates per year, and students can complete the course in three years.

The master of health administration program has adopted a competency model informed by the National Center for Healthcare Leadership. In addition, campus resources such as libraries, career centers, and academic support services are available to all online students.

The curriculum includes courses such as healthcare data management and analysis; health finance; healthcare operations management; process improvement; health insurance and managed care; communication for health professionals; health economics; organizational leadership; healthcare law; and foundations of public health.

• Location: Fort Worth, TX
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Three years

University of Phoenix – MHA

The University of Phoenix offers a master of health administration degree, which students can complete online in short, manageable, six-week courses. This CAHME-accredited degree program is designed to fit into the lives of busy working adults. It includes 12 core courses ranging from informatics and marketing to change management and economics.

The minimum requirement for admission is an undergraduate degree or higher from a college or university with approved institutional accreditation, or that is a candidate for accreditation. Applicants must also have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 for all coursework listed on their degree transcript and at least three years of full-time, post-high school professional work experience within the past ten years.

This 36-credit program includes courses such as systems thinking in healthcare environments; ethical marketing: the new healthcare economics​; leveraging informatics in the health sector; navigating the regulatory environment in healthcare; leveraging results to build brand in the health sector; operating in structure: health sector policy and governance; and leading with authenticity in the health sector.

• Location: Phoenix, AZ
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee – MHA

The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (UWM) offers an online master of healthcare administration (MHA) that prepares students for strategic roles in healthcare leadership. The program’s core competencies cover four domains set forth by the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Healthcare Leadership Alliance (HLA): healthcare environment; management; diversity, equity, access, & inclusion; and leadership & communication. The 39-credit program can be completed on-campus or online and includes 30 required courses, three internship credits, and six elective course credits.

UWM also offers a 33-credit executive online MHA program for applicants with previous experience in healthcare administration or an advanced professional degree such as an MBA, PharmD, PhD, MD, or APRN. Students in both programs must complete an internship and a capstone project aligning with their career interests. Tuition reciprocity agreements are available for students residing in Minnesota.

The curriculum includes courses such as design of health and human service systems; statistical analysis in the health sciences; quantitative methods for healthcare administrators; operations management in healthcare organizations; human resources management for healthcare executives; strategic planning in healthcare organizations; financial management for healthcare organizations; and leading change & innovation in a system.

• Location: Milwaukee, WI
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years

Virginia Commonwealth University – MSHA

Virginia Commonwealth University’s College of Health Professions offers a hybrid master of science in health administration (MSHA) designed in a convenient, online format combined with six on-campus sessions per year allowing full-time healthcare professionals to complete this program anywhere in the U.S. in just 22 months.

Attracting executive-level managers, mid-career managers, and clinicians from several healthcare fields with at least five years of professional experience, this program helps them develop business skills for today’s healthcare environment, preparing them to meet the challenges of the marketplace.

This 14-course program includes courses such as health systems organization, financing, and performance; healthcare managerial accounting; financial management in health organizations; health analytics and decision support; healthcare law and bioethics; information systems for healthcare management; and healthcare marketing.

• Location: Richmond, VA
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 22 to 36 months

University of Cincinnati – Executive MHA

The University of Cincinnati offers an online executive master of health administration (EMHA) program designed for mid-career health professionals looking to move into executive roles within their organization. The program equips graduates with a wide variety of skills, competencies, and knowledge essential for the provision of effective health care.

Applicants to the program must have a Bachelor’s Degree program from a regionally accredited institution, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, college transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a current resume, a personal statement, and TOEFL or IELTS test scores for international students. GRE or GMAT scores are not required for admission.

Coursework in this EMHA program is provided by both the College of Allied Health Sciences and the Carl H. Lindner College of Business. The program comprises 40 credits and includes courses such as global health systems; healthcare finance; health quality: evidence-based decision-making for managers; total quality management; emerging issues in health systems management; and health systems management.

• Location: St. Louis, MO
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

University of Central Florida – Executive MHA

The University of Central Florida (UCF) offers a 100 percent online CAHME-accredited executive master of health administration degree, with small class sizes and a rigorous curriculum. Each cohort is capped at 30 students who are expected to maintain strong academic performance throughout the program.

Designed for experienced professionals, EMHA students take courses in healthcare statistics and research; leadership for healthcare executives; financial accounting for healthcare managers; healthcare organizational behavior and human resource management; healthcare quality and risk management; financial management for healthcare managers; healthcare informatics for healthcare leaders; healthcare economics and policy; and epidemiology and health planning. The program comprises 11 courses (44 credits), and a capstone project to build skills in strategic management.

To apply, students must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college with at least a 3.0 GPA and three years of professional experience in healthcare, among other requirements.

• Location: Orlando, FL
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years

University of Southern California – Executive MHA

University of Southern California’s Sol Price School of Public Policy offers an executive master of health administration program, which is provided in a blended format combining the flexibility of online classes and assignments with a face-to-face curriculum that involves additional visits to medical sites, work on additional projects, and lectures.

The 36-credit curriculum of this program includes courses such as leading people and healthcare organizations; healthcare economics, financing, and reimbursement; health information systems; quality of care concepts; operations management accountability; managing and improving health; and information technology and patient engagement.

In addition to the asynchronous and synchronous learning modules in each class, students in this program will participate in four-day residencies twice during the program.

Applicants to the program must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0, transcripts from each institution attended, five years of experience in healthcare or a related field, three letters of recommendation, a professional resume, and a personal statement of purpose.

• Location: Los Angeles, CA
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

University of North Carolina – Executive MHA

University of North Carolina’s Gillings School of Global Public Health offers an executive MHA program through its Department Of Health Policy and Management. Designed to be completed in two years, the program includes three on-campus sessions per year for a total of 14 days. This professional degree is ideal for students who wish to pursue management careers in hospitals, health systems, managed care organizations, consulting firms, non-governmental organizations, insurance firms, government agencies, medical group practices, and other settings.

The program’s 49-credit curriculum includes courses such as healthcare in the United States: structure and policy; healthcare reimbursement; leadership & workforce management; financial and managerial accounting; public health concepts in a systems context; healthcare policy and economics; healthcare strategy and marketing; healthcare information & quality tools and apps; healthcare finance; and health law.

Admission requirements to the program include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a grade point average of 3.0, three years of experience in healthcare or public health, current employment in the health or human services field, a personal statement, and three letters of reference.

• Location: Multiple campuses
• Accreditation: Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH); Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

Medical University of South Carolina – Executive MHA

Medical University of South Carolina’s College of Health Professions offers a hybrid executive master in health administration (MHA) program providing students with the required skills and knowledge needed for advancement in the healthcare industry. With both part-time and full-time options available, courses are delivered online with on-campus visits one weekend each semester. Graduates of the program will be prepared for employment in physician practices, hospitals, consulting organizations, and long-term care settings.

For admission to the program, applicants must complete an online application and have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a GPA of 3.0. Additional requirements include transcripts from all colleges attended, one or more years of healthcare experience, and completion of one undergraduate course in statistics and one undergraduate course in accounting before starting the program.

Made up of 54 credits, the program includes courses such as human resource management; statistical analysis in health; decision analytics; health law and risk management; healthcare delivery systems; health economics; healthcare reimbursement system; strategic management & marketing; and health behavior and epidemiology.

• Location: Charleston, SC
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 2.5 to three years

Cornell University – Executive MHA

Cornell University offers an executive MHA program offered in a hybrid format. Students in this cohort-based model complete 80 percent of the courses online. The program includes two week-long sessions on Cornell University’s campus in Ithaca, NY, and one weekend session in Boston.

The program’s versatile curriculum prepares graduates to advance in management positions in consulting firms, hospitals, pharmaceutical firms, and primary care and ambulatory surgery centers.

The curriculum consists of 36.5 credits and includes courses such as microeconomics for managers; healthcare organizations and behavior; business statistics; health law for managers; health marketing for managers; managing operations; health care strategy; and healthcare organizations and behavior, among others.

• Location: Ithaca, NY
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years

University of Illinois Chicago – Executive MHA

The University of Illinois Chicago’s School of Public Health offers an executive master of healthcare administration program, which can be completed in four semesters. This 48-credit curriculum includes four in-person weekend sessions per semester and synchronous online classes each semester. Weekly opportunities for independent learning are also available.

The program curriculum includes courses such as health organizational leadership; quality management in health services; public health foundations; healthcare human resource management; introduction to health policy; healthcare law and ethics; managerial health economics; quantitative methods for healthcare managers; strategic planning and marketing in healthcare; and population-based healthcare services planning.

• Location: Chicago, IL
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

University of North Florida – Executive MHA

The Brooks College of Health at the University of North Florida offers a hybrid executive MHA program (EMHA). This program is delivered largely in an online format. Students are expected to complete this program as cohorts, following a specific progression through the curriculum in approximately 20 months. Three in-residence seminar sections at the university will be required at the beginning of the first semester, in the summer semester, and at the end of the last semester. Each seminar section will be up to four days in length.

The 30-credit curriculum includes courses such as leadership and organizational behavior in healthcare systems; financial management for healthcare organizations; research methods for healthcare management; strategic planning for health information systems; managing human resources in healthcare organizations; population health for health executives; and health policy and law, among others.

• Location: Jacksonville, FL
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 20 months

University of Michigan – Executive MHSA

University of Michigan’s School of Public Health offers an executive master of health services administration (MHSA) degree in a hybrid format allowing students to continue working full-time while pursuing their degree. Combining distance learning with face-to-face interactions, this program helps graduates obtain top skills and expertise for leadership positions in health systems, business settings, and hospitals. Designed to be completed in 20 months, the program requires students to attend three to four intensive three-day weekend sessions in Ann Arbor, MI.

The curriculum consists of courses such as biostatistics; healthcare quality, performance measurement, and improvement; organization and management of healthcare systems; corporate finance for healthcare administrators; health law; operations research; economics of health management and policy; introduction to health informatics; and introduction to economic evaluation using cost-effectiveness.

• Location: Ann Arbor, MI
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 20 months

University of Minnesota – Executive MHA

University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health offers a master of healthcare administration executive program, including asynchronous online classes with an in-person kickoff on the UMN Twin Cities campus at the beginning of each semester and again during their final semester for a capstone celebration. Focusing on managing integrated health systems, the program prepares busy working professionals for leadership in healthcare administration.

Consisting of 42 credits, the program includes courses such as management principles in health services organizations; health economics; health and health systems; innovation of healthcare services; operations research and quality in healthcare; healthcare financial principles; statistics for healthcare decision-making; and innovation of healthcare services.

• Location: Minneapolis, MN
• Accreditation: Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH); Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Less than two years

University of Missouri – Executive MHA

University of Missouri’s School of Medicine offers an executive master of health administration (MHA) degree preparing practicing working professionals for leadership positions across a wide range of healthcare settings. Candidates for this program include nurses, physicians, finance executives, information executives, and human resource executives with at least three years of administrative or clinical experience. Offered in a hybrid model, this executive MHA program features both on-campus and distance learning courses.

The program consists of 42 credits, including coursework in the administration of healthcare organizations; introduction to health informatics; methods of health services research; health economics; managing human resources in healthcare organizations; decision-making for healthcare organizations; managerial epidemiology; healthcare law; and health policy and politics.

• Location: Columbia, MO
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

University of Nevada Las Vegas – Executive MHA

The University of Nevada Las Vegas offers an executive master of healthcare administration degree designed for experienced professionals in the healthcare industry. The EMHA program allows students to meet their current professional demands while earning their advanced degrees to become senior leaders in the healthcare industry.

The EMHA program is more strategic than operational. It seeks to make students leaders in their organizations and knowledgeable consumers of various types of healthcare administration information that may come across their desks. The EMHA is delivered primarily online, with two immersion sessions required before the program’s first and last semesters.

Applicants to the EMHA program must meet Graduate College standards and have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited institution. They must also submit the following documents as part of their online application: a one to two-page personal essay describing why they want to pursue a career in healthcare management, a resume, and official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended. Lastly, applicants must provide contact information for three recommendation providers who will upload letters of recommendation on behalf of the applicant.

The program’s 34-credit curriculum includes courses such as special topics in healthcare leadership; healthcare law and ethics for managers; strategic management of health services; information systems in health services management; operations and quality management of health services; healthcare economics; human resources management of healthcare organizations; public health fundamentals for healthcare leaders; and management of health services organizations and systems.

• Location: Las Vegas, NV
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years

University of Washington – Executive MHA

The University of Washington offers an executive master of health administration program that equips healthcare professionals with the management and business skills required to advance into leadership roles and help their organizations deliver better patient care. Offered in a flexible hybrid format, this part-time EMHA program requires only two days of online or in-person attendance per month. The synchronous classes are supplemented by convenient weekly online sessions.

Comprising 69 credits, the program includes courses such as introduction to health services and public health; managing healthcare organizations; quantitative methods; organizational behavior; clinical systems management; health policy development; ethical issues in health services; and critical thinking.

• Location: Seattle, WA
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

Weber State University – Executive MHA

Weber State University’s Dumke College of Health Professions offers an executive master of health administration (MHA) program meeting the needs of both full-time and part-time healthcare professionals who wish to advance into leadership roles. Offered in a fully online format, this MHA program is taught by WSU professors working with healthcare executives who thoroughly understand the industry.

As part of the program, students will delve into topics such as health systems and the healthcare economy; leading and managing people in healthcare; population health and data analytics; human resources management in healthcare; healthcare finance; quality improvement and risk management in health organizations; health policy and economics; and decision-making for healthcare leaders.

• Location: Ogden, UT
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

Xavier University – Executive MHA

Xavier University offers an online executive MHSA degree program designed for busy professionals who want to take their careers in healthcare management to the next level. The CAHME accredits the program and allows students to learn from highly skilled faculty and professional health leaders.

This 42-credit EMHSA program requires no on-campus visits, making it convenient for busy professionals to earn their degrees. Classes are offered in the fall, spring, and summer, making it possible for students to complete the program in as few as two years. Xavier University has received three inaugural CAHME Awards, including the 2019 CAHME and Wharton Research Data Services “Best Paper for Empirical Research Award.”

The curriculum includes courses such as managerial concepts in healthcare organizations; human resources management in healthcare; strategic management & marketing in healthcare organizations; quantitative methods for healthcare administration; quality and process improvement; health analytics and decision support; revenue cycle management & health insurance; and applications in healthcare finance.

• Location: Cincinnati, OH
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years

Clarkson University – MBA in healthcare management

Clarkson University’s David D. Reh School of Business offers a hybrid MBA (master of business administration) program in healthcare management, which is designed to help students understand the complexities of today’s healthcare systems and manage health and health-related facilities more efficiently and effectively.

Graduates of this program will be prepared to pursue highly successful and visible careers in health systems, hospitals, medical practices, health insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, healthcare policy development institutions, and consulting and technology firms.

With both part-time and full-time options available, the program can be completed entirely online, on-campus, or through a hybrid option. Students must participate in two on-site courses, each requiring three long days fulfilling the one-course requirement. All remaining courses can be completed on-site or online.

Made up of 48 credits, the program includes courses such as introduction to health systems; health systems management; healthcare operations; healthcare marketing; statistical methods for data analytics; financial and managerial accounting for decision-making; health informatics; legal aspects of healthcare; and managerial epidemiology, among others.

• Location: Schenectady, NY
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 to 28 months

Creighton University – Executive MBA in healthcare

The executive healthcare MBA is explicitly geared toward physicians and mid-career healthcare executives seeking an MBA in their field of practice. In addition, individuals who manage departments, private practices, and other entrepreneurial endeavors would best fit the executive MBA program.

This 42-credit program is offered online and in-person and includes four on-campus residencies. Courses include introduction to healthcare management; healthcare finance; healthcare human resource management; healthcare marketing; leading healthcare organizations; healthcare quality, safety, and operations; healthcare strategy; evidence-based decision-making in healthcare management; legal and ethical considerations in healthcare management; health economics and population health management; and a final capstone.

Admissions for the MBA at Creighton University require a bachelor’s degree in a related field; three years of management experience or clinical practice within the area; professional and or undergraduate GPA of 3.0; transcripts submitted from all educational institutions; resume; statement of purpose letter; three professional letters of reference; and finally a FAFSA or evidence of financial responsibility.

• Location: Omaha, NE
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 16 months

Florida International University – MBA in healthcare

The Chapman Graduate School of Business Florida International University offers a fully online healthcare MBA for professionals who desire to apply their business skills in the healthcare industry. In 2022, the program was the silver recipient of the George and Regi Herzlinger Innovation Education Award, highlighting healthcare management programs emphasizing innovation and leadership.

This program teaches courses by executives who manage healthcare organizations—weaving together the healthcare and business disciplines. The unique curriculum includes courses in organizational behavior; legal environments of business; marketing management; operations management; corporate finance; managerial decision-making in health economics; strategic management; healthcare fraud and abuse law and regulation; and lean six sigma. In addition, students are required to complete three residencies offered on-campus or online.

To be considered for admission, applicants must have two years of professional experience; official transcripts; a GPA of 3.0 or higher; a notarized copy of previous degrees, a resume; a statement of purpose letter; two letters of recommendation, and possible GMAT or GRE test scores (optional).

• Location: Miami, FL
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 18 months

University of Colorado Denver – Executive MBA in healthcare

The University of Colorado Denver boasts the oldest CAHME-accredited program in the Rocky Mountain region that is health and business-focused. It is the highest-ranked program for professionals seeking an MBA within their specialty. The 48-credit hybrid program allows working professionals the flexibility to continue with their careers while earning their degrees through the program.

The curriculum includes courses such as management accounting; economics; healthcare systems; information systems; managing healthcare outcomes; corporate finance; global health business; healthcare marketing; and ethics and health law.

The hybrid component of the program requires students to meet on campus for one week or two times per year. The coursework completed during that time is held between 8 AM to 5 PM and comprises discussions, traditional lectures, and group practice. The off-campus component of the model is completed through the e-learning tool Canvas, and the online part includes discussions, presentations, and course assignments.

The University of Colorado Denver application process includes an online application, three letters of recommendation, official transcripts, a self-evaluation essay, a current resume, and an interview. A minimum of three years of work experience in a health-related organization is required for admission, but the GMAT and previous business education is not required.

• Location: Denver, CO
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 16 months

Thomas Jefferson University – MHQS

Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia offers fully online programs in healthcare quality and safety programs. With two degree options, a one-year graduate certificate and a two-year master of science, students can choose a program that best matches their career goals and schedules. This CAHME-accredited master’s program offers two degree tracks: the science track (for students aiming to work in the United States) and the management track (for students focused on combining healthcare quality and safety knowledge with their MBA degrees).

This program attracts professionals from various healthcare roles, including clinical physicians, nurses, pharmacists, healthcare and health insurance administrative managers, healthcare information technology specialists, and government healthcare professionals.

Coursework in this program is focused on preparing graduates to deliver high-value healthcare through leadership skills. All graduates require a capstone project, and students receive guidance from faculty mentors during the final stage of the master’s program.

Applicants to the master’s degree must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent upon evaluation of international transcripts before the start of the program. Students must also have completed the required 125 hours of AAPL credit prior to application.

Courses include introduction to healthcare quality & safety; applied principles of healthcare quality; applied principles of patient safety; change management; high reliability; business case for quality; advanced tools & methods for HQS; and advanced applications of HQS in clinical settings.

• Location: Philadelphia, PA
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 12 to 24 months

Georgetown University – EMCQSL

Georgetown University’s School of Health offers a hybrid executive master’s degree in clinical quality, safety & leadership (EMCQSL) representing the real-world environment that patients and healthcare providers encounter daily. Using a unique interprofessional learning format, this program immerses learners in advanced concepts and theories of safety science, organizational leadership, and healthcare quality.

Notably, this program requires students to complete a one-time, three-day onsite residency in Washington, D.C. This residency provides opportunities to apply the principles and tools they’ve learned in the preceding courses through face-to-face active learning with their cohort.

The program offers two tracks. A quality & safety track that focuses on healthcare regulations, policies, economics, and how leaders lead and create sustainable change in healthcare; and a human factors track that includes instruction on human factors engineering methods and principles as applied to real-world patient safety and quality issues.

This 32-credit program includes courses such as introduction to patient safety & quality; patient safety science, risk & mitigation; quality improvement methods; effective leadership in healthcare organizations; human factors core principles; creating & leading sustainable change; and human factors methods & applications.

• Location: Washington, DC
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 16 months

Drexel University – MQSRM

One of the founding member institutions of the CAHME, Drexel University offers a fully online master of science in quality, safety, and risk management in healthcare. Students in this program are prepared to become future leaders of healthcare organizations by improving safety and managing risks for patients and staff members. This interdisciplinary program includes virtual simulation experiences in state-of-the-art laboratories, which helps students gain real-world experience through simulated high-stakes professional challenges.

Graduates from this program can demonstrate critical thinking skills and use data-driven results to advance health policy issues. Through clinical experience, students learn how to use current healthcare technologies and theoretical practices to evaluate the efficacy of care standards and patient outcomes. Graduates are also prepared to contribute to scholarly research in patient safety through peer-reviewed journal publications. The program is divided over four ten-week quarters, and students can take one to two courses per quarter.

To be considered for this program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Previous experience in healthcare is not required but can strengthen an applicant’s chances of admission.

Made up of 45 credits, the program includes courses such as advanced ethical decision-making in healthcare; confronting issues in contemporary healthcare environments; quality and safety in healthcare; research methods and biostatistics; evaluation and translation of health research; analysis of performance standards in healthcare quality; science of safety, human factors, and system thinking; and safety culture in healthcare.

• Location: Philadelphia, PA
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE); CAHME-certified
• Expected Time to Completion: 12 to 36 months

University of Illinois Chicago – MSPSL

The University of Illinois at Chicago offers two fully online programs: a master’s of science in patient safety leadership and a graduate certificate in essentials in healthcare safety and quality. The master’s program is certified by CAHME and designed with practical learning tasks for students to apply their knowledge in various patient-safety occupations. The graduate master’s program features a three-day, on-site residency in Chicago to give students experiential learning and networking opportunities.

The master’s degree program is split into four parts: introduction, immersion, application, and contribution. In the first three parts of the program, students take three courses per semester. Courses include patient safety and quality care improvement; error science, risk, and disclosure; communication and collaboration; organizational leadership/health systems; health sciences research and information technology; economics, policy, and environment; and creating human and system change. During the final “contribution” part of the program, students are expected to contribute to the academic knowledge base of the field by writing a capstone project with help from faculty mentors.

To gain admission into this master’s program, students must have completed a bachelor’s degree; some previous graduate coursework is preferred. A cumulative GPA of 2.75 during the last 60 hours of coursework is a minimum requirement for admission. A solid commitment to the field of patient safety is also required; however, previous work experience in healthcare and GMAT or GRE scores are not required for admission.

• Location: Chicago, IL
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); CAHME-certified
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

Drexel University – MSN in healthcare quality, patient safety, and risk management

Drexel University’s MSN in quality, safety, and risk management in healthcare is a 45 to 46-credit program designed specifically for working nurses who want to advance their knowledge base and career goals. This interdisciplinary MSN program offers a meaningful approach to patient care, focusing on strengthening key competencies. Students can build on these experiences by learning how to improve patient outcomes while monitoring quality metrics, managing risks correctly in a healthcare setting, and increasing safety standards for patients and staff members.

This CAHME-certified degree program is the only one of its kind. It gives the flexibility of online study without any on-campus residency requirement. This ideal choice saves time and money while allowing students to learn and collaborate as they would in practice.

The curriculum includes courses such as confronting issues in contemporary healthcare environments; advanced ethical decision-making in healthcare; quality and safety in healthcare; research methods and biostatistics; evaluation and translation of health research; analysis of performance standards in healthcare quality; safety culture in healthcare; compliance skills: auditing, investigation & reporting; and healthcare rules and regulations.

• Location: Philadelphia, PA
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); CAHME-certified; Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Three to five years

OHSU-Portland State University School of Public Health – MPH in health management and policy

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and Portland State University School of Public Health offer an MPH in health management and policy, which gears to help shape the policy and future of healthcare. The program excels because of its collective commitment to research, practice, community engagement, faculty, equity commitment, diverse community partnerships, relationship-based community, and high-profile healthcare reform contributions.

The 62-credit program includes courses such as introduction to biostatistics; epidemiology; health systems organization; principles of health behavior; leadership and governance in health services; advanced health policy; performance improvement in health services; health information technology and systems management; and economics of health systems and policy.

In addition, students can accomplish a handful of foundational competencies upon program completion. These competencies include effective verbal, written, and communication skills; ethical, social, and cultural competency; engagement with and integration of knowledge of professions; self-reflective thinking; application of theory, policy, and qualitative and quantitative methods; and demonstration of leadership skills.

• Location: Portland, OR
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH); Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Expected Time to Completion: 22 to 24 months

University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston – MPH in healthcare management

The faculty and expertise of the George McMillan Fleming Center at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston set it apart from other universities providing education in the area of healthcare management. The MPH program in healthcare management provides students with a strong foundation in management in an interdisciplinary public health environment and offers a basis for understanding key managerial functions within the broad spectrum of public health systems. Graduates gain an appreciation of all aspects of management, including finance, organizational theory, law, strategy, and operations management.

Made up of 45 credits, the program includes courses such as health promotion and behavioral sciences in public health; public health ecology & the human environment; accounting for healthcare management; healthcare strategic management; epidemiology; healthcare payment systems and policy; and legal issues in healthcare.

Before graduation, students complete a practicum through the Fleming Center that comprises 180 hours of hands-on experience in a community-based location. Like an internship, the training provides essential public health experience for future public health administration and policy-building leaders.

• Location: Houston, TX
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Three years

New York University – MPA in health policy management

New York University offers an MPA in health policy management with a concentration in health services management that prepares students for future leadership roles in healthcare organizations. The program is currently seeking diverse and early career-based students seeking leadership roles within the field. The program’s faculty at NYU comprises practitioners and scholars within the area who focus on a core competency of coursework and practice experience.

Some of the core courses listed include the following but are not limited to statistical methods; introduction to public policy; and management and leadership. Some required courses include but are not limited to, continuous quality improvement; health economics: principles; and financial management for healthcare organizations I and II. In addition, there are 17 elective courses, including leading service delivery, equitable community engagement, and multi-sector partnerships: a comparative perspective. The 45-credit program consists of 15 core credits, 16.5 specialization requirements, and 13.5 credits of seven required courses.

The admissions process for NYU includes an online application, two essays, a resume, letters of recommendation, transcripts, international credential evaluation where applicable, English language standardized testing where appropriate, application fee, and financial aid information. In addition, specific details, drop-down boxes, and links are available on the website under admissions information for each program candidates select.

• Location: New York, NY
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 to 28 months

University of Scranton – MHA & MBA

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. Students interested in this program must have an accredited bachelor’s degree and a minimum GPA of 3.0. 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.

The 65 to 72-credit program includes courses such as accounting for management; financial management; human resource management; healthcare law; healthcare statistics & research methods; healthcare economics and policy; leadership in healthcare organizations; health services and systems; and quality management.

• Location: Scranton, PA
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 2.5 years

Texas Woman’s University – MHA & MBA

Texas Woman’s University offers a dual degree program in both MBA and MHA, allowing students 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.

The dual degree requires 57 semester credits 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 but are temporarily suspended. This dual degree offers a unique opportunity to expand their business and healthcare management skills.

Courses include strategic planning in healthcare; human resources management in healthcare administration; health information management; population health management; performance measurement and quality in healthcare administration; managerial accounting; managerial finance; health policy analysis; and business strategy and policy.

• Location: Campuses in Dallas & Houston, TX
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Three years

University of Pennsylvania – MSN & MHQS

The MSN-MHQS program at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Nursing focuses on improving healthcare quality and safety. The 14-credit unit program is CAHME-certified and can also be taken with two additional credit units for a master of science in nursing (MSN), and a master of science in healthcare quality and safety (MHQS) dual degree program. In addition, students can lead change in their workplaces through the healthcare quality & safety capstone project, which allows for flexibility in the timeline.

Students in this dual-degree program are trained to collaborate with diverse healthcare professionals, working towards equality and better patient outcomes. Offering either full-time or part-time options, the MSN-MHQS provides a comprehensive approach to healthcare improvement.

• Location: Philadelphia, PA
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); CAHME-certified; Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 12 to 24 months

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.

This dual degree comprises 60 credits. Notably, candidates who have already completed an AACSB-accredited MBA program may request to complete the only MHA portion of the dual degree. The program of study for students approved for this option includes 33 credits of health administration courses and a 3-credit practical experience requirement.

Courses include financial statement analysis; marketing management; health insurance & risk management; digital innovation; health policy and ethics; executive leadership in healthcare; human resource management in healthcare; and healthcare planning and financial management.

• Location: Atlanta, GA
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 30 to 36 months

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
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Three years

Weber State University – MHA & MBA

Weber State University’s on-campus dual MHA & MBA program provides aspiring healthcare professionals with essential skills and knowledge to excel in the industry. Students are educated on foundational topics such as management, accounting, ethics & law, organizational development, and IT.

With these enhanced critical thinking tools and interpersonal communication abilities gained through this program, individuals can explore a vast range of positions ranging from finance positions within hospitals or nursing homes to governmental organizations while squeezing both concentrations into one accelerated degree path!

• Location: Ogden, UT
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Expected Time to Completion: Four semesters

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 credits, with the master’s in health administration, requiring a minimum of 52 credits. 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
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Four years