Online Executive MHA Programs (5 Years of Professional Experience Required)
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“Executive MHA programs were originally tailored to folks who were in executive roles but didn’t have a master’s degree. Maybe they were physicians, maybe they’d only had an undergrad and a bunch of work experience, but either way, they were in leadership roles high up in an organization, and they needed a master’s in healthcare. This track enables folks who are in some kind of managerial or leadership position to earn the degree to help them advance.”
Steven Howard, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Health Professions
Experienced healthcare professionals looking to advance into leadership, management, or executive positions may want to consider enrolling in an executive master of healthcare administration (EMHA) program online. These programs are designed for senior managers, directors, and executives with five or more years of experience and help prepare graduates to lead better healthcare organizations from executive positions in the clinical, public, and corporate sectors.
These programs offer advanced, cross-disciplinary instruction in leadership, marketing, epidemiology, operations management, economics, and quality control, among other areas. In addition, by providing courses online, on-campus requirements are minimized, enabling busy working professionals to advance their knowledge and skills during times of their choosing and without having to relocate.
That said, some executive MHA programs schedule periodic symposiums where classmates in a specific cohort get together either in person or in a real-time (synchronous) online meeting area to interact and learn, leveraging one another’s experience.
Discover what to expect from an online EHMA program, including typical admissions requirements, duration, curricula, tuition, exceptional faculty members, and other features.
Meet the Expert: Steven Howard, PhD
Dr. Steven Howard is an associate professor and the program director of the Executive Master of Science in Health Administration (EMSHA) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Health Professions. Prior to academia, he worked in internal business development for Hewlett-Packard, where he spearheaded entrepreneurial projects within the company. From HP, he went on to earn his PhD in health policy and management at Oregon State University. He also holds an MBA from the University of Oregon and a bachelor’s in management and marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
His current research interest lies in alternative payment methods in healthcare to change the way incentives work to bend the cost curve to produce better patient outcomes. He was an active member of Rotary International for 15 years, showcasing his engagement in community service and commitment to making a positive impact beyond the realm of academia. Steven’s multidimensional expertise in healthcare, education, and research positions him as a valuable asset within the academic landscape, contributing to the advancement of knowledge and innovation in the field of health professions.
MHAOnline.com: What is something you wish the public understood about executive MHA degrees?
Dr. Howard: The healthcare industry is so different than normal business. If you want to be involved in healthcare, an MHA or MSHA is the way to go. Executive MHA programs were originally tailored to folks who were in executive roles but didn’t have a master’s degree. Maybe they were physicians, maybe they’d only had an undergrad and a bunch of work experience, but either way, they were in leadership roles high up in an organization, and they needed a master’s in healthcare. This track enables folks who are in some kind of managerial or leadership position to earn the degree to help them advance.
You typically need three to five years of experience in this field to be considered for admission. However, unlike residential programs, executive programs tend to be flexible with online classes or classes scheduled in the evenings or on weekends, and often only a couple of on-site visits per year.
MHAOnline.com: What advice would you give to aspiring executive MHA students?
Dr. Howard: Talk to the folks who run the program you are interested in. Look for a program where you feel like you click. Where do you really connect with the people? Ask about the alumni network and what they do to get you connected.
One of the most important aspects of a program is the relationships you build while you are there. Because those relationships, including alumni relationships, can be a big key to a successful career. The projects that you complete in classes are really important, too. Those are like building your muscles, metaphorically speaking. Having a strong portfolio can help you stand out to employers.
Featured Online EMHA Programs
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) offers an executive master of science in health administration (MSHA) degree. Students can complete this hybrid program in two years. Coursework for the program includes foundational courses such as introduction to healthcare systems and more advanced courses directly applicable to healthcare leadership, such as health policy, healthcare entrepreneurship, and strategic planning and management. In addition, students in the executive MSHA program can opt to enroll in a dual degree program and concurrently earn a master of science in healthcare quality and safety (MSHQS) or a graduate certificate in healthcare quality and safety.
In addition to completing rigorous online courses, students are expected to attend three seven-day on-campus sessions in Birmingham. During the second year of the program, UAB students meet for intensive three to four-day capstone experience. The experience challenges students to apply the knowledge acquired through the program in a real healthcare environment.
To qualify for admission, applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution and have at least five years of healthcare-related work experience (clinical or managerial). Other documents include an updated resume, personal essays, three letters of reference, and official transcripts demonstrating a competitive undergraduate GPA. In addition, a live interview is required online or in person.
- Location: Birmingham, AL
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
The University of Central Florida (UCF) College of Community Innovation and Education provides an online executive master of health administration (EMHA) degree, which is open to applicants with at least three years of qualifying healthcare experience. Coursework is designed for professionals looking to deepen their knowledge of the healthcare industry and includes classes such as financial management for healthcare managers, healthcare ethics and law, epidemiology and health planning, and leadership for healthcare executives, among others. The degree also includes a capstone course to expand students’ skills in strategic management.
This 44-credit fully online program requires no campus visits and, through the MYUCF platform, can enjoy several auxiliary services. Notably, cohorts comprise 30 students or less and allow ample networking and other opportunities to connect with peers. To qualify for admission, applicants must have three years of healthcare experience and hold a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Location: Orlando, FL
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
The executive master of health administration (MHA@GW) at George Washington University is offered through the Milken Institute of Public Health. The program consists of eight learning modules, each focusing on a different core skill set. Depending on the chosen module, it can take between two and four years to complete.
Students in this online program take courses in business and healthcare disciplines. Sample courses include leadership and ethics, management and strategy, information technology and decision science, and community health and quantitative methods.
In addition to the online learning modules, four on-campus immersion experiences (two 40-hour experiences and two 20-hour experiences) are required. Immersion experiences for MHA@GW may take place on the GWU campus in Washington, DC, or at another healthcare organization, either in the U.S. or abroad. The immersion experiences include leadership and ethics, health system analysis, and the research project presentation.
To be considered for admission at MHA@GW, applicants must have at least three years of professional experience in the healthcare sector or be currently employed in a healthcare organization. In addition, applicants are encouraged to have undergraduate courses in financial accounting and statistics. Other requirements include a statement of purpose, two letters of recommendation, official transcripts, a current resume or CV, and a live interview (online or in-person).
- Location: Washington, D.C.
- Duration: Two to four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
The University of Southern California (USC) designed its online executive MHA degree program for management and mid-career clinical professionals. Over six semesters, students take classes in healthcare economics, operational efficiency processes in healthcare organizations, and quality of care.
Coursework is all online, although students must attend two five-day residencies on the college’s main campus in Los Angeles, California. The first residency is scheduled midway through the program. The final residency takes place on-campus in the last semester of the program to help students with their final capstone project.
The 36-credit degree program is ideal for those seeking a career as an executive director, health service or medical manager, senior manager, or vice president of a healthcare facility. In addition to a grade point average of 3.0 or better in previous college coursework, students must submit a transcript from each school attended, three letters of recommendation, a professional resume, a personal statement of purpose, and proof of a minimum of five years of professional work experience.
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Duration: Six semesters
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
The Dumke College of Health Professions at Weber State University (WSU), located in Ogden, Utah, offers a CAHME-accredited executive MHA (EMHA) program that students can complete in just four semesters with summers off. Coursework for the WSU program is a blend of foundational coursework and electives.
Foundational MHA courses include health systems and the healthcare economy, human resources management in healthcare, and executive decision-making for healthcare leaders. Electives include long-term care administration, medical group management, healthcare entrepreneurship, and executive leadership seminars in healthcare to help students specialize in their expertise.
Admission requirements for the EMHA program at WSU include an undergraduate degree in health administration (students admitted without this degree may have to complete leveling coursework) and GRE/GMAT Scores (for professionals with less than five years of work experience).
While applicants with two years of supervisory experience are preferred, applicants with no professional experience will be considered for admission. Other documents include official college transcripts, a resume, two letters of recommendation, and college transcripts reflecting a minimum GPA of at least 3.0 (lower GPA applicants may still be considered).
One of the draws of the WSU EMHA program is its relative affordability. As of November 2021, the flat-rate tuition for the EMHA program was $35,000. Even factoring in travel to Utah, the total cost of the WSU program is competitive with other university EMHA programs.
While most coursework for the WSU program is completed online, students are required to spend one-and-a-half days on campus each semester, for a total of seven-and-a-half days. In addition, to complete the program, students are expected to present final projects on campus.
- Location: Ogden, UT
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Students eager to earn the prestige of an Ivy League degree may consider enrolling in the Brown University executive master of healthcare leadership (EMHL) program. This hybrid program can be completed in 16 months, including online courses and five “in residence” sessions on the Brown University campus in Providence, Rhode Island. On-campus sessions run for five weeks, and a detailed schedule of on-campus sessions is available online.
According to the EMHL applicant profile, the average student has 15 or more years of work experience. New cohorts begin every January and last for 16 months. In addition to proof of professional and academic experience as described above, applicants to the Brown EMHL program should be prepared to submit a personal statement, updated resume or CV, transcripts demonstrating GPA, three letters of recommendation, and a synopsis of a proposed Critical Challenge Project (CCP)
With no electives, all enrolled students will follow the same course of study. Brown’s EMHL program courses include healthcare policy: yesterday, today, and tomorrow, management and marketing for healthcare transformation, navigating the regulatory maze, and financial decisions in the changing healthcare landscape. In addition, students in this program complete a capstone project that addresses a real issue in healthcare with applied learning gleaned from coursework and work experiences in the program.
- Location: Providence, RI
- Duration: 16 months
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
The University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) offers a 40-credit executive master of healthcare administration (EMHA) program. Students can complete the credits for the EMHA over 22 months or five consecutive semesters, including a summer session. Students are expected to complete two classes per semester and two to three classes during the summer session. In addition to online courses, students must attend two immersion sessions on campus in Las Vegas for a total of four days and must present their final capstone project on campus at the end of the program.
Applicants to the EMHA program at UNLV must meet one of the experiential work requirements: have at least three years of management or administrative healthcare experience, five years of clinical experience, a terminal clinical degree in healthcare (MD or PharmD), or a JD degree. Additional application requirements include three to five letters of recommendation (including one from a current employer), official transcripts, a personal statement, a resume, and possibly an interview.
The curriculum includes 37 credits of required courses, including a survey of the U.S. healthcare system: programs, policies, and politics, epidemiology in health services management, public health fundamentals for healthcare leaders, and information systems in health services management. The final required course is a three-credit capstone project in which students must demonstrate proficient knowledge of their chosen healthcare administration topic.
- Location: Las Vegas, NV
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
The Department of Public Health at Western Kentucky University (WKU) offers an executive master of health administration (EMHA) that requires three campus visits per year throughout the two-year program. The executive MHA program does not require a thesis or capstone project, but students must take two courses in a concentration area.
Coursework for this program includes 33 credits of core courses, six electives, and six credits in the chosen concentration area. Core courses include biostatistics for public health, epidemiology, public health administration, healthcare organization and management, and strategic management and marketing of health services. Elective courses include healthcare preparedness and leadership, ambulatory care/rural health, special topics in health services, and principles of environmental health.
To qualify for this 42-credit executive program, applicants should have five or more years of healthcare experience or submit GRE scores and complete an interview before admission. In addition, applicants must apply to the EHMA program and the WKU graduate school. Other required documents include a resume, a prerequisite course worksheet, a personal statement, two letters of reference from immediate supervisors in the two most recent positions held, and copies of official undergraduate transcripts. WKU offers tuition discounts for border state teachers and licensed educators in the state of Kentucky.
- Location: Bowling Green, KY
- Duration: two years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
The College of Business at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), in Boca Raton, Florida, offers an executive MHA program designed to be completed in 15 months. While online and on-campus options are available at FAU, the online program has no on-campus requirements.
To be eligible for the FAU executive MHA program, applicants must submit proof of bachelor’s degree in any discipline; transcripts demonstrating a 3.0 GPA for the latest 60 undergraduate credits, evidence of a minimum of four years of work experience, a current resume, three professional references, and two letters of recommendation. The FAU application committee determines GMAT or GRE scores, but admissions committees may waive this requirement due to work experience or a graduate degree.
The EMHA program at FAU includes courses in global issues in healthcare delivery, organizational behavior in healthcare, health policy, and health law. Students can earn a Six Sigma Green Belt Certification by completing the current topics in the healthcare management course.
- Location: Boca Raton, LA
- Duration: 15 months
- Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
The University of North Carolina (UNC) in Chapel Hill offers an executive track for its master of healthcare administration that has an expected duration of two years. Throughout the 49-credit program, students must attend three on-campus sessions in Chapel Hill each year, including 14 whole days: eight workdays and six weekend days.
Qualifications and application requirements for admission into UNC’s executive MHA program include at least three years of managerial experience in healthcare, GRE/GMAT scores for those with less than a doctoral degree, three letters of recommendation, official transcripts, an updated resume, and a personal statement. In addition, preference is given to those with a working knowledge of financial accounting, statistics, microeconomics, and calculus.
The UNC program requires 14 courses taken in the EMP Distance Learning format, plus two case camps that cover basic core skills, including Six Sigma/LEAN, effective writing and presentations, library research, and Excel functions. Executive MHA students also complete two leadership practicums and a capstone project which includes working in a team in coordination with a healthcare organization.
- Location: Chapel Hill, NC
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
