Online Master of Public Administration (MPA)
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Advancements in healthcare result from thousands of hours put in by unsung heroes. Whether they’re well known in the press or spend most of their time out of the public eye, health policy and healthcare leadership professionals sign up to make healthcare, a fundamental human right, more accessible and equitable for all. To make a difference in local and global communities, many people start their healthcare leadership careers with a master’s degree in public administration (MPA).
High-profile professionals with MPAs include actor Ashley Judd who graduated from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government with a master’s in public administration (MPA). After graduation, she continued her work for several humanitarian health-focused groups, such as YouthAIDS. The eighth Secretary-General for the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon, also graduated from Harvard with an MPA degree and has focused much of his political career on advocating for women and children’s health, campaigning to eliminate violence against women, and preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS.
In the United States, healthcare leadership careers are experiencing unprecedented growth. Data from the BLS shows that openings across all healthcare occupations will grow 16 percent from 2020 to 2030, twice as fast as the national average for all occupations (8 percent).
By comparison, positions for medical and health services managers are expected to swell 32 percent during the same period, four times as fast as the national average for all occupations and double the rate for all healthcare jobs in the same decade.
The umbrella of a master’s degree in healthcare includes several programs that teach research and leadership skills. While most master’s programs prepare graduates for careers in healthcare administration, there are unique differences between programs.
According to Monster.com (2022), a master of public administration (MPA) degree is one of many programs in graduate studies that promote general wellbeing as it relates to public policymaking. Not all MPA degrees are related to healthcare, but some MPA programs offer specializations in health policy. After graduation, MPA graduates from health-focused programs typically hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline and pursue careers in leadership, including public and private healthcare.
A second common healthcare degree is the master of public health (MPH), which attracts students with bachelor’s degrees in any field and clinicians (e.g. nurses and physicians). MPH programs also offer concentrations in health services administration. However, graduates from MPH programs often pivot into leadership positions focused on disease prevention and treatment or leadership roles in healthcare facilities.
Due to in-person requirements for leadership training, there are very few fully online MPA programs. For this reason, MHAOnline has included MPA and MPH programs in this guide, which prepare graduates for leadership in a wide array of healthcare organizations.
Some MPA and MPH programs may be fully online, and others hybrid (on-campus and online instruction). Some programs may require three- or seven-day residencies, such as the health policy leadership course at George Mason University which offers students the opportunity to attend an in-person or virtual networking forum in Washington D.C. Some hybrid programs require in-person mentorships or internships as requirements for graduation.
The Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) is the leading accrediting organization for healthcare management programs and serves to “advance the quality of healthcare management education globally.” CAHME classifies MPH and MPA degree programs in the same category and differentiates other types of healthcare leadership degrees (e.g. MSHA, MHA) in its database of accredited programs. As of June 2022, CAHME has accredited 131 programs, three of which are featured below.
Read on to learn more about eight accredited online master of public administration and master of public health degree programs and three professors who teach, mentor, and administer these programs.
Featured Online Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Related Programs
The Department of Political Science and Public Administration at UNC Pembroke offers an online master’s degree in public health administration. This program benefits students just getting started in their careers or those with extensive experience in government and regulatory policy. This 39-credit program can be completed in two years and offers four concentrations in general public management, emergency management, criminal justice, and health administration. A combined BA-MPA program allows students to complete an undergraduate and a master’s degree in five years in political science (BA) and public administration (MPA).
Two application deadlines are offered in the fall and spring semesters. Core courses include leadership and administration, analytical methods, human resource administration, and principles of budgeting and finance. Applicants with 3.0 GPAs can gain admission if they score in the 30th percentile or higher on all exam criteria. In addition, a statement of purpose and three letters of recommendation are required.
- Location: Pembroke, NC
- Duration: Two years (MPA); Five years (BA-MPA)
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Tuition: $238 per credit (in-state); $936 per credit (out-of-state)
San Diego State University (SDSU) offers an accelerated online master of public administration (MPA), which students can complete in 16 months. This 36-unit program is tailored for professionals with previous management experience in government and nonprofit organizations. The curriculum is the same as the on-campus program at a faster pace through six, two-month modules.
This program covers nine required courses in public administration theory, research methods, administrative theory, public finance management, and public policy. In addition, elective courses include urban government administration, employer/employee relations, and nonprofit relations. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from an accredited university or college and demonstrate significant accomplishments in academia and the field of public administration.
- Location: San Diego, CA
- Duration: 16 months
- Accreditation: Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA)
- Tuition: $551 per credit
The University of Scranton in Pennsylvania offers a fully online master’s of health administration (MHA) degree with two concentration options in health informatics and global health. This 47-credit program was one of the first fully online MHA programs accredited by CAHME, which is widely considered the gold standard for healthcare management.
The program curriculum is based on the ACHE (American College of Healthcare Executives) Healthcare Leadership Alliance competency model which emphasizes 24 core competencies in five domains. In addition, a five-course online executive certificate in health administration is available along with an online dual degree MBA-MHA program.
The program prepares graduates to lead hospitals, health insurance companies, long-term care facilities, and medical consulting firms through the lens of the Jesuit tradition. Through didactic courses and hands-on experience, students learn how to apply critical thinking, organization management, strategic planning, and finance skills.
Community health is the focus of the health informatics specialization, which highlights the connection between healthcare access, quality, and cost. Applicants to this program must have a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, and three years of professional experience.
- Location: Scranton, PA
- Duration: 2.5 years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
- Tuition: $920 per credit
Stony Brook Medicine at Stony Brook University offers a hybrid master’s of public health program. This CAHME-accredited program consists of 54 credits and allows students to specialize in one of four concentrations in community health, epidemiology & biostatistics, health policy and management, and a generalist specialization for students who already hold an advanced degree. Stony Brook University also offers several combined degree programs such as MBA/MPH, MSW/MPH, MPH/MS in nutrition, and an MPH/MA in public policy.
The curriculum in this program aligns with the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health with courses that cover five disciplines in biostatistics, environmental health, epidemiology, health policy and management, and the social and behavioral sciences. Applicants to this program must have a 3.0 GPA but can also be admitted via holistic application evaluations. GRE or GMAT scores are not required for admission but are recommended for applicants with limited quantitative undergraduate coursework.
- Location: Stony Brook, NY
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
- Tuition: $582 per credit (in-state); $963 per credit (out-of-state)
The College of Health and Human Services at George Mason University offers an online master of health administration (MHA). Located outside of Washington D.C., this program includes a one-week health policy leadership course where students can access experiential learning and internships with policymakers, health systems, and government agencies. This 47-credit program is divided into two phases. It includes courses such as an introduction to the U.S. health system, contemporary issues in health systems management, and government payment for health services.
In addition to the one-week intensive in Washington D.C., students in this program must complete a multi-month practicum and a non-thesis project displaying their critical thinking and leadership skills.
To apply, bachelor’s degree holders must submit an application and a statement detailing their previous work experience. The GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.
- Location: Fairfax, VA
- Duration: 24 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
- Tuition: $895 per credit
SNHU offers an online master’s in healthcare administration program. The curriculum in this 36-credit program is aligned with standards set forth by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) and Healthcare Leadership Alliance (HLA). In addition to the MHA program, SNHU offers a robust selection of online degrees and ranks #1 on the U.S. News & World Report’s list of most innovative schools, as of June 2022. The online MS in health information management is another option for those wanting to study the growing field of healthcare informatics.
Students in this online program take courses over five, ten-week terms, which means students can finish their degree in as few as 15 months. To apply, candidates complete an online application, pay a small fee, and submit undergraduate transcripts showing a completed bachelor’s degree. The GRE and the GMAT are not required, and applicants should have a GPA of 2.75 or higher.
- Location: Manchester, NH
- Duration: 15 months
- Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
- Tuition: $627 per credit
Purdue Global University in Indiana offers a fully online master’s of science in health care administration (MHCA). This 52-credit program does not require internships or campus visits and includes courses in health care finance, human resources, quality assessment, organizational development, health care law, and leadership. In addition, students in this online program can take advantage of online support materials such as the Purdue Global Library, career services, and academic support in math, writing, and science.
Applicants to this program need not have previous healthcare experience to apply. The academic terms are offered in 10-week formats, and a capstone project that demonstrates problem-solving of a real-world problem is required to graduate. To apply, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. The GMAT and GRE are not required.
- Location: Lafayette, IN
- Duration: 15-24 months
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Tuition: $485 per credit
The School of Health Science at Regis College offers an online master of health administration (MHA) degree. This 36-credit program is ideal for students with diverse work experience backgrounds and no previous experience in healthcare is required for admission. The curriculum focuses on three areas: business, policy, and patients. Graduates from this program go on to work in management careers in hospitals, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, home health, and primary care facilities.
To apply, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, submit an online application, official undergraduate transcripts, a resume, and a statement of purpose. The GMAT and the GRE are not required for admission. International applicants must have a U.S. bachelor’s degree or prove English proficiency through the TOEFL or IELTS exam.
- Location: Weston, MA
- Duration: 24 months
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Tuition: $1,075 per credit
Professors to Know at Schools with Online MPA Programs
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Héctor E. Alcalá, Ph.D, MPH, Stony Brook University
Dr. Héctor Alcalá is an assistant professor in the family, population, and preventive medicine department at Stony Brook Medicine’s Program in Public Health. He earned a PhD in public health from UCLA and a master's of public health (MPH) in community health sciences from UCLA. Dr. Alcalá is an active member of the American Public Health Association (APHA) and specializes in child adversity, cancer, tobacco use, health disparities, minority health, violence, healthcare, and criminal justice.
Dr. Alcalá’s research areas examine the link between adversity and cancer risks and its relation to preventative health. His peer-reviewed publications focus on health disparities that racial and ethnic populations experience. His co-authored research illuminates the outcomes of access and utilization of healthcare, arrests, tobacco use, and dietary behavior. -
Rita DiLeo, DSc, MPA, RT, CRA, BSP, University of Scranton
Dr. Rita DiLeo brings a blend of clinical and administrative experience to her teaching and administrative role at the University of Scranton. She worked with special and interventional procedures and nuclear medicine as a clinician. She has led physician-owned radiology practices and is the past CEO of a privately held telecommunications company.
At present, Dr. DiLeo is an assistant professor at the University of Scranton and teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in health administration. She earned a bachelor’s of science in health administration from the University of Scranton, a master of public health administration with a specialty in gerontology from Marywood University, and a doctorate of science in administration of health services from the University of Alabama Birmingham.
Dr. DiLeo is an active member of several professional organizations such as ACHE, MGMA, and NAFE. In addition, she is pursuing fellow status (FACMPE) in medical practice management through the American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE). Dr. DiLeo’s goals for her students are to engage in discussions that promote intellectual growth, learn the importance of communication, and foster respect for diverse opinions. -
Brenda Helen Sheingold, PhD, RN, FNAP, George Mason University
Dr. Brenda Sheingold is the director of the master of healthcare administration program and an associate professor in the health administration and policy department at George Mason University. She earned a PhD from George Mason University in public policy and nursing and a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins Carey School of Business, where she specialized in women’s leadership and change movement.
She has 20 years of emergency department nursing experience and was one of the founding professionals to develop the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) credential, which trains medical professionals to provide specialized care for survivors of sexual assault.
Dr. Sheingold’s research areas include identifying and measuring social capital in the healthcare workforce. She has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and has been an invited speaker at several international conferences on health policy. In addition, she is internationally certified in Agile Project Delivery Management in her administration role.
