Online Master of Science in Health Administration (MSHA) Programs
MHA Search
Healthcare is the largest employer in America, and for years it’s been steadily employing more and more healthcare administrators. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2021), the need for medical and health services managers is projected to grow 32 percent between 2020 and 2030, a rate that’s quadruple the national average for all professions. Those positions are highly paid, too: the average salary for a healthcare administrator is $119,840 per year, and the top 10 percent earn over $205,000 per year (BLS May 2021).
Earning a graduate degree in health administration is the surest step one can take to having a career as a top healthcare administrator. A master of science in health administration (MSHA) degree offers a comprehensive curriculum in the management, marketing, operations, and policy of healthcare organizations; graduates go on to become leaders in the healthcare industry.
MSHA degrees are functionally equivalent to master of health administration (MHA) degrees; in fact, some MHA programs actually confer an MSHA degree. In practice, the differences between MSHA programs and MHA programs have less to do with the number of letters in the degree title than they do with the unique characteristics of different universities.
Some programs will focus on executive education, recruiting students who have years of management experience; others are paired with informatics programs to boost graduates’ data-driven decision-making.
To find out more about which MSHA programs are available, and decide which one is right for you, to read on.
Featured Online Master of Science in Health Administration Programs
Purdue University offers an online master of health administration (MHA) degree that takes a multidisciplinary approach. This is a program focused on early- to mid-career professionals, and it dives into the complexities of healthcare leadership and management in both theory and practice.
The curriculum includes courses such as strategic planning and marketing for healthcare; managing complex healthcare operations; transforming the quality and delivery of healthcare; and data-driven decision-making in healthcare. Students will also participate in three seminars. The program consists of 40 credits in total.
- Location: West Lafayette, IN
- Tuition: $850 per credit hour
- Time to Completion: 18 to 24 months
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Regis College offers an online master of science in health administration (MSHA) that gives students the leadership and management skills they need to succeed in a complex healthcare environment.
Courses cover topics such as health ethics and law; healthcare quality management; strategic management of healthcare organizations; and financial analysis in health administration. The program may be customized with a concentration in either informatics or gerontology. Students will also take part in a hands-on field placement in a health administration setting. The program consists of 36 credits.
- Location: Weston, MA
- Tuition: $1,100 per credit
- Time to Completion: 24 months
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
The University of Louisville has the only truly online master of science in health administration (MSHA) program that’s accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). Students will experience a specialized curriculum using the University of Louisville’s Population Health Leadership (PHL) Competency Model, which is a modified version of the National Center for Healthcare Leadership (NCHL) Competency Model.
Courses cover topics such as governance and management of healthcare organizations; healthcare strategic management; human resource management in the public health sector; and healthcare quality management. The program consists of 57 credits.
- Location: Louisville, KY
- Tuition: $715 per credit
- Time to Completion: 24 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
The University of Alabama at Birmingham offers an executive master of science in health administration (MSHA) in a hybrid format that’s rated as the best graduate healthcare management program in the country by US News & World Report.
Courses include topics such as essentials of health and human disease; healthcare financial management; healthcare informatics; and process improvement. Designed for busy professionals, students will only need to visit the UAB campus for four and a half days three times a year over the course of the two-year program.
- Location: Birmingham, AL
- Tuition: $59,600 total
- Time to Completion: 24 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
Georgetown University has a hybrid master of science in health systems administration (MSHSA) program that includes five 12-week online courses and four one-week, on-campus intensives. Based in the nation’s capital, many graduates go on to leadership roles in hospitals, health systems, consulting firms, and federal agencies.
Courses include topics such as population health analytics & data visualization; reimbursement policy & implications for healthcare; quantitative methods for a learning health system; and healthcare operations & talent management. The program consists of 42 credits.
- Location: Washington, DC
- Tuition: $2,278 per credit
- Time to Completion: 21 to 24 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
Admissions Requirements for Online Master of Science in Healthcare Administration Programs
Admissions requirements for online master of science in healthcare administration programs will vary from school to school, but typically include some combination of the following:
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- A competitive (3.0 or greater) undergraduate GPA
- Work experience
- Letter(s) of recommendation
- Personal statement
- GME and/or GRE scores
As of late, GRE scores are becoming a less common requirement, and more emphasis is being put on work experience. It’s also important to note that, especially at the graduate level, admissions boards will take into consideration the whole of a candidate’s experiences, rather than strictly adhering to a rigid list of requirements. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to a program’s admissions department for clarification.
Professors to Know from Schools with Online Master of Science in Healthcare Administration Programs
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Mary Ann Hart, DNP, RN - Regis College
Dr. Mary Ann Hart is an associate professor and graduate program director for the master of science in health administration (MSHA) Program at Regis College. She earned her doctor of nursing practice (DNP) with a specialization in health policy from Regis College. She joined the Regis faculty in 2005 and led the development of the MSHA Program.
As principal of Hart Government Relations in Cambridge, she develops and directs government relations strategy on behalf of nonprofit health and human services organizations. In the past, she has been a member of numerous boards of directors, including the Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge City Hospital, and Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, and has served as the chair of the Cambridge-Somerville Health Policy Board. -
Thomas R. Martin, PhD - Saint Joseph’s University
Dr. Thomas R. Martin is assistant professor and program director of the MHA/MS dual degree program at Saint Joseph’s University. He earned his MBA with a specialization in healthcare administration and policy and his PhD in public policy from the University of Delaware. His research interests include the application of cost-benefit analysis, comparative effectiveness, and other economic valuations within the healthcare setting, specifically telehealth, remote patient monitoring, and connected health.
Prior to joining the faculty at Saint Joseph’s University, Dr. Martin spent ten years in the telecommunications and health IT industries. He has served as project lead for numerous IT implementations and mobile app developments and is a former director with Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). -
Cody Mullen, PhD - Purdue University
Dr. Cody Mullen is clinical associate professor and program director of the master of health administration (MHA) program at Purdue University. He earned his PhD in health policy and management from Indiana University.
Dr. Mullen’s research interests focus on the application of scientific and engineering principles and theoretical frameworks to examine trends, impact patient outcomes, and improve care coordination in the realm of health services and patient-centered outcomes research.
Prior to joining Purdue, Dr. Mullen worked at the Indiana Rural Health Association (IRHA) as its Policy, Research, and Development Officer, and served as project director and evaluator with projects focusing on infant mortality, chronic disease management, and telehealth. He is a past National Rural Health Association (NRHA) fellow and has served two terms on the NRHA Policy Congress.
