Online MHA-MBA Dual Degree Programs – Healthcare & Business Administration
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Healthcare is one of the biggest indicators of progress in an economy. For healthcare systems to thrive, there is a need for leadership that can balance effective patient care with the rising costs of healthcare. Hence, a number of universities now offer dual degree programs in healthcare and business administration. These programs not only focus on the various aspects of nursing and patient care but also offer students an understanding of the financial, economic, and regulatory aspects of healthcare. A number of these programs are also available online.
Dual degree programs in healthcare and business administration generally comprise 54 to 65 credit-hours and can be completed in two to three years. The coursework includes topics such as long term care administration, health services and systems, leadership in healthcare, marketing management, communication, healthcare management, and analytics. Students are trained to view all decisions from a business perspective while also keeping the patients’ best interests in mind.
On completion of the program, students can take up leadership and managerial roles in healthcare organizations such as hospitals, long term care institutes, and clinics.
The following guide discusses seven exceptional online dual degree programs in healthcare and business administration, as well as three notable faculty members teaching them.
Featured MHA-MBA Dual Degree Programs
The University of Scranton offers a 100 percent online dual master of business administration (MBA) and master of health administration (MHA) degree. The program allows students to complete both degrees in less time than it would take to pursue them separately. Developing skills in two highly lucrative areas (healthcare and business) can give students an edge over other candidates in the job market.
In order to apply for the program, students must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or more, a minimum three years of professional experience, three letters of reference, and TOEFL scores (for international students only).
The program is made up of 65 to 70 credit-hours. The curriculum includes courses from both disciplines such as accounting for management, healthcare financial management, business policy, marketing management, operations management, health services and systems, and long term care administration. Apart from in-depth knowledge of the healthcare environment, students develop fundamental skills in the program such as communication, relationship management, and leadership. They become well-equipped to handle challenges faced in healthcare administration.
The program prepares students to pursue leadership positions such as strategic project manager, executive director, healthcare consultant, pharmaceutical brand manager, hospital administrator, and department manager.
- Location: Scranton, Pennsylvania
- Accreditation: MBA (AACSB), MHA (Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education [CAHME])
- Expected Time to Completion: 30 months
- Estimated Tuition: $965 per credit-hour
Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, in collaboration with Carey Business School, offers an online dual MBA/MSN in health systems management degree. The aim of the program is to help students transform existing health systems into excellent ones.
Admission requirements include a bachelor of science in nursing degree from an accredited college or university, a grade point average of at least 3.0, official transcripts, GRE or GMAT scores, three letters of recommendation, two years of work experience, evidence of current nursing license, and TOEFL scores (for international applicants).
While the program is offered online, some courses require in-person residencies. The curriculum comprises 65 credit-hours. Students study courses such as health systems management, leadership and management in healthcare, business communication, operations management, marketing management, and business law.
The program trains students in business essentials such as accounting, data analysis, and organizational strategy, while also developing a strong accountability for patients and their welfare. Additionally, they develop knowledge and skills in information technology, administration, and health policy. Graduates from the program can secure top jobs in both fields, nursing administration and business management.
- Location: Baltimore, Maryland
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Expected Time to Completion: 30 months
- Estimated Tuition: $1,639 per credit-hour
William Woods University offers an online MBA (master of business administration) and MHA (master of health administration) dual degree program. Students save 12 credit-hours through this dual degree program compared to completing the degrees separately.
Admission requirements for the program include a minimum grade point average of 2.0, official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, three hours of accounting as well as economics on an undergraduate level, and an undergraduate degree in a health-related subject (or one or more years of work experience in healthcare).
The program consists of 60 credit-hours, with 36 MBA credits and 24 MHA credits. Courses include management and leadership, economics for managers, business strategies, healthcare systems financial management, healthcare administration, ethics in healthcare, and legal aspects of healthcare.
Along with a strong foundation in business management, the program helps students develop a good understanding of the healthcare system. They can pursue jobs in various industries such as health insurance, healthcare organizations, medical or management consulting, government health agencies, state and federal policy agencies, and pharmaceutical companies.
- Location: Fulton, Missouri
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 to 30 months
- Estimated Tuition: $23,500 total
Stetson University, in partnership with AdventHealth University, offers an online MBA/MHA (master of business administration and master of health administration) dual degree program. Students earn the MHA from AdventHealth University and the MBA from Stetson University.
Admission requirements for this program include official transcripts from all colleges attended, a current resume or CV, two letters of recommendation, and a minimum grade point average of 3.0. GRE or GMAT test scores are not required for admission.
The MBA and MHA degrees consist of 36 and 39 credit-hours, respectively. However, the online dual degree allows students to complete both programs in 54 credit hours, resulting in a 21 credit-hour savings. Course content includes live online sessions combined with pre-recorded lectures. Some of the courses included in the curriculum are the foundations of business analytics, managerial decision analytics, strategic management, information systems and healthcare informatics, population health management, and healthcare systems and governance.
Through the program, students develop skills and knowledge in both areas, business and healthcare. It helps them become effective leaders and take up strategic roles in the healthcare industry.
Graduates of the program can pursue roles such as CEO, nurse managers, vice presidents, marketing directors, and financial directors.
Stetson University
- Location: DeLand, Florida
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
- Estimated Tuition: $1,000 per credit-hour
Advent Health University
- Location: Orlando, Florida
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
- Estimated Tuition: $1,000 per credit-hour
Liberty University offers an online MSHA/MSN (master of science in healthcare administration and master of science in nursing) dual degree program. The 100 percent online program trains students in business management, finance, and strategy.
In order to apply for the program, students must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited university, a minimum grade point average of 3.0, a completed application, unofficial college transcripts, proof of English proficiency, current and active nursing license to practice as a registered nurse in one’s current state of residency, CPR certification, a minimum one year of nursing practice experience, and one letter of recommendation from a nurse manager.
Made up of 60 credit-hours, the program helps students become healthcare leaders and transform their organization. The MSN courses include health policy and ethics, nursing theory and advanced practice, managing population health, and nursing administration, while MSHA courses include healthcare administration, strategic management and marketing for health professionals, and operations management for health organizations.
The program teaches students how to implement their research in nursing practice, collaborate effectively with their team, and promote best practices in healthcare. They also learn marketing principles and strategic management.
At the end of the program, graduates can take up roles such as clinical manager, assistant administrator, health information manager, and nursing home administrator.
- Location: Lynchburg, Virginia
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges; CCNE
- Expected Time to Completion: 30 months
- Estimated Tuition: $565 per credit-hour
Pfeiffer University offers an online MHA/MBA joint degree program. The program is ideal for healthcare managers and clinicians who wish to take their career to the next level. Students with at least five years of work experience in healthcare can benefit most from the program.
Applicants to the program must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a satisfactory grade point average, three letters of recommendation, and GMAT or GRE scores, among other requirements.
The dual degree program comprises 54 credit-hours. The curriculum explores topics such as organizational communications, quantitative decision making, managerial accounting, health economics, health services marketing, health services financial management, and health services information management. Along with skills in healthcare services, students also develop business acumen, decision making skills, and critical thinking skills.
On successful completion of the program, students can take up leadership roles in healthcare, education or public safety, public administration, and public policy.
- Location: Misenheimer, North Carolina
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Expected Time to Completion: 30 months
- Estimated Tuition: $668 per credit-hour
Professors to Know in Dual Degree Programs
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Mark J. Bittle, DrPH, MBA Johns Hopkins University
Dr. Mark J. Bittle is an associate professor in the Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School. He teaches courses in healthcare and business. His research largely focuses on change management in big healthcare systems, physician alignment and engagement strategies, and the development of community-oriented care delivery systems. He has been published in well-respected journals such as The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety and the Journal of Public Health Management & Practice. He completed his DrPH from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, his MBA from the University of Baltimore, and his BS from the University of Maryland (Baltimore County).
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Amanda Raffenaud, PhD Advent Health University
Dr. Amanda Raffenaud is an assistant professor in the Department of Healthcare Administration at AdventHealth University teaching health administration courses in both undergraduate and graduate programs. Before she joined Advent Health University, she taught at the University of Central Florida.
Her research has appeared in the Journal of Healthcare Management and Health Informatics Journal. She has authored various articles on healthcare management science, including “The effect of information technology on hospital performance.” She completed her PhD in public affairs, as well as her MS and BS in health services administration from the University of Central Florida. -
Madhu Rao, PhD Stetson University
Dr. Madhu Rao is a professor at Stetson University, where he has taught courses such as operations and information management, management science, supply chain management, stochastic models for decision making, an introduction to business statistics, and computer simulation of management systems.
Prior to joining Stetson University, he worked at the Atkinson Graduate School of Management at Willamette University. His research efforts are centered around analysis of stochastic systems, simulation, and the modeling and analysis of manufacturing systems. He has published his work in prominent journals such as the International Journal of Production Research and the European Journal of Operations Research. He earned his PhD from the University of Toronto, his MTech from the Indian Institute of Technology, and his BE from Osmania University.