Online MHA-MBA Dual Degree Programs – Healthcare & Business Administration
MHA Search
For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 112 schools in our MHAOnline.com database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
“Dual degrees like the MBA-MHA program provide multiple competitive advantages to individuals who wish to ascend the corporate ladder in a healthcare organization.”
Petros Xanthopoulos, PhD, Executive Director of Graduate Programs, School of Business Administration, Stetson University
Healthcare is one of the biggest indicators of progress in an economy. For healthcare systems to thrive, leadership must be able to balance effective patient care with rising healthcare costs. Hence, several 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 healthcare’s financial, economic, and regulatory aspects. A number of these programs are also available online.
Dual degree programs in healthcare and business administration generally comprise 54 to 65 credits 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 patient’s best interests in mind.
Upon completing 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 exceptional online dual degree programs in healthcare and business administration.
Meet the Expert: Petros Xanthopoulos, PhD
Dr. Petros Xanthopoulos is the executive director of graduate programs at the School of Business Administration at Stetson University, where he also holds the position of associate professor of business systems and analytics. He completed his undergraduate studies at the Technical University of Crete in Greece and earned both his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Florida. His academic and research focus bridges business and computer science, with a particular interest in the application of data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence in business contexts.
Dr. Xanthopoulos is a member of the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) and has served on editorial boards for several journals published by Springer and Elsevier. His scholarly work has been featured in reputable journals, including Information Processing & Management, Annals of Operations Research, Omega, Expert Systems with Applications, and Optimization Letters, among others.
MHAOnline.com: What is something you wish the public understood about MBA-MHA programs like yours?
Dr. Xanthopoulos: Dual degrees like the MBA-MHA program provide multiple competitive advantages to individuals who wish to ascend the corporate ladder in a healthcare organization. The MBA coursework is a degree that expands the breadth of understanding of the student about how the different pieces of an organization works. Then the MHA dives into the specifics of healthcare management. Together, they help to forge effective and innovative healthcare leaders.
MHAOnline.com: Do you have any advice for those who may be considering an MBA-MHA dual-degree program?
Dr. Xanthopoulos: First, make sure that you are considering accredited programs from reputable schools. For example, when considering a business program make sure that the university is regionally accredited and the business school is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Second, make sure that you talk to other students/ alumni of the program and understand if it aligns with your goals. Finally, plan how the coursework of a grad degree is going to fit with your work/family life schedule.
MHAOnline.com: What does the future look like for graduates of these types of programs?
Dr. Xanthopoulos: According to current data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the occupation of medical and health services manager has a positive outlook, with an expected job growth of 29 percent until 2033 and a six-figure annual median pay. Our dual degree program prepares students for these opportunities.
Meet the Expert: Jason Hines, JD, PhD
Dr. Jason Hines is an assistant professor in the Department of Healthcare Administration at AdventHealth University. He holds a doctorate in religion, politics, and society from Baylor University, a master’s in religion from the Seminary at Andrews University, a JD from Harvard Law School, and a bachelor’s in political science from the University of Connecticut.
Dr. Hines practiced commercial litigation for five years in Philadelphia, where his clients included pharmaceutical companies like GlaxoSmithKline and Merck. He teaches several courses in the master’s in health administration program.
MHAOnline.com: What is something you wish the public understood about MBA-MHA programs like yours?
Dr. Hines: I wish the public understood how much value our MBA-MHA program creates. I mean that in a couple of ways. First, if you were to attempt to attain these two degrees separately, you would spend more time and more money than you would in this program. So on the front end, there is value for students.
Second, the program also creates a lot of value for students after they receive their degrees. Students who graduate from the program at AdventHealth University have the ability to take the skills we instill into any business or health care context, and more than that, are prepared to improve their workplaces and industries, display uncommon compassion, and make a profound impact on clients, patients, and their families.
MHAOnline.com: Do you have any advice for those who may be considering an MBA-MHA dual-degree program?
Dr. Hines: The one piece of advice I give to prospective students considering our program is to know their end goals before they apply. I do not think you should make this type of investment of time, talent, and resources, hoping that you’ll discover why you’re doing it while you’re there. I am a big believer that students should do what they love—that they should build careers around their personal mission and passions.
AdventHealth University also provides the type of faith-affirming environment that makes consideration of personal mission and motivations an integral part of the whole-person education we provide. So, someone who is applying for our program should know how attaining these degrees is going to help them build that type of career.
MHAOnline.com: What does the future look like for graduates of these types of programs?
Dr. Hines: Most of our students go on to find employment with AdventHealth, and we are grateful for the affiliation we have with the health system. We have students in different phases of life when they enter our programs. For students who come in directly from a bachelor’s degree, the future is bright because they have given themselves a lot of flexibility to chart the course of their career.
At the same, we have many students who come to the program mid-career (usually in healthcare) and they are giving themselves the flexibility to either continue to climb in the healthcare institutions where they are currently employed or move into a healthcare-related field in another industry.
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.
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 of three years of professional experience, three letters of reference, and TOEFL scores (for international students only). GRE or GMAT scores are not required for admission.
The program is made up of 65 to 72 credits. 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 managers, executive directors, healthcare consultants, pharmaceutical brand managers, hospital administrators, and department managers.
- Location: Scranton, PA
- Accreditation: MBA (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business [AACSB]); MHA (Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education [CAHME])
- Expected Time to Completion: 30 months
In collaboration with Carey Business School, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing offers an online dual MBA/MSN in healthcare organizational leadership 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 a 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 credits and 376 clinical hours. Students study 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 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 nursing administration and business management.
- Location: Baltimore, MD
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: Full-time (24 months); part-time (36 to 72 months)
The University of Phoenix offers an online MBA (master of business administration) and MHA (master of health administration) dual degree program. The MHA program focuses on healthcare’s administrative side, while the MBA portion offers a foundation in business practices such as marketing, accounting, and strategies for growth.
The program consists of 58 credits, including coursework in systems thinking in healthcare environments; managing in a changing environment; navigating the regulatory environment in healthcare; managerial accounting & legal aspects of business; leveraging informatics in the health sector; healthcare strategic management; financial management in health care; and creating value through operations.
- Location: Phoenix, AZ
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: 30 months
In partnership with AdventHealth University, Stetson 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 credits, respectively. However, the online dual degree allows students to complete both programs in 54 credits, resulting in 21 credit savings. Course content includes live online sessions combined with pre-recorded lectures. Some 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 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 CEOs, nurse managers, vice presidents, marketing directors, and financial directors.
- Location: Stetson (DeLand, FL); AHU (Orlando, FL)
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months for the dual degree
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.
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.
The program comprises 60 credits and helps students become healthcare leaders and transform their organizations. 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 managers, assistant administrators, health information managers, and nursing home administrators.
- Location: Lynchburg, VA
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 30 months
Pfeiffer University offers an online MHA/MBA joint degree program. The program is ideal for healthcare managers and clinicians who wish to take their careers 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, a satisfactory grade point average, and three letters of recommendation, among other requirements.
The dual degree program comprises 60 credits. The curriculum explores organizational communications; quantitative decision-making; managerial accounting; health economics; strategic health services management, 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.
Upon completing the program, students can take up leadership roles in healthcare, education or public safety, public administration, and public policy.
- Location: Misenheimer, NC
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: 30 to 36 months
University of Alabama at Birmingham’s School of Health Professions and Collat’s Graduate School of Management cooperatively offer a master of science in health administration and a master of business administration program (MSHA/MBA) dual degree program. At least half of this program’s content is delivered online, while the remaining content is delivered via on-campus meetings. Students will gain expert business skills and will learn how to apply these skills in the healthcare industry.
Students who wish to pursue this dual degree must apply and be admitted to the MSHA and the MBA program independently.
As part of the program, students will delve into topics such as economics for managers; organization theory and behavior; health economics; financial accounting and finance basics; health care financial management; strategic cost analysis and decision making; human resources management in health services administration; healthcare marketing; and health law.
Finally, students will gain real-world, valuable experience in a nine to twelve-month residency, where students will work under the preceptorship of high-level administrators. They will also earn a stipend for their service.
- Location: Birmingham, AL
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: 33 months
University of Michigan’s College of Business and the School of Public Health combine to offer a dual degree program leading to the master of health services administration (MHSA) and the master of business administration (MBA). Students may complete the MBA portion of this program on the Dearborn campus, online, or any combination.
The MHSA program focuses on managing, organizing, marketing, and financing healthcare institutions and delivering personal health services. The MBA offers several skills beyond the MHSA, including expanded marketing, strategy, and finance coverage as practiced in industries other than healthcare.
Made up of 82 credits, the program includes courses such as marketing management; organization behavior; corporate social responsibility; principles of environmental health sciences; health care accounting; corporate finance for healthcare administration; organization and management of healthcare systems; applied biostatistics; and applied health policy analysis.
- Location: Dearborn, MI
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: 30 to 36 months
A dual MHA/MBA program from the University of Houston-Clear Lake will empower graduates for a career as top-level executives in the healthcare industry. Courses in this program are taught in an online and face-to-face format. Students in this program can take advantage of internships at Houston Methodist Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and St. CHI Luke’s Patient Medical Center.
The MHA portion of the program includes courses such as healthcare human resources management; financial management of healthcare organizations; healthcare economics; healthcare quality; healthcare predictive analytics; and legal aspects of healthcare systems. MBA courses include accounting for administrative control; management science and operations; managerial economics; human behavior in organizations; and corporate finance.
- Location: Houston, TX
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 to 48 months
Samford University’s Brock School of Business and School of Public Health combine to offer an online MBA/MHA dual degree program providing graduates with diverse experience and knowledge in business and healthcare. It is also possible to earn these degrees separately. Still, by combining the two, students will have the opportunity to be mentored by faculty members in both programs and have access to the connections and resources offered by both schools as it relates to research, career placements, and internships.
Applicants to the program must have a bachelor’s degree in a business or health-related field from a university or college with institutional accreditation; or possess any bachelor’s degree and currently work in or have three years prior healthcare experience. GRE is only required of applicants with less than a 3.0 GPA.
The curriculum of the MHA program can be completed entirely online, while MBA students can take advantage of the business school’s hybrid format. Comprising 69 to 71 credits, the program includes courses such as health policy & law; healthcare patient safety & quality; biostatistics for public health professionals; healthcare economics; operations management; strategic management; health systems, organizations, and policy.
- Location: Birmingham, AL
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); CAHME; AACSB
- Expected Time to Completion: 36 months
