Duquesne University Online Master of Health Administration (MHA) Program
Duquesne University offers a CAAHME-accredited online Master of Health Administration (MHA) program with three concentrations: Health Informatics and Data Analytics; Healthcare Compliance and Risk Management; and Population Health. The MHA is offered through the John G. Rangos School of Health Sciences (RSHS), one of the largest health sciences institutions in the nation. Welcoming both US-based and international students, the MHA program offers the flexibility of 100% online coursework with one 3-day residency on campus. Students in all concentrations have opportunities for internships, faculty-led research projects, community engagement, and a capstone project.
The Health Informatics and Data Analytics concentration focuses on the design and development of data systems that promote high-value patient care. This is especially important as patients see a variety of doctors and health professionals from general practitioners to physical therapists, surgeons, specialists, and non-traditional professionals. The program teaches students how to collect, organize, manage, and analyze data for use in healthcare decision-making in a variety of patient contexts. Data programs including Python, Access, SQL, and Hadoop will allow students to perform predictive modeling and make data-driven decisions about various healthcare cases.
The Healthcare Compliance and Risk Management concentration focuses on data security which minimizes data breaches and protects patient information. Concentration courses cover healthcare laws and regulatory compliance, billing, fraud, and healthcare litigation and risk management. Students learn to apply liability theories to case studies involving healthcare organizations including the doctor-patient relationship, healthcare contracts, and the filing of complaints. Included in these studies are regulations for liability insurance, as well as best practices to reduce the risk of legal and policy violations.
The Population Health concentration focuses on disease prevention and management in whole populations. Students learn about epidemiology and its relationship to the planning and management of healthcare services. Topics of health education programming, disease control, management, and prevention, as well as biostatistics, are addressed. Students learn to use healthcare data to help patients manage day-to-day tasks while living with chronic diseases.
Duquesne University welcomes students with a bachelor’s degree; no work experience or GRE/GMAT are required. Graduates may go on to careers in hospitals, long-term care facilities, private practice, health insurance companies, medical supply companies, and government agencies. Example job titles may include Practice Manager, Human Resources Manager, Administrative Services Manager, Hospital CEO, Education and Development Manager, or Social Services Manager. Duquesne University is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
What to Expect from the Duquesne University Online MHA
Admission Requirements: Applicants must have a 4-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA. No work experience or healthcare-related experience is required. Students do not need to submit GRE or GMAT test scores.
Admissions materials include an online application, application fee, an essay detailing the applicant’s statement of purpose, two letters of recommendation, and a resume or curriculum vitae. International students must submit TOEFL test scores and have their degrees evaluated to determine accepted equivalency.
Study Plan: Students in the Duquesne University online MHA can complete the program in as little as four semesters (16 months). Most student complete the program in 2.5 years. Start dates land in the Fall and Spring. One 3-day campus residency is required before graduation. The purpose of this residency is to allow students an opportunity to network with faculty, classmates, and future employers. The courses are 100% online.
Curriculum: The online MHA program comprises 42 credits over 14 courses. Of these courses, two are specific to the chosen area of concentration. The curriculum follows the accreditation requirements of the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). In addition, the curriculum follows the Healthcare Leadership Alliance (HLA) Competency Model which includes communication and relationship management, leadership, professionalism, knowledge of the healthcare environment, business skills and knowledge.
Foundation courses include health services research methods and statistics, introduction to the healthcare systems, and healthcare managerial accounting. Core courses include operations and quality management in healthcare, healthcare law and ethics, leadership in healthcare management, healthcare financial management, healthcare human resources management, healthcare marketing and strategic planning, healthcare economics and policy, and healthcare information systems. In addition, students complete a capstone project.
Finally, students take two courses depending on their chosen concentration:
Health Informatics and Data Analytics students take health informatics and data analytics, and data mining and predictive modeling.
Healthcare Compliance and Risk Management students take medical and regulatory compliance, and healthcare litigation and risk management.
Population Health students take managerial epidemiology and health promotion.
Online Experience: Duquesne University utilizes the teacher-scholar model which promotes the highest levels of engaging instruction and technology while holding to the real-world experience of faculty, current research, and faculty learning. Online courses foster faculty-student and peer interaction through both real-time and asynchronous discussions and assignments. In addition, faculty are committed to developing solid relationships with online students through interactive online tools, email, online discussions, and feedback. Online courses are modeled after and provide the same rigor as on-campus courses, utilizing active learning strategies.
Duquesne uses Canvas as its online Learning Management System (LMS) as well as Zoom for interactive synchronous web conferencing. Suggested equipment includes devices purchased within the past 5 years for the best experience, and Duquesne’s Computer Store offers discounts to students on Dell and Apple computers in addition to iPads. Online MHA students have access to the online writing center, library services, the learning support center, 24/7 technical support, academic advising, and career counseling.
On-Site Requirements: There is one 3-day campus residency required before graduation in which students have the opportunity to network with faculty, classmates, and future employers. Coursework is 100 percent online. Most students are eligible for 25% tuition scholarship.
Paying for the Duquesne University Online MHA
The Duquesne University online MHA tuition numbers are listed in the tables below. Interested students should contact the John G. Rangos, Sr. School of Health Sciences (RSHS) admissions department for cost clarifications and updates.
Duquesne University students may apply for Stafford loans, private and program-specific loans, health administration organization scholarships, government grant programs, and loan forgiveness programs. In addition, prospective students should check with their employer to see if they qualify for a tuition reimbursement program. Other opportunities may exist for outside funding including through community and other organizations.
Duquesne University Online MHA - Health Informatics and Data Analytics
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Fall, Spring, Summer |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 42 |
| Time to Complete? | Can be completed in as few as 16 months |
| 100% Online? | No, coursework 100% online plus one 3-day on campus residency |
| Program Accreditation | None |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelors degree or higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No |
| Work Experience Required? | None |
| Credit Hours | 42 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $1,545.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $64,890.00 |
Duquesne University Online MHA - Healthcare Compliance and Risk Management
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Fall, Spring, Summer |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 42 |
| Time to Complete? | Can be completed in as few as 16 months |
| 100% Online? | No, coursework 100% online plus one 3-day on campus residency |
| Program Accreditation | None |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelors degree or higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No |
| Work Experience Required? | None |
| Credit Hours | 42 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $1,545.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $64,890.00 |
Duquesne University Online MHA - Population Health
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Fall, Spring, Summer |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 42 |
| Time to Complete? | Can be completed in as few as 16 months |
| 100% Online? | No, coursework 100% online plus one 3-day on campus residency |
| Program Accreditation | None |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelors degree or higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No |
| Work Experience Required? | None |
| Credit Hours | 42 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $1,545.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $64,890.00 |
Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the rates for part-time students. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Estimated total tuition does not include additional fees, unless otherwise specified. Please check here for any tuition updates.
