UNLV Executive Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA)

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) online executive master of healthcare administration (EMHA) program helps mid-career healthcare professionals advance to senior leadership roles with broader responsibilities across departments. The program builds on existing experience to teach strategic skills, including economics, management, planning, finance, accounting, human resources, marketing, information technology, law, ethics, and adaptive leadership for running healthcare organizations. Students learn to lead teams, communicate effectively, build relationships, make smart choices, and generate new ideas that put patients first while expanding their career networks.

The executive MHA is ideal for candidates with prior managerial or administrative healthcare experience, five years of professional experience, or who are currently pursuing or have earned terminal degrees in healthcare. It prepares graduates for jobs such as healthcare executive, hospital administrator, healthcare consultant, director of operations, director of business development, or healthcare entrepreneur, in settings such as hospitals, insurance firms, pharmaceutical companies, public health groups, biotech companies, and more.

The School of Public Health offers this degree, with instruction fully online to fit busy full-time schedules. Comprising 34 credits, the program can be completed in just 18 months. Students attend one immersion session before the first semester and a capstone presentation at the end.

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas is a public land-grant research university in Paradise, Nevada. Its School of Public Health holds CEPH accreditation, while UNLV is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

What to Expect from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Executive Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA)

Admission Requirements: To join the UNLV online EMHA program, applicants must submit a completed application to the Graduate College along with a non-refundable application fee. They need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited school and a minimum overall GPA of 2.75, or a 3.00 GPA in the last two years (60 credits) of their bachelor’s program and any post-bachelor’s work.

All applicants must upload unofficial transcripts from every college or university they attended, listing degrees, dates, and grades. They must also submit a one- to two-page personal essay explaining their interest in a career in healthcare management, a current resume, and three letters of recommendation.

The program looks for applicants who already have experience running parts of healthcare work. This includes people in roles such as risk management department director or burn unit director. It also fits those with five years of professional experience in healthcare. Moreover, it welcomes healthcare workers who hold or are pursuing advanced degrees such as MD, DDS, DNP, or DPT, along with their practice experience.

Study Plan: The UNLV online EMHA is a 34-credit program. It includes 31 credits of required courses and three credits for the capstone course. Students can finish the program in just 18 months. There are no clinical-hour requirements or internships required.

Ideal for working professionals, the program’s coursework can be completed entirely online. Students can start in the fall semester with an August 1 application deadline or the spring semester with a December 1 deadline. No summer starts are available. All students attend one immersion session before the first semester and give a capstone presentation at the end.

Curriculum: The UNLV online EMHA program totals 34 credits. It has 31 credits of required courses and three credits for the health care administration capstone course.

Required courses include survey of US healthcare system: programs, policies, and politics; management of health services organizations and systems; public health fundamentals for healthcare leaders; healthcare financial management; human resources management of healthcare organizations; healthcare economics; operations and quality management of health services; information systems in health services management; strategic management of health services; healthcare law and ethics for managers; and special topics in healthcare leadership.

The capstone course allows students to apply what they have learned through a final project. The School of Public Health delivers this fully online program without an internship.

Online Experience: The UNLV EMHA program is fully online and runs over 18 months, allowing working professionals to study without quitting their jobs. Classes fit busy schedules and require no internship, so students finish faster. The School of Public Health, accredited by CEPH, delivers high-quality lessons on leadership and healthcare skills.

On-Site Requirements: The UNLV online EMHA is mostly online, but students must attend one immersion session before the first semester and a capstone presentation at the end. No other on-campus visits or in-person classes are needed.

Paying for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Executive Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA)

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) online EMHA program tuition costs are listed in the tables below. Interested students should contact the admissions department for cost clarifications and updates.

Financial aid is available to students who qualify. Options may include federal student aid, private loans, scholarships, or employer tuition assistance. The first step in applying for financial aid is to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students are encouraged to contact the university’s Office of Financial Aid for personalized support and guidance.

University of Nevada, Las Vegas Executive Master of Healthcare Administration

Program Essentials
Degree Level Master's Degree
Program Start Dates 2 - January & August
Credits Needed to Graduate 31
Time to Complete? Finish in 18 months for a full-time student
100% Online? Yes
Program Accreditation CAHME, CEPH
Program Admissions
Level of Education Required? Bachelor's Degree
GRE or GMAT Required? No GMAT/GRE Required
Work Experience Required? Yes, 3+ years managerial experience or 5+ years clinical experience
Program Tuition
Credit Hours 31
Average Cost Per Credit $510.00
Estimated Program Tuition * $15,810.00

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.

Farheen Gani
Farheen Gani
Writer

Farheen Gani has written many how-to career, online program, and scholarship guides related to master of healthcare administration degrees since 2018. Some guides she has written include online healthcare management programs, master's in regulatory science programs, and health administration scholarships. She writes about healthcare, technology, education, and marketing. Her work has appeared on websites such as Tech in Asia and Foundr, as well as top SaaS blogs such as Zapier and InVision. You can connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter (@FarheenGani).