Utica University Online MHA Programs - Nursing Home Administration

Utica University offers a fully online Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA). Learning outcomes include a focus on leadership, management, critical thinking, project management, systems thinking, and the continuum of care.

In addition, Utica offers a Nursing Home Administrator Advanced Certificate to those with a bachelor’s degree or higher, and a 3.0 minimum GPA. The certificate includes five courses for 15 credits and can be completed in just three semesters, with part-time and full-time options available. The nursing home administrator certificate qualifies graduates for Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) licensure in the state of New York. Students outside New York should check with Utica University admissions as well as their state licensing board to determine licensure eligibility in other states. Graduates of this program may go on to complete the full MHA degree.

Utica University, located in Utica, New York, offers one of the most affordable graduate tuitions in the country. In addition, they have made a huge investment into technology, practice, training, and piloting online programs to make sure they give students the best online learning environment possible. Utica’s online programs strive to foster personal connections through interaction with fellow students, faculty, and administration. Class sizes are small which promotes this personal atmosphere.

Graduates of the MHA program may go on to careers as nursing home administrators, acute care case managers, medical care managers, facilities managers, grant administrators, clinical project managers, research directors, or quality and compliance officers, among other opportunities. Those who earn the Nursing Home Administrator Advanced Certificate may go on to positions as a nursing home administrator or assistant administrator.

Admission Requirements: Applicants to the Utica University online MHA in health care administration and the certificate program must hold a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Work experience (in health care) is recommended but not required. Submitting a GMAT/GRE score is usually not necessary, but this depends on academic credentials. Applicants must submit an application and application fee, three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and official transcripts. International students must also provide proof of English language proficiency and an official transcript evaluation from WES, ECE, or Educational Perspectives.

Study Plan: Students in the online MHA program complete six eight-week courses per year to complete the program in two years. They can begin the program in January, May, or August. At the end of the program, students complete a capstone course in which they design a final project that integrates their learned knowledge throughout the program. The program also includes four online synchronous residencies.

The online Nursing Home Administrator Certificate program is designed to be completed in three semesters. Both part-time and full-time options are available. Start dates also land in January, May, and August. The MHA and certificate programs are fully online.

MHA Curriculum: The online master of healthcare administration consists of 36 credits: 21 credits of core courses, 12 credits of electives or specialization courses, and three credits of a capstone course. Core courses include health care systems: a continuum of care, health care ethical and legal issues, an advanced seminar, leadership in marketing and strategic planning, quality management and performance, human resources management, and health care accounting processes.

Students take a combination of 12 credits of elective courses from the three specializations or other electives offered such as legal and investigative issues for fraud management, management of fraud prevention and detection, or the economics of health and health care policy.

Acute care specialization courses include health informatics, health care administrator leader, clinical research, and health care financial management.

Courses meet the requirement for licensed nursing home administration (LNHA) licensure, however the courses may vary depending on state licensure requirements. Courses can include nursing home administration, health care financial management, public health care policies of aging, ethical and legal issues, perspectives in gerontology, and human resources management. MHA students may prepare to take the Nursing Home Administration (NHA) exam to become licensed nursing home administrators.

Nursing Home Administrator Certificate Curriculum: The online certificate comprises 15 credits over five courses including: perspectives in gerontology, healthcare financial management, human resource management, ethical and legal issues, and nursing home administration. Graduates of the certificate program may apply to continue to the full MHA program. 

Online Experience: Utica University uses the Engage online learning management system for the online MHA program. Through Engage students can join discussion boards, use video and email, participate in online chat rooms, take tests and quizzes, complete collaborative assignments, and participate in live classes. Most courses are offered in an asynchronous format, but some activities may be synchronous, such as the four online residencies. These virtual residencies take place when convenient for students (usually on Saturdays) using webcam and audio. Students have access to library services including online chat with a librarian, academic advising, 24/7 technical assistance, financial advising, and career planning.

On-Site Requirements: There are no on-site requirements for the online MHA in health care administration or the nursing home administrator certificate from Utica University as the programs are 100 percent online. There are four online synchronous residencies as described in the online experience section above for the MHA. Students are also welcome to visit campus anytime and to participate in graduation on campus.

Utica University charges $690 per credit plus online program fees for the online MHA and certificate programs. With tuition changes common, students should check with the admissions department to secure the most up-to-date cost estimates.

Graduate students may be eligible for federal loans. Students are encouraged to fill out the FAFSA to determine federal financial aid. In addition, Utica University may offer scholarships and grants. Students can seek outside resources for help paying for their advanced degrees such as churches, community organizations, societies, and others. Students can also check with their employer to see if they offer tuition reimbursement programs for those seeking a higher degree.