Walden University Online Master of Health Administration (MHA) - Four Specializations
The Walden University College of Health Professions offers an online master of health administration (MHA) with a general path or one of four specializations: leadership and organizational development; population health; social entrepreneurship and innovation; and systems and policy.
Students may choose to study through one of two pathways: course-based and tempo learning.
The course-based program follows a quarterly schedule with students taking one to two courses per quarter. Tuition is charged on a per-credit basis and the degree is completed in the traditional course completion model. This learning model is more structured and includes deadlines and faculty-based teaching.
Tempo learning is a competency-based approach where students pay a session or subscription fee and demonstrate competencies instead of completing credit-based courses. Competencies include the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to become a successful healthcare administrator. Tempo learning is more flexible and students can adjust how quickly or slowly they complete modules.
In the tempo learning model, faculty are available to support students when necessary. As well students have a personal academic coach with whom to work. Note that this learning model is best for self-motivated students who are well-organized and work well independently. Also, the tuition subscription fee is best utilized when working steadily through the modules.
The general MHA pathway is designed to be completed in 18 months or six quarters. Adding a specialization adds three courses; therefore, the MHA with specialization will take about two years to complete.
A bachelor’s degree or higher is required for admission with no GMAT/GRE test scores or work experience required. Walden University strives to make the admissions process simple.
The master of health administration curriculum aligns with the National Center for Healthcare Leadership (NCHL) competency model. This model includes action competency domains of execution, relations, transformation, and boundary spanning. Within these domains are key competencies in areas such as community collaboration, organizational awareness, relationship-building, accountability, analytical thinking, innovation, and change leadership. Other domains include competencies in social responsibility, human resource management, information technology management, self-awareness, and self-development.
Graduates may go on to careers such as nurse manager, mental health program manager, clinical director, healthcare administrator, or hospital administrator. Positions may be earned in hospitals, government facilities, long-term care facilities, healthcare systems, and research or other healthcare organizations.
Walden University is operated out of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
What to Expect from the Walden University Online MHA & Concentrations
Admission Requirements: Applicants to the Walden online MHA program must hold a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an accredited institution and a minimum GPA of 2.5. Application materials include official transcripts, a resume, and letters of recommendation. GMAT/GRE test scores and work experience are not required. There may be restrictions for study in some states.
Study Plan: The Walden online general MHA can be completed in about six quarters or 18 months. Adding a specialization extends degree completion by one to two quarters leading to about a two-year completion timeframe. Start dates land in the fall, winter, spring, and summer. The program is 100 percent online with no campus visits or clinical requirements. Note that students in the tempo learning pathway may complete their degrees more quickly. Students have up to seven years to complete the MHA degree.
MHA Curriculum: The Walden University MHA consists of 53 quarter credits for the general track and 68 quarter credits with a specialization. Students in the tempo learning pathway should inquire with the College of Health Professions as to the learning modules required. Specialization courses may need to be completed in a course-based format, rather than through tempo learning.
Core courses for all tracks in the course-based pathway include the foundations of healthcare administration; principles of population health in healthcare administration; contemporary topics in the U.S. healthcare delivery system; law, ethics, and policy and healthcare administration; human resource management and organizational development and leadership for healthcare administrators; healthcare financial management and economics; healthcare informatics and technology management; healthcare operations management; healthcare quality management; marketing management and business communication for healthcare administrators; and strategic planning in healthcare administration.
- Leadership and Organizational Development Specialization Courses: Leadership and organizational change; the language of leadership; board governance and volunteer management
- Population Health Specialization Courses: Health informatics and population health analytics; population health management applications; disease prevention and care management
- Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation Specialization Courses: Social entrepreneurship and innovation: a global perspective; grant writing; improving healthcare performance through social entrepreneurship
- Systems and Policy Specialization Courses: Health behavior theory; public policy analysis; program planning, implementation, and evaluation
Experience: Walden University utilizes the myWalden student portal as its online platform. New students complete an online orientation and can participate in online forums throughout the program with peers, faculty, alumni, and academic advisors.
Student services include academic and writing help, student success advising, career planning, financial aid services, and technical support. Courses are delivered asynchronously and include weekly deadlines.
On-Site Requirements: There are no on-site requirements for the Walden MHA as the program is completely online.
Paying for the Walden University Online MHA
Walden University charges $502 per quarter credit plus fees for the online MHA course-based pathway. Tempo learning costs include a $2,900 three-month subscription fee plus a separate technology fee per session. Online students should contact the admissions department of the Walden University College of Health Professions for current pricing and options.
Students pursuing the course-based learning model may be eligible for a $4,000 grant, while tempo learning students may be eligible for up to a $1,000 grant. Terms apply.
Additionally, students may choose to apply for federal grants and loans through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Other funding options may include employer tuition reimbursement programs, private loans, and outside scholarships and grants.
Walden University MHA - Master of Healthcare Administration
- Earn your MHA in 18 to 20 months with optional concentrations in leadership and organizational development, population health, social entrepreneurship and innovation, and systems and policy
- The curriculum aligns with the National Center for Healthcare Leadership (NCHL) model
- Study traditionally through the course-based model or through the Tempo Learning competency-based model
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 53 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in six quarters or about 18 months. |
| 100% Online? | Yes |
| Program Accreditation | None |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelors degree or higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No |
| Work Experience Required? | None |
| Credit Hours | 53 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $502 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $26,606.00 |
Walden University MHA - Leadership and Organizational Development
- Learn how to effectively lead and manage resources for healthcare organizations
- Specialization courses focus on managing nonprofit organizations including maintaining a Board of Directors and volunteers, organizational change and effective leadership, and the language of leadership
- Offered in both course-based and Tempo Learning pathways
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 68 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in about 8 quarters or 2 years. |
| 100% Online? | Yes |
| Program Accreditation | None |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelors degree or higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No |
| Work Experience Required? | None |
| Credit Hours | 68 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $502.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $34,136.00 |
Walden University MHA - Population Health
- Prepare to address issues of increasing healthcare costs, aging populations, and inequities in healthcare
- Learn targeted methods to promote preventive healthcare and longevity within certain populations
- Key topics covered may include data analytics, population health initiatives, the role of big data, disease prevention, chronic disease management, and how certain factors adversely affect the health of specific populations
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 68 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in about 8 quarters or 2 years. |
| 100% Online? | Yes |
| Program Accreditation | None |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelors degree or higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No |
| Work Experience Required? | None |
| Credit Hours | 68 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $502.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $34,136.00 |
Walden University MHA - Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- Designed for professionals from all disciplines who wish to positively affect healthcare outcomes and improve patient care
- The curriculum covers public, private, and nonprofit sectors
- Learn how to create innovative solutions to healthcare challenges, how to write grants, and how to use social entrepreneurship to effect change
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 68 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in about 8 quarters or 2 years. |
| 100% Online? | Yes |
| Program Accreditation | None |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelors degree or higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No |
| Work Experience Required? | None |
| Credit Hours | 68 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $502.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $34,136.00 |
Walden University MHA - Systems and Policy
- Prepare to delve deeply into healthcare systems and policies with which you can address the ever-changing needs of today's healthcare organizations
- Examine public health and health education and promotion, health behavior programs, health intervention, and public policy
- Choose a traditional learning path or the Tempo Learning competency-based model
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 68 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in about 8 quarters or 2 years. |
| 100% Online? | Yes |
| Program Accreditation | None |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelors degree or higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No |
| Work Experience Required? | None |
| Credit Hours | 68 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $502.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $34,136.00 |
* Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the currently published tuition rate. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the out of state, part-time student rate. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Total cost of tuition does not include additional fees.
