If you’re a working healthcare administration professional, an online MHA can help you make the most of a great career opportunity. One of the top benefits of taking accelerated MHA programs is that it allows you to achieve your career goals much faster. In particular, those who choose accelerated programs are able to complete their schooling and take on health administration positions much faster.
Yet another great benefit of acquiring an accelerated MHA program is that it will allow you to make a difference. Given that healthcare administrators are the main decision-makers for the healthcare industry. This allows you to make various decisions and changes that will allow you to ultimately change various lives for the better. For instance, patients, nurses, etc. all rely on the administrators to keep balanced budgets, ensure the necessary supplies are always available, and that all doctors, physicians, etc. are in compliance with all policies.
Methodology: Ranking the Best Accelerated MHA Programs
Great Business Schools editors researched reputable, accredited online Master of Health Administration and Health Administration MBA programs that offer an accelerated option. To rank these programs, we looked at three main data sources: IPEDS, College Scorecard, and Niche, using factors including alumni salary, cost, and reviews.
1. Oklahoma State University Health Sciences Center
Oklahoma State University Health Sciences Center School of Health Care Administration offers some of the top accelerated MHA programs online in the nation. The school’s accelerated MHA programs are designed for health care professionals who wish to move into health care executive or managerial positions. The Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences’ Master of Science (MS) in Health Care Administration requires the completion of 32 credit hours with a concentration in Administration/Entrepreneurship or Healthcare Leadership. Many academic oversight organizations nationally rank OSU-CHS’ graduate degree public health administration programs.
The Oklahoma State University Health Sciences Center is a medical institution of higher education that was established in 1972. OSU-CHS was originally an independent school but became a part of the OSU in the late 1980s.
Highlight In 2006, OSU-CHS signed a half-century agreement, so the Tulsa Regional Medical Center is now the OSU-CHS.
Degree Health Care Administration, MS
2. Saint Joseph’s University
Saint Joseph’s University offers a Master of Science in Health Administration that is recognized as one of the country’s best accelerated MHS programs online. SJU’s accelerated MHA programs offer students the option to customize their studies and select a concentration from a general track, a health informatics track, or organizational development and leadership track. The program is available online or on-campus and requires the completion of 42 credit units to graduate. Applicants, on average, have two years of experience when entering the MHA program.
Saint Joseph’s University was established in 1851. SJU has a religious affiliation with the Roman Catholic – Jesuit Church as this institution of higher learning began by the Society of Jesus. SJU’s campus in eastern Pennsylvania is home to more than 8,000 students.
Highlight The school has nearly 40 Jesuits living on campus as full-time faculty members.
Degree Health Administration, MS
3. Concordia University, St. Paul
Concordia University St. Paul’s College of Business and Technology offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program in Health Care Management that is available as an accelerated MHA program online or on-campus. Students enrolled in Concordia St. Paul’s MBA in health care management requires the completion of 42 credit units to graduate. These accelerated MHA programs offered by Concordia St. Paul includes Global Economy, Legal Environment for Managers, Managerial Decision Making, Health Care Informatics, and Strategic Leadership in Healthcare, to name a few.
Concordia University, St. Paul, is a liberal arts school that was established in 1893. The Concordia University system maintains a religious affiliation with the Lutheran Church -Missouri Synod (LCMS). The school’s urban feel campus is home to more than 5,000 students.
Highlight Concordia University, St. Paul is one of nine member schools that comprise the Concordia University System.
Degree Health Care Management, MBA
4. Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University’s School of Health and Medical Sciences offers a Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree program that is recognized as one of the top accelerated MHA programs online. SHU’s accelerated MHA programs focus on leadership, critical thinking, ethics, analytical skills, and effective communication, to name a few. Degree candidates enrolled in SHU’s MHA program must complete 42 credit units to graduate. Full-time students can complete this degree program in two years.
Seton Hall University is a private institution of higher learning that was established in 1856. SHU maintains a religious affiliation with the Roman Catholic Church. SHU’s campus is only about ½ hour from NYC and home to more than 10,000 students studying for academic degrees provided by the university’s eleven schools/colleges.
Highlight Seton Hall University holds the distinction of being the oldest diocesan institution of higher education in the nation.
Degree Master of Health Administration
5. University of Colorado Denver
The University of Colorado’s Business School offers a Health Administration MS degree program that is the oldest program in the Rocky Mountain area to receive accreditation from – the Commission on the Accreditation of Health Care Management. CU Denver’s accelerated MHA programs online and the accelerated MHA programs on campus require the completion of 30 credit hours, which may not include particular program prerequisites.
The University of Colorado is the flagship institution of higher education for Colorado that was founded in 1876. CU Denver is a space-grant school that serves more than 35,000 students on its 750+ acre urban campus. The University of Colorado’s Business School is located in the heart of Denver.
Highlight More than 18 astronauts have some affiliation with the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Degree Health Administration, MS
6. CSU Global
Colorado State University Global offers a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) that is available entirely online. Coursework for CSU Global’s accelerated MHA programs online includes healthcare finance, operations management, health law & ethics, the US Health Care System, and a culminating capstone regarding healthcare management. The accelerated MHA program offered by CSU Global provides a variety of specializations that include finance, project management, strategic innovation, organizational learning, population health, and fraud management, to name a few. ‘Best Health Degrees’ recognizes CSU Global’s MHA program, the second-best in the nation.
Colorado State University Global is the distance learning extension of the Colorado State University that was established in 2007. Colorado State University Global specializes in online academic programs and offers more than 25 baccalaureate specialization programs.
Highlight Students attending CSU Global follow one of two tracks that dictate course schedules.
Degree Master of Healthcare Administration
7. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
The Health Sciences Center at Texas Tech University offers an MS in Healthcare Administration that is available entirely online. TTUHSC’s accelerated MHA programs online require the completion of 36 credit hours to graduate, of which 30 hours reflect core curriculum and six hours reflect elective courses. Coursework for Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center’s online accelerated MHA programs include law and ethics, finance, resource management, health care operations, health care marketing, health care leadership, and data analytics, to name a few.
The Health Sciences Center at Texas Tech University is a medical institution of higher education that was established in 1969. TTUHSC operates additional facilities in El Paso, Abilene, Permian Basin, Amarillo, and Dallas. More than 4,500 students attend TTUHSC.
Highlight The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center serves more than one hundred counties in the Lone Star State.
Degree Healthcare Administration, MS
8. University of North Texas
The University of North Texas’ College of Health and Public Service offers a Master of Science (MS) degree program in Health Services Administration that is available 100% online. UNT’s accelerated MHA programs online require degree candidates to complete twelve classes for a total of 36 credit units. Students interested in completing UNT’s accelerated MHA programs with a hybrid delivery should apply to UNT-Frisco. Students enrolled in the accelerated MHA program can complete the program in four semesters as a full-time student in only 1.5 years. The program from UNT has received accreditation from the CAHME – the Commission on Accreditation of healthcare management Education.
The University of North Texas was established as the Texas Normal College in 1890, a private institution of higher education. UNT’s university-town campus is home to nearly 40,000 students studying for degrees offered by eleven colleges/schools.
Highlight UNT became the flagship school of the University of North Texas System in 1901.
Degree Health Services Administration, MS
9. University of Missouri
The University of Missouri’s Department of Health Management and Informatics offers a Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree program that is delivered mostly online, with a few campus visits required during the course. The University of Missouri’s accelerated MHA programs online and on-campus require the completion of 42 credit units to graduate. Mizzou’s accelerated MHA programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education – CAHME.
The University of Missouri (U of M) was established in 1839. The campus in Columbia is the flagship campus of the four schools that comprise the University of Missouri System. Mizzou is a land-grant and space-grant school that serves more than 30,000 students.
Highlight The University of Missouri holds the distinction of being the first institution of higher education west of the Mississippi that was not private.
Degree Health administration, MHA
10. Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University offers a Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree program that is available entirely online. ASU’s accelerated MHA programs online require degree candidates to complete 46 credit units to graduate as part-time (in three years) or full-time students (in two years). The accelerated MHA programs offered by Appalachian State University provide students with two concentrations – The Information Systems Concentration or the Health Care leadership Concentration. Applicants for ASU’s program must be currently employed as a healthcare professional and hold a baccalaureate degree from a school that has received appropriate accreditation.
Appalachian State University (ASU) is a public institution of higher education that was established in 1899. The school’s rural campus covers more than 1,200 acres and serves nearly 20,000 students studying for the more than 220 bachelor and master’s degree programs.
Highlight In 1971, Appalachian State University became a part of the University of North Carolina System.
Degree Master of Health Administration
What are the Advantages of an Accelerated MHA Program?
If you are wondering about the advantages of taking accelerated MHA programs, they are as follows:
Skip the GRE: Another benefit of taking accelerated MHA programs is that you are able to skip the GRE exam. While many people dread taking these difficult exams, taking an accelerated MHA program, you are able to skip this step and begin your career once the program is finished.
Great Paying Positions: Another great benefit of getting an accelerated MHA program is that you are able to secure higher-paying positions. Healthcare executives get paid anywhere between $82,000 and $117,000 per year. This is an excellent benefit of completing these accelerated programs, not only do they take less time to complete but they also allow you to make a lot more money.
Less Expensive: No matter if you are taking your accelerated program in the traditional setting or accelerated MHA programs online, it will still be cheaper than taking a non-accelerated program. Moreover, if you opt for the latter, you will also not have to worry about other experiences associated with attending a typical school setting such as transportation, and other expenses.
Wide Range of Job Options: Lastly, enrolling in accelerated MHA programs allows graduates to pursue a wide range of professional opportunities. You will be able to work in healthcare, with the government, and in many other sectors with your MHA.
What if I Don’t Need a Full Master’s Degree?
For those who do not wish to acquire a full master’s degree, there is still plenty that can be done with a healthcare administration graduate certificate. For instance, you can begin pursuing your certificate with a wide variety of bachelor’s degrees, such as marketing, human resources, accounting or finance, business or business administration, and nursing/medicine, among others.
Moreover, you will have a variety of career options once you attend hospital administration courses online and obtain your graduate certificate in healthcare administration, you will be able to pursue the following career paths and many others:
Chief Financial Officer: This position pays an average of $145,500 – $240,000 per year.
Chief Operating Officer: This position pays an average of $130,000 – $194,750 per year.
Chief Medical Officer: This position pays an average of $275,000 – $283,250 per year.
Hospital Administrator: This position pays an average of $87,475 – $149,250 per year.
Additionally, if you already have your master’s degree, earning a post-master’s certificate will provide you with training on healthcare, financial, as well as organizational topics. This will also allow you to receive an advanced overview of the American healthcare system and you will also be able to receive a into policy and other legal-related matters that affect the healthcare system. It will also allow you to pursue the following positions:
- Health Information Administration
- Health Care Design and Innovation
- Health Services Administration
- Health Care Financial Management
- Health Care Policy and Administration
What is an Executive MHA?
For those who are yet unfamiliar, an executive MHA is a degree that caters to those who are already working professionals but wish to attain advanced knowledge of the healthcare system. Although it is similar to an MHA, the EMHA, in particular, is made for working professionals who wish to take on important positions for power and influence. Given that these professionals are always experienced, the courses in these programs focus on drawing from previous experiences in order to teach the students how to become effective managers who can make a difference. Therefore, you should only enter executive MHA programs if you are interested in becoming a serious administrative professional in the near future.
Do I Have to Take the GRE to Get Into an MHA Program?
If you are wondering whether or not you need to take a GRE to get into an MHA program, the answer is essentially no. If you have already taken the exam, that is OK as well. However, if you are concerned about taking the GRE, rest assured that you will usually not be required to take one.
Carrie Morris
Author
Warren Dahl
Editor-in-Chief