For professionals in health administration, an online MHA provides the opportunity to improve their credentials and advance their career without having to pause their career. Masters in Healthcare Administration programs teach administrative skills and talents that you will need if you choose to take on a management or supervisor position. Online MHA programs make it easy for you to work on advancing your career and continue to work at the same time.
Online MHA programs are designed so that the student can get the education they need while still holding down a full-time job. With online courses, students can work at their own pace, going as fast or as slow as they need to. This allows them to get the most from their coursework. They can also start to use what they learn at their current job which makes it easier to retain it and draw from it later. Online MHA programs provide the same high-quality education as courses taught in classrooms.
Methodology: Ranking the Best Online MHA Programs in the US
Online MHA programs have become especially common as demand for qualified, well-trained healthcare managers increases, so the editors of Great Business Schools had a wide pool to choose from. Accredited, legitimate programs are ranked according to their tuition cost, student reviews, and graduate salary.
1. Des Moines University
Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences offers a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) degree program recognized as one of the best MHA online programs available. As one of the best online MHA programs in the marketplace, Des Moines University’s MHA program is accredited by CAHME and is available entirely online. Students have the option of completing Des Moines University’s MHA program in about two years. Coursework for this graduate health care administration program includes Legal and Ethics, Statistics, Us Health Care, Financial Management for Healthcare Administrators, and Population Health, and two professional development seminars, to name a few.
Des Moines University (DU) was founded in 1898 as a medical school specializing in osteopathic medicine. The school’s 20+ acre urban campus is home to approximately 1,800 students studying for eight medical academic degree programs.
Highlight Des Moines University holds the distinction of being the 2nd oldest osteopathic medical school in the country.
Degree Master of Healthcare Administration
2. University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
The University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health offers a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) degree program that can be completed 100% online. UMN’s best online MHA programs offer students an executive MHA for part-time working students or a full-time MHA program. The University of Minnesota’s the best MHA online programs have received accreditation from the gold standard of healthcare academics – CAHME – the Commission on Accreditation Health care Management Education. US News ranks UMN’s MHA program as the second-best graduate healthcare administration program in the nation.
The University of Minnesota is the flagship school that was established in 1851. UMN is a public institution of higher education that holds the distinction of being the largest and oldest campus of the University of Minnesota system. The school’s student enrollment nears 50,000 students.
Highlight UMN’s student body, is recognized as the sixth-largest in the nation.
Degree Master of Healthcare Administration
3. George Mason University
George Mason University’s Department of Health Administration and Policy offers a Master of Health Administration degree program in Health Systems Management that can be completed entirely online. These best online MHA programs require students to master five competencies – ethics, leadership, critical thinking, communication, and Healthcare management systems. GMU’s best MHA online programs have been accredited by CAHME and require a culminating academic experience through a capstone practicum. Students enrolled in GMU’s MHA program complete a yearly self-assessment regarding their progress and competencies.
George Mason University was established as a research institution of higher education that was established in 1949. GMU operates several campuses and serves more than 28,000 students.
Highlight The school honors George Mason, a Virginia politician, and planter, the writer of the Virginia Declaration of Rights.
Degree Health Systems Management, MHA
4. Florida International University
Florida International University offers a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare that is available entirely online. These best online MHA programs require the completion of 42 credit units to graduate over 1.5 years. Modern Care has recognized FIU’s best MHA online programs among the finest available. Florida International University’s MBA in Health Care has received accreditation for the Commission on Accreditation of Health care Management Education. Coursework for this MBA health care program includes Financial Reporting, Corporate Finance, Healthcare Abuse and Fraud, and three non-credit residencies.
Florida International University was established in 1965. FIU is a preeminent university in South Florida that operates as a state and space-grant university. FIU’s urban campus covers more than 575 acres and serves nearly 42,000 students.
Highlight FIU became the youngest institution of higher education to be awarded a Phi Beta Kappa chapter.
Degree Healthcare, MBA
5. George Washington University
George Washington’s Milken Institute School of Public Health offers a Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree program that can be completed without campus visits. GWU’s best online MHA programs are recognized among the top 12 programs in the country by US News. Students enrolled in GWU’s best MHA online programs must complete 50 credit units in less than two years, plus four immersion experiences that are done in-person. Coursework for George Washington University’s MHA program includes law and policy, systems thinking, health economics, public health, medical informatics, and health care financial management, to name a few.
A US Congress charter established George Washington University in 1821. George Washington University operates several campuses in DC and Virginia, which serve more than 27,000 students studying for degrees provided by the university’s fourteen colleges/schools.
Highlight George Washington helped fund the university when he left shares in the Potomac Company as an endowment.
Degree Health Administration, MHA
6. Clarkson University
Clarkson University’s School of Business offers a Healthcare Management MBA degree program that is available 100% online. Students enrolled in Clarkson University’s best MHA online programs must complete 48 credit units (16 classes) over 24 months as a full-time student or up to four years as a part-time student. Clarkson University’s best online MHA programs include an internship plus coursework in health care systems, health care finance, managerial accounting, legal aspects of healthcare, statistical methods for data analysis, and health policy, to name a few.
Clarkson University is a private institution of higher education that was established in 1896. The school offers degrees at the bachelor’s, masters, and doctoral levels. Clarkson University’s campus in Potsdam NY covers more than 600 acres and serves more than 4,100 students.
Highlight The university’s business school is accredited by ABET and AACSB.
Degree Healthcare Management, MBA
7. Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University’s College for Public Health and Social Justice offers a Master of Health Administration that recognized among the top thirteen graduate health administration programs available online. SLU’s degree candidates from these best online MHA programs enter the workforce in clinics, hospitals, healthcare foundations, doctor’s offices, and government agencies, to name a few. SLU’s best MHA online programs have received accreditation from the CAHME and award by the University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA)as the program of the year. Students can opt for a residential MHA program or an executive MHA for working professionals.
Saint Louis University is a Jesuit institution of higher education that was established in 1818. SLU’s campus in Saint Louis is home to nearly 13,000 students, half of whom are undergraduate students.
Highlight Saint Louis University, for more than one-half century, has operated a campus in Madrid, Spain.
Degree Master of Health Administration
8. Weber State University
Weber State University’s Dumke College of Health Professionals offers an Executive Master of Health Administration (MHA) that is available entirely online, except for a one-day orientation on-campus. Weber State University’s best online MHA programs include coursework in the areas of human resources, organizational skills, ethics and law, finance, and leadership, to name a few. The coursework of Weber’s best MHA online programs includes the healthcare economy, population health, healthcare finance, and health ethics and law, to name a few. In addition, degree candidates will complete a 15-week fields work experience/
Weber State University was initially established as Weber Stake Academy in 1889. The school’s urban campus serves more than 26,000 students studying for academic degrees offered by the university’s seven schools/colleges. Weber State’s health administration program is CAHME-accredited.
Highlight The school operates educational facilities in Morgan, Ogden, Roy, Kaysville, Clearfield, and Farmington, Utah.
Degree Executive Master of Health Administration
9. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Mercy University offers a Master of Business Administration in Health Care that is available entirely online. Gwynedd Mercy University’s best MHA online programs provide students with an accelerated online curriculum that requires the completion of 30 credits to graduate. Coursework included in Gwynedd Mercy University’s best online MHA programs includes ethical decision-making, marketing planning, finance, healthcare information systems, decision making for accountants, strategic management, and a capstone project a few. Students work through the MBA program with a small cohort of colleagues/students.
Gwynedd Mercy University (GMercyU) was established in 1948 by the Sisters of Mercy as a junior college. Gwynedd Mercy University is affiliated with the Roman Catholic church. Gwynedd Mercy University’s suburban campus covers more than 150 acres and serves more than 2,500 students.
Highlight Gwynedd Mercy University operates campuses in Gwynedd Valley, Bensalem, and Philadelphia, PA.
Degree Health Care, MBA
10. Xavier University
Xavier University offers an Executive Master of Health Services Administration (EMHSA) degree program that is available entirely online. Xavier University’s online Executive MHSA program requires the completion of 42 credit hours over two years. Degree candidates enrolled in Xavier University’s Executive MHSA online program will graduate with an MHSA degree that has been accredited by the CAHME and has received three CAHME awards over recent years. Coursework for Xavier University’s Executive MHSA program healthcare management and strategy, finance, revenue cycle, health information systems, quantitative methods, health economics and policy, and a capstone project.
Xavier University is an institution of higher learning that was established in 1831. The school’s urban campus is home to more than 7,000 students, of which 2/3 are undergraduate students.
Highlight Xavier University holds the distinction of being the 6th oldest Catholic institution of higher education in the country.
Degree Health Services Administration, MHSA
11. Louisiana State University – Shreveport
Louisiana State University Shreveport offers a Master of Health Administration (MHA) that is recognized among the most affordable and best online master’s degree programs. The AACSB International – the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accredits LSU Shreveport’s best MHA online programs. LSU Shreveport’s best online MHA programs include a curriculum of ten classes regarding healthcare policy, strategic management, organizational behavior, law and ethics, and economics, to name a few. Students from all over the globe attend LSU Shreveport’s MHA online degree program and apply without any health care experience.
Louisiana State University – Shreveport was established as a junior college in 1967. LSU Shreveport’s urban campus serves more than 8,500 students vying for more than 30 academic degrees offered by the university.
Highlight Louisiana State University operates several museums dedicated to life science and pioneer heritage.
Degree Master of Health Administration
12. Freed Hardeman University
Freed Hardeman University offers an MBA in Healthcare Management that is available entirely online. Students enrolled in Freed Hardeman University’s best MHA online programs complete ten classes in managerial accounting, law, and ethics, strategic decisions, quality management in healthcare, finance, and health information systems, to name a few. Degree candidates enrolled in Freed Hardeman University’s best online MHA programs must complete 30 credit units to graduate. Students have the option of dual enrollment with an MBA degree.
Freed Hardeman University was established in 1869. Freed Hardeman University maintains a religious affiliation to the Churches of Christ. The school’s 90+acre campus in Henderson, TN, is home to nearly 2,000 students.
Highlight Students enrolled in Freed Hardeman University have the opportunity of studying abroad in Belgium in either the Spring or Fall semesters.
Degree Health Care Management, MBA
13. Mercy College
Mercy College of Ohio offers a Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree program that can be completed entirely online. Students enrolled in Mercy College of Ohio’s best MHA online programs are required to complete 39 credit units to graduate, over six semesters. Coursework for Mercy College’s best online MHA programs includes strategic management, US healthcare delivery communication in healthcare, finance, and a culminating practicum experience. Mercy College’s MHA degree program requires no previous experience or a GRE for admission.
Mercy College of Ohio was established as Mercy School of Nursing more than 100 years ago. The school’s urban campuses in Toledo and Youngstown, OH serve more than 1,000 students vying for the many health science degrees offers by Mercy College of Ohio.
Highlight Recently, Mercy College of Ohio and Bowling Green University entered into an academic partnership for students.
Degree Master of Health Administration
14. New England College
New England College offers a Master of Science in Management in Healthcare Administration that can be completed entirely online. New England College’s best MHA online programs include a core curriculum of Organizational Management, Legal Issues in Health Care, Managerial Economics, and a strategic capstone to graduate. Students enrolled in New England College’s best online MHA programs are recognized among the best master’s offered online.
New England College was established as a liberal arts school in 1946. New England College’s rural campus is located about 90 miles to the north and west of downtown Boston. The campus serves about 1,100 undergraduate students, plus another 1,500 graduate students.
Highlight New England College was initially established to educate men and women returning home from WWII on the GI Bill.
Degree Management: Healthcare Administration, MS
15. Suffolk University
Suffolk University’s Sawyer Business School offers a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) degree program that is available to be completed entirely online. Suffolk University’s best MHA online programs have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education – CAHME. Students enrolled in Suffolk University’s best online MHA programs can complete the program in 16 months as a full-time student, or 20 as a part-time student, or 28 months as a student enrolled through the distance learning option.
Suffolk University (SU) is a private institution of higher learning that was established in 1906. The school’s campus in historic Beacon Hill in Boston is home to more than 7,500 students. Many notable politicians and influencers have spoken at Suffolk University – George HW Bush, John F Kennedy, and William Rehnquist.
Highlight The Princeton Review recognizes Suffolk University’s school of business among the top global management programs.
Degree Master of Healthcare Administration
How Do I Choose a Good Online MHA Program?
CAHME accredited online MHA programs are not hard to find. The key is to find an online MHA program that meets the CAHME accreditation requirements and also meets your needs as well. CAHME accreditation is important for several reasons. Online MHA programs that meet the CAHME accreditation requirements will provide you with everything you will need to know to pass the certification test. MHA programs that meet these strict requirements ensure that students who graduate with their degree can apply for top paying positions in Healthcare Administration and have the confidence they need to take on the task. Administrative positions require both managerial and problem-solving skills on a large scale. Individuals who take on these roles must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and be able to work hand in hand with those they manage.
What Can You Do With An MHA?
MHA jobs can be found in many different areas. Long-term care facilities hire Executive Directors to take care of the day to day operations of the business. This includes managing every facet of the facility’s operation from maintaining a budget, working with human resources, dealing with the constant care of patients as well as working hand in hand with medical professionals who provide services to the patients. Having an MHA in Healthcare Administration offers the skills that are necessary for these high-level positions.
Pharmaceutical and other medical/healthcare manufacturing companies are also integral parts of the healthcare system. Earning an MHA degree can adequately prepare graduates for all of the responsibilities they will have to perform as part of their administrative duties. Managing a large-scale medical/healthcare manufacturing operation means ensuring the highest quality products produced under the strictest standards. Online Masters in Healthcare Administration degree programs provide valuable tools and resources that allow you to handle any situation.
Medical offices, urgent care facilities, and hospitals involve hands-on patient care. Earning a Masters degree in Healthcare Administration teaches you how to manage and maintain a constant flow of patients in a fast-paced and upbeat environment. Administrators who work in medical offices may not have to deal with issues associated with long-term care, but office settings present several challenges of their own that need to be addressed quickly and expeditiously. Business management and healthcare protocols are both essential skills for this type of work.
What Kinds of Careers are in Healthcare Administration?
Health administration and hospital administrator jobs are high paying positions that carry massive amounts of responsibility. As an Executive Director or an Administrator, you are responsible for every facet of the company’s operations. The larger the facility, the more responsibility you will have to bear. With an online Masters of Healthcare Administration, you will understand the concepts and protocols that are used to keep any healthcare facility performing as efficiently as possible. With the tools and resources you learn through an MHA degree program, you will be able to effectively manage all operations of the business from day to day.
Administrators who work with Veterans Affairs and healthcare must be able to work within the guidelines that have been passed down by the government. With an MHA degree, you will be able to bring together the healthcare system within the Veterans Administration and other facets of the healthcare system to provide the level of care each patient needs. In some cases, multiple healthcare systems must work together. The skills you learn through a Masters in Healthcare Administration degree program will allow you solve problems and create solutions that are needed to ensure that everyone gets the level of care they need.
Creating new health policy reform and maintaining healthcare ethics are also part of the overall health information system. Healthcare administrators are also expected to play a roll in creating new policies that can be used to create positive changes in the healthcare system. All health information and medical systems involve the strictest protocols when it comes to ethics and standards. A quality Masters in Healthcare Administration teaches the importance of maintaining the highest possible ethical standards.
Carrie Morris
Author
Warren Dahl
Editor-in-Chief