25 Best Online Master’s in Healthcare Administration

The University of Central Florida is different. From their groundbreaking research to the way they approach education, to the fact that 22% of their students are first-generation college students, UCF breaks the mold by designing their innovative path. Located in Orlando, Florida, and offering more than 220 degree programs from 13 colleges, UCF is committed to excellence in everything they do.

UCF’s online Master of Health Administration will prepare you for a dynamic career in healthcare administration with a focus on healthcare informatics, quality and risk management, and healthcare policy. Required classes include Leadership for Health Care Executives, Health Care Quality, and Financial Accounting for Health Care Managers.

You will be in a dedicated cohort of 30 students and have the opportunity to receive personalized attention while developing a bond with your peers. This program is 44 credit hours with 16-week terms. You can finish this degree in two years. Before applying, you need a minimum of three years of relevant experience in the healthcare setting, as well as a bachelor’s degree in a related field.

Currently, one of the most prestigious public research universities in the nation, the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, focuses not only on research and education but on outreach and diversity. Of the 47,500 students at U of M, 7,212 are international students, and 2,576 students are studying abroad. There are 130 countries represented at U of M!

Ranked as the #2 MHA program in the U.S. is U of M’s Master of Healthcare Administration. This online program provides students with relevant, applicable knowledge and skills for leadership careers in the healthcare setting. This program is a minimum of 42 credits, and for the final project, students will design and present a project about an innovation that they want to introduce to their workplace.  

To qualify for this program, students need strong quantitative and communication skills. Applicants do not need previous healthcare experience, but any relevant experience is still a plus. Applicants do need a GRE score of 300 or a GMAT score of 500, and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in undergraduate work.

Astronaut Neil Armstrong. President and (later) Chief Justice William Taft. The developer of the oral polio vaccine, Albert Sabin. What do these three impactful people have in common? They all graduated from the University of Cincinnati! More than a quarter-million alumni consider themselves Bearcats. UC, founded in 1819, offers its more than 44,000 students solid educational programs and real-world experience.

UC’s Master of Health Administration program is for working professionals to achieve a high-quality, flexible degree online that focuses on the innovative, ever-changing field of leadership in healthcare. By including both academics and practitioners as faculty, UC offers an evidence-based curriculum with diverse and well-rounded instructors for an overall dynamic educational experience.

This two-year online program requires a minimum of 40 credit hours. Students will take classes such as Health Care Finance and Global Health Systems, and they will complete two Capstone courses at the end of their second year. Classes are either in a seven-week or 14-week format. There is no GRE or GMAT required to get into this program. Students need a bachelor’s degree with an overall B average in undergraduate work.

Ohio University, fondly called OHIO and located in beautiful, historical Athens, is officially the state’s oldest university. Established in 1804, OHIO has evolved through the years to what it is today: A University with all 50 states and 108 countries represented among the nearly 23,000 students. Princeton Review has named Ohio University “Best College,” and OHIO consistently ranks in the top 3% of higher education among National University ratings.  

OHIO provides an online Master of Health Administration, aimed toward working healthcare professionals who want to pursue a leadership position in their work setting. As a student in this program, you will be immersed in a learning environment that is both engaging and collaborative. You will be able to work on hands-on educational projects on your own time.

The online MHA consists of 12 three-credit-hour courses that each last seven weeks. You will be able to take one course at a time and still graduate in just two years. Another perk of this program is that the GRE is not required to be accepted. Students need at least a bachelor’s degree and an overall GPA of 3.0 on undergraduate work. In addition, they need at least two years of recent, full-time working experience in the U.S. healthcare system.

Pennsylvania State University, a public research university with its main campus in University Park, consistently ranks among the top one percent of the nation’s universities. With 24 campuses, including an online World Campus, Penn State has over 100,000 students and 17,000 faculty who through research, teaching, and engaging with students, pursue their mission of positive global impact across the world.

Penn State’s 49-credit online Master of Health Administration in health policy in administration is for students who want to combine both of these disciplines in their future careers. The curriculum emphasizes ethical leadership, strong oral and written communication skills, and a solid understanding of the US healthcare system.

This MHA program spans seven semesters, totaling 17 total courses. An online independent research study is required after the coursework is completed. Most students complete this program within 28 months. The students in this program typically have 8-10 years of experience working in healthcare. Applicants must have at least five years of full-time professional work experience in the healthcare setting.

The UNC Tar Heel family is full of traditions and icons like this one: If you take a sip from the Old Well on your first day of classes, you will get good grades! When you are a senior, you can sign your name on the bricks inside the Bell Tower. Polk Place offers a relaxing spot, usually filled with warm sunlight.

UNC-Chapel Hill, the nation’s first public university to award degrees in the 18^th century, currently has 19,117 undergraduate students, 10,894 graduate students, and 3,887 faculty. UNC-Chapel Hill ranks as the third-best public university in the 2020 Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings.

UNC-Chapel Hill offers an executive MHA program that was designed to help students improve their leadership, critical thinking, and decision-making skills in the healthcare setting. UNC-Chapel Hill makes it clear that its program is not easy, nor is it for everyone. Classes are held online in real-time, and they are typically on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings for two hours each.

This 49-credit program is designed to be completed in two years. There are three on-campus sessions per year, so necessary travel is something to keep in mind. All students in the MHA program work full-time. While this program is challenging and requires full commitment, the graduates are proof that it pays off. Currently, there are over 1600 graduates from this program serving in leadership positions all over the globe.  

Since 1839, research and academics have defined the University of Missouri, known by students, alumni, and fans as Mizzou. Mizzou values respect, responsibility, discovery, and excellence, and expects these qualities from its students. With an average freshman ACT score of 26.3, (the national average is 20.8), it is obvious that Mizzou’s values make it the top-ranking university it is.

Mizzou Online, MU’s online school, offers a Master of Health Administration with 42 credits. This degree will help you become an executive leader in your healthcare workplace. While in this program, you will take courses in Financial Management, Health Care Law, Health Informatics, Strategic Planning, and others. Most students finish this program in two years.

While this is an online degree, there are some campus visits required. Some recent graduates of this program have become CEOs, CFOs, directors of supply chain operations, directors of health information management, and other executive leaders in the healthcare field. If you are interested in applying to this program, you will need at least three years of professional experience in health care and, of course, a bachelor’s degree.

As Virginia’s largest public research university, George Mason University, located in Fairfax, serves more than 37,000 students. Diversity and innovation are strengths of GMU, as stated in their mission: “We are an innovative and inclusive academic community committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperous world.” Currently, 130 countries and all 50 states are represented at GMU.

Mason’s 100% online Master of Health Administration prepares future executives for fulfilling and profitable careers in healthcare leadership. The expert faculty deliver this program with an emphasis on healthcare management, effective communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and professionalism. This program requires 47 credit hours, and most students can complete this program in approximately 32 months.

Part of this program involves a week-long visit to the Mason campus in Washington, DC. Students will also visit the Annual Health Policy Institute and Capitol Hill. Most courses are offered in an asynchronous format, so you can work on your own time at your own pace. A field-based capstone project is completed at the end of the final semester.

In 2011, Virginia Commonwealth University men’s basketball team surprised the whole world and made it to the NCAA Final Four. During March Madness, when enthusiastic fans were picking their players and teams for their brackets, VCU wasn’t even on the radar.

Located in Richmond, Virginia, VCU enrolls more than 31,000 students in more than 200 degree programs. VCU is the only school in Virginia to offer degrees in health professions, dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, and nursing. VCU Medical Center is the top hospital in Richmond and one of the top in VA.

VCU’s online Master of Health Administration prepares students for management and leadership positions in the complex healthcare system. This program offers high-quality education that enhances knowledge and develops skills in the field of healthcare leadership. Topics include communication, leadership, professionalism, healthcare environment, and business/analytical skills.

This program consists of 14 courses, which total 41 credit hours. Students must successfully complete a capstone project to graduate with this degree. Full-time and part-time enrollments are available. Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.75 GPA, GRE/GMAT scores at or above the 50^th percentile, at least five years of professional healthcare experience, and currently be employed in the healthcare field.

If you are at the Reynolds-Finley Historical Library at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, you will find a gem on display: 48 letters dating from 1853-1893, a newspaper clipping, and a photograph, all original from Florence Nightingale. With over 22,000 students (representing all 50 states and more than 100 countries), UAB excels in promoting diversity. In fact, they were recognized in 2019 as a Diversity Champion by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

UAB’s executive Master of Science in health administration prepares students for executive leadership positions in the healthcare setting, with particular emphasis on marketing, economics, operations management, strategic management, and epidemiology. While this is an online program, students need to visit the UAB campus four and a half days three times each year to complete the program.

This program can be completed in 24 months with six semesters of fall, spring, and summer classes. Students in this program have the option to pursue a dual degree program with a Master of Science in healthcare quality and safety or add on a graduate certificate in healthcare quality and safety. Each year, UAB enrolls 30-35 students into their program. Applicants for the executive MSHA program must have at least five years of healthcare experience.

A four-year public university with a private college appeal, Minnesota State University Moorhead offers 247 academic programs, including 15 graduate degrees. Some unique majors from this university include East Asian studies, entertainment industries and technology, medical physics, and hearing science. MSU Moorhead also offers banded tuition and costs, meaning that you can take up to 19 credits a semester for the price of just 12.

MSU Moorhead’s MHA is the only MHA degree offered in Minnesota. This online program is for those who have been working in the healthcare field who hope to advance into leadership positions. This program combines the disciplines of healthcare, business, and economics to produce a well-rounded, comprehensive education. With 43 credit hours, which include a two-part capstone project, students can complete this program either on a full-time or part-time basis, which takes either two or three years.

MSU Moorhead’s MHA alumni have a 91 percent job placement rate, and 80 percent work within the healthcare system within three months, while 90 percent work in the healthcare setting within one year of graduating. Applicants need a bachelor’s degree—but it doesn’t have to be in healthcare—and a minimum cumulative GPA of a 3.0.

Founded in 1957, California State University, East Bay has evolved greatly over the years. It has had five presidents and gone by five different names, but its academic excellence had remained unchanged. This public, four-year university in Haywood, CA has an average student enrollment of 15,528. Cal State East Bay is nationally recognized for its exceptionally diverse student body. MONEY Magazine listed Cal State East Bay as one of the most transformative colleges in the nation.

Ranked among the top 25 Best Online Master of Healthcare Administration Degree Programs by The Best Schools is California State, East Bay. This program equips students with the critical thinking skills and knowledge in organizational healthcare design and delivery that they need in order to excel as leaders in the field.

Cal State East Bay’s MSHA is 100% online and includes seven courses of four units and one course of six units. This program is four semesters long, and takes two years to complete. To apply, students need a bachelor’s degree with at least a cumulative GPA of 2.5. Students with a GPA below 2.5 will not be considered for admission. Students also need at least two years of full-time, paid professional experience working in healthcare.

The unique blend of cultures at Louisiana State University, Shreveport, is what sets this university apart from others. Here, you get the small-town feel in a vibrant, metropolis area in northwest Louisiana. LSU Shreveport offers small classes, top-notch educational programs, and outstanding faculty to its approximately 7,036 students. Students can compete in NAIA sports or any of the 70 clubs and organizations offered on campus.

LSU’s Shreveport’s 100% online Master of Health Administration prepares students for management positions in health care. Requiring just ten courses, this program may be completed full-time or part-time, with the possibility of finishing in just ten months. Some of the required courses are Healthcare Human Resource Management, Healthcare Economics, and Healthcare Policy.

LSU Shreveport has four qualifications for admission, ranging from an earned graduate degree to holding a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.5 GPA and a GMAT score of at least a 450. Interested students should meet at least one of the qualifications. The program does not, however, require that students have previous or current professional healthcare experience.

Liberty University, a private Christian school in Lynchburg, Virginia, offers top-quality education in more than 600 programs of study. With 17 colleges (including an online college and a law school), LU equips its (more than) 100,000 students with classroom knowledge and practical experience to prepare them for successful careers upon graduation. LU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

LU’s online Master of Science in healthcare administration degree will give you the management and leadership skills you need to pursue a successful career in healthcare administration. In this program, you will study not only healthcare management but financial models and business skills. Each class is 8-weeks long, and this program is a total of 42 credit hours that can be completed in a year and a half.

With more than ten areas of unique study, you can customize your program to meet your career goals. For example, you may be interested in the financial, human resources, or marketing side of healthcare administration. LU’s MSHA can equip you to obtain the exact skills and knowledge you need. Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

A nationally-ranked academic institution, CMU offers more than 300 programs, including bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees, to its 21,705 students. CMU is among the top five percent of US universities in the highest two Carnegie research classifications.

CMU’s online Master of Health Administration program targets students who want careers in healthcare leadership. This program focuses on healthcare operations, management, finance, and informatics, along with other health administration related topics. This 51 credit hour program trains students to become senior-level hospital administrators, nursing home CEOs, senior department managers, among others.

Students who do not have professional work experience in health administration will be required to complete a 16-week internship at a healthcare institution. Applicants need to have an undergraduate degree with at least a 3.0 GPA and competency in math, statistics, accounting, economics, and written and verbal communication. CMU does not require the GRE, GMAT, or MAT exams to be admitted into this program.

With no electricity, telephones, or a fire alarm system, the University of Southern California opened its doors to 53 students and ten teachers in the 1880s. Today, as one of the world’s leading private research universities, USC, located in Los Angeles, serves more than 44,000 students in both traditional and online classes. USC is ranked 3^rd in health policy and management, according to the 2019 US News & World Report.

USC’s executive Master in Healthcare Administration is designed to transform its students into visionary, transformative, and effective leaders in the ever-evolving healthcare field. This program features five curricular themes in the healthcare industry: innovative leadership, cost-effective care, efficient management and administration, patient safety and care quality, and organizational information systems.

This MHA entails two foundation courses, six core courses, and five capstone courses, totaling 36 credit hours. Students are required to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA in this program, and most students complete this degree in two years. To be eligible for the program, applicants need a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA and at least five years of relevant professional experience.

Open since 1981, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a public medical school in Lubbock, Texas. Its goal is to provide high-quality, inclusive, diverse, student-centered learning to all graduates and undergraduates in their programs. TTUHSC offers 20 degree programs across five discipline areas, all leading to healthcare careers. To date, TTUHC has trained more than 28,000 healthcare professionals who are making a difference in the medical community.

TTUHSC offers a 36-credit hour, fully online, accelerated Master of Science in healthcare administration for healthcare professionals who are seeking the skills and knowledge to become top leaders. The diverse faculty are board-certified healthcare executives, CFOs, physicians, and federal healthcare executives. The top-notch faculty make this program a dynamic learning experience for students.

Students will take 30 hours of core classes and six hours of electives, including Healthcare Research Methods and Statistics, Healthcare Finance, and Medical Sociology. Courses are provided in an accelerated eight-week format, and graduate certificates are also available with this degree. Students need a bachelor’s degree and a minimum GPA of 2.7 to apply for this program, and the GRE exam is not required for admission.

“The whole city is our classroom,” says George Washington University, a private research university in Washington DC. With more than 26,000 students from all 50 states, Washington, DC, and 130 countries, GWU offers an education like no other, straight from the Capitol! Learning comes alive at GWU, and how could it not? Students have the rare opportunity to encounter cultural experiences at world-class institutions.

Ranked #12 on US News and World Reports 2019 report of best graduate schools in healthcare management, Milken Institute School of Public Health at GWU offers an online Master of Health Administration. This program is geared toward driven professionals who are wanting to improve health care delivery while assuming leadership positions.

This MHA program requires 50 credit hours and can be completed part-time or full-time. The curriculum is made up of eight 10-week learning modules. Students are required to attend four real-world immersion experiences, which are held on campus or at selected health care facilities. During the fourth immersion experience, you will present your organizational research project to your peers and a panel of experienced healthcare professionals.

Graduates of Colorado State University Global Campus see an ROI of 4:1, which means for every $1 they invest in their education, they get $4 in salary. As a part of the Colorado State University System, CSU Global is an online nonprofit state school that is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

From the first class of 200 students in 2008 to the current student population of 18,000, CSU has offered and continues to offer quality, flexible academic programs. With their core values of trustworthiness, care, and clarity, as well as the fact that they have not raised their tuition in eight years, it’s easy to see why CSU Global is a number one choice for students wanting to advance their education.

CSU Global’s Master of Healthcare Administration has been recognized nationally as the #2 Best Online Health Administration Master’s by BestHealthDegrees.com. This program includes a concentration in international management, population health, organizational leadership and change management, or project management. With this degree, you will gain a global perspective and a comprehensive awareness of the laws, policies, and issues in the healthcare field.

CSU Global’s MHA program requires 24 credits in core classes and 12 credits in the degree specialization you choose. A healthcare management internship is required at the end of the program. If you are interested in this program, you will need an undergraduate degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. If your GPA is lower than 3.0, you may still be admitted to the program on a provisional status.

Consistently ranked among the nation’s top military-friendly schools, Bellevue University is a nonprofit institution just outside of Omaha, Nebraska. BU believes in and practices their Real Mastery® approach, which helps students not only learn, but master the knowledge and skills required for them to succeed in their future careers. With over 50,000 graduates worldwide, BU excels in providing top-notch, flexible, affordable educational programs to its students.

BU’s online Master of Healthcare Administration prepares professionals who are seeking leadership careers in the healthcare setting, which includes hospitals, medical practices, home health, public health, and long-term care organizations. Integrating hands-on learning with theory, BU’s MHA is designed to give you a flexible, transformative learning experience that will lead you to your future career in healthcare leadership.

This degree is 36 credit hours and includes courses like Leadership and Team Development; Health Information Technology and Administration; and Legal, Ethical, and Compliance Issues. If you are interested in this program, you need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 2.5 on the most 60 recent credits of coursework.

Founded in 1972, the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences is an established academic health center that offers degrees in the health science field. Comprised of five schools, OSU-CHS’s mission is to educate and train scientists, osteopathic physicians, and health care professionals for lucrative and fulfilling careers. Graduate programs offered include forensic science, biomedical sciences, and of course, health care administration.

OSU-CHS offers a Master of Science in health care administration for professionals who want to pursue executive leadership positions in healthcare. This 32-credit hour program includes two concentrations that students choose: leadership/entrepreneurship or administration. A nationally ranked program, OSU-CHS is a great option for students who want a flexible way to expand their careers.

Unlike many other universities, OSU does not require that students have previous healthcare experience. Applicants do, however, need a bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 credit hours of coursework. They also need to write and submit a 1-2 page essay that addresses seven questions regarding their career goals and how the HCA program will help them in the future.

Clarkson College did not begin in 1888 as a college—it began as a nursing school, the first one in Nebraska. Over more than 130 years, the nursing school evolved into Clarkson College, a private, non-profit college in Omaha that offers degrees and certificates in the healthcare field. Because of the smaller community, students at Clarkson receive not only a high-quality education, but one that is personal and catered to them.

Clarkson College offers an online Master in Health Care Administration degree, an accelerated program that is geared towards healthcare professionals who want a career in healthcare administration. This program is 100% online and focuses on diverse leadership strategies that are effective in today’s evolving system. This program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

This MHA program involves 39-45 credit hours and can be completed in four to seven semesters. Courses begin every six weeks, and you will take one course at a time. At the end of the program, you will complete and present a final capstone project that is either a research project or business plan related to the healthcare field. Clarkson makes the application process simple. All you need is a bachelor’s degree and a minimum 3.0 GPA.

The national average for completion rate in higher education is 22.5%. City University of Seattle’s completion rate is more than double that at 55.1%, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education. CityU, a private, nonprofit university in Seattle, offers more than 60 degree and certificate programs in a myriad of subjects. A true global community, CityU partners with institutions in Canada, China, Mexico, Slovakia, Vietnam, and the Czech Republic to offer high-quality, relevant education.

CityU’s online Master of Science in healthcare administration focuses on health administration and management, operational and change management, and strategic planning. This program requires 45 credit hours, which includes 33 credits of core classes, nine credits of electives, and three credits of capstone courses. The capstone requires that students complete a unique, evidence-based project that contributes to the healthcare administration field.

Students and graduates from this program have the opportunity to connect with faculty working in their field, students around the globe, and alumni who are employed at Seattle’s top companies. Students who have completed graduate or doctoral work at other universities may transfer up to 25% of their credits toward this degree but cannot exceed 12 quarter credits.

From vibrant student life to meaningful, Jesuit-centered education, the University of Scranton, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, has a lot to offer. Founded in 1888, US has consistently won national awards for academic excellence and is currently accredited by 16 different agencies. US offers 153 academic programs, including four doctoral degrees, and serves approximately 5,300 students each year. Forbes magazine has ranked Scranton as one of “America’s Best Colleges” for eight years in a row.

An online, Jesuit health leadership program, US’s online Master of Health Administration is designed for healthcare professionals who want to meet the challenges of an evolving system with exceptional leadership, sound knowledge, and critical thinking skills. Two specification options are available with this program: health informatics and global health. This degree requires 44 credit hours, plus a three-credit-hour internship with 150 hours of fieldwork.

This program was one of the first online degrees accredited by the Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). This accreditation ensures appropriate and high-quality content, and membership within a network of professional colleagues. If you are interested in this program, you need a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and three years of relevant work experience. Applicants can apply at any time during the year, as there are six start dates.

From the beginning in 1890 until today, the University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne, has stayed true to its original Catholic and Franciscan beliefs and traditions while providing high-quality education to its students. USF knows the impact of individual mentoring, which is why when you work through any one of their programs, you will also have a success coach who is always available to answer questions and offer support.

USF’s online Master of Health Administration combines the best practices from both business and healthcare, making it a smart degree choice that will lead you to a lucrative career. Each student is assigned an experienced success coach who assists with resources in classes, helps you get in touch with faculty, and connects you with career services.

This 36-credit hour curriculum includes courses in Franciscan Values and Ethics in Business; Healthcare Accounting; and Finance, and Healthcare Law and Compliance. This program has six start dates throughout the year, and courses are offered in eight-week sessions. When attending full-time, you can finish this degree in just twelve months. After applying to this program, a USF enrollment coach will contact and let you know if you need to submit additional documents.