How Long Does It Take to Complete a Master in Healthcare Administration?
While MHA programs vary in length and scope, a full-time student may be able to complete their degree in about two years. As well, some schools offer part-time programs which may add on a year or so. While the Executive Master of Healthcare Administration programs, often geared for experienced professionals, may be offered at an accelerated pace.
Some schools offer accelerated and one year MHA programs that offer fewer courses, virtual residencies and a compact online schedule.
FUN FACT
Students typically earn a degree in health administration, health management, nursing, public health administration, or business administration to pursue a career as a medical and health services manager. i
General MHA Program Curriculum
Students in Masters in Healthcare Administration (MHA) degree programs may be required to complete about 50 credits though this is a variable. Aside from coursework, students may have to work on a capstone project, thesis and or participate in an internship. While each university is likely to have a unique syllabus, courses often mix the fields of health care and business management. As well, they may address ethical leadership. Some possible areas of study covered in Masters healthcare administration programs are below.
- Finance for health care
- Clinical issues for health services management
- Quality improvement in health care
- Health care marketing
- Health economics
- Health law, regulatory issues, compliance
- Health informatics and technology management
- Human resources and leadership
MHA Degree Concentrations
Some Masters of Health Administration programs go beyond the general course of study and offer specific areas of emphasis. It may add on some time and or credits to your MHA degree but also, more courses that cover your theme.
- Leadership and Organizational Development
- Systems and Policy
MSHA vs MHA Degree
The Master of Science in Healthcare Administration (MSHA), which may also be called a Master of Science in Health Care Management, may help students develop and apply business skills to health care settings. Often, it takes a data driven and analytical approach to measure things like quality and access to health care. Consequently, students may acquire research techniques, and put these to use in a final project.
MS- Healthcare Administration Courses
Some full-time programs require students to complete about 36 credits of coursework which may take about one year, but these are variables. This type of program may have a distinct format from the MHA degree in that students may take core courses, courses for the health care major and electives. Also, they may be able to choose an emphasis is management (e.g. negotiation, consumer behavior) or analytics (e.g. corporate finance, competitive pricing analysis).
MBA in Health Care Administration vs MHA Degree
Master of Business Administration in Health Care Management usually combines the core MBA courses with a concentration in health care management. As a result, it may appeal to students who are interested in the business aspects of health administration. While these topics may be covered in an MHA degree, it may be to a different extent than in an MBA program.
MBA Health Care Administration Courses
MBA programs typically require an ‘MBA core’. These courses usually add a cross-functional sense to the program and may address key management issues. In addition, students then take electives and the courses for their health care major. Core topics may draw from the list below.
- Economics
- Finance
- Cost Accounting
- Management Science
- Organizational Design
- Marketing
- Operations Management
- Governmental and Legal Issues
- Statistics
MPA – Health Administration
There may be overlap between MHA and Master of Public Administration (MPA) in health administration programs. For instance, they both develop leadership and managerial skills specific to health-related organizations. However, its structure is like the MBA.
MPA Health Administration Courses
An MPA program may entail about 36 credits, which a full-time student may be able to complete in about two years. The course of study in an MPA program generally will cover a series of core courses such as public budgeting and public policy. In addition, students may have a graduate project and their courses for the Health Administration major.
What Is the Difference Between Healthcare Management and Healthcare Administration?
While a healthcare administrator may oversee staff, a department or a facility, while a healthcare manager may plan a budget, supervise patient care or meet with a hospital board. Make sure to clarify your career needs so that your Masters Healthcare Administration program mirrors these goals. It is a good idea to consider the type of organization where you would like to work and check whether such enterprises prefer one of the above degrees.
What Might I Do with a Masters in Healthcare Administration ?
Per the BLS, the group of Medical and Health Services Managers spans executives, nursing home administrators, clinical managers, health information managers and assistants.i The variety of possible careers may mean that healthcare managers and healthcare administrators might perform different functions depending on where they work and what services they perform. These healthcare professionals may also receive different training and complete different educational paths.
Per the BLS,
- Employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 17 percent from 2014 to 2024
- The median annual wage for medical and health services managers was $94,500 in May 2015
Top States for Employment: Medical and Health Services Managers| State | Employment | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|
| California | 28,210 | $109,530 |
| New York | 20,140 | $121,420 |
| Texas | 20,080 | $94,520 |
| Ohio | 12,720 | $88,580 |
| Pennsylvania | 12,040 | $83,170 |
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Top Salary Metro Areas in the United States: Medical and Health Services Managers| Metro Area | Annual Mean Salary | Employment |
|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $146,190 | 2,110 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | $145,440 | 520 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | $125,500 | 5,150 |
| Salinas, CA | $124,660 | 260 |
| Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA | $124,130 | 2,300 |
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Continued Education
Some students may go on to earn a PhD in Health Administration or a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Health Care Administration.
What Is the CAHME?
The primary accreditor recognized by the United States Department of Education for MHA degree programs is the Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). While most universities that offer MHA programs are accredited, CAHME-accreditation adds another tier of approval with courses that are designed around industry professional standards and practices.
Top 66 Graduate Schools with Masters in Healthcare Administration Programs
