Explore Online MHA Programs – Masters in Healthcare Administration

With the emergence of online masters in healthcare administration (MHA) and an increasing need for healthcare administrators, more and more public health and healthcare professionals are going back to get their MHA degree. The field is growing at a higher rate compared to other fields – especially with an expected growth rate of 23% between now and 2034 for medical and health services managers (BLS, May 2024). This large of an expected growth increase may provide many opportunities for those looking to change careers or those looking to take on leadership roles within their healthcare organization.

For those currently working in the field, online MHA programs are a great option for many reasons, such as having more flexibility and the opportunity to continue working while taking classes.

Read on to view some available online masters in health administration programs or click on the jump links to view more information about online MHA degrees.

• What to Expect from an MHA Degree Online – Courses and Outcomes?
• How Long Does It Take to Complete an MHA Degree Online?
• Online Masters in Health Administration Requirements
• Why Are There Online MHA Programs That Don’t Require GRE?
• Why Is CAHME Accreditation Important for MHA Programs?
• Is Healthcare Administration a Good Career Choice?

What to Expect from an MHA Degree Online – Courses and Outcomes?

The curriculum and requirements will be very similar to that of a traditional MHA degree. Depending on the online MHA program, courses will either be asynchronous, self-paced, with pre-recorded lectures, or synchronous, with set days and times for live lectures and class discussions. However, regardless of course format, the outcomes across online MHA programs should be extremely similar.

Students and working professionals who earn an online MHA degree will be prepared to assume greater responsibilities in healthcare management, make informed decisions about policies that affect diverse populations and healthcare organizations, and lead human resources, among many other things.

How Long Does It Take to Complete an MHA Degree Online?

A student’s commitment to the program can greatly influence how long it takes to complete the MHA degree online. If a student has the availability to attend full-time, a student can complete their MHA degree between 18 and 24 months, compared to part-time programs that may take up to 3 years to complete.

Online Masters in Health Administration Requirements

The admissions requirements for an online MHA degree are usually consistent with on-campus MHA program requirements. This includes having a bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA, a resume/CV, personal statement, transcripts and letters of recommendation. Some programs may require GRE scores, but most programs require previous work experience.

Work experience is increasingly replacing the GRE requirement for online MHA programs. Many programs now require at least 3 years of relevant work experience in healthcare or management. However, it is also important to review admission requirements, as some schools require applicants to be currently working in the health sector to be admitted to the online MHA degree program.

Why Are There Online MHA Programs That Don’t Require GRE?

Depending on the school, some programs don’t require GRE scores to be submitted when applying, for example, all eight online MHA programs listed above do not require GRE scores. There are multiple reasons for this, including the possibility of stricter requirements, such as having a higher cumulative GPA requirement or needing to have multiple letters of recommendation. Another reason online MHA programs may not require GRE scores is that they require applicants to have a specified number of years of work experience in the healthcare field, which demonstrates their commitment to the program and the field.

The benefits of attending a program that does not require GRE scores include saving money on the exam and exam prep, saving time on preparation, and having more time to focus on other documents or the personal statement because there is less workload before applying.

Why is CAHME Accreditation Important for MHA Programs?

CAHME Accreditation is an important factor when reviewing MHA programs and should be considered when applying for multiple reasons.

Authority of CAHME and Rigorous Process of Accreditation

While there is more than one accrediting authority, the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) is the only organization recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to grant accreditation to individual graduate-level academic programs in healthcare management. Because of this recognition, CAHME has a rigorous process when it comes to granting accreditation for a program and can take years before the program becomes accredited due to the lengthy process.

In order for the program to become accredited, they must meet all 11 eligibility requirements. Once eligible, programs are evaluated against CAHME’s core criteria areas, including:

1. Program mission, values, vision, goals, and support
2. Students and graduates
3. Curriculum
4. Faculty teaching, scholarship, and service

Together, these requirements and criteria help set a consistent benchmark for quality in graduate healthcare management education.

High Quality Education for Students

CAHME-accredited MHA programs guarantee students a high-quality education through appropriate, up-to-date content that aligns with competencies and current industry standards. This allows students to know, before beginning the program, that they are receiving the best education possible.

In addition to the quality of education, students benefit from attending a CAHME accredited program by having access to post graduate fellowship programs that accept students only from CAHME accredited programs, access to scholarships that are only available to students attending an accredited program, access to select case competitions, and the option to apply to jobs where employers only interview students who have graduated from a CAHME accredited program.

Competent Candidates for Employers

With many health administration programs available and the field becoming increasingly popular, it has become difficult for employers to know who the best candidate for the job is.

CAHME accreditation allows employers to know that graduates from these select programs have been trained on industry based competencies and are skilled, competent, and ready to be leaders in the field. Plus, CAHME-accredited MHA programs promote continuous quality improvement in the preparation of future healthcare leaders, meaning employees have a greater likelihood of success and employers who hire these graduates create the best return on their investment.

In the end, attending a CAHME-accredited program will help students set themselves apart from others in the industry.

Is Healthcare Administration a Good Career?

Similar to online MPH programs, online masters in health administration degrees provide an opportunity to work for a wide range of healthcare organizations since the field is extremely diverse in nature. Professionals in the healthcare administration field have the potential to work in management, financial planning, or even federal regulatory compliance and be top-level managers, analysts, and planners to contribute to better operating facilities.

Example job titles are:

• Clinical Director
• Health and Social Service Manager
• Program Manager
• Medical Records Manager

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for Medical and Health Services Manager positions (positions often requiring an MHA or similar degree) are expected to grow 23% between 2024-2034. Additionally, the BLS states that in 2024 the median annual wage for these positions was about $117,960 in the US, which makes this role one of the highest-paid public health jobs.