What Is the Master of Health Care Administration (MHA)?

Key takeaways

A master’s degree in health care administration (MHA) can help prepare you for leadership roles in the business side of health care. 

• Demand for health care administration professionals will grow at a rate of 23 percent in the decade leading up to 2034, suggesting ongoing demand and above-average industry growth [1].

• MHA programs typically help you gain a solid foundation in health care management, accounting, public health and other health care-related issues, health care policy and ethics, and health economics.

• You can work in health care administration by earning an MHA or similar degree, which may include a Master of Public Health or a Master of Business Administration. 

Review key facts about an MHA, including what it takes to earn the degree, what you’ll study, the careers you can pursue after graduation, and your MHA salary. Earning your master’s degree can be a valuable investment in your future and a stepping stone along your professional journey. 

What is a Master of Health Care Administration degree?

A Master of Health Care Administration, or MHA, is a master’s degree intended to prepare individuals for managerial and leadership roles in health care administration. The curriculum for this degree program includes aspects of both business (markets, finance, accounting) and health care. 

Careers in health care administration are on the rise, especially at the managerial level. The demand for medical and health service managers is expected to grow by 23 percent between 2024 and 2034, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) [1]. That’s much faster than average. 

How long is a master's degree in health care administration?

On average, a master’s degree takes about two years to finish when you’re able to attend full-time, though some programs can be completed at a faster pace. Other factors that may affect how long it takes you to complete an MHA include how many credits your program requires and the types of courses they offer each semester.

What does an MHA cost?

The cost of earning your MHA will depend on the school you attend, your student status, and whether you learn in person or online. In-person tuition for MHA programs in the US often ranges between $60,000 and $100,000, though some programs may cost more or less [2].

The average total cost for an online MHA at many programs is between $49,000 and $83,000 [2]. It’s worth noting that some programs offer a flat rate for all students, no matter their location. 

What do you learn in an MHA program?

Studying for an MHA involves an advanced curriculum that focuses on furthering your knowledge of health care systems and strengthening your leadership skills. Your coursework will involve a range of administrative, financial, statistical, and health care subjects. The exact coursework will depend on your program. 

Sample courses can include: 

• Foundations of health care management

• Issues in health care

• Introduction to public health

• Financial and managerial accounting

• Health economics 

• Health policy and management 

• Global health systems 

• Managed care and contractual services

• Principles of leadership 

• Public health ethics

Your Master of Health Care Administration program may also expect you to complete a capstone project or internship. Both will allow you to gain real-world experience. Under the guidance of a professor, the placement should provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your skills and knowledge in health care administration.

Residential MHA vs. Executive MHA

Many programs are split into two options: residential MHAs and Executive MHAs. The one you choose will depend on your subject matter knowledge and experience level. 

A residential MHA program is designed for students without much previous health care management experience. In addition to taking coursework, you will complete a residency that should give you additional experience in the field. 

This style of program usually requires more credit hours, with classes offered on campus to fully immerse you in the curriculum. After graduating from your MHA residential program, you may be placed in a fellowship group that can help you transition into your health care career. Not all schools offer this option. 

An executive MHA is designed for those already working in health care administration who want to advance their skills and subject knowledge. These programs are typically offered online or in a hybrid form so that students can continue working while earning their degree. 

This program typically requires fewer credit hours, so you can finish your education quickly. Again, not all schools offer executive programs. 

What are the entry requirements for an MHA?

The entry requirements for an MHA will vary by school, but generally, you must already have a bachelor’s degree, preferably in a related field such as health care administration, health science, health information management, or business. 

If you’re interested in transitioning into health care management and studied a different subject for your undergraduate degree, you may have to complete prerequisite coursework to show you’re ready to keep building on that foundational knowledge. Some schools may also want to see that you have some professional experience. 

A few other common entry requirements for an accredited MHA program include:

• Bachelor’s GPA of at least 3.0 

• GRE test scores 

• Letters of recommendation 

• Official transcripts

• Resume or CV

• Personal statement

What is the typical salary with a master's degree in health care administration?

The average salary for someone with an MHA is $86,000 [3]. The role you ultimately pursue will have an impact on your earning potential.

What can you do with a master’s in health care administration? 

You’ll likely have several career prospects after graduating with your MHA degree. These options range from helping to manage a department within a hospital to managing the entire hospital itself. You can also find administrative positions in nursing home facilities, outpatient surgical centers, and other medical facilities. Most of what you will be doing in health care administration is keeping health care facilities running smoothly; adhering to rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; and ensuring patient care and provider satisfaction. 

*All salary information represents total median salary, which includes base salary plus bonuses, commissions, profit-sharing, and all other forms of additional compensation.

1. Hospital administrator 

As a hospital administrator, you might do a little bit of everything when it comes to managing the operations of a hospital or health care facility. Your duties may include managing staff, working with budgets, monitoring quality assurance, and implementing policies and procedures. 

• Average annual US salary (Glassdoor): $116,000 [4]

2. Clinical director 

As a clinical director, you will focus on improving patient care by training clinical staff members and reviewing patient feedback. You may be in charge of personnel concerns like staffing, training, and scheduling. 

• Average annual US salary (Glassdoor): $111,000 [5]

3. Pharmaceutical executive

While health care administrators usually work in medical facilities, a pharmaceutical executive works for a pharmaceutical company. This role incorporates marketing and management duties as you acquire clients, manage patents, and ensure compliance with laws. 

• Average annual US salary (ZipRecruiter): $93,552 [6]

4. Health services manager 

In this role, you manage a specific department or office, performing duties similar to other health care administration jobs. Health services managers advocate for patient care by liaising between care providers and administrative staff members. 

• Average annual US salary (Glassdoor): $116,000 [7]

Alternative degrees to the MHA

When you’re interested in working in health care administration or exploring a career in the business of health care, you can also earn your Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master of Business Administration (MBA). 

MPH vs. MBA

An MPH program is for those who want to work in an aspect of public health, such as community health, global health, environmental health, and epidemiology. This health care administrator degree also emphasizes leadership skills for advanced careers, but may involve fewer courses in financial management and business. 

It’s still possible to become a health care administrator with an MPH degree, but you may need to round out your education with work experience or take a few electives related to health care leadership. 

An MBA program focuses on business, management, and leadership, and you have the option to concentrate on a subset of that larger subject matter by focusing on health care. In this way, an MBA tends to be a more general degree than an MHA program. But an MBA may be more practical if you’re interested in eventually considering jobs outside the health care industry, such as sales manager, HR manager, or chief operations officer. 

It’s worth noting that full-time MBA programs typically expect you to be a full-time student and not work while earning your degree. However, part-time and online MBA programs allow you to keep working. 

Explore our free resources to prepare for your master’s degree

Whether you’re sharpening your resume or building your skills, our weekly newsletter, Career Chat, can help keep you updated on all the latest information about careers, learning, and emerging technology. Other options to consider checking out include:

• Watch on YouTube: Can You Go to Grad School for a Different Major?

• Learn from a fellow learner: Earning an MBA While Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail: Meet Illinois Tech Student Janie Butler

• Hear from an expert: Reimagining Work and Learning with AI: Expert Insights from Dr. Jules White

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