Skip to content

Online Master of Health Administration

Healthcare is serious business. Learn to manage it.

Download Program Brochure

Download Program Brochure

This will only take a minute.

attributes->id; $remove = array("-"); $form_id_sanitized = str_replace($remove, "_", $form_id); $process_type = ($form->options->process_type && $form->options->process_type != "" ? $form->options->process_type : "ajax"); $action = ($form->attributes->action ? $form->attributes->action : "/wp-content/plugins/ckg-lead-form/form_send.php"); $method = ($form->attributes->method ? $form->attributes->method : "post"); $submit_button_id = $form->options->submit_button_id; $js_init = $js['init']; $js_step_success = $js['step_success']; $js_form_success = $js['form_success']; $validation_rules = $js['rules_string']; $validation_messages = $js['messages_string']; ?>

Which concentration most interests you?

Complete the form below to download your free program brochure.

We value your privacy

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that healthcare will be among the fastest-growing industries in our economy — adding more jobs than any other industry from 2014 to 2024. It’s big business, and if your goal is to advance within this ever-growing field, a graduate degree can provide the edge you need to get ahead. Choose Maryville University's 100% online Master of Health Administration, and you can gain the specialized expertise to grow as a well-rounded, decisive organizational leader. You can also tailor your studies to align with your career goals by choosing one of four concentrations, or choose the general MHA degree.

One degree. Many options.

Online MHA at a glance

    • No GMAT, GRE, or application fee
    • 100% online curriculum
    • 3 starts per year (Spring, Summer, and Fall)
  • 4 concentrations offered
  • Collaborative learning environment
  • Graduate in as few as 2 years

Why choose Maryville for your Master of Health Administration?

Health administrators must be well-versed in a broad range of disciplines: human resources, healthcare delivery, finance, ethics, and health policy, just to name a few. That’s why our online MHA looks at health administration from multiple perspectives — imparting the knowledge you need to run a successful healthcare organization.

Our forward-thinking MHA is designed for busy professionals.

Our forward-thinking MHA is designed for busy professionals.
  • Experience an interactive and collaborative online learning environment.
  • Learn from a faculty of active industry practitioners and accomplished scholars.
  • Participate in discussions with other healthcare professionals and executives.
  • Benefit from coursework that reflects the changing landscape of healthcare.
  • Immediately apply what you’re learning to real-world healthcare challenges.
  • Expand your network as you build relationships throughout your coursework.

Additionally, your online degree will carry the accreditation of a university respected worldwide for its quality, value, and affordability. We’ve spent more than 140 years building a reputation for excellence. Now, let us help build yours.

Put our reputation to work for you.

Put our reputation to work for you.
  • Listed among the "Best National Universities"" for 2017 by U.S. News & World Report
  • Listed as a "Best College Values 2017" school by Kiplinger's
  • Recognized as a Military Friendly School by Victory Media
  • Ranked as a Forbes "Top College"

Healthcare administration: Industry outlook

A Master of Health Administration puts you in an excellent position to find a place in a rapidly growing field where career possibilities are wide and varied. Industry data reveals that:

  • Healthcare represents nearly 9% of total national employment.
  • In 2016, the median pay for healthcare administrators was $96,540.
  • Overall job growth for medical and health services managers is projected to be 17% from 2014 to 2024 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
  • Hospitals, physician’s offices, nursing and residential care facilities, government, and home healthcare services are among the top five health administrator employers.

Top jobs for MHA graduates

Careers in health administration offer excellent opportunities for advancement and increased earning potential. Earn your MHA online from Maryville, and you can build a solid foundation for growth in positions like these:

Hospital Administrator

23%

growth rate from 2014 to 2024


Median salary of

$114,000

per year

Nursing Home Administrator

17%

growth rate from 2014 to 2024


Median salary of

$106,868

per year

Medical and Health Services Manager

17%

growth rate from 2014 to 2024


Median salary of

$102,280

per year

Note: Job growth and salary data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CNNMoney, and PayScale

Online MHA curriculum: Designed for you

Coursework for Maryville’s online MHA is structured to align with the 10 key knowledge areas from the American College of Healthcare Executives. You can complete the entire program 100% online in as few as two years.

Foundation Courses

MHA 610 Healthcare industry and Its Impact on Healthcare Management
(3 credits) The course provides an extensive overview of leadership in the U.S. health services system. The focus of the course will be on the role health services leadership plays in the delivery of healthcare services, including financial management, services utilization, regulatory compliance issues, etc. The student will explore the key theoretical and practical elements of leadership as well as current issues clarifying how the U.S. health services system is organized, managed, and financed.
MHA 615 Healthcare Operations
(3 credits) In this course, students examine operational concepts related to delivering quality, consistent and cost-effective patient care across the healthcare system. Students gain an understanding of the major functions of operations management, governance and organizational structures. The course will address specific concepts related to understanding how to perform an operational assessment; taking a systems perspective on the organization and delivery of services; identifying problems and improvement opportunities using analytical techniques; and monitoring performance data to identify trends and variation based on current operations and those resulting from changes and improvements.

Core Courses

(3 credits) In this course, students will be exposed to management principles of healthcare quality and the origin, distribution and control of disease. Theories of health behavior relevant to individual and community health promotion program planning will also be explored. Students will examine formal and informal programs and strategies used to enhance the healthcare provider’s performance, quality outcomes, and patient satisfaction.
(3 credits) This course provides explores the fundamentals of information technology in the healthcare industry. It includes an exploration of how information technology supports clinical services, quality improvement, and administrative functions in health services organizations.
(3 credits) This course provides a systematic application of the principles of organizational behavior to understanding professional roles in health services organizations. Students will explore governance theory and structures in a healthcare setting, medical staff structures and its relationship to facility operation (credentialing, privileging, and disciplinary processes). Students will also examine topics in human resources including recruiting, hiring, compensation, incentives, and performance-based evaluations.
(3 credits) Quality and performance improvement is critical to the success of every healthcare organization. Students will explore quality improvement techniques with an emphasis on the roles of patient and health professional in improving healthcare delivery, outcomes tracking, analysis, and impact on practice performance and patient care. Specific topics include clinical care, patient safety, waste and cost reduction and delivery of the most cost-effective care possible.
(3 credits) Students will examine legal and regulatory compliance strategies from the business perspective of health administration. Course concepts include: licensing, certification, and accreditation requirements of health care professionals; healthcare-related criminal law and torts, consent, legal reporting, and professional liability, as well as federal and state statutes and regulations and specific mandates. Business considerations related to privacy and security standards related to HIPAA, requirements and implementing management software, will be discussed. Students will also examine basic ethical frameworks and understand how these constructs can assist health management professionals dealing with current medical ethics and related business ethics issues.
(3 credits) This course applies financial principles to management within various organizations in the healthcare industry. Topics include resource allocation, cost analysis, budgeting and funding sources. Students will learn how financial decisions are made, reported, and implemented in health care organizations.

Concentrations

Choose from four concentrations or opt for the general MHA degree by choosing any two courses from the concentrations listed below.

Healthcare Strategies

(3 credits) This course examines the theory, concepts, skills, and principles of marketing applied to health related organizations and networks. Students will analyze marketing theories and methodologies applied to health care marketing, consumer decision making about health, and marketing research techniques. Emphasis is placed on the effective use of social media and digital marketing techniques in healthcare. The course will culminate with the development of a strategic marketing plan for a healthcare product or service.
(3 credits) This course provides a holistic review of the application of economics and policy-making process to the roles of markets and government in health care. Students will explore the concepts used by economists to analyze health outcomes, health behaviors, health care markets, health insurance markets, and the role of government.

Data Management

(3 credits) Big data is driving changes in healthcare industry. In this course, students will look at the types of available healthcare data, as well as different types of analytic tools to help make meaningful decisions regarding operations and management, quality, performance improvement, outcomes assessment and marketing. It builds upon previous knowledge of basic statistics and analytics, concepts, and tools by applying them specifically to the health care system.
(3 credits) This course provides an in-depth multi-disciplinary analysis of the strategic management of information technology in healthcare organizations. Specific topics include: electronic health records, health information exchange, the impact of information technology on quality of care and patient safety. Students will focus on information system acquisition and the implementation process including assessing the need for information technology, cost analysis and justification, Request for Proposal (RFP) process and implementation.

Senior Services

MHA 680 Introduction to Gerontology
(3 credits) This course provides a multidisciplinary perspective of the biological, psychological and sociocultural aspects of aging. An overview of the issues that significantly impact the older adult, their family and society is presented. The demographics profile of America’s older adult serves as a basis for explaining issues related to physical and mental health changes, role transitions, care and living arrangements, and the role of the older adult in our society.
MHA 681 Assisted Living/Senior Services Management
(3 credits) This course provides an overview of the senior services industry and the different forms of senior health care and living services. Students will learn about the day-to-day management of assisted-living communities, including resident care, operations, finance and budgeting, human resources and staffing, and successful marketing and community relations. Students will also examine the future of the industry and approaches to creating next generation of assisted-living services.

Population Management

(3 credits) This course focuses on core epidemiological concepts including measures of occurrence of health events and methods of data collection. Students will explore practical applications of epidemiology to health services planning, quality monitoring, planning, policy development, system development, finance, and underwriting.
(3 credits) This course provides an overview of the organization and structure of community health agencies and their role in population health management. It explores political, social, environmental, economic and biological factors that determine health outcomes across populations. Students will examine various strategies to promote health, prevent disease and prolong life among populations and communities, including policy change, mass media approaches, and community-based interventions. Students will also examine the role of national and global governance in public health.

Capstone

(3 credits) This class will prepare students to practice ethical leadership in a healthcare setting. Students will examine identifying, monitoring and maintaining codes of professional conduct and procedures to ensure needs of staff are met. Students will also focus on understanding the implications of ethical decisions, providing procedures to monitor the standards of behavior and accountability procedures.
(3 credits) As the culminating course in the MHA program, students will review the business and leadership fundamentals of healthcare administration plus further examination of the compelling issues defining the industry today and in the future. Through integration and application of prior course work, students will to develop a strategic plan for a health services organization.

Enrolling in the online MHA: Admission requirements

The following criteria are considered during the admission process for the Master of Health Administration:

International Admission Requirements

*Low sub-scores may disqualify a student. Test dates must be within 5 years of application.