2023 Best Online Master's Degrees in Healthcare Administration
An online master’s in healthcare administration is designed for students and established clinical and management professionals aspiring to obtain senior-level leadership positions in the healthcare industry. These online programs typically cover topics like healthcare leadership, financial management, and health informatics. Some popular core courses for these programs are Health Law, Introduction to Health Informatics, and Health Care Finance. Importantly, some universities may require students to complete an in-person residency once or twice during the program. In addition, a capstone project or practicum may be required to graduate. Graduates of an online master’s in healthcare administration may go on to careers like healthcare administrator, health information manager, and chief nursing officer.
You may explore similar programs to an online master’s in healthcare administration, including public administration and healthcare administration. You can also view our methodology for more details about our rankings lists or learn more about OnlineU.
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Online Healthcare Administration Master's Degrees You May Be Interested In

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2023 Best Online Master's Degrees in Healthcare Administration
Rank | School | Salary Score | Median Starting Salary |
---|---|---|---|
Northwestern University | $129,419 | ||
Georgetown University | 99 | $114,677 | |
University of Southern California | 99 | $114,239 | |
Loyola University Chicago | 96 | $100,817 | |
Ohio University - Main Campus | 89 | $90,050 | |
Western Governors University | 88 | $89,288 | |
University of Alabama at Birmingham | 88 | $89,298 | |
The George Washington University | 85 | $86,952 | |
University of St. Francis | 85 | $86,658 | |
Norwich University | 84 | $85,565 |
#1 Northwestern University
- Salary Score: 100
- Median Starting Salary: $129,419
- Locations: Evanston (IL)
- Accreditation: HLC
Northwestern University is a private, nonprofit, Christianity-affiliated institution offering an online Master of Science in Health Informatics - Health Administration Informatics that requires 36 credit hours. It can take one year to complete the program. Northwestern’s acceptance rate is 9%, and it has a 95% graduation rate.
At Northwestern, online students complete coursework asynchronously and synchronously through Canvas, a popular learning management system (LMS). A master’s in healthcare administration combines business concepts with healthcare organization and finance. Sample courses are American Health Care System, Introduction to Health Informatics, and Health Analytics Leadership. A capstone or thesis is required for graduation. Future career opportunities for graduates are health insurance managers, clinical supervisors, and healthcare marketing managers.
#2 Georgetown University
- Salary Score: 99
- Median Starting Salary: $114,677
- Locations: Washington D.C.
- Accreditation: MSCHE
Georgetown University is a private, nonprofit, Catholic and Jesuit-affiliated institution that offers an Executive Master's in Clinical Quality, Safety, and Leadership totaling 32 credit hours. The program offers two tracks: (1) Quality and Safety and (2) Human Factors. Full-time students can expect to complete the program within 16 months. The university accepts 17% of applicants, with 94% of Georgetown students graduating.
The school facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning via Canvas. The program dives into healthcare quality and organizational leadership concepts. Sample courses are Quality Improvement Methods, Introduction to Patient Safety and Quality, and Effective Leadership in Healthcare Organizations. A three-day residency on Georgetown’s campus and a capstone are required. Potential career options for graduates are hospital administrators, clinical managers, and health service administrators.
#3 University of Southern California
- Salary Score: 99
- Median Starting Salary: $114,239
- Locations: Los Angeles (CA)
- Accreditation: WSCUC
At the University of Southern California (USC) — a private, nonprofit institution — prospective students can pursue an online Executive Master of Health Administration, which requires 36 credit hours. Full-time students can expect to complete the program within one year. USC’s acceptance rate is 16%, and it has a 93% graduation rate.
USC students complete coursework online that's delivered asynchronously and synchronously through the LMS Canvas. This program is designed for healthcare professionals looking to advance their careers. Some of the program’s courses are Health Information Systems, Managing and Improving Health, and Quality of Care Concepts. Two four-day residencies on USC’s campuses are also required. Graduates may pursue careers like medical and health services managers, directors, and senior managers.
#4 Loyola University Chicago
- Salary Score: 96
- Median Starting Salary: $100,817
- Locations: Chicago (IL)
- Accreditation: HLC
Loyola University Chicago (LUC) is a private, nonprofit, Jesuit Catholic-affiliated institution that offers an online Master of Arts in Health Care Mission Leadership totaling 36 credit hours. Full-time students can potentially finish this program in just one year. The university’s acceptance rate is 71%, with a graduation rate of 73%.
LUC facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning via Sakai. The program’s curriculum prepares students for senior leadership roles in healthcare administration. The program’s courses are Advanced Concepts in Health Systems Management, Fiscal Management in Health Organizations, and Moral Theology for Bioethics. Students must complete a research capstone or practicum to graduate. Prospective careers for graduates include health information managers, pharmaceutical project managers, and nursing home administrators.
#5 Ohio University - Main Campus
- Salary Score: 89
- Median Starting Salary: $90,050
- Locations: Athens (OH)
- Accreditation: HLC
Ohio University - Main Campus (Ohio) is a public institution offering an online Master of Health Administration that totals 36 credit hours. Full-time students can expect to complete the program within one year. The program also offers five specializations students can choose from, including Business Analytics and Leadership. The university accepts 87% of applicants, with 65% graduating.
At Ohio, online students complete coursework asynchronously and synchronously on the LMS Blackboard. A master’s in healthcare administration curriculum is composed of courses to help students become leaders in the healthcare industry. Sample courses are Health Policy, Health Care Finance, and Health Law. Some potential job opportunities available to alumni of the program include clinical supervisors, medical billing managers, and practice administrators.
Online Master of Health Administration (MHA) Degrees
An online Master of Health Administration program gives graduates the opportunity to be at the forefront of the medical research and health care industry; the curriculum provides students with the skills needed to coordinate and run a healthcare services organization. Students examine business management principles as they apply to a healthcare organization, as well as healthcare quality and policy issues.
What are the admissions requirements for an online MHA?
Applicants to online master's in healthcare administration programs need an accredited bachelor’s degree. Most programs accept individuals from a variety of academic backgrounds, though some amount of professional experience in a healthcare setting may be required. Some schools may also require that the applicant have a bachelor's degree in a related field.
Most institutions will require GRE (Graduate Record Exam) or GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test) scores that are less than five years old. Minimum GPA requirements and test scores vary from school to school. In addition to test scores, all schools will require applicants to submit their undergraduate transcripts and some may require letters of recommendation, personal statements, and/or CVs.
Internationally educated students may be required to submit an English language proficiency test and have their international degrees evaluated before admission.
How long does an online MHA take?
These degrees typically take two years to complete; students take 12 to 15 courses. Some schools offer accelerated options which can be completed in fewer than two years. For working students, part-time enrollment is also possible at some schools, allowing them to complete the degree over a longer period of time.
What classes will I take in an online MHA program?
The interdisciplinary curriculum in the Master of Health Administration (MHA) program focuses on management skills, information technology, quality care, and healthcare policy. Management courses touch on topics like decision making, organizational behavior, human resources management, and communication in healthcare organizations. Business classes may include topics such as financial management in healthcare, introduction to microeconomics, statistical reasoning, and strategic planning. These classes prepare students to lead and coordinate the teams of clinical workers in healthcare settings with an understanding of business operations.
MHA students should also expect to take healthcare-related classes such as an introduction to U.S. public health care system, current issues in public health, managed care and health insurance, and more. Other courses in the curriculum will focus on quality care topics like statistics, healthcare monitoring, and ways of maintaining care standards. Health policy courses teach future leaders about the ways in which the healthcare system impacts different groups in society.
Most health administration master’s degrees require an internship, a research project, or both. Internships require work in a hospital, outpatient care facility, or another health center, shadowing an administrator.
What can I do with an online MHA?
Graduates of these types of programs are trained to coordinate with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to run health care facilities such as hospitals, clinics, research facilities, and non-profit organizations, with a focus on medical research and aid.
Many MHA graduates may go on to have careers as medical or health services managers. While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum entry-level requirement for these types of positions, a master’s degree can provide advanced training and better job opportunities. Healthcare administration graduates without professional experience in healthcare management usually begin working as assistant managers or managers of smaller departments. After gaining experience, managers can advance into higher-paying positions.
Professionals with a master of health administration are in high demand; employment opportunities can be found in government, health care, and non-profit sectors. Graduates with experience in the field may find jobs as healthcare consultants, health services managers, clinic managers, facility managers, department or division managers, chief executive officers, or chief operations officers.
Professionals with an MHA degree can also opt to further their studies by getting a doctoral degree within the same or a similar field.
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By OnlineU Staff Writers | 3/22/2023