Walden’s online MHA program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education. This coveted designation demonstrates that a degree program prepares students to be highly effective leaders in healthcare management.
A DEGREE ON YOUR TERMS
Our online MHA degree program offers a flexible, competency-based format designed to work around your busy schedule.
MEETS NCHL GUIDELINES
Aligned with NCHL standards, our MHA program combines industry knowledge with practical healthcare leadership competencies.
APPLICABLE LEARNING
Immediately apply new tools and techniques in the workplace to increase your impact and help others be successful, too.
Curriculum and Completion Requirements
In our online MHA program, you’ll deepen your knowledge of financial operations, management, and human resources and explore the trends, regulations, laws, and policies impacting health systems and healthcare organizations today.
Featured MHA Online Courses
In this course, students gain contemporary knowledge of financial and economic principles such as efficiency and value as it relates to health care. The principles of health care financial management, including accounting and finance, are vitally important to the viability and ongoing operations of a healthcare entity. Students have the opportunity to interpret and analyze the financial statements, use and analyze financial ratios, utilize variance analysis, understand and implement operating and capital budgeting, and develop knowledge of the business planning process. Students create portions of a business/financial plan and assess the viability of their plan using accepted financial management tools.
The challenges of the changing healthcare environment from a volume-based to a value-based focus require healthcare administrators to examine forces that affect organization business and operational performance and patient care outcomes. In this course, students examine the forces and trends that affect performance outcomes within healthcare organizations and analyze how high reliability healthcare organizations model and implement sustainable operations management practices. Students assess and apply how changes in healthcare organization structure, logistics, and supply chains can result in positive patient care outcomes and explore evidence-based management practice models to promote and implement performance excellence standards in various healthcare settings.
The rapidly evolving health care system presents the health care administrator with complex challenges and risks. Health care administrators must possess the skills needed to assess federal, state, and local health care policies that frame the delivery of health care services. In this course, students assess and discuss key legal and ethical initiatives from diverse perspectives. Course work focuses on required knowledge of health care laws, policies, and regulations enacted by policymakers and regulatory agencies that impact health care. This also includes comprehensive health care reform issues impacting and influencing the role of the health care administrator. To help frame these concepts, students examine and analyze the ethical underpinnings and principles that health care organizations and administrators observe and follow in the delivery of services to patients.
Students in this course are introduced to the basis for quality and patient safety and are provided an overview of healthcare quality, methods of assessing quality, and techniques for improving quality. They can learn key terminology and concepts, including defining quality care; measuring quality in terms of the structure-process-outcomes model; distinguishing between clinical and customer service quality; identifying techniques to avoid adverse clinical events; and exploring customer service quality in terms of defining, measuring, and improving patient satisfaction. Students also explore and discuss the roles of governmental agencies in promoting and reporting quality information regarding hospitals and other health organizations, accrediting bodies, and recent performance initiatives of government and private payers. They apply course concepts to current issues of improving clinical and service quality in healthcare organizations, with special consideration of the 5 Million Lives Campaign—a national effort initiated by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement designed to improve medical care in the United States.
In this course, students investigate and analyze the changing landscape of the health care environment and the factors affecting leadership in health care administration. Students consider stakeholders in a variety of settings to establish a framework for scholarly investigation of effective strategies for healthcare administrators in practice. Particular emphasis will include the importance of collaboration, critical thinking, communication, and diversity. Strategies include professional leadership behaviors that enable effective positive social change, such as setting goals and managing time, as well as the attitudes and motivation required for success as a healthcare manager, administrator, and leader. Students create an individualized professional development plan and develop the core competencies needed for success within an online learning environment.
Admissions
You’ll work one-on-one with an Enrollment Specialist who’ll guide you through every step—from finding the right program to funding your education.
Streamlined Admissions Process
Earning your Master of Healthcare Administration online is a big decision, which is why we’ve streamlined and simplified the admissions process. Start your journey with:
No application fee
Easy credit transfer
No essay
Program Admission Considerations: A bachelor's degree or higher.
General Admission Requirements: Completed online application and transcripts. Please note that the materials you are required to submit may vary depending on the academic program to which you apply. More information for international applicants.
Tuition Breakdown
Cost is important when you’re exploring online MHA degree programs. That’s why Walden offers several opportunities to reduce your tuition, including:
Experience-based credits
Special tuition savings
Believe & Achieve Scholarship®
Stay Inspired. Stay on Track. Save Money.
Discover progress-based savings that inspire you to stay on track to graduation.
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 53 quarter credit hours | $535 per quarter hour | $28,355 |
| Program Fee | Per quarter | $180 | $1,080 |
$29,435** | |||
| BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP YOUR TUITION | -$5,350 | ||
*Represents the course-based learning format, General Program, minimum time to completion, and Believe & Achieve Scholarship. Your actual total program time and costs may vary. Believe & Achieve Scholarship savings based on current tuition. See Scholarship Details for more information.
**Tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition reductions. Walden may accept up to 25 transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 855-646-5286.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost between $1,000 and $1,400.
Progress at Your Pace. Control Your Cost.
Walden’s Tempo Learning® programs follow a subscription-based pricing format. Students are billed a flat-rate for each three-month subscription term. All pricing is represented in U.S. dollars and is subject to change.
| Program | Subscription Period Tuition | Subscription Period PROGRAM Fee | Subscription Period Time Frame |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) | $3,100 | $180 | 3-month subscription period |
| You may be able to complete your Master of Healthcare Administration degree in 22 months for under $23,000.* | |||
*Represents Tempo Learning® format, Believe & Achieve Scholarship, and the fastest pace of our top 25% transfer students in this program in the Tempo Learning® format. Your actual total program time and costs will depend on your individual pace and transfer credits. A student’s pace is usually determined by their experience, ability to work independently, and availability. Believe & Achieve Scholarship savings based on current tuition. See Scholarship Details for more information.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available for this program. Our financial aid advisors can help you identify funding opportunities to help you pay for your education.
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | AMOUNT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 68 quarter credit hours | $535 per quarter hour | $36,380 |
| Program Fee | Per quarter | $180 | $1,260 |
$37,640** | |||
| BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP YOUR TUITION | -$5,350 | ||
*Represents the course-based learning format, specialization, minimum time to completion, and Believe & Achieve Scholarship. Your actual total program time and costs may vary. Believe & Achieve Scholarship savings based on current tuition. See Scholarship Details for more information.
**Tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition reductions. Walden may accept up to 25 transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 855-646-5286.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost between $1,000 and $1,400.
Go at Your Own Pace
You have a unique learning style—and a unique schedule. That’s why Walden offers you more than one way to learn.
*Your actual total program time and costs may vary. Tuition and fees are subject to change. See Scholarship Details for more information.
Career Opportunities
Medical and Health Service Managers
28% Expected Growth1
$64,100–$143,200 Estimated annual wage1
1Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2022)
No guarantee is made that a person who enrolls in the (include applicable program) program will obtain a job or will earn the stated salaries. Wage estimates are based on the 10th - 75th percentile.
Learning Outcomes
All MHA online graduates will be prepared to:
Utilize effective oral and written communication strategies as productive healthcare administrators.
Analyze the components of effective healthcare delivery for diverse populations in the United States.
Assess the effect of delivery of care on patient outcomes and equity for healthcare organizations.
Analyze the impact of environmental factors on healthcare operations management.
Assess the impact of emerging trends and innovation on healthcare organization’s performance.
Apply critical thinking to solve healthcare administration challenges in considering the social determinants of health framework.
Appraise strategic practices on achieving sustainable competitive advantage for healthcare organizations.
Evaluate the role of healthcare administrators in improving health outcomes through facilitating social change.
Meet Your Academic Team
Our dedicated Master of Healthcare Administration program faculty bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the classroom every day.
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Online MHA Degree FAQ
Healthcare administrators have a wide range of duties that require skills and experience across many disciplines, including:
- Finance: Healthcare administrators manage facility budgets, including payroll, the purchase of new medical devices, and even budgeting for expanded locations. They are responsible for controlling labor costs and ensuring all areas of need are met within the allocated budget.
- Human Resources: A critical component of any healthcare organization is having solid human resources practices. This includes hiring the right people, evaluating staffing needs, and making sure all roles are filled to provide necessary patient care.
- Compliance: Maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local laws is essential for all healthcare organizations—otherwise, they risk significant financial penalties. Compliance for billing, occupational safety and health, and privacy and security can all fall within the duties of a healthcare administrator.
With an MHA, you can make a meaningful impact on the lives of patients, doctors, and other staff members in a healthcare organization. People with a master’s in healthcare administration can help guide life-saving research, improve hospital safety, and lead public health policy.
In terms of what you will learn, MHA online coursework covers topics such as health policy, population health, marketing management, business communications, healthcare quality management, and much more. Once you complete your degree, you’ll have the knowledge and leadership skills you need to be an effective healthcare administrator.
The job outlook for Medical and Health Services Mangers is strong. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these occupations have an expected 28% growth rate from 2022 to 2032—much faster than the average for all occupations.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook
Having an advanced healthcare administration degree may be a job requirement for some positions. Some potential employment settings for someone with an MHA include:
- Hospitals—state, local, and private
- Physician offices
- Nursing and residential care facilities
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Work environment
As an MHA student at Walden, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with students and faculty from diverse locations and backgrounds. This leads to an energetic exchange of ideas, opinions, perspectives, and experiences. There are three key features of online learning at Walden:
- Flexible Scheduling: Our online learning model is designed to fit your busy schedule. This means you can participate in classes on a weekly basis, whenever it’s convenient for you.
- Assessment and Evaluation: Tests are delivered online and are typically scored when you finish, which provides you with immediate feedback. Papers and projects are submitted through a drop box.
- Student Support: Our student support team guides you through the online learning experience, including providing a Student Readiness Orientation to help you get ready for your first course.
When it comes to finding the best academic institution for you, reputation is key. Walden University is a pioneer in distance learning and has been supporting the educational needs of working professionals for more than 50 years.
Accreditation should also be key in your decision-making. Walden’s Master of Healthcare Administration online program (MHA) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAMHE). CAHME is the only organization recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation to grant accreditation to individual academic programs offering a graduate degree in healthcare management.
For additional information, visit the CAHME website or call 301-298-1820.
Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
PO Box 911
Spring House, PA 19477
Perhaps you’re wondering whether you really need a healthcare administration degree to succeed in healthcare, or if an advanced business degree just as good. Healthcare is significantly different from other industries. It has its own reimbursement mechanism, which is based on third-party payers, its own ethics issues, including life-and-death issues, and its own policy issues, with specific government regulations.
An MBA program will likely have courses on leadership, marketing, managerial finance, communication, and other subjects designed to help you become a business manager or consultant. You can also specialize in specific areas such as human resource management or project management. Some of the top MBA programs even offer a healthcare management specialization—but that specialization still requires you to take core business courses.
All courses taken in an online MHA program should be about issues related to healthcare. Typical courses include Healthcare Finance; Law, Ethics, and Policy in Healthcare Administration; Healthcare Operations; and Healthcare Quality Management. In other words, MHA courses should be designed to give you an in-depth understanding of the business of healthcare, while MBA courses take a broader approach to business.