Can I Earn an Online Master's in Hospital Administration?

The short answer is yes!

Hospital administrators run the business side of healthcare entities. The job titles of these professionals range from the hospital administrator, medical services manager, and healthcare executive, but the primary responsibilities remain mostly the same. Whether hospital administrators work at a healthcare network, a large medical facility, a specific clinical department, a private practice, or a group of physicians, their primary role is to lead the business side of healthcare.

Hospital administrator responsibilities include strategic outlook, operational efficiencies, and regulatory compliance so that providers can focus on giving patients the absolute best care possible.

As online education races to meet growing real-world demand for healthcare leaders, earning an online master’s in hospital administration has never been more accessible, and the programs have never been better. Students can earn two primary degrees online to obtain a graduate-level education in hospital administration: the master of healthcare administration (MHA) and the master of business administration (MBA) with a healthcare specialization.

While the admissions criteria and professional opportunities are similar for MHA and MBA programs, the primary factor when choosing one or the other is the emphasis on the healthcare industry. As a result, MHA graduates learn every nuance of the nexus between healthcare and business and put it into practice as soon as possible. In contrast, MBA graduates learn the theory and skills necessary to translate crosscutting business knowledge to various fields.

Those interested in consulting, advising, or starting a company related to the healthcare industry can opt for an MBA healthcare program. Those interested in the operations of public and private healthcare organizations can enroll in an MHA program. Simply put, an MHA is well-suited for those who are committed to a career in healthcare, and an MBA is optimal for business leaders who want to learn more about and interact with the healthcare industry more indirectly.

As Baby Boomers begin to retire, all healthcare jobs are expected to grow 16 percent in the next decade, a rate much faster than average in the United States according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2021). By comparison, the BLS predicts careers in healthcare management will be doubly in-demand, growing at a rate of 32 percent in the same period (BLS 2021). In fact, between 2020 and 2030, healthcare facilities will need an estimated 139,600 medical and health services managers nationwide.

Additionally, CNN ranked hospital administration as one of the top ten careers in the United States according to personal satisfaction and benefit to society. Most entry-level positions require a bachelor’s degree, but having an MHA or MBA degree gives applicants a boost in qualifications, networking, and experience levels. Many of the programs featured in this article don’t require the GMAT or GRE and are designed for working professionals with no previous experience in healthcare and want to complete a degree online while working full-time.

Overall, earning a master’s in hospital administration can put professionals at the top of the stack of resumes in a market hungry for leadership talent.

Featured Hospital Administration Programs
Arizona State University Master of International Health Management (MIHM) - Hospital Management Track View Full Profile
Wake Forest University Master of Health Administration (MHA) View Full Profile
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Master of Arts in Healthcare Administration View Full Profile
George Mason University MHA in Health Systems Management - Executive Concentration View Full Profile
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Hospital Administration: Online MHA Programs

When pursuing an online MHA, the curriculum will cover all the fundamental areas of graduate-level business—from finance to accounting, policy, marketing, and management. In addition, MHA students will work through case studies, projects, and presentations related to the healthcare industry. While the underlying concepts can be applied to other fields, graduates of an MHA program will hit the ground running, ready to not only work but lead in the healthcare industry.

These programs often connect students with working professionals in the field and offer practical experience and immersive projects so that graduates can quickly transition into leadership positions. For example, students who pursue an online master of healthcare administration are committed to working in the healthcare industry and have a broad range of professional backgrounds as healthcare providers, financial analysts, consultants, lawyers, or business executives.

Read on to explore six accredited online MHA programs.

Hospital Administration: Online MBA Programs with Healthcare Specializations

Online MBA programs with a specialization in healthcare hone in on all components of business, management, and leadership. Students will take many graduate-level business classes—such as finance, economics, marketing, strategy, and information systems—as well as a handful of healthcare-specific classes so that they can apply the knowledge they learned throughout the curriculum to the healthcare industry.

With a healthcare MBA, professionals of all kinds, such as business consultants, financial analysts, entrepreneurs, managers, and marketing professionals, can gain a high-level education that prepares them for the business side of the country’s largest industry and second-largest employer.

Read on to explore six accredited online MBA programs with healthcare specializations.

Rachel Drummond, MEd
Rachel Drummond, MEd
Writer

As a contributor on MHAOnline, Rachel Drummond has brought her expertise in education and mindfulness to the healthcare management field since 2019. She writes about integrating innovation into healthcare administration, emphasizing the importance of mental and physical well-being for effective leadership and decision-making in the fast-paced world of healthcare management.

Rachel is a writer, educator, and coach from Oregon. She has a master’s degree in education (MEd) and has over 15 years of experience teaching English, public speaking, and mindfulness to international audiences in the United States, Japan, and Spain. She writes about the mind-body benefits of contemplative movement practices like yoga on her blog, inviting people to prioritize their unique version of well-being and empowering everyone to live healthier and more balanced lives.

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