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Articles > Healthcare聽>聽What is a Master of Health Administration?

What is a Master of Health Administration?

Jonathan W. Crowell

Written by聽Jonathan W. Crowell

Mark Johannsson, Dean of the College of Health Professions

Reviewed by聽Mark J贸hannsson, DHSc, MPH,聽Dean, College of Health Professions

a cap and diploma on a clipboard next to a stethoscope to signify master of health administration

A Master of Health Administration (MHA) encompasses more than you might think when it comes to skills and experience. Let鈥檚 take a closer look at what鈥檚 involved in this degree program.

Why pursue a Master of Health Administration?

Pursuing a Master of Health Administration can help prepare healthcare professionals with foundational knowledge to transition into leadership and management positions. Skills learned in a Master of Health Administration program may include management, data analysis, policy enforcement, accounting and more.

What is health administration?

Health administration involves managing the day-to-day functions of medical facilities like hospitals or clinics. Duties encompass multiple aspects of facility operations, including budgeting and financial oversight, allocation of resources, implementation of quality improvement initiatives, and patient safety. Health administrators manage the administrative tasks that enable high-quality care, while physicians and nurses concentrate on patient care.

The ultimate goal of healthcare systems is improved patient outcomes, and health administration has expanded its scope over the years to drive these results while also adjusting to an evolving healthcare field. In addition to administrative tasks and logistics, for example, administrators now focus on data-driven decision-making, strategic planning and patient-centered care.

What to expect in an MHA degree program

An MHA program teaches concepts and principles specific to the healthcare field and can help professionals who want to learn more about leadership in healthcare. Master of Health Administration students typically learn about technology and managing healthcare information, healthcare systems, financial management, patient safety and more.

A Master of Health Administration program may include such courses as:

  • Systems thinking for healthcare
  • Ethical marketing
  • Leveraging informatics
  • Navigating the healthcare regulatory environment
  • Health sector policy and governance
  • Health sector industry expertise
  • Healthcare talent recruitment

Skills taught in a typical Master of Health Administration program may include:

  • Leadership: According to a Forbes Business Council article, healthcare leaders must evaluate their organization鈥檚 current condition, understand the immediate needs of the communities they serve and identify which changes will drive lasting, sustainable transformation.
  • Business management: Leadership is charged with overseeing and directing personnel and activities within a professional environment.
  • Communication: The Forbes Business Council article also describes leadership as communication that involves establishing a tone that fosters success and cultivating collaboration.
  • Strategic planning: Strategic planning aligns daily decisions with a broader vision to guide the direction of an organization and enhance the ability to effectively impact surroundings.

The average time needed to complete a Master of Health Administration program can be between one and three years, depending on the program鈥檚 structure. Online MHA programs offer flexibility that working adults often find valuable, and competency-based programs can offer an expedited pathway to a degree for individuals who have both ample professional experience and self-discipline.

Potential career paths in health administration

Overall employment in all healthcare occupations, regardless of degree level, is projected to . About 1.9 million openings are projected each year, on average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Jobs aligned with a Master of Health Administration degree include:

  • Medical and health services manager
  • Health information management director
  • Health manager
  • Practice administrator

BLS Occupational Employment Projections, 2023-2033 is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects BLS鈥 projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to 七色视频 students or graduates.

Are you ready to start a Master of Health Administration program?

If you鈥檙e looking for a Master of Health Administration program, 七色视频 offers online healthcare programs, including an online master鈥檚 in health administration.听

Contact 七色视频 for more information.

Headshot of Jonathan W. Crowell

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jonathan W. Crowell has more than 15 years of experience crafting content across print and digital platforms. A graduate of University of Utah, he brings a strong foundation in business and editorial publication to his work, which has appeared in local and national outlets. Based in Phoenix, Jonathan writes on a wide spectrum of topics鈥攆rom technology and education to arts, entertainment and business鈥攐ffering informed insights with engaging storytelling.

Headshot of Mark Johannsson

ABOUT THE REVIEWER

Mark J贸hannsson is the Dean of the聽 College of Health Professions. He has a career spanning over 35 years of healthcare management, public health practice, higher education administration, teaching and clinical/behavioral research within corporate, community and academic settings. He has served as both an educational and keynote speaker, and he has been published in a variety of peer-reviewed and periodic literature.

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