Top Picks: Best CAHME-Accredited Health Administration Master’s Programs

Executive MBA in Healthcare Administration (On-campus)

• Entrance exam requirement: GMAT or GRE
• 5 credits
• Home to several renowned academic centers for research and professionalism
• Ranked nationally among the best graduate schools offering a Healthcare Management degree by US News and World Report
• Program includes an 8- to 10-day international study tour
• Designed to accommodate your professional schedule, with classes held Tuesday and Thursday nights
• 85% of full-time faculty have doctorates
• Students in this program have an average of 10 years of work experience
• Designed for graduation in 30 months on a trimester schedule
• Nearly 50 years of experience graduating students in the MBS Healthcare Administration field

The MBA in Healthcare Administration at the Baruch College Zicklin School of Business really impressed us, not least of all for the international study tour that’s included in the program. Towards the end of your program you’ll travel with a faculty member to an international location for at least eight days to get a first-hand look at what healthcare management is like in the global village. Zicklin School of Business is home to the Paul H. Chook Department of Information Systems and Statistics, the Narendra Paul Loomba Department of Management, and the Department of Law to name just a few. You’ll have so many opportunities to network with professionals in related fields here, you can be sure the contact list on your smartphone is going to be a lot longer by the time you graduate. We were truly amazed at how many awards, distinctions, and publications are credited to the faculty of this program. Publications range throughout a wide variety of fields of expertise, and awards have included the Presidential Excellence Award for Distinguished Service, the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, a listing in the Who’s Who in America, and many more. Altogether the full-time faculty in this program share 108 publications and 85 awards, averaging eight publications and seven awards per person!

MBA in Healthcare Administration (On-campus)

Master in Healthcare Administration (On-campus)*

*open to federal employees only

• Entrance exam requirement: GMAT or GRE
• 60 credits
• School hosts annual national events to attract talent, funding, and student resources
• Ranked the 17th-best graduate healthcare management program in the nation by US News and World Report
• Top of the Crop reputation for excellence
• 98% average graduation rate for the last three cohorts
• 91% eight-year-average job placement rate within six months of graduation
• Graduate after six semesters including two summers
• Six month residency program, with a 100% residency placement
• Home to 11 professional centers and institutes

We love how the Baylor University Hankamer School of Business emphasizes in-the-field hands-on learning as part of your academic development. This includes a six-month internship placement where you’ll work side by side with healthcare executives applying everything you’ve learned to make real-world decisions. Baylor is home to 11 research centers and institutes that attract top professionals from across the nation, including the Robbins Institute for Health Policy and Leadership and the Center for Nonprofit Leadership and Social Enterprise. The annual case competition for ethical leadership in business that takes place at Baylor brings together talent from across the nation and provides you with a great opportunity to cross-pollinate your ideas with academics and leaders in your field. This includes the opportunity to present your own research at a professional conference, with funding for further research awarded to the best presentations. If you’re a federal employee, you have the option to pursue a stand-alone MHA or a combined MHA-MBA program. The amazing faculty here are the underlying reason for the impressive numbers coming out of this program, with both graduation and job placement rates north of 90%.

Master in Health Administration (On-campus); Executive MHA (Online)

• Entrance exam requirement: GMAT or GRE
• 60 credits
• Over the past five years 92% of students transitioned to a professional role within a month of graduation
• Over 60 years of experience graduating MHAs
• Graduate in two years
• Opportunity for real consulting projects with healthcare organizations
• Option for an online executive MHA or dual degrees with an MPH or MBA
• Guest lecture series on important topics taught by professionals in the field
• Opportunity for a summer internship

An exceptional 92% job placement rate for graduates is how the Master in Health Administration program at the Cornell University College of Human Ecology first caught our eye. That’s an average 92% over the past five years for graduates of the Sloan Program in Health Administration… in just one month after graduation! Instructors start preparing you for a successful transition to the professional world from the moment you enroll. As a first year student you’ll attend several job development and career workshops designed to help you hone your professional networking skills. One reason for such an amazing job placement rate within just a month of graduating is because of this program’s capstone consulting project. In your final year you’ll pair with a small group of your colleagues to work on a real-world consulting project with a health care organization. Recent projects have included an initiative to grow patient intakes, the redesigning of physician schedules, and a hospice house feasibility study. The Sloan Colloquium Series brings high-level executives to campus every semester. We think this is an outstanding opportunity to gain insight directly from the best in the field. Taught by guest health care executives, Practitioner-Led Intensive Courses (PLICs) cover a range of important topics from big data to strategic change and healthcare facilities planning. From paid summer internships to close proximity with healthcare executive leaders to consulting projects, the exceptional faculty in this program run a tight ship to ensure you have the absolute best opportunities available to you when you graduate.

Master of Science in Health Care Management (On-campus)

• Entrance exam requirement: none
• 45 credits
• Ideal location that takes advantage of being in the nation’s heart of health care policy
• Option to study abroad
• Dual degree options with an MBA or MS in Information Technology
• Option to earn a health care informatics graduate certificate, and Six Sigma Green Belt Certification
• Fall, spring, and summer enrollment options
• Amazing faculty who create a learning environment with proven success

Located in Virginia near the halls of Congress and national provider associations, the MS in Health Care Management at the Marymount University School of Business and Technology structures courses around national healthcare policy and the legislative process, providing a learning experience you won’t find anywhere else. The number of options this program offers to let you custom-tailor your education was also something unique enough to catch our attention and earn it a spot on our list of favorites. With options that include stacking on an MBA or MS in IT through a dual-degree program, or earning Six Sigma Certification or an informatics certificate concurrent with your degree, graduates coming out of the School of Business and Technology can take their Careers in all kinds of different directions. And for a global perspective on health care management, you can take advantage of the unique opportunity to study abroad in countries like the Netherlands, Germany, Panama, Ireland, and Canada, giving you an invaluable experience that leads to a greater depth of perspective in the field.

MPA in Health Policy and Management (On-campus)

• Entrance exam requirement: GRE or GMAT are strongly recommended but not required
• 45 credits
• 96% graduate employment rate
• Ranked the #2 health policy and management school by US News and World Report
• Tap in to an alumni network of more than 12,000 professionals in 73 countries
• Average class size of 40 students in required courses and 20 in electives
• Distinguished academic centers lead the nation in research
• Office of Career Services provides resources and ongoing one-on-one advising
• Significant capstone project puts student teams in the field working and conducting research to address pressing issues in the real world
• Specializations in Health Finance, International Health, Health Policy Analysis, and Health Services Management
• Program attended by students from nearly 50 countries around the globe

As a graduate of the MPA-HPAM program at the New York University Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, you’ll join a network of over 12,000 professionals across the globe, as influential in their local communities as they are in developing national policy. Graduates have gone on to work at places like the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, DC think tanks, and with some of the world’s largest and most influential health systems and medical schools. You’ll find your fellow students to be just as impressive as Wagner alumni, representing nearly 50 nations they bring unique perspectives to projects and discussions while sharing a common commitment to public service. As a Wagner graduate student you can be sure instructors and other faculty will do everything possible so ensure you and your classmates succeed, providing one-on-one career counseling and networking events with leading industry representatives along with professional workshops. The distinguished faculty members here bring years of real world expertise and scholarly achievement to the classroom, with contributions that include influential research and work with such organizations as the National Institutes of Health, World Health Organization, and the Agency for Health Care Quality and Research.

Master of Health Administration (On-campus)

• Entrance exam requirement: GMAT or GRE
• 60 credits
• 95% of students land full-time professional jobs upon graduation
• Ranked nationally among the top 10 MHA program by US News and World Report
• Home to some of the nation’s leading research centers and health care experts
• Program is part of the CAHME Mentorship Circle for its demonstrated commitment to advance the quality of healthcare management leadership
• Enjoyable learning opportunities to represent the program at high-profile case management competitions
• Graduate in as little as two years

Once you graduate from the Master of Health Administration program at the Ohio State University College of Public Health you will be joining a network of over 1,000 alumni across the nation. We’re really impressed with the 95% professional employment rate, with recent graduates going on to positions at major healthcare organizations like MedStar Health, United Health, Akron Children’s Hospital, and Kaiser Permanente – as well as nationally recognized companies like Ernst and Young, Deloitte, and Grant Thornton. The College of Public Health is home to leading research organizations like the Center for Health Outcomes, Policy and Evaluation Studies (HOPES) and the Center for Public Health Practice. These centers serve as focal points of expertise, attracting professionals from across the nation and giving you the opportunity to network and gain new insights. Recent studies undertaken by the Center for HOPES include a status report on Medicaid reform, a study of employer-sponsored elder care programs, and a study on children’s access to psychiatric services. You’ll complete a residency at a health service organization the summer after your first year, giving you the unique experience of being part of a clinical care team at the OSU Wexner Medical Center. If you choose to participate in a case management team competition with other schools you’ll have an unforgettable experience learning valuable skills you can add to your CV. Your curriculum also includes guest lectures, case analyses, and highly qualified professors dedicated to your success.

Master of Healthcare Administration (On-campus)

• Entrance exam requirement: none
• 50-53 credits
• 90% employment rate within six months of graduation
• Home to some of the nation’s leading research centers
• Option for international residences
• Full and part-time options with the average time to graduation ranging between two and four years
• Fall, spring, and summer enrollment options
• Includes a popular London seminar
• Dedicated career counselors and internship locators
• Additional options for an MBA with a Healthcare specialization, an MPA with a Community Health concentration, and graduate certificates in Healthcare Administration
• Small class sizes
• This school participates in the EdAssist employer tuition discount program

The international opportunities available in the Master of Health Administration program at the Suffolk University Sawyer Business School place this program in a league all its own. When it comes time to do your one-to-two week residency, you could take advantage of international opportunities with partner institutions in the UK, Germany, Ireland, France, and Brazil. During a recent global travel seminar, MHA students had the opportunity to tour National Health Service facilities in London and meet with the prominent professionals responsible for that program’s success. The research opportunities at this school are awe-inspiring. Home to some of the nation’s leading centers, experts come from all over the country, making the Sawyer Business School fertile ground for learning, networking, and overall professional development. This notably includes the Center for Innovative Collaboration and Leadership, the Moakley Center for Public Management, and the Center for Executive Education. The MHA program is proud of its many accomplishments and is especially proud of its faculty, bringing a global perspective to the classroom with nearly one-third of instructors here coming from abroad. The world-class faculty here hold top positions in the field and have many journal publications to their credit, but more than anything they are dedicated to mentoring you to success.

Master of Health Administration (On-campus)

• Entrance exam requirement: GMAT or GRE
• 33 credits
• Part-time program with graduation possible in as little as 27 months
• Some employers offer tuition reimbursement for this program
• Enroll in fall or spring semester
• Curriculum includes key organizational competencies designed to produce highly competitive graduates
• Also offers a Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Innovation Management

The Master of Health Administration program at the Temple University Fox School of Business combines a competitive blend of financial acuity, management, opportunity realization, and business reasoning into its curriculum to produce the kind of professionals top employers are looking for. That’s a fact. The school surveyed over 300 leaders at top organizations and they reported they’re looking for exactly this blend of skills. That’s just one of the reasons why this is the only program of its kind in the entire Philadelphia region. Upon graduation you’ll join a unique global community of alumni more than 60,000 strong. An alumni network this size is only possible with a long and proven track record of success. The Fox School of Business has that in the bag, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Fox School is home to over 200 full-time faculty, 26 student organizations, 21 centers and institutes, and seven prestigious national professional and academic journals. Together, you’ll find everything you need here to develop your expertise along the path you’re most passionate about, all in an environment designed to produce the best healthcare leaders in the industry today.

Master of Health Administration and Policy (On-campus)

• Entrance exam requirement: GMAT or GRE
• 128 quarter credits
• 100% graduation rate
• 100% of students transition to the professional at graduation
• Work one-on-one with an assigned project mentor and an academic adviser
• One year of field experience included in the curriculum
• Opportunity to be mentored by leaders in the Military Health System, leaders in national policy think tanks, and major players in the federal health policy network
• Designed for future healthcare administration and policy leaders at the federal and related levels
• Open to civilian students

As a student of the Master of Health Administration and Policy program at the Uniformed Services University Department of Preventative Medicine and Biostatistics, you’ll spend half your time in the classroom and the other half in the field. A year of hands-on experience is a unique opportunity in itself for an MHA program to offer, but wait till you hear your options for fieldwork sites in and around the National Capital Area: Department of Defense facilities, major healthcare facilities, federal health and policy agencies, major research facilities, and even health policy think tanks. As you are directly plugged-in to the nation’s healthcare administration and policy systems you’ll have extensive opportunities for networking and mentorship with leaders in the field. This program is ideal if you’re interested in a leadership role in the Military Health System, or other federal healthcare partner organizations. And you don’t even need to be enlisted or married to a member of the armed forces; this program is open to civilians and uniformed personnel alike. As a student you’ll complete an independent research project which you’ll be encouraged to submit for professional publication, as well as an 108-hour public health practicum that can involve clinical practice, research, service delivery, or policy making. We are really impressed with the opportunities students have for hands-on experiential learning here. On top of that, a 100% graduation and job placement rate tell you all you need to know about how well this program prepares students for professional practice.

Master of Healthcare Administration (On-campus)

• Entrance exam requirement: GMAT or GRE
• Highly qualified applicants have an expedited admission process
• 60 credits
• Study and learn in the greater Chicago area, one of the nation’s major healthcare centers
• Two-year 94% job placement rate for students within 90 days of graduating
• 58% of students have jobs secured before graduation
• Award-winning highly qualified faculty
• 25 institutes, programs, and centers are hosted or affiliated with the School of Public Health
• Full and part-time options with graduation possible in as little as two years
• Additional option for an Executive MHA

The MHA at the UIC School of Public Health provides students with the unique opportunity to be mentored and work alongside senior management for a full 12-month preceptorship. In addition to providing you with valuable hands-on experience at one of two-dozen health care organizations in the area, it will put a high shine on your CV, and could even lead to long-term employment. If that wasn’t enough, you’ll also complete a capstone research project that involves analyzing a real-world issue at a sponsoring health care organization. Past UIC students have come up with ideas the sponsoring organization liked enough to implement and were offered full-time positions. In fact, more than half of all students in this program have a job lined up before they graduate! With more than 25 institutes, programs, and centers affiliated with the School of Public Health, you’ll find ample opportunities to network with the best and brightest in the field. We can’t do this program justice without an honorable mention of its highly distinguished award-winning faculty. Whether it’s through national contributions to the public health dialogue, groundbreaking research on front-line issues like AIDS, a $4.9 million research study, or affiliations with organizations like the CDC or WHO, the faculty in the MHA program are world-class. If you’re a highly qualified applicant, this program wants you ASAP. You can receive an offer of admission within five days of your application being reviewed and skip the GRE or GMAT if you have a health-related bachelor’s degree, a GPA of at least 3.5, strong references, and do well on a phone interview. If you already have extensive experience as a clinician with some experience in leadership, the School of Public Health’s 48-credit hybrid Executive MHA would be the perfect fit for you.

Master of Health Administration (On-campus)

• Entrance exam requirement: the GRE is preferred, however you can also submit GMAT, MCAT, or LSAT scores
• 60 credit
• Graduate in 21 months of full-time study
• 100% three-year graduation rate
• 96% three-year employment rate for students within three months of graduation
• Ranked nationally among the best public health graduate schools and among the top 10 healthcare management programs by US News and World Report
• 88% of the faculty hold doctorates
• The Department of Health Management and Policy is home to three important research centers
• Additional options for an Executive MHA and dual degrees with an MBA or JD

The MHA program at the University of Iowa College of Public Health is a gem in the heartland of America and an easy pick as one of the best programs of its kind in the nation. If you want to focus on addressing the challenges of rural healthcare administration, this is the program for you. The Department of Health Management and Policy is home to three important research centers that bring together some of the best minds from around the nation to contribute solutions to some of the most pressing issues in healthcare today: the Center for Health Policy and Research, the Rural Telehealth Research Center, and the Rural Policy Research Institute. Even with all this, it’s the faculty here that make the University of Iowa experience so unique for MHA students. Many have had former lives as high-level healthcare executives, while others have contributed to the founding of the department’s unique research centers, conduct research with grants from the CDC and NIH, and work with the EU and the OECD.

Executive MBA in Health Management and Policy  (On-campus)

• Entrance exam requirement: GMAT as needed on a case-by-case basis, with 11 total admissions criteria considered including everything from management experience to intercultural experience
• 48-52 credits
• “Lock-step” format allows student cohorts to progress together throughout the duration of the program
• World class faculty of distinguished scholars and experienced professionals; one is even the winner of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
• 100% of students complete the program, and 100% succeed in finding employment in the healthcare industry
• Strong international representation and great opportunities for worldwide networking
• Dual accreditation: AACSB International for MBA core curriculum, and CAHME for health administration specialty courses

As a graduate of the Executive MBA in Health Management and Policy program at the University of Miami Business School you’ll join a select club of 45,000 alumni around the world, something that comes with an enormous advantage when it comes to networking your way into your dream career. With more than three-quarters of all students here either proficient in a foreign language or from abroad, and with faculty members from 30 different countries, University of Miami offers a more diverse learning environment than you’ll find anywhere else. The Miami Business School offers merit-based scholarships to ensure you get a seat at the table if you’re highly qualified, so you can be sure you’ll be studying beside the best and the brightest in this field. While the fact that 100% of the professors here hold doctorates is impressive in itself, that doesn’t touch on their diverse range of expertise and research experience, which includes everything from the pharmaceutical industry, to Medicaid and the ACA, to alternative health care delivery systems. It’s no surprise then that they hold distinctions that include the Harry Truman Legacy of Leadership Award, the President’s Medal, the Outstanding Service Award, and the International Women’s Forum Hall of Fame Award, to name just a few. One faculty member was appointed by the US President to co-chair the Commission on Care for Returning Wounded Warriors, and went on to earn the highest civilian award possible in the nation: the Presidential Medal of Freedom!

Master of Health Care Administration (Hybrid)

Executive Master of Health Care Administration (Online)

• Entrance exam requirement: GMAT, GRE, MCAT, LSAT, or equivalent
• 45-48 credits
• 92% three-year employment rate for students within three months of graduating
• Only master’s-level health administration program in the state
• Students assigned a faculty adviser from the first semester of enrollment
• Graduate assistant positions are available to help you fund your education while providing valuable experience
• Option to complete a thesis or capstone course
• 250-hour internship is included in the program

While the Master of Health Care Administration at UNLV is the only one of its kind in the state, that’s not what makes it special. This program caught our eye because of its innovate curriculum that let’s you gain important experience while also tailoring your education just the way you want it, points that made it stand out even among all the CAHME-accredited programs in the country. This custom tailoring includes the option to complete a thesis or capstone research course, and most significantly, a 250-hour internship. The internship segment of the program takes place in a professional setting and gives you valuable hands-on experience at a local healthcare partnership site. If you already have at least three years of relevant work experience in administrative or managerial health, five years of professional work experience outside of healthcare, or a doctoral degree in a health field, you’re a perfect fit for the 36-credit Executive MHA program here. The faculty here at UNLV are nothing short of amazing, bringing years of research and professional experience to the classroom. The proof of the quality of the UNLV MHA can be seen in the exceptional student outcomes –  92% of recent graduates transition to professional practice within three months of completing the program!

Master of Science in Healthcare Administration (On-campus, Hybrid)

• Entrance exam requirement: none
• 36 credits
• 100% employment rate within six years of graduation, with an 82% full-time employment rate for students within three months of graduation
• Students assigned personal career coach mentors, and have access to all the resources offered through the school’s Career Development Center
• Students able to develop a 100% individualized degree plan to align with professional goals
• 94% of students and alumni say they would recommend this program to a friend or colleague
• Capstone course or internship ensures you get real-world field experience
• Member of the Health Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS), the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA), and the national academic honor society for healthcare administration students Upsilon Phi Delta
• Convenient class schedules with full and part-time options

Being connected is a central aspect of the MSHA program at the University of New Haven School of Health Sciences. This connectedness starts the moment you enroll and continues on past graduation as you join a network of more than 700 alumni who live and work around Connecticut and throughout the world. We really appreciate how this program makes a concerted effort to get you involved in hands-on learning in the field, with options that include working as part of a team in an area hospital to solve real-world challenges as part of your capstone course, or interning at a local healthcare facility like Boston Children’s Medical Center, Bridgeport Hospital, Saint Vincent’s Medical Center, or Yale New Haven Health. This program is designed for convenience and focus, allowing you to attend in the evenings and on weekends, and take some classes online. You can choose three classes from 17 options – a full quarter of the entire program – to tailor your education to focus on the exact health administration niche you’re most interested in. All of these attributes combine to make the University of New Haven MSHA one of our favorite programs to recommend.

Master of Health Administration (On-campus)

• Entrance exam requirement: GRE, with the possibility to substitute GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, or PCAT scores
• 60 credits
• 96% of students graduate on time
• 87% of graduates are employed within three months of graduation
• Program contains an extensive practice-based segment where real-world skills are developed
• Dual MBA degree option
• Graduate in four semesters over two years

The MHA program at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Health Policy and Management puts you in the middle of it all. As home to some of the best health research centers in the nation, the Graduate School of Public Health is an incubator for the best learning and networking experiences possible. As a student here, you’ll get individualized guidance from a professional advisory team that consists of at least one mentor, an executive-in-residence, and a residency preceptor. Your mentor will put you in contact with a healthcare executive who will take you under their wing and counsel you on professional matters and career development. Past executives-in-residence have included CEOs from HonorHealth, Grady Health System, and Cedars-SinaiHealth to name just a few. When it comes time to do your management residency or practicum, you’ll have dozens of sites to choose from, making it easy to find the perfect fit. 87% of students who graduate from this program transition into a position they love within 90 days of completing the program. And as a graduate you’ll be joining an alumni network that includes some of the best minds in the health administration field today!

Master of Health Administration (On-campus)

• Entrance exam requirement: GMAT or GRE for applicants with GPAs below 2.6
• 48 credits
• 100% of full professors hold doctorates
• 138 years of combined experience between the seven faculty members
• Capstone course gives you real-world problem solving experience
• Opportunity to work part-time in an arranged professional setting
• Graduate in 21 months

With an MHA from the University of the Incarnate Word H-E-B School of Business and Administration you’ll be thoroughly prepared with all the confidence and ethical grounding it takes to be an effective leader in the healthcare industry. This program offers a unique combination of highly experienced faculty and great opportunities to gain a real-world, hands-on education. The capstone experience here involves working as part of a team for a health industry client to study or solve an important management issue. This is more than a point to be highlighted on your CV, it’s a great opportunity for you to put your academic skills to the test in a real-life situation with real-world results. If you want to gain even more concrete experience you can participate in a graduate assistantship, a two-semester program that gives you the opportunity to work 15-20 hours per week with one of the school’s industry partners. All full professors here hold doctorates, and bring with them 83 years of combined experience in the health administration field. Add the years of work experience from the two adjunct professors and the one professor emeritus, and the combined years of work experience jumps to more than 138! That kind of field experience and expertise means you’ll get all the guidance you need to launch a successful career.

Master of Health Administration (Hybrid)

Executive Master of Health Administration (Online)

• Entrance exam requirement: GMAT or GRE
• 45 credits
• In 2018, 92% of MHA students had jobs lined up by the day of graduation
• 96% completion rate
• Classes offered in a convenient format and schedule
• Ranked among the top-50 MHA programs in the nation
• This program is a full member of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration
• Optimum balance of executive industry experience and academic expertise
• Graduate full-time in five consecutive semesters over two years

Weber State University has developed an MHA program that optimizes convenience and flexibility without ever compromising on educational excellence and professionalism. Your classes are offered in a hybrid format so you can study on your own schedule, while your face-to-face classroom time is limited to Tuesday and Thursday evenings. If you’re a mid-career professional looking for a program to take your career to the next level, then the Executive MHA is for you, offering most classes online, with just six on-campus appearances required over five semesters. With faculty made up of both executive industry professionals and pure academics, Weber State has found a way to strike the perfect balance. All of the faculty here have either a doctoral degree or a background in business or healthcare administration. Finding the optimum blend between teaching theoretical concepts and the reality on-the-ground is no small task, but it’s something that Weber State has managed to do flawlessly. The proof of how well Weber State prepares MHA graduates can be seen in the fact that 92% of students secure jobs even before they complete the program.