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It takes a great medical staff and team to provide the care our citizens need. And many of that team are not seen. You may be a care provider looking to move into the ranks of hospital management. Every day, healthcare administrators help hospitals, insurers, and other care providers navigate the complex medical, financial, legal, and social aspects of nearly 18 percent of America’s economy. They help ensure that care reaches the people who need it, both now and in the future, in a rapidly changing industry subject to political and budgetary pressures. Here at College Choice we’ve created rankings for best traditional on-campus degrees, online degrees, and most affordable. Some healthcare administrators may work closely with care providers in hospitals, while others interact with patients and insurance providers. They can be found behind the scenes in hospitals, managed care organizations, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, and consulting firms. According the Bureau of Labor Statistics, they typically focus on tasks including: Work to improve efficiency and quality in delivering healthcare services Develop departmental goals and objectives Ensure that the facility in which they work is up to date on and compliant with new laws and regulations Recruit, train, and supervise staff Manage the finances of the facility, such as patient fees and billing Create work schedules Prepare and monitor budgets and spending to ensure departments operate within allocated funds Represent the facility at investor meetings or on governing boards Keep and organize records of the facility’s services, such as the number of inpatient beds used Communicate with members of the medical staff and department heads While this is an exciting and rapidly evolving field, competition for highly-paid management positions can be intense. As the American College of Healthcare Executives notes, many healthcare management jobs that previously required a bachelor’s degree now require a master’s degree. Healthcare management as a profession was recognized more than fifty years ago, and even then the industry was complex. Leaders and administrators required a level of expertise and skills not normally attained at the undergraduate level. From the first graduate program founded in 1932 until now, the MHA degree is recognized as the essential first step toward an executive and managerial career in most healthcare organizations. One factor to consider as you apply to programs is whether or not they are accredited by CAHME, the Commission on Accreditation for Healthcare Management Education. While a minority of institutions carry this extra level of accreditation, it is an extra level of prestige that may make you a more attractive candidate for management positions. What are the best online Master of Health Administration programs? We’ve ranked the top 20 online MHA programs that can help you become a leading candidate for management positions in the healthcare industry. Our rankings take into account factors including reputation, graduation rates, selectivity, and faculty resources. Some, but not all, of the ranked programs are targeted towards professionals already working in the field and require previous work experience for admission. So check those requirements carefully so that you can find the program that best fits your needs. 1 TRINITY UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 100 TUITION PER CREDIT HOUR: $1,624 WEBSITE Trinity University Overview San Antonio’s Trinity University is a private institution with historic roots in the Presbyterian church, but it has grown over its more than 150 year history to become one of the most prestigious schools in the region. In fact, it has been awarded a rare score of 100 by U.S. News and World Report’s rankings of regional universities. In addition to its well-regarded on-campus programs in healthcare administration, it also offers an online executive MHA program that aspires to be the best in the country at integrating academic theory with experiential learning. In fact, the online program was recently named one of the top business graduate schools for physician executives. The part-time, distance-learning format of the program is designed for individuals currently working in a healthcare setting who have decided to pursue a graduate degree while continuing to work full-time. Features The executive MHA program usually takes 23 months to complete, including summer courses, and consists of a total of 42 credit hours. The core curriculum includes classes in the following areas: Statistical Analysis Operations Management Health Services Organization & Policy Healthcare Organization Theory and Management Information Technology Managerial Accounting Managerial Epidemiology Health Care Finance Economic Aspects of Health Care Administration Performance Improvement in Healthcare Organizations Leadership Effectiveness Strategic Planning & Marketing Strategic Management of Health Services Human Resources Management Legal Aspects of Healthcare Administration Courses begin each fall, spring and summer semester with three days of intensive on-campus study. Once students leave the Trinity University campus, they are required to participate in regular class teleconferencing sessions every three weeks. Notables Because of the compact structure of the program, students are admitted once a year in the fall and, typically advance as a cohort through the program. Trinity’s Health Care Administration Department has been continuously accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) since 1969, giving graduates an extensive alumni network and a degree that is recognized as rigorous and comprehensive. Trinity University is also regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. 2 UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON COLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 86.7 TUITION PER CREDIT HOUR: $837 WEBSITE University of Scranton Overview The University of Scranton’s online Master of Health Administration (MHA) curriculum is designed to help you meet the challenges of a changing healthcare industry with exceptional leadership, responsive decision-making, and sound knowledge. As a Jesuit institution, the University of Scranton is also dedicated to the highest principles in preparing students for a life of ethical service for the common good. Features The program is designed around the American College of Healthcare Executives competency model. As the program website states, graduates are expected to demonstrate 24 core competencies grouped in five critical areas: Communication and Relationship Management: Fine tune analysis, interpretation and communication skills to translate factual data, process, direction and research to decision makers. Leadership: Develop leadership skills to support the organization and its individuals with a deep understanding of decision making and outcomes at the level of strategic policy as well as day-to-day details. Professionalism: Engage in continued professional development including reflection and self-directed learning, and understand the impact of professional standards and codes of ethical behavior on the organization. Knowledge of the Healthcare Environment: Assess the interrelationships among access, quality, cost, resource allocation, accountability, and community while navigating administrative, functional and developmental responsibilities of the health care organization. Business Acumen: Demonstrate critical thinking, analysis, problem solving, and financial management skills necessary to operate, project manage, and run a healthcare organization in today’s economy. In total, the program requires a total 44 coursework credits and a three-credit internship that involves 150 hours of fieldwork experience. Notables The program is now one of the first fully online MHA programs to receive additional accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). This additional accreditation certifies that the University of Scranton’s online program meets the highest standards for academic rigor and professional preparation. In addition, the University of Scranton is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. 3 UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 85.6 TUITION PER CREDIT HOUR: $1,733 WEBSITE University of Southern California Overview Developed for both mid-career clinical and management professionals, the Executive Master of Health Administration program from the USC Price School of Public Policy delivers a transformative graduate-level educational experience designed to prepare the nation’s leading health care professionals. Features Coursework is delivered primarily online, supplemented with two, five-day in-residence sessions held at the USC main campus, with a curriculum geared for the active working professional. Students are exposed to rigorous education in areas such as management and leadership, health care economics, financing, health information technology, quality of care, and systems improvement and operations management. USC’s EMHA degree differs from other executive programs because the hybrid model concentrates time in-residence at USC to two four-day working sessions, while also requiring weekly online, real-time contact. During the residency periods, students work together to integrate course materials into the analysis of contemporary case studies that address the latest developments in the healthcare field. Notables The executive degree differs from a regular MHA degree only insofar as it is focused on cohorts of experienced health professionals, with an average of 13 years of healthcare experience. The University of Southern California is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. 4 UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA COLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 84.4 TUITION PER CREDIT HOUR: $1,493 WEBSITE university of north carolina chapel hill Overview The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, founded in 1795, is one of oldest and most highly-regarded public universities in the country. As part of its mission of public service, it offers an Executive MHA program for healthcare administrators, available through the Gillings School of Global Public Health. Features Developed through and based on the core competency model, the UNC MHA is designed to build your knowledge and skills in four core areas: leadership ability, health policy, management, and professionalism. The online executive MHA program particularly focuses on the realities of today’s healthcare marketplace and the unique skill sets necessary to navigate and succeed in that marketplace. It is designed to be completed by individuals currently working in healthcare related jobs. The 24-month program consists of 49 credit hours of coursework, including a leadership practicum and capstone project. Most of the coursework is completed online, with classes that meet over the Internet at fixed times twice a week. In addition, students must come to campus for in-person residency persions the fall (6 days), spring(4 days), and summer (4 days). Notables The executive MHA program at UNC is CAHME accredited, ensuring that it meets the highest academic standards. However, with its more extensive required residency periods and fixed meeting times, it may not be right for everyone. The University of North Carolina is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.