Ready to lead change in healthcare? A Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) degree equips you with the skills to step into leadership roles within healthcare delivery and financing organizations.
With an MHA, you’ll:
- Understand the complexities of healthcare systems and financing
- Build skills in problem-solving, strategic thinking, and innovation
- Lead teams and drive change in hospitals, clinics, consulting firms, medical device companies, and more
MHA graduates shape the future of healthcare by managing facilities, departments, and adapting to evolving regulations and technologies.
There are three main master’s degree programs for healthcare management: Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Master of Public Health (MPH). While the degrees can all lead to some of the same positions, they each have a different focus.
The first step in selecting the right program is to determine your career goals and natural aptitudes. From there, you can select the degree that will play to your skills and goals while filling in knowledge gaps.
| Degree | Focus | Types of Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) | Prepares you to effectively run the business side of healthcare organizations and manage healthcare teams. |
|
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) | Develops skills so you can effectively manage a business in a wide variety of industries. |
|
| Master of Public Health (MPH) | Prepares you for a career as a public health practitioner. |
|
An MHA can open the door to higher paying jobs with greater leadership responsibilities. Many healthcare delivery and financing organizations require that job candidates have a master’s degree. Considering the long-term salary potential in these leadership roles, obtaining an MHA is worth the cost in time and finances.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the healthcare industry is expected to add more jobs than any other field in the coming decade. Health care jobs in general are expected to increase by 13 percent and management roles by 28 percent between 2021 and 2031.
Additionally, jobs that require an MHA typically offer much higher-than-average salaries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median pay for medical and health services managers in the U.S. for 2021 was $101,340 per year.
The following chart from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the 2021 U.S. median annual wages for medical and health services managers in the top industries:
| Government | $117,000 |
| Hospitals: state, local, and private | $119,450 |
| Outpatient care centers | $99,540 |
| Offices of physicians | $98,230 |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | $83,550 |
Top-ranked by U.S. News & World Report, the University of Minnesota School of Public Health MHA program offers students several key advantages.
Globally respected. Our MHA program is ranked #3 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report and has served as a global model for healthcare management education since its founding in 1946.
Hands-on learning legacy. Rooted in founder James Hamilton’s action-based philosophy, “The Minnesota Way,” the MHA program emphasizes critical thinking and real-world problem-solving over rote memorization.
Flexible, cohort-based options. Choose between two formats: a full-time, in-person residential track for early-career students, or the executive track for experienced healthcare professionals. Both emphasize peer connection and collaborative learning.
Supportive alumni network. With 3,000+ engaged alumni, students gain access to unmatched mentorship, internship opportunities, and career support. Nearly all residential graduates secure jobs or fellowships within three months of graduation.
SPH offers two MHA programs, both of which are accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).
MHA (Full-time/Residential)
- Designed for students with minimal health care management experience.
- Courses are delivered on campus over 21 months.
- Program requires 60 credits (51 mandatory and 9 electives).
- Students work through a real-life administrative clerkship project during a 10-week summer residency.
- Upon graduation, most students are placed in an administrative fellowship that helps them bridge the gap between being a student and becoming a junior executive.
Learn more: MHA (Full-time/Residential) program
MHA (Executive)
- Designed for working professionals who want to advance their skills and careers.
- Fully accessible online curriculum can be completed in less than 2 years.
- Program requires a minimum of 42 credits.
- The students work with faculty members and advisors to design and conduct an innovative project with specific application to their organization.
- The average student is 37.5 years old and has 10 years of work experience.
- More than 55 percent of our Executive MHA students are promoted while enrolled in the program.
Learn more: MHA (Executive) program
