The Online Master of Healthcare Administration

From the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Manage Equitable and Responsive Health Care Organizations

As health care workers provide direct patient care in rapidly evolving health care settings, the world needs experts who can handle the business and leadership side of health care systems.

The online Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program prepares students to manage the unique needs of complex health care organizations — and their various personnel — by sharpening decision-making abilities and leadership skills.

As a student in the program, you’ll develop an extensive understanding of health care policy, health equity, health law, financial and managerial accounting, and leadership and workforce management. You’ll also learn how to approach the planning, programming, managing and evaluation of health systems.

When you graduate, you’ll possess the essential skills needed to fill management roles in a variety of health-related organizations such as hospitals, consulting firms, insurance firms, medical groups and government agencies.

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The Online Master of Healthcare Administration at a Glance

2 years to complete

Part-time evening program for student convenience

Synchronous coursework

Bachelor’s and 3+ years of work experience required

Master of Healthcare Administration Curriculum

The 49-credit online MHA curriculum comprises four domains of study: health care environment; leadership and communication; management; and diversity, equity, access and inclusion.

These four domains set the tone for the 24 competencies that students will master throughout the program, which include community collaboration, accountability, systems thinking, critical thinking, quality improvement and human resource management. Students graduate prepared to lead through both current and projected future demands on the health care industry.

Course Highlights 

Students in the MHA program complete:

  • A total of 14 required courses (MHA) in the distance learning format
  • Two base camps (0.5 credits each)
  • Two leadership practicums (1.5 credits each, with 0.5 credits each term)
  • A major culminating capstone team project, typically completed in coordination with a health care organization — this can range from business-line extensions to business plans for entrepreneurial ventures 

Admissions: Online Master of Healthcare Administration

GRE scores are not required and will not be reviewed by the admissions committee if submitted.

Admissions Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree with a GPA of at least 3.0
  • Current employment in health or human services
  • At least three years of prior experience in a health or human services profession
  • Three letters of reference 
  • One personal statement

Review a complete list of application requirements and deadlines for the online Master of Healthcare Administration.

Advance Health for All With Essential Leadership Skills

As a student in this program, you’ll study topics such as emotional intelligence, systems and strategic thinking, managing conflict, leading through change and building teams. You’ll apply these learnings to your team-based assignments and to your work context.

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The Online Learning Experience

The online MHA program is designed for full-time working professionals. You will attend classes online in real time with faculty and peers — typically on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings — for two hours each. 

As a student, you will immediately be able to apply the new skills you learn from this program to your current work environment.

You will also visit our campus in Chapel Hill three times a year for residential sessions — in the fall (six days), spring (four days) and summer (four days) — for a total of 14 days. These sessions are an integral part of the MHA experience, and will give you the opportunity to network and build deep connections with cohort peers and faculty.

Additional Online Offerings From UNC-Chapel Hill

In addition to the online Master of Healthcare Administration, UNC-Chapel Hill offers other online education options in related fields.

DEGREE PROGRAMS

CERTIFICATES

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

Begin Your Journey in Health Care Administration

Health care organizations need leaders who can run business operations behind the scenes while medical teams focus on direct patient care. If you’re ready to step into this role, apply now for our online Master of Healthcare Administration. 

Ready to get started?

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