Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA)
36
Credit Hours
14
Month Completion
Class Type
Next Start Date
Apr 1, 2024
Placement Tests
GMAT/GRE not required for admission

Excel & lead with an online master's in healthcare administration degree

Healthcare leadership is especially complex. It involves balancing patient needs with fiscal responsibility. Today’s evolving healthcare system needs qualified leaders to generate innovative ideas and bottom line results -- without sacrificing quality of care. Group medical practices, public health organizations, nonprofits and hospital systems all need smart and savvy healthcare administrators to lead them through the many operational challenges they face. Let Franklin’s transfer-friendly Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) degree program prepare you to lead.

Program Availability

On Site

14-Month Completion

Finish your MHA faster.

Real-World Practitioners

Benefit from the experience of healthcare professionals.

Networking Opportunities

Connect and collaborate with our Healthcare Community of Practice.

100% Online Classes

Earn your degree around your schedule.

Contemporary Curriculum

Stay on top of emerging topics and trends.

Master of Healthcare Administration Degree Program Overview

Lead healthcare organizations through an ever-changing environment

Balancing patient needs with fiscal responsibility makes healthcare an especially complex entity, requiring effective leadership at the helm. It demands leaders who possess focused determination to deliver strong ideas that drive operational results without sacrificing quality of care.

Group medical practices, public health organizations, nonprofits, and hospital systems all need qualified healthcare administrators to successfully lead them through operational challenges healthcare organizations encounter, including three of the most common: process improvement, managing with physicians, and risk management. Demand is strong for healthcare leaders, with a projected growth rate of 8% through 2031.*

Finish your master's in healthcare administration online in as few as 14 months

Franklin University’s Master of Healthcare Administration degree program provides the essential knowledge required for you to undertake senior managerial and planning work in a variety of healthcare settings. You can move through our online MHA degree program swiftly, realizing the real-world benefits of your degree in as few as 14 months, which is faster than many other programs.

Get credit for what you know – before you even take your first class

Franklin demonstrates its commitment to ambitious adults by honoring their previous professional experiences and credentials, which includes national certifications. If you have earned certifications through professional organizations including the Healthcare Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS), the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), the American Hospital Association (AHA), or the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM), you may be able to transfer in up to 4 credits, which equates to one graduate course.

If you started a healthcare administration or related program at another university, you can transfer up to 8 credits toward your MHA. To see if your previous coursework can be used for course-for-course credit to satisfy degree requirements, you’ll need to submit a syllabus for the course(s) you’d like to have evaluated for transfer credit and/or your credential documentation. Your admissions advisor will be happy to assist you in any way.  

Prepare for an executive-level position in a dynamic and growing field

With Franklin’s online MHA degree program, you’ll develop healthcare specific competencies in the following areas: leadership and strategy, operations management, law and policy, accounting and finance, and management, preparing you to hold career titles such as Managed Care Director, Director of Admitting, Hospital COO,  Director of Hospital Operations, Director of the Business Office, and Managed Care Analyst, just to name a few.

Uniquely designed for the busy professional, our healthcare administration master's courses are planned and updated in accordance with the changing healthcare environment. In addition to preparing you for executive-level positions, you’ll be challenged through an array of academic methodologies, including case studies, lectures, group assignments, and community and healthcare projects. You’ll also be exposed to trending marketplace topics, such as healthcare reform, health information technology, and accountable care organizations (ACOs).

Equip yourself with knowledge needed for professional credentials

In the Healthcare Administration graduate program at Franklin, you have the option to take an elective course in the highly-relevant areas of Health Informatics and Healthcare Quality management – both of which can help if you wish to seek professional credentialing or certification in the future.

By choosing elective coursework in Health Informatics, you’ll be exposed to the foundational principles and knowledge required to pursue credentialing with AHIMA as a certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA).  Or, complete the program’s Lean Six Sigma elective to acquire knowledge and skills needed to pursue Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification.

Learn up-to-date curriculum reviewed by top healthcare executives

In addition, a prominent industry-specific Advisory Board oversees our relevant MHA program curriculum. Input from Board Members like the hospital president and COO of Mt. Carmel East Hospital, a medical association CEO, an SVP at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and the President of Grady Memorial Hospitals, inject industry-specific learnings into your classes and coursework.

*Source information provided by Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI)

Read more >

Derrick Y.

Master of Healthcare Administration '20

"Franklin University's Master of Healthcare Administration program fundamentally taught me about myself. This program has helped prepare me to become the best healthcare professional possible and helped me become a continuous and lifelong learner."

Future Start Dates

Start dates for individual programs may vary and are subject to change. Please request free information & speak with an admission advisor for the latest program start dates.

Spring 2024
April
1
Recommended Register By:
Mar 22
Summer 2024
May
20
Recommended Register By:
May 10
Summer 2024
July
1
Recommended Register By:
Jun 21
Fall 2024
August
19
Recommended Register By:
Aug 9
Fall 2024
September
30
Recommended Register By:
Sep 20
Fall 2024
November
11
Recommended Register By:
Nov 1
Spring 2025
January
6
Recommended Register By:
Dec 27
Spring 2025
February
17
Recommended Register By:
Feb 7
Spring 2025
March
31
Recommended Register By:
Mar 21

Your Best Value Master of Healthcare Administration

Choose Franklin's MHA and get a high-quality degree that fits your life and your budget. 

Affordable Tuition

$670
PER CREDIT HOUR

Affordable tuition rates for the Master of Healthcare Administration provide value and quality.

Take One Class at a Time

Balance your education with your life.

Finish Fast

14
MONTHS TO COMPLETE

Realize your career goals sooner and reap the benefits.

Partner? Pay Less.

Search below to see if you could save tuition through an employer or professional organization partnership.

$24,120
Total Tuition
(After Partner Discount)

Tuition Guarantee

Inflation-proof your degree cost by locking-in your tuition rate from day one through graduation.

Highly Recommended

98%
STUDENT SATISFACTION

98% of graduating students would recommend Franklin to their family, friends and/or colleagues.

Source: Franklin University, Office of Career Development Student Satisfaction Survey (Summer 2023)

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Master of Healthcare Administration Courses & Curriculum

36 Semester Hours
Major Area Required
HCM 733 - Finance and Managerial Accounting in Healthcare Organizations (4)

The purpose of this course is to provide students with the fundamental concepts and calculations associated with financial accounting and managerial accounting within a healthcare organization. Students will study the foundational aspects of financial accounting with a primary focus on financial statements and the uses of the information in these statements. Students will also study the functional aspects of managerial accounting to include cost behavior, cost allocation, pricing, planning, budgeting, profit analysis, and performance evaluation. Application of these concepts will include analysis of case studies.

HCM 735 - Healthcare Delivery Systems (4)

The course provides an extensive overview of leadership in the U.S. health services system. The focus of the course will be on the role health services leadership plays in the delivery of healthcare services, to include managing with professionals, financial management, services utilization, and other aspects of the U.S. healthcare system. The student will explore the key theoretical and practical elements of leadership as well as current issues clarifying how the U.S. health services system is organized, managed, and financed.

HCM 742 - Healthcare Laws and Ethics (4)

In this course students will develop a strong foundation in health law, enabling them to deal with the common legal, practical, moral, and ethical issues that healthcare organizations face on a daily basis. Topics will include statutory law, rules and regulations, tort law, criminal law, contract law, civil procedures, and trial procedure.

HCM 752 - Health Policy (4)

This course will explore the essential conceptual and analytical understanding of health policymaking and politics, including their impact on health administration and leadership. Selected policy issues will be explored through the application of political concepts and behavioral models, including a system model of policymaking. The emphasis will be on understanding the health leader?s approach to the policymaking system, become involved in it, and work through it to attain their objectives and those of their organization.

HCM 762 - Global Health (4)

The student will examine demographic measurements, epidemiological methods, outcomes assessment, health promotion, and disease prevention from a global perspective.

HCM 765 - Healthcare Operations Management (4)

Students will explore concepts and theories of operations management. The student will develop both knowledge and skills in solving the operational problems of healthcare organizations. This course will examine process improvement models that are aimed at improving the safety and quality of healthcare delivery within an organization.

HCM 772 - Healthcare Strategic Management (4)

The student will examine principles of strategic management applied to healthcare organizations. This Capstone course through critical assessments of the real world environment and case studies on strategy formulation, implementation, and evaluation will examine alternative strategic frameworks for healthcare organizations. Topics will include, mission, vision statement development, environmental assessments, analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, use of critical success factors, development of business plans, and other techniques for strategic planning and management.

HIM 702 - Health Information Governance (4)

This course covers the broad spectrum of strategic issues in healthcare including policies, guidelines, standards, processes, and controls required to manage and implement enterprise-level information. Treating information as a strategic asset to healthcare organizations, processes to manage various risks to the quality of information and ensure its appropriate use are covered.

Major Electives

At least 4 credits from the following courses:

HIM 710 - Clinical Workflow & Applications (4)

This course explores requirements for clinical workflows in a variety of inpatient, outpatient, and emergency healthcare environments. It covers the documentation, review, mapping, and diagramming of clinical workflow information and processes. The course also covers the linkages between the improvement of patient care to workflow mapping and change management, as part of evidence based decision making in healthcare.

HIM 761 - Healthcare Analytics (4)

This course addresses the process of retrieving, analyzing, and reporting intelligence to make healthcare decisions. It covers the techniques of extracting, transforming and loading data from a myriad of operational databases into corporate data warehouses, as well means to ensure that decision making is based on clean and reliable information. The course also includes ways to report the healthcare intelligence gathered.

GRAD 770 - Lean Six Sigma (4)

The purpose of this course is to train individuals in Lean Six Sigma skills and strategies to improve processes and provide safe, effective care environments. The learner will demonstrate the practical application of tools utilized with Lean Six Sigma methodologies. Students will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge learned during this course concurrently with a case study designed specifically to use Six Sigma methodologies. Students will develop a Lean Six Sigma project plan that can serve as the foundation for completing a major project for Lean Six Sigma certification following the completion of the course. Interested students would need to apply for Lean Six Sigma certification and complete the major project with Franklin University's Center for Professional Training & Development.

HRM 701 - Human Resource Management (4)

This course provides a framework for an in-depth understanding of day-to-day, practical approaches/aspects of problems/challenges that impact the human resource management field. Topics include recruiting, hiring, training, retaining, rewarding, and promoting employees; compensation and benefits; employment planning, performance management systems, and succession planning; labor relations; and managing organizational relationships.

PUAD 701 - Foundations of Government & Nonprofit Administration (4)

As students in PUAD 701, you will examine fundamental public service values that differentiate the mission and purpose of public and nonprofit organizations from that of private, for-profit organizations. The course focuses on applying public administration and organizational theories to analyze administrative problems faced by leaders and managers implementing government and nonprofit programs. You will learn to think systematically about selecting alternative options for delivering public services and improving organizational performance. Finally, you will develop the fundamental computing, writing, information literacy, and presentation skills required for effective academic and professional communication.

PSYC 603 - Managerial Psychology (4)

This course will explore the psychological influences on the development and behavior of managers and organizational leaders. Topics include: follower influences, nature vs. nurture in the development of leaders, relationship of personality to leadership style, behavioral decision- making biases, tactical, operational, and strategic decision-making , group think, and scenario planning.

Optional Focus Areas

Health Informatics:

HIM 710 - Clinical Workflow & Applications (4)

This course explores requirements for clinical workflows in a variety of inpatient, outpatient, and emergency healthcare environments. It covers the documentation, review, mapping, and diagramming of clinical workflow information and processes. The course also covers the linkages between the improvement of patient care to workflow mapping and change management, as part of evidence based decision making in healthcare.

HIM 761 - Healthcare Analytics (4)

This course addresses the process of retrieving, analyzing, and reporting intelligence to make healthcare decisions. It covers the techniques of extracting, transforming and loading data from a myriad of operational databases into corporate data warehouses, as well means to ensure that decision making is based on clean and reliable information. The course also includes ways to report the healthcare intelligence gathered.

Adding a focus area provides an opportunity for customization but is not required for completion of the degree. The focus area may require up to two additional courses. Students may take HIM 710 or HIM 761 as the Major Elective and only need the one additional course to complete the focus area.

Microcredentials Align with Job Essentials

In today's dynamic work environments, adaptive professionals thrive. A microcredential - either as a stand-alone course or integrated into your degree program - is a short, skill-specific recognition that enables you to demonstrate your competency in a distinct area. Like Franklin's degree programs, microcredentials are aligned with market and industry demand to ensure what you learn can be put to use right away. Microcredentials are easily shared via digital badges and can be stacked to create a unique portfolio of in-demand skills.

Master of Healthcare Administration Program Details

Hear What Our MHA Graduates Are Saying

Alexandra D.
Master of Healthcare Administration '21

"This accomplishment gives me the ability to have a greater impact and give back to healthcare in our community."

Derrick Y.
Master of Healthcare Administration '20

"Franklin University's Master of Healthcare Administration program fundamentally taught me about myself. This program has helped prepare me to become the best healthcare professional possible and helped me become a continuous and lifelong learner."

Adaola O.
Master of Healthcare Administration '19

"Franklin University has provided a supportive environment for students like myself who are balancing busy schedules and want to advance their education."

Tonya P.
Master of Healthcare Administration '21

"Obtaining my master's degree in healthcare administration allows me to expand my horizons and my career."

Laura B.
Master of Healthcare Administration '20

"Earning this degree has allowed many doors to open professionally and I made a lifelong friend in one of my classmates."

Career Opportunities

Hospital Administrator

Hospital administrators maintain daily operations by establishing hospital policies and procedures, as well as ensuring that personnel are properly trained and supported.

Clinical Director

Clinical directors draw on their administrative and HR knowledge to oversee the processes and personnel associated with patient care.

Healthcare Consultant

Healthcare consultants work with healthcare administrators to reduce cost and increase revenue without sacrificing the level of care and services provided.

Find the Healthcare Program That Fits Your Goals

If you’re interested in advancing your healthcare career, Franklin has several great options. The best fit for you depends on your interests and goals. Compare programs and identify your perfect match.

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MBA with a Specialization in Healthcare
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Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA)

Focus:
Gain business principles with a focus on healthcare that will enable you to ensure that healthcare products and services are delivered effectively and efficiently. 

Skills:
Build qualitative skills to guide decisions related to the daily management of operations, supply chain and finance. 

Careers:
Use your MBA-Healthcare to successfully launch your own practice or manage administrative functions in a clinical healthcare setting or an ancillary industry.

How many courses are in the program?
Nine 12-week classes

How quickly can I complete the program?
21 months

Focus:
Grow your leadership and management skills in healthcare administration in order to build high performing teams and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of programs and services.  

Skills:
Deepen your understanding of health policy, risk management, as well as ever-changing legal, ethical and compliance issues. 

Careers:
Use your MHA to ensure public and private healthcare systems, hospitals and government/nonprofit organization are effectively serving individuals and communities.

How many courses are in the program?
Nine 6-week classes

How quickly can I complete the program?
14 months

Learn More >

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Free Healthcare Administration & Management Career Guide

Discover the steps to launching or leveling-up a healthcare administration career with real-world advice from business pros who know.

Download Now >

Healthcare Administration Employment Outlook

8%

For 2021-2031 jobs in Healthcare Administration are expected to increase by 8%

All Occupations

2021
5,555,003 jobs
2031
5,997,086 jobs
Show Details >

Administrative Services and Facilities Managers

2021
332,334 jobs
2031
358,304 jobs

Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

2021
627,290 jobs
2031
693,387 jobs


Source information provided by Lightcast.

Healthcare Administration Knowledge & Skillsets

Gain in-demand skills sought by employers with curriculum that teaches you:

Master's in Healthcare Administration Degree Frequently Asked Questions

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