By Kelley Jacobs
May 2015
The field of Health Care Management is rapidly growing as the need for health care professionals with management and business experience expands. Health care management and health care administration programs train professionals to:
- analyze and create policy
- manage hospitals and health care networks
- direct the operation of hospitals, health systems and other types of organizations
Work settings are diverse with graduates working in positions in:
- technology firms
- insurance companies
- hospitals
- long term care facilities
Starting pay can average over $65,000/year and, according to Forbes magazine, the field is expanding as demand increases.
The list below highlights 25 great healthcare management programs in urban/metro areas. These regions can provide a provide range of internship and employment opportunities for individuals pursuing careers in the field.
Methodology
We started our review by considering schools which have current accreditation with CAHME (Commission on Accreditation Healthcare Management Education). Schools in urban or metro areas were then selected for ranking. Where there are ties, the school with the lower tuition is favored. The point-based ranking system is shown below. The list of programs is presented in ascending order of points awarded. Information is drawn from the program’s website.
Executive/accelerated option: 1 point
Part-time study option: 1 point
Internship opportunity: 1 point
Concentration/Specialization: 1 point
Flexible coursework offerings (ie online, weekend): 1 point
Ranking Top Healthcare Management Degree Programs in Urban/Metro Areas
25. University of St. Thomas
Opus College of Business
Health Care UST MBA
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Points: 2
Tuition: $67,500 for the program
The University of St. Thomas is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota — the 14th largest metropolitan area in the United States. The Health Care UST MBA program is a 21-month hybrid program for working professionals. Health Care UST MBA is one of only 14 MBA programs in the country accredited by both the AACSB and the CAHME. Students spend time as a cohort and complete courses both online and during campus residencies. Students also participate in a three-day seminar in Washington DC meeting with national leaders in the field. The school claims that 100% of graduates are employed either during the program or shortly after graduation.
Coursework Highlights:
- Strategic Management
- Statistical Methods for Decision-making
- Operations Management
- Financial and Managerial Accounting for Executives
24. University of South Florida
Department of Health Policy and Management
Master of Health Administration
Tampa, Florida
Points: 2
Tuition: $431/credit hour for residents; $877/credit hour non-resident
The University of South Florida offers several programs in the area of health care management including a Master’s of Health Care Administration. Students can complete the program by taking 58 credit hours. Field study is required prior to graduation to gain administrative experience. The program has a 90% completion rate (a three-year average), along with a 90% employment rate for graduates.
Coursework Highlights:
- Managing Quality in Health Care
- Strategic Planning and Health Care Marketing
- Health Policy and Politics
23. University of North Texas
Health Science Center
Health Care Administration
Fort Worth, Texas
Points: 2
Tuition: $15,000 resident cost for the program, $40,000 non-resident cost (costs are approximate)
The Health Care Administration program at the University of North Texas is a 60-credit-hour program that can be completed either full time or part time. The program is designed for the seasoned executive as well as those new to the field. Students complete a 500-hour unpaid internship during the last phase of study. Students may be considered for a fellowship after graduation.
Coursework Highlights:
- Behavioral & Community Health
- Biostatistics
- Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences
22. University of Oklahoma
Department of Health Administration
Master of Health Administration Program
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Points: 2
Tuition: $183.10/credit hour, resident and $707.10/credit hour, non-resident
The University of Oklahoma is located in the state capital and largest city in the state. The MHA program is a 60-credit-hour program that can be completed either full time or part time. Full-time study takes two years to complete. It entails an internship between the 1st and 2nd year of the program. Most graduates are placed in a fellowship giving them additional administrative experience. The program has a 95% graduation rate. It also claims that 90% of graduates are placed in a fellowship or obtain full time employment within three months of graduation.
Coursework Highlights:
- Financial Management of Health Service
- Organizations Managed Care and Integrated Delivery Systems
- Strategic Management in Health Service Organizations
21. Tulane University of Louisiana
School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
Master of Health Administration
New Orleans, Louisiana
Points: 3
Tuition: $1,443/credit hour
Tulane University is the oldest school of public health in the country. Tulane currently offers a variety of programs to meet the needs of those looking to continue their education in the field of Health Administration. Students can pursue a Master of Health Administration either full time or part time. They may enter the program in any semester. An integrated residency experience is a highlight of the program. Students interested in dual degrees can pursue the Joint Business MBA/MHA or the Juris Doctor/MHA.
Coursework Highlights:
- Survey of Environmental Health
- Epidemiological Methods
- Principles of Health Systems Administration and Management
20. The George Washington University
Milken Institute School of Public Health
Executive Master of Health Administration
Washington, DC
Points: 3
Tuition: $79,250 for entire program
George Washington University offers an Executive Master of Health Administration. The program features online learning exercises and live, face-to-face weekly class sessions. Students are required to make periodic in person visits to enhance collaboration. Courses are offered in eight 10-week learning modules. An applied research project is completed during the last cohort prior to graduation.
Areas of Concentration:
- Community and Public Health
- Economics and Quantitative Methods
- Quality Improvement
19. Baruch College-CUNY
Baruch/Mt. Sinai School of Medicine
Graduate Program in Health Care Administration
New York, New York
Points: 3
Tuition: $58,638-resident and $79,673-non-resident
The Executive MBA in Healthcare Administration program at Baruch College in New York City claims to be the only program of its kind in the New York metropolitan area. Students complete 57 credits of coursework and can complete in about three years. The program is part time, and students attend evening courses. Currently the program has a 93% graduation rate.
Coursework Highlights:
- Strategic Management
- Statistical Methods for Decision-making
- Operations Management
- Financial and Managerial Accounting for Executives
18. University of Michigan
Department of Health Management and Policy
Masters of Health Services Administration
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Points: 3
Tuition: $12,496/term in-state and $20,657/term out-of-state
The Department of Health Management and Policy offers several program options for those interested healthcare management. Available programs are:
- Master’s of Health Services Administration
- Master’s of Public Health
- Master’s of Science in Health Services Research
- Doctor of Philosophy
An Executive Master’s Program combines on-campus and distance learning. Students in the Master’s of Health Services Administration can expect to complete in about 2 years. They will participate in a required internship during the summer between the first and second year.
Coursework Highlights:
- Healthcare Accounting
- Heath Policy; Law or Political Science
- Organizational Theory/Management
17. Xavier University
College of Social Sciences, Health, and Education
Health Services Administration
Cincinnati, Ohio
Points: 3
Tuition: $606.00/credit hour
Cincinnati, Ohio is home to Xavier University which offers a master’s degree in Health Services Administration. Full-time students enrolled in the program receive a paid, 8-12 month administrative residency as part of the curriculum. Full-time students can complete four semesters of study (64 credit hours). Part-time students can complete in 9 semesters. Xavier also offers a join MBA/MHSA degree that can be completed either part time or full time.
Coursework Highlights:
- Clinical Processes for Health Care Administrators
- Quantitative Methods for Health Care Management
- Financial Management of Health Care Organizations
16. Rush University
Department of Health Systems Management
Health Systems Management
Chicago, Illinois
Points: 3
Tuition: $702/Credit Hour
Rush University is located in the bustling city of Chicago and is consistently ranked as a top 10 program in the field of healthcare management. The Health Systems Management program utilizes a Practitioner-Teacher model approach where faculty have dual roles as both practitioners in the field and educators. Program admission is competitive and only 47% of applicants are accepted. Students are guaranteed to receive paid hands-on work experience starting in their first year of the program.
Coursework Highlights:
- Corporate Finance
- Health Law
- Health Policy
15. University of California-Los Angeles
Department of Health Policy and Management
Program in Health Policy and Management
Los Angeles, California
Points: 3
Tuition: $15,662/year, resident and $30,764/year, out-of-state
UCLA offers two program options leading to a master’s degree in Health Policy and Management. The traditional two-year option allows students to complete 16 courses and a one-year graduate residence. An accelerated one-year option is available to those who already have a doctoral degree and experience in the field. This option requires students to complete 12 courses.
Coursework Highlights:
- Health Systems Organization and Financing
- Applied Regression
- Health Services Research Design
14. Virginia Commonwealth University
School of Allied Health Professionals
Masters of Science in Health Administration (MSHA)
Master of Health Administration (MHA)
Richmond, Virginia
Points: 3
Program Website
Tuition: $6,199.73/semester, resident and $11,922.23/semester, non-resident
Virginia Commonwealth University is located in the capitol of Virginia. They currently offer two programs to meet the needs to those looking to advance their career in healthcare management. The MHA degree program is an industry-specific MBA program designed to be completed on a full-time basis. The program can be completed in three years. The third year is a 12-month paid administrative residency. The Master’s of Science in Health Administration (MSHA) program is a flexible degree program that can be completed part time or full time, with a blend of on-campus and off-campus requirements.
Coursework Highlights:
- Health System Organization
- Financing and Performance
- Health Economics
- Health Care Managerial Accounting
13. San Diego State University
Graduate School of Public Health
MPH – Health Management & Policy
San Diego, California
Points: 3
Tuition: $4,066/semester
The Graduate School of Public Health offers a Master’s of Public Health in Health Management and Policy. Students are able to complete the program on a full-time or part-time basis, but must complete within 7 years. Fifty-six units of credits are required for graduation. Students must complete:
- a thesis
- management project
- or comprehensive exam
The program offers supervised field placements to gain experience. According to program information, 100% of students completing the post-graduation survey reported finding employment in the field upon graduation from this program.
Coursework Highlights:
- Behavioral and Community Science
- Health Services Organization + Management
- Health Services Financial Management
12. Georgetown University
School of Nursing and Health Studies
Health Systems Administration
Washington, DC
Points: 4
Georgetown University offers a Master’s in Health Systems Administration. The program provides opportunities for:
- internships
- assistantships
- an administrative residency in the last semester of attendance
Both full-time and part-time students can take advantage of the Executive Mentorship program. This is a 1:1 mentoring program where students work with an executive healthcare mentor in the field. An Executive Master’s program is available and involves student participation in:
- three weeklong on-campus intensives
- five 12-week online sessions
- one offsite intensive
Students in the Executive Master’s program can expect to finish in about two years.
Tuition: $1,863/credit hour
Coursework Highlights:
- Health Care Managerial Ethics
- Organizational Theory and Behavior
- Health In a Free Society
11. Columbia University
Department of Health Policy and Management
Master of Healthcare Administration
New York, New York
Points: 4
Tuition: $1,560/credit hour
Columbia University provides a solid education for students wanting to study in New York City. The Healthcare Administration program is delivered in full-time, part-time and executive formats. Full-time students complete a summer practicum and can expect to graduate in about 2 years. Part-time students can take advantage of an evening cohort model and complete in about 28 months. The executive format allows students to attend class for one long weekend each month over 2 years. 95% of full-time students reported being employed within 3 months of graduation.
Coursework Highlights:
- Managerial & Organizational Behavior
- Strategic Management
- Accounting & Budgeting
- Healthcare Finance
10. John Hopkins University
John Hopkins Carey Business School
MS in Health Care Management
Baltimore, Maryland
Points: 4
The Master’s in Healthcare Management from John Hopkins University has both part-time and full-time options to accommodate those new to the industry and seasoned professionals. The full-time option uses a cohort format and can be completed in about one year. The part-time option is available to those with more than two years of experience. Courses are available in the evenings and on Saturdays. Students can also pursue their MBA with a concentration in Health Care Management on a full-time basis (Global MBA) or part-time basis (Flexible MBA).
Tuition: $61,600 for 12 month program
Coursework Highlights:
- Marketing Management
- Statistical Analysis
- Decision Models
9. University of Pittsburg
Department of Health Policy and Management
Master of Health Administration in Health Policy and Management
Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
Points: 4
Tuition: $838/credit hour
The University of Pittsburg features a Master of Health Administration in Health Policy and Management degree program. Students complete 60 credit hours of study. They complete an on-site management residency as well as an advanced thesis research effort. Those interested in an executive program can benefit from the Executive MHA which features blended online coursework and periodic classroom sessions.
Coursework Highlights:
- Human Resource Management for Healthcare and Public Health Professionals
- Health Systems Leadership & Professional Development
- Managerial Epidemiology
8. University of Illinois-Chicago
School of Public Health
Master of Healthcare in Administration (MHA)
Chicago, Illinois
Points: 4
Tuition: $11,894-$17,893/semester
The School of Public Health at the University of Illinois-Chicago offers both a Master of Healthcare in Administration (MHA) and a Clinical Executive Master of Healthcare Administration. Students in the MHA program can attend full or part time and complete a preceptorship prior to graduation. The preceptorship allows students to learn from professionals in the field. A capstone project is required for graduation.
Coursework Highlights:
- Strategic Management of Health Care Organizations
- Health Care Finance
- Managerial Health Economics
7. University of Kansas Medical Center
Department of Health Policy and Management
Master of Health Services and Administration
Kansas City, Kansas
Points: 4
Tuition: $361.45/credit hour, resident and $855/credit hour, out-of-state
The University of Kansas Medical Center provides a flexible Health Services and Administration program to meet the diverse needs of those interested in continuing their education in an area of health care management. Students can complete the 56-credit program either full time or part time. Courses are offered in the late afternoons and evenings to accommodate working professionals. An internship is required to gain practical experience. Joint degrees are available. They include:
- D-MHSA
- MS in Nursing-MHSA
- MD-MHSA
Areas of Concentration:
- Introduction to Operations
- Strategy Marketing
- Strategic Management
6. University of Colorado-Denver
Graduate School of Business Administration
MS in Health Administration
Denver, Colorado
Points: 4
Tuition: $511/credit hour, resident $1,240/credit hour out-of-state
The Graduate School of Business Administration offers both an MBA (51 semester hours) and an MS degree (33 semester hours) in Health Administration. Coursework is delivered during the evenings and online. A mentorship program is available for those seeking additional 1:1 assistance. Student can complete an administrative residency, but this is not required as part of the program. UCD students benefit from small class sizes and greater faculty interaction.
Areas of Concentration:
MBA in Health Administration specializations include:
- International Health Management and Policy Specialization
- Financial Management Specialization
- Health Information Technology Management Specialization
5. California State University-Long Beach
Department of Healthcare Administration
Healthcare Administration
Long Beach, California
Points: 4
California State University-Long Beach offers a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration. Students are able to take advantage of both full-time and part-time program options which include 45 units of coursework (13 core courses and 2 electives). Courses are offered during the evening hours Monday through Thursday. The Accelerated Program combines online education with face-to-face weekend sessions. This allows participants to move through the program and integrate their learning experience with their professional work experience.
Tuition: $2,443-$3,858/semester
Coursework Highlights:
- Organization and Systems of Health Care
- Human Resources Management in Health Care
- Advanced Financial Management in Health Care
4. University of Southern California
Sol Price School of Public Policy
Master of Health Administration (MHA) Program
Los Angeles, California
Points: 5
Tuition: $1,602/unit
The University of Southern California offers both a Master of Health Administration (MHA) and a joint MHA/MSG (Master of Science in Gerontology) degree. The MHA can be completed either full time or part time. Students must complete a 1,000-hour administrative residency. Courses are offered in the evening or in an intensive format. USC is located in the most diverse, multi-ethnic metropolitan area in the United States.
Areas of Concentration:
- Management, Operations and Leadership
- Health Policy Analysis
- Health Finance
- Health Information Technologies
- Quality of Care
3. New York University
Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
Master of Public Administration in Health Policy & Management
New York, New York
Points: 5
Tuition: $1,547/credit hour
New York University offers a Master of Public Administration in Health Policy and Management in addition to several joint degrees including:
- JD-MPA
- MBA-MPA
- MD-MPA
- MPH in Global Health Leadership-MPA
- MSW-Executive MPA
Students can earn their degree attending school full time or part time taking evening classes. Students complete a capstone project prior to graduation. A Professional Experience Requirement of at least two years of full-time work experience is required to fulfill graduation requirements. Students are able to obtain employment in a program-relevant job role or internship while pursuing requirements.
Areas of Concentration:
- Health Services Management
- Health Policy Analysis
- Health Services Financial Management
- Health Care Public Finance
- International Health
2. St. Louis University
Department of Health Management and Policy
Master of Health Administration Program
St. Louis, Missouri
Points: 5
Tuition: $1,030/credit hour
St. Louis, Missouri is home to the Master of Health Administration Program at St. Louis University. Students can complete the 60-credit-hour program full time or in an executive format utilizing distance learning (online, blended program). Students in the full-time on-campus program complete a summer internship between their first and second year. There are also two combined degree options including:
- a MHA with a JD
- an MHA with an MBA
Areas of Concentration: Finance; Operations
1. University of Utah
David Eccles School of Business
Masters of Health Administration
Salt Lake City, Utah
Points: 5
Tuition: Cost of program varies by dual degree:
- $46,000-$48,000 MHA/MPA
- $51,000-$54,000 MHA/MPH
- $67,000-$72,000 MHA/PMBA
- $65,000-$69,000 MHA/MBA
The University of Utah offers several dual degree programs for those interested in a Master’s of Health Administration. Students can select a joint MHA/MPA program which can be completed during evening hours or in an executive weekend format. For those looking for a join MHA/MBA program, the University of Utah offers a part-time and full-time join program. Students can also choose the part-time or full time joint MHA/MPH degree program. Students in all joint programs get the chance to experience a 500 hour administrative internship. Many graduates are placed in yearlong fellowships.
Coursework Highlights:
- Quality Management
- Marketing for Health Professionals
- Competitive Advantage through HR
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