No! You can apply to the program with a bachelor’s degree in any field, as long as you have 5+ years of experience in a healthcare role. (If you’re not sure whether your experience qualifies you, send your resume to us at online@louisville.edu and we’re more than happy to help!)
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Cassie Thompson
Online Enrollment Counselor
Online Master of Science in Health Administration
UofL’s online Master of Science in Health Administration (MSHA) is designed for aspiring healthcare executives or leaders with 5+ years of experience who are looking to broaden their core healthcare management competencies and/or pursue career advancement applying the principles of population health management.
UofL’s online master’s in health administration prepares you to confidently lead healthcare organizations into the future. Implementing our reputable CAHME-accredited curriculum and taught by leaders in healthcare innovation, the online MSHA courses will explore broad principles and important influencers within top healthcare organizations, examine data-driven methods of strategic leadership and effective management, analyze external policy and healthcare environments that affect management, and more. Overall, the MSHA program builds on your experience and deepens your understanding of processes, environments, structures, and strategies that are disrupting the industry as well as focusing on assessments that emphasize solving authentic, real-life challenges you face within your current role.
The online master’s in health administration is offered through the School of Public Health and Information Sciences at the University of Louisville.
How Much Will I Pay?
$517 per credit hour
$250 per credit hour active-duty tuition rate
This program is a Title IV federal financial aid eligible program. Tuition rate does not include costs associated with a specific course or program, such as textbooks.
Please note that other fees apply – check our tuition page for all applicable costs.
Tuition, fees, and charges are subject to change and effective on the date enacted.For additional information on educational expenses and the Cost of Attendance, please visit the Student Financial Aid Office website.
Highlights
- Skip the GRE - it's not required for admission.
- Learn on your schedule with flexible and 100% online courses.
- Gain applicable and transferable healthcare knowledge and methodologies through every course.
- Take advantage of recently lowered tuition to join a quality CAHME-accredited program that is now more affordable.
- Experience a specialized curriculum using UofL’s Population Health Leadership (PHL) Competency Model—a modified version of the National Center for Healthcare Leadership (NCHL) Competency Model.
- Complete your degree in just 2 years with 8-week terms (courses completed 2-3 at a time). Part-time enrollment is also available.
CAHME Accreditation
UofL’s School of Public Health and Information Sciences is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. The University of Louisville's online Master of Science in Healthcare Administration program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). As the singular accrediting body for graduate healthcare administration in the United States, CAHME accreditation highlights the academic rigor and relevance of UofL's MSHA curriculum. Students can be confident enrolling in a CAHME-accredited program that meets strict standards for preparing future health administration leaders. CAHME is the accrediting body for graduate programs in health management in the United States.
100% ONLINE COURSEWORK
Complete your degree on your own time through fully online coursework.
Learn More
57 CREDIT HOURS
Complete 20 courses to earn your Health Administration degree.
Learn More
2 YEAR PROGRAM
Take courses 2 at a time, in 8-week increments—earn your degree in 2 years.
Healthcare is evolving. You should be too.
From technology and analytics to standards of patient care, healthcare is continuously evolving and growing as an industry. As a healthcare administrator, you’re responsible for leading the charge in embracing these changes. Our online program—specialized for working professionals with 5+ years leadership experience in the field—is designed to help you take on that challenge.
Why Earn a Master's in Health Administration?
A Master of Science in Health Administration is a must-have for those pursuing higher level health care leadership roles. The online MSHA program at UofL can give you the expertise you need to advance into a healthcare executive position (e.g. senior director, VP, CEO, etc.).
The online Master of Science in Health Administration degree will prepare you for organizational leadership and management roles, whether your experience is in a healthcare-related or non-healthcare related field. Positions range from healthcare administrator, military officer, civil service or health insurance to dental, veterinary or allied health care provider. As a leader in any healthcare industry, you’ll be responsible for overseeing and managing services, programs, staff, budgets, facilities, external relations and more.
Leading in healthcare is especially advantageous. With an aging population and increased demand for services, healthcare occupations are expected to grow 13% between 2021 and 2031, adding around 1.9 million jobs in that same period – faster than the average growth compared to all occupations (bls.gov).
As a graduate of our program, you’ll be equipped to:
- Manage strategic projects and action plans in healthcare organizations
- Assess institutional financial and healthcare delivery performance
- Examine community healthcare needs per industry standards
- Model accountability with respect to compliance in policy, and regulation and ethical codes of conduct
- Analyze organizational needs based on clinical and financial data
Will This Program Prepare Students for Certifications?
Our graduates are prepared to pursue board certifications through the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), meeting both the education requirements and depth of knowledge to successfully complete the certification exams. After graduating from this program, you will also have the opportunity to pursue MGMA, AAMA and/or HFMA certification.
| Preferred Application Deadline | Term | Start |
|---|---|---|
| July 1 | Fall I | August |
Note: We admit students on a rolling basis. The preferred deadlines help you complete the application process on time, be notified of acceptance and enroll before the term begins. We review applications as they become complete, and admit students for a specific term up to the day classes start. We recommend you work on and submit your complete application well in advance of the preferred deadline, as obtaining transcripts and other materials may take more time.
How to Apply for the Online Master of Science in Health Administration
- Start your application for graduate admission
- Submit $65 non-refundable application fee
- Upload required materials*
- Request official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities. Transcripts are only accepted directly from the institution(s) by email: gradadm@louisville.edu (recommended) or mail: University of Louisville, Graduate School, 2211 S. Brook St., Louisville, KY 40292
- Create a financial plan
Qualifying Experience for the Program Requirement:
- Positions in any healthcare provider, technician, administrator, etc. that serves patients, staff, and/or community members
- Military Service (Commissioned or Non-commissioned Officer)
- Federal, State, and/or Municipal civil service
- Service in medial logistics or pharmaceuticals
- Dental, Veterinary, Preventative Medicine, Occupational Health, and other Allied Health occupations
Don't have 5+ years of experience? You may qualify for the on-campus Master of Science in Health Administration program.
Online Master of Science in Health Administration Admissions Requirements and Materials
To be considered for admission, applicants must have:
- a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution
- a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA may inquire about conditional acceptance)
*Required application packet materials include:
- one-page personal statement written by the applicant that is a clear,substantive description of your goals in healthcare management
- three letters of recommendation
- a current resume or curriculum vitae, demonstrating 5+ years of experience within a healthcare organization or system. Experience must include some period of direct or associated health services employment or volunteer time. Military service and general business experience can be included in the 5+ years of experience
- interview with the HMSS Health Leadership Committee; an interview provides the HMSS Health Leadership Committee an additional source of information and perspective about your potential fit for the University of Louisville
*Your Application Portal:
Once you have started the graduate application, you can check the status and review any additional checklist to-do items. Log in to your application using the email address you used to apply for admission and your password. Your checklist items may include additional materials or documentation that facilitate a smooth admissions process. You will also have access to important contact information and next steps after an admissions decision is made.
Online MSHA for International Applicants
If you live outside of the United States and intend to complete an online academic program from your home country, be sure to review these additional requirements for international students.
Transcripts from institutions outside of the United States will require a foreign credential evaluation.
Students whose primary language is not English must show English language proficiency by attaining one of the following:
- TOEFL score of 79 or higher (after conversion for test type)
- IELTS test score of 6.5 or higher
- Duolingo English test score of 105 or higher
- Demonstration of a degree award from an acceptable English language institution, as formally documented by an appropriate institutional official
For more information on the admission and application process, please contact our Online Learning Enrollment Counselors at 800.871.8635 or by email at online@louisville.edu.
The Master of Science in Health Administration is a 57 credit hour program, broken down into 20 courses. All courses are delivered 100% online, asynchronously in 8-week terms.
| Course List | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| PHMS 505 Governance and Management of Healthcare Organizations | 3 |
| PHMS 509 Health Finance and Financial Management | 3 |
| PHMS 520 Foundations of Public Health for Healthcare Management | 3 |
| PHMS 610 Health Policy and Analysis | 3 |
| PHMS 620 Healthcare Strategic Management | 3 |
| PHMS 625 Population Health Management | 3 |
| PHMS 630 Human Resource Management in the Public Health Sector | 3 |
| PHMS 635 Health Law and Ethics | 3 |
| PHMS 662 Health Economics | 3 |
| PHMS 680 Health Management Leadership Seminar | 1 |
| PHMS 681 Population Health Quantitative Methods | 3 |
| PHMS 682 Population Health Information Management | 3 |
| PHMS 683 Healthcare Quality Management | 3 |
| PHMS 684 Project Management for Population Health | 3 |
| PHMS 685 Health Operations Management & Science | 3 |
| PHMS 687 Managerial Accounting for Healthcare Managers | 3 |
| PHMS 688 Healthcare Marketing | 2 |
| PHMS 689 Insurance and Alternative Payment Models | 3 |
| PHMS 690 MSHA Capstone | 3 |
| PHMS 694 Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Healthcare | 3 |
| Total Minimum Credit Hours Required | 57 |
Course Descriptions
PHMS 505 Governance and Management of Healthcare Organizations
This course seeks to provide the student with an understanding of organizations and leadership from dominant ways of thinking about them to ways informed by a complexity perspective. Course participants will read about and discuss a broad range of perspectives about what constitutes an organization and leadership of it. Particular attention will be given to the organizational experiences of the student and the class.
PHMS 509 Health Finance and Financial Management
This course is designed to provide an overview of health finance and financial management, including context of health finance and the approaches and processes involved in managing the health enterprise.
PHMS 520 Foundations of Public Health in Health Management
This course is designed to introduce new students in academic public health programs (MS and PhD) to the field of Public Health in the United States. It provides a broad overview of the field of public health, a focused look at the core areas of epidemiology and biostatistics, health promotion, environmental health, and health care administration.
PHMS 610 Health Policy and Analysis
This course is designed to introduce students to health policy, mechanisms through which policy is made at the state and federal level, and strategies for health policy analysis.
PHMS 620 Healthcare Strategic Management
This course offers an introduction to strategic management within contemporary healthcare organizations and markets. Lectures and assignments will focus on various topics including organizational strategy formulation, implementation, and evaluation.
PHMS 625 Population Health Management
This course will introduce managing the health of populations. Population health can be defined by geography and demographics. Examples of defined populations include: the population within the catchment area of a hospital, the members of a health maintenance organization, the persons served by an accountable care organization, and the population employed in a workplace. Improving the health of populations has always been a high priority for public health professionals but has been less of a priority for managers of health care organizations, with their focus on the acute-care needs of individual patients.
PHMS 630 Human Resource Management in the Public Health Sector
The purpose of this course is to provide the master’s degree/PhD student in public health and health care fields an overview of Human Resources Management. This will include looking at the framework of human resources management in various settings; planning and developing a competent workforce in various settings; and practice in techniques for training, mentoring and evaluating employees as well as a range of disciplinary actions.
PHMS 635 Health Law and Ethics
This course provides an overview of major contemporary legal and ethical issues related to administrative decision making in health care and population health.
PHMS 662 Health Economics
The course uses principles of microeconomic analysis to study health care systems: demand for medical services; role of health insurance; productivity/cost measurement; labor markets and competition.
PHMS 681 Population Health Quantitative Methods
The goal of the course is to build quantitative analysis foundations for students in health management emphasizing decision-making using health data. The course provides an overview of basic quantitative analysis techniques, and discusses a variety of quantitative analysis tools.
PHMS 682 Population Health Information Management
This course is designed to introduce students to key concepts and issues surrounding the adoption and use of information systems for population health management.
PHMS 680 Health Management Leadership Seminar
The course bridges MPH concentration in Population Health Management coursework and the world of practice with a focus on developing career planning and professional skills.
PHMS 683 Healthcare Quality Management
This course is designed to introduce students to key concepts and issues surrounding the adoption and use of information systems and the use of quality assessment processes within health care organizations.
PHMS 684 Project Management for Population Health
This course is designed to introduce students to key concepts and methodologies involved in managing projects and the use of specific project management tools and processes within health care organizations.
PHMS 685 Health Operations Management and Science
This course introduces and reviews the field of operations management as applied to healthcare organizations. It demonstrates the important relationship between operations research and the management science of complex healthcare delivery organizations.
PHMS 687 Managerial Accounting for Healthcare Managers
This course provides an overview of the principles and processes of managerial accounting and organizational finance within the healthcare marketplace. Lectures, assignments, and case studies will focus on various topics including financial statement analysis, costing, pricing, planning, budgeting, and financial risk analysis.
PHMS 688 Healthcare Marketing
This course offers an introduction to marketing and marketing strategy within the healthcare system. Lectures and assignments will focus on various topics including strategy formulation, environmental analysis, and market assessment.
PHMS 689 Insurance and Alternative Payment Models
This course is designed to provide students an analysis of the U.S. health insurance and payment system. Specific topics include health plan types and characteristics, population health alternative financing models, premium setting, and reimbursement of health providers.
PHMS 690 MSHA Capstone
This course is an integrative learning experience drawing on all competencies presented in the MSHA program. It requires the students to work independently as a member of a team to complete a comprehensive and relevant business plan for a healthcare-related organization and to successfully pass an oral examination.
PHMS 694 Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Healthcare
This course is designed to enhance and improve student techniques and skills in entrepreneurship as applied to business venture development in healthcare markets. The focus is the student "being" an entrepreneur and acquiring the skills necessary to evaluate, plan, and develop business opportunities. Assignments should be treated as if the future of an organization or community depends on the success of the venture. The course will enable students to define the nature, skills, and spirit of entrepreneurs, evaluate and practice entrepreneurship, and conduct market research to develop an innovative and viable business model. Students will learn to conduct market analysis to identify competitors and industry trends. Class activities will identify and evaluate different sources of financing for startups and financial factors of successful businesses.
-
-
-
Andrew Mccart, Ph.D.,MHA, FACHEAssistant Professor and Associate Program Director
Faculty
- DAVID JOHNSON
Ph.D., MPH, CPH
Assistant Professor
- ALEX KERNS
Ph.D., MHA
Adjunct Assistant Professor
-
To be accepted into the MSHA, do I need a bachelor’s degree in a healthcare-related field?
-
If I am a physician, nurse, or other licensed healthcare provider, is this program right for me?
Absolutely! One of the prime reasons that we developed the online MSHA program was to provide working healthcare clinical professionals the opportunity to earn a graduate healthcare management degree and obtain focused, critical leadership and management competency development to more effectively serve in leadership positions within healthcare organizations.
-
What type of experience meets the program requirements?
This program is designed for a wide range of organizational leadership and management roles, as well as a variety of health and non-health industries. The experience requirement includes:
- Positions with any healthcare provider, technician, administrator, etc. that serves patients, staff, and/or community members
- Military Service (Commissioned or Non-commissioned Officer)
- Federal, State, and/or Municipal civil service
- Service in medical equipment, supplies, construction or maintenance
- Service in health insurance or managed care
- Service in medical logistics or pharmaceuticals
- Dental, Veterinary, Preventative Medicine, Occupational Health, and other Allied Health occupations
-
What if I missed the application deadline?
We encourage you to still apply! Our admissions are rolling and we offer multiple chances to get started on your degree. Currently, our Fall I Term starts in August, and our Spring I Term starts in January.
-
Do courses meet at a specific time?
All classes for the online MSHA are asynchronous, meaning they don’t meet at a set time. However, there may be course elements or deliverables (such as office hours, 1:1 professor and student conferences, etc.) that require a specific time and date to be chosen. These will be at the course instructor’s discretion and will take your schedule into account.
-
Can I complete the program as a part-time student?
Yes, the online MSHA program is available as both a part-time and full-time program. The full-time schedule requires students to take 2 courses at a time every 8 weeks, with the degree being completed in 2 years. Part-time enrollment gives you the flexibility to take 1-2 courses at a time, every 8 weeks, as your schedule allows. Degree completion time will depend on number of courses taken at once. View the MSHA course list for more course information.
-
Can I take courses both online and on-campus?
Due to the way UofL’s on-campus MSHA and online MSHA programs are structured, you cannot take a combination of online and on-campus courses. You will need to choose and enroll in one of the two options. However, if you start in one format and decide you’d be better suited for the other, you are allowed to switch your coursework entirely from online to on-campus or vice versa.
-
What’s the difference between the on-campus and online programs?
The primary difference between UofL’s online and on-campus MSHA program is that you need 5+ years of healthcare experience to qualify for the online format. This is an important distinction because of the variance in student experience and the types of discussions those experiences may elicit.
With regard to content and faculty expertise, both the online and on-campus MSHA programs are CAHME-accredited. The only difference in coursework is the required practicum for the on-campus program has been eliminated for the online program, as the online program is designed for working healthcare leaders and professionals who are experiencing the industry firsthand every day.
-
What does the admissions interview process look like?
After you apply, if you meet all the admissions criteria, you’ll be contacted by the MSHA team for an interview. The interview will be conducted via Teams at a time that works best for you, and is really about checking to make sure the online MSHA is the right fit. Dont worry, it’s really just a confirmation that you’re on the right track and prepared to succeed in the program!
-
Will this degree prepare me to get board certified?
Yes! The FACHE certification exam through ACHE requires a master’s degree. Therefore, the online MSHA degree prepares you with both the qualifications you need to take the exam, as well as the competencies/knowledge you need to pass it. You’ll also be prepared to apply for MGMA, AAMA and HFMA certification, as relevant to your career trajectory.
-
Does this program award Continuing Education Units (CEU) credits?
No, at this time you cannot receive CEU credits for completing coursework through the MSHA program at UofL.
-
The graduate application page lists MSHA under the SOPHAS application requirement. Do I need to submit that?
No. While SOPHAS is required for our resident program, the online MSHA program does not require a SOPHAS application to be submitted. Please review our application requirements for the online MSHA program for more details on what we require for acceptance.
-
What's the difference between an MBA and an MSHA?
An MBA focuses on general business skills, while an MSHA specifically develops healthcare administration abilities, including knowledge of laws, regulations, technology, and policies unique to the healthcare field.
-
How long does an online MSHA program take?
A full-time online MSHA typically takes 2 years to complete, with students taking around 2-3 courses per semester, while a part-time program usually takes 3-4 years for working professionals seeking flexibility.
-
Is an online MSHA worth it?
Yes, an online MSHA provides advanced healthcare leadership training for higher administration positions and salary, and is a worthwhile investment for any student wanting to move up into management roles in healthcare organizations.
How Much Will I Pay?
$517 per credit hour
$250 per credit hour active-duty tuition rate
This program is a Title IV federal financial aid eligible program. Tuition rate does not include costs associated with a specific course or program, such as textbooks.
Please note that other fees apply – check our tuition page for all applicable costs.
Tuition, fees, and charges are subject to change and effective on the date enacted.For additional information on educational expenses and the Cost of Attendance, please visit the Student Financial Aid Office website.
Highlights
- Skip the GRE - it's not required for admission.
- Learn on your schedule with flexible and 100% online courses.
- Gain applicable and transferable healthcare knowledge and methodologies through every course.
- Take advantage of recently lowered tuition to join a quality CAHME-accredited program that is now more affordable.
- Experience a specialized curriculum using UofL’s Population Health Leadership (PHL) Competency Model—a modified version of the National Center for Healthcare Leadership (NCHL) Competency Model.
- Complete your degree in just 2 years with 8-week terms (courses completed 2-3 at a time). Part-time enrollment is also available.
CAHME Accreditation
UofL’s School of Public Health and Information Sciences is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. The University of Louisville's online Master of Science in Healthcare Administration program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). As the singular accrediting body for graduate healthcare administration in the United States, CAHME accreditation highlights the academic rigor and relevance of UofL's MSHA curriculum. Students can be confident enrolling in a CAHME-accredited program that meets strict standards for preparing future health administration leaders. CAHME is the accrediting body for graduate programs in health management in the United States.
100% ONLINE COURSEWORK
Complete your degree on your own time through fully online coursework.
Learn More
57 CREDIT HOURS
Complete 20 courses to earn your Health Administration degree.
Learn More
2 YEAR PROGRAM
Take courses 2 at a time, in 8-week increments—earn your degree in 2 years.
Healthcare is evolving. You should be too.
From technology and analytics to standards of patient care, healthcare is continuously evolving and growing as an industry. As a healthcare administrator, you’re responsible for leading the charge in embracing these changes. Our online program—specialized for working professionals with 5+ years leadership experience in the field—is designed to help you take on that challenge.
Why Earn a Master's in Health Administration?
A Master of Science in Health Administration is a must-have for those pursuing higher level health care leadership roles. The online MSHA program at UofL can give you the expertise you need to advance into a healthcare executive position (e.g. senior director, VP, CEO, etc.).
The online Master of Science in Health Administration degree will prepare you for organizational leadership and management roles, whether your experience is in a healthcare-related or non-healthcare related field. Positions range from healthcare administrator, military officer, civil service or health insurance to dental, veterinary or allied health care provider. As a leader in any healthcare industry, you’ll be responsible for overseeing and managing services, programs, staff, budgets, facilities, external relations and more.
Leading in healthcare is especially advantageous. With an aging population and increased demand for services, healthcare occupations are expected to grow 13% between 2021 and 2031, adding around 1.9 million jobs in that same period – faster than the average growth compared to all occupations (bls.gov).
As a graduate of our program, you’ll be equipped to:
- Manage strategic projects and action plans in healthcare organizations
- Assess institutional financial and healthcare delivery performance
- Examine community healthcare needs per industry standards
- Model accountability with respect to compliance in policy, and regulation and ethical codes of conduct
- Analyze organizational needs based on clinical and financial data
Will This Program Prepare Students for Certifications?
Our graduates are prepared to pursue board certifications through the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), meeting both the education requirements and depth of knowledge to successfully complete the certification exams. After graduating from this program, you will also have the opportunity to pursue MGMA, AAMA and/or HFMA certification.
| Preferred Application Deadline | Term | Start |
|---|---|---|
| July 1 | Fall I | August |
Note: We admit students on a rolling basis. The preferred deadlines help you complete the application process on time, be notified of acceptance and enroll before the term begins. We review applications as they become complete, and admit students for a specific term up to the day classes start. We recommend you work on and submit your complete application well in advance of the preferred deadline, as obtaining transcripts and other materials may take more time.
How to Apply for the Online Master of Science in Health Administration
- Start your application for graduate admission
- Submit $65 non-refundable application fee
- Upload required materials*
- Request official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities. Transcripts are only accepted directly from the institution(s) by email: gradadm@louisville.edu (recommended) or mail: University of Louisville, Graduate School, 2211 S. Brook St., Louisville, KY 40292
- Create a financial plan
Qualifying Experience for the Program Requirement:
- Positions in any healthcare provider, technician, administrator, etc. that serves patients, staff, and/or community members
- Military Service (Commissioned or Non-commissioned Officer)
- Federal, State, and/or Municipal civil service
- Service in medial logistics or pharmaceuticals
- Dental, Veterinary, Preventative Medicine, Occupational Health, and other Allied Health occupations
Don't have 5+ years of experience? You may qualify for the on-campus Master of Science in Health Administration program.
Online Master of Science in Health Administration Admissions Requirements and Materials
To be considered for admission, applicants must have:
- a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution
- a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA may inquire about conditional acceptance)
*Required application packet materials include:
- one-page personal statement written by the applicant that is a clear,substantive description of your goals in healthcare management
- three letters of recommendation
- a current resume or curriculum vitae, demonstrating 5+ years of experience within a healthcare organization or system. Experience must include some period of direct or associated health services employment or volunteer time. Military service and general business experience can be included in the 5+ years of experience
- interview with the HMSS Health Leadership Committee; an interview provides the HMSS Health Leadership Committee an additional source of information and perspective about your potential fit for the University of Louisville
*Your Application Portal:
Once you have started the graduate application, you can check the status and review any additional checklist to-do items. Log in to your application using the email address you used to apply for admission and your password. Your checklist items may include additional materials or documentation that facilitate a smooth admissions process. You will also have access to important contact information and next steps after an admissions decision is made.
Online MSHA for International Applicants
If you live outside of the United States and intend to complete an online academic program from your home country, be sure to review these additional requirements for international students.
Transcripts from institutions outside of the United States will require a foreign credential evaluation.
Students whose primary language is not English must show English language proficiency by attaining one of the following:
- TOEFL score of 79 or higher (after conversion for test type)
- IELTS test score of 6.5 or higher
- Duolingo English test score of 105 or higher
- Demonstration of a degree award from an acceptable English language institution, as formally documented by an appropriate institutional official
For more information on the admission and application process, please contact our Online Learning Enrollment Counselors at 800.871.8635 or by email at online@louisville.edu.
The Master of Science in Health Administration is a 57 credit hour program, broken down into 20 courses. All courses are delivered 100% online, asynchronously in 8-week terms.
| Course List | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| PHMS 505 Governance and Management of Healthcare Organizations | 3 |
| PHMS 509 Health Finance and Financial Management | 3 |
| PHMS 520 Foundations of Public Health for Healthcare Management | 3 |
| PHMS 610 Health Policy and Analysis | 3 |
| PHMS 620 Healthcare Strategic Management | 3 |
| PHMS 625 Population Health Management | 3 |
| PHMS 630 Human Resource Management in the Public Health Sector | 3 |
| PHMS 635 Health Law and Ethics | 3 |
| PHMS 662 Health Economics | 3 |
| PHMS 680 Health Management Leadership Seminar | 1 |
| PHMS 681 Population Health Quantitative Methods | 3 |
| PHMS 682 Population Health Information Management | 3 |
| PHMS 683 Healthcare Quality Management | 3 |
| PHMS 684 Project Management for Population Health | 3 |
| PHMS 685 Health Operations Management & Science | 3 |
| PHMS 687 Managerial Accounting for Healthcare Managers | 3 |
| PHMS 688 Healthcare Marketing | 2 |
| PHMS 689 Insurance and Alternative Payment Models | 3 |
| PHMS 690 MSHA Capstone | 3 |
| PHMS 694 Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Healthcare | 3 |
| Total Minimum Credit Hours Required | 57 |
Course Descriptions
PHMS 505 Governance and Management of Healthcare Organizations
This course seeks to provide the student with an understanding of organizations and leadership from dominant ways of thinking about them to ways informed by a complexity perspective. Course participants will read about and discuss a broad range of perspectives about what constitutes an organization and leadership of it. Particular attention will be given to the organizational experiences of the student and the class.
PHMS 509 Health Finance and Financial Management
This course is designed to provide an overview of health finance and financial management, including context of health finance and the approaches and processes involved in managing the health enterprise.
PHMS 520 Foundations of Public Health in Health Management
This course is designed to introduce new students in academic public health programs (MS and PhD) to the field of Public Health in the United States. It provides a broad overview of the field of public health, a focused look at the core areas of epidemiology and biostatistics, health promotion, environmental health, and health care administration.
PHMS 610 Health Policy and Analysis
This course is designed to introduce students to health policy, mechanisms through which policy is made at the state and federal level, and strategies for health policy analysis.
PHMS 620 Healthcare Strategic Management
This course offers an introduction to strategic management within contemporary healthcare organizations and markets. Lectures and assignments will focus on various topics including organizational strategy formulation, implementation, and evaluation.
PHMS 625 Population Health Management
This course will introduce managing the health of populations. Population health can be defined by geography and demographics. Examples of defined populations include: the population within the catchment area of a hospital, the members of a health maintenance organization, the persons served by an accountable care organization, and the population employed in a workplace. Improving the health of populations has always been a high priority for public health professionals but has been less of a priority for managers of health care organizations, with their focus on the acute-care needs of individual patients.
PHMS 630 Human Resource Management in the Public Health Sector
The purpose of this course is to provide the master’s degree/PhD student in public health and health care fields an overview of Human Resources Management. This will include looking at the framework of human resources management in various settings; planning and developing a competent workforce in various settings; and practice in techniques for training, mentoring and evaluating employees as well as a range of disciplinary actions.
PHMS 635 Health Law and Ethics
This course provides an overview of major contemporary legal and ethical issues related to administrative decision making in health care and population health.
PHMS 662 Health Economics
The course uses principles of microeconomic analysis to study health care systems: demand for medical services; role of health insurance; productivity/cost measurement; labor markets and competition.
PHMS 681 Population Health Quantitative Methods
The goal of the course is to build quantitative analysis foundations for students in health management emphasizing decision-making using health data. The course provides an overview of basic quantitative analysis techniques, and discusses a variety of quantitative analysis tools.
PHMS 682 Population Health Information Management
This course is designed to introduce students to key concepts and issues surrounding the adoption and use of information systems for population health management.
PHMS 680 Health Management Leadership Seminar
The course bridges MPH concentration in Population Health Management coursework and the world of practice with a focus on developing career planning and professional skills.
PHMS 683 Healthcare Quality Management
This course is designed to introduce students to key concepts and issues surrounding the adoption and use of information systems and the use of quality assessment processes within health care organizations.
PHMS 684 Project Management for Population Health
This course is designed to introduce students to key concepts and methodologies involved in managing projects and the use of specific project management tools and processes within health care organizations.
PHMS 685 Health Operations Management and Science
This course introduces and reviews the field of operations management as applied to healthcare organizations. It demonstrates the important relationship between operations research and the management science of complex healthcare delivery organizations.
PHMS 687 Managerial Accounting for Healthcare Managers
This course provides an overview of the principles and processes of managerial accounting and organizational finance within the healthcare marketplace. Lectures, assignments, and case studies will focus on various topics including financial statement analysis, costing, pricing, planning, budgeting, and financial risk analysis.
PHMS 688 Healthcare Marketing
This course offers an introduction to marketing and marketing strategy within the healthcare system. Lectures and assignments will focus on various topics including strategy formulation, environmental analysis, and market assessment.
PHMS 689 Insurance and Alternative Payment Models
This course is designed to provide students an analysis of the U.S. health insurance and payment system. Specific topics include health plan types and characteristics, population health alternative financing models, premium setting, and reimbursement of health providers.
PHMS 690 MSHA Capstone
This course is an integrative learning experience drawing on all competencies presented in the MSHA program. It requires the students to work independently as a member of a team to complete a comprehensive and relevant business plan for a healthcare-related organization and to successfully pass an oral examination.
PHMS 694 Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Healthcare
This course is designed to enhance and improve student techniques and skills in entrepreneurship as applied to business venture development in healthcare markets. The focus is the student "being" an entrepreneur and acquiring the skills necessary to evaluate, plan, and develop business opportunities. Assignments should be treated as if the future of an organization or community depends on the success of the venture. The course will enable students to define the nature, skills, and spirit of entrepreneurs, evaluate and practice entrepreneurship, and conduct market research to develop an innovative and viable business model. Students will learn to conduct market analysis to identify competitors and industry trends. Class activities will identify and evaluate different sources of financing for startups and financial factors of successful businesses.
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- Andrew Mccart, Ph.D.,MHA, FACHE
Assistant Professor and Associate Program Director
Faculty
- DAVID JOHNSON
Ph.D., MPH, CPH
Assistant Professor
- ALEX KERNS
Ph.D., MHA
Adjunct Assistant Professor
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To be accepted into the MSHA, do I need a bachelor’s degree in a healthcare-related field?
No! You can apply to the program with a bachelor’s degree in any field, as long as you have 5+ years of experience in a healthcare role. (If you’re not sure whether your experience qualifies you, send your resume to us at online@louisville.edu and we’re more than happy to help!)
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If I am a physician, nurse, or other licensed healthcare provider, is this program right for me?
Absolutely! One of the prime reasons that we developed the online MSHA program was to provide working healthcare clinical professionals the opportunity to earn a graduate healthcare management degree and obtain focused, critical leadership and management competency development to more effectively serve in leadership positions within healthcare organizations.
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What type of experience meets the program requirements?
This program is designed for a wide range of organizational leadership and management roles, as well as a variety of health and non-health industries. The experience requirement includes:
- Positions with any healthcare provider, technician, administrator, etc. that serves patients, staff, and/or community members
- Military Service (Commissioned or Non-commissioned Officer)
- Federal, State, and/or Municipal civil service
- Service in medical equipment, supplies, construction or maintenance
- Service in health insurance or managed care
- Service in medical logistics or pharmaceuticals
- Dental, Veterinary, Preventative Medicine, Occupational Health, and other Allied Health occupations
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What if I missed the application deadline?
We encourage you to still apply! Our admissions are rolling and we offer multiple chances to get started on your degree. Currently, our Fall I Term starts in August, and our Spring I Term starts in January.
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Do courses meet at a specific time?
All classes for the online MSHA are asynchronous, meaning they don’t meet at a set time. However, there may be course elements or deliverables (such as office hours, 1:1 professor and student conferences, etc.) that require a specific time and date to be chosen. These will be at the course instructor’s discretion and will take your schedule into account.
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Can I complete the program as a part-time student?
Yes, the online MSHA program is available as both a part-time and full-time program. The full-time schedule requires students to take 2 courses at a time every 8 weeks, with the degree being completed in 2 years. Part-time enrollment gives you the flexibility to take 1-2 courses at a time, every 8 weeks, as your schedule allows. Degree completion time will depend on number of courses taken at once. View the MSHA course list for more course information.
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Can I take courses both online and on-campus?
Due to the way UofL’s on-campus MSHA and online MSHA programs are structured, you cannot take a combination of online and on-campus courses. You will need to choose and enroll in one of the two options. However, if you start in one format and decide you’d be better suited for the other, you are allowed to switch your coursework entirely from online to on-campus or vice versa.
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What’s the difference between the on-campus and online programs?
The primary difference between UofL’s online and on-campus MSHA program is that you need 5+ years of healthcare experience to qualify for the online format. This is an important distinction because of the variance in student experience and the types of discussions those experiences may elicit.
With regard to content and faculty expertise, both the online and on-campus MSHA programs are CAHME-accredited. The only difference in coursework is the required practicum for the on-campus program has been eliminated for the online program, as the online program is designed for working healthcare leaders and professionals who are experiencing the industry firsthand every day.
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What does the admissions interview process look like?
After you apply, if you meet all the admissions criteria, you’ll be contacted by the MSHA team for an interview. The interview will be conducted via Teams at a time that works best for you, and is really about checking to make sure the online MSHA is the right fit. Dont worry, it’s really just a confirmation that you’re on the right track and prepared to succeed in the program!
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Will this degree prepare me to get board certified?
Yes! The FACHE certification exam through ACHE requires a master’s degree. Therefore, the online MSHA degree prepares you with both the qualifications you need to take the exam, as well as the competencies/knowledge you need to pass it. You’ll also be prepared to apply for MGMA, AAMA and HFMA certification, as relevant to your career trajectory.
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Does this program award Continuing Education Units (CEU) credits?
No, at this time you cannot receive CEU credits for completing coursework through the MSHA program at UofL.
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The graduate application page lists MSHA under the SOPHAS application requirement. Do I need to submit that?
No. While SOPHAS is required for our resident program, the online MSHA program does not require a SOPHAS application to be submitted. Please review our application requirements for the online MSHA program for more details on what we require for acceptance.
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What's the difference between an MBA and an MSHA?
An MBA focuses on general business skills, while an MSHA specifically develops healthcare administration abilities, including knowledge of laws, regulations, technology, and policies unique to the healthcare field.
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How long does an online MSHA program take?
A full-time online MSHA typically takes 2 years to complete, with students taking around 2-3 courses per semester, while a part-time program usually takes 3-4 years for working professionals seeking flexibility.
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Is an online MSHA worth it?
Yes, an online MSHA provides advanced healthcare leadership training for higher administration positions and salary, and is a worthwhile investment for any student wanting to move up into management roles in healthcare organizations.
