Why earn a master's in health administration?

A Health Administration master’s degree 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.

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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 MSHA Program

1. Complete application for admission through UofL Graduate School
2. Submit $65 non-refundable application fee
3. Submit official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work from accredited institutions*
4. Participate in admission interview with HMSS Leadership Committee
5. Check for Scholarships

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Online MSHA Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution*
• 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 toward five years of experience.
• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
• Applicants with GPA below the recommend 3.0 may be considered for admission based on additional criteria, including excellent recommendation letters, resume and/or personal statement.
• Updated resume or curriculum vitae
• Three recommendations from individuals who can speak to the applicant’s academic or professional capabilities
• One-page personal statement written by the applicant that is a clear, substantive description of his or her goals in healthcare management

Note: GRE not required for admission.

Online MSHA Credit Transfer

You may transfer up to six credit hours of coursework from an accredited college or university.*

*See the Graduate School Transfer of Credit Policy for more information.

Online MSHA for International Applicants

The Health Administration master’s program is open to international students. If you live outside of the United States and intend to complete an online academic program from your home country, be sure to review the additional requirements for international students.

Students whose primary language is not English must show English language proficiency by attaining one of the following:

• TOEFL test score of 90 or higher (after conversion for test type), OR
• Submitting an ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) certification, OR
• Successful completion of the exit examination for the advanced level of the Intensive English as a Second Language (IESL) program, OR
• Duolingo English test score of 105 or higher
• Demonstration of a degree from an accredited U.S. institution (requires provisional admission with evaluation of English language competency)

The online Master of Science in Health Administration is a 57-credit hour program, broken down into 20 courses. The curriculum is consistently updated and approved by local, regional and national organizations including Baptist Health, Humana, Kentucky Hospital Association, Louisville Metropolitan Health and Wellness, Norton Healthcare, University of Louisville Health System and Veterans Health Administration.

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Course Descriptions

Faculty

• 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!)

• 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 that 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 illicit.

  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. There’s no trick or games, 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.