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SPHIS Home » Departments » Health Management & Systems Sciences » Academic Programs » MS in Health Administration

MS in Health Administration (MSHA)

Healthcare management is a broad field serving one of the largest and most essential industry segments in the U.S. and Canada. Management is needed in the multiple aspects of the industry which include: hospitals, nursing homes, physician’s offices, pharmaceutical and device manufacturers, consulting, government and public policy, and many more.  

The Department of Health Management and Systems Sciences designed the MSHA program to deepen knowledge of environments, processes, structures, and strategies that are driving disruption in healthcare. The curriculum has 3 main components:

1. Exploration of broad principles and key influencers of leading healthcare organizations
2. Examination of evidence-based and data-driven frameworks for strategic leadership and effective management of healthcare organizations and issues
3. Analysis of the external healthcare and policy environments that impact population and community healthcare management.   

The University of Louisville MSHA program is ranked #32 and a "Best Graduate Program" among all CAHME-accredited program according to US News (2023). See link here: Best Health Care Management Programs - US News Rankings.

MSHA Tracks

Our MSHA program is designed to fit your schedule and experience. We offer two tracks: Evening and Online. 

MSHA Evening Track

Courses in the evening track are offered on our Health Sciences Center campus in downtown Louisville. Courses are primarily offered Monday–Friday after 5 p.m. to accommodate students who work full-time. It is designed for entry-level and mid-career professionals seeking to achieve their personal career objectives within the healthcare industry. Program Information. 

MSHA Online Track

Our 100% online track is designed for working professionals with at least 5 years of work experience.  Click to learn more about the Master of Science in Health Administration  -  Online Track.

Application Timeline              

Applications for the MSHA evening track are due March 1 (international applicants) and July 1 (domestic applicants) for consideration for the Fall semester. Applicants that apply prior to March 1 will be considered for any departmental scholarships that might be available.

Get more information on MSHA admissions requirements.

Please complete this form to receive more information about the MSHA program.    

Curriculum Model

The MSHA program uses UofL’s Population Health Leadership (PHL) Competency Model, a modified version of the National Center for Healthcare Leadership (NCHL) competency model. The program is 57 credit hours, designed to be completed in two years.

Dual Degree Options

The dual MPH (Health Policy) - MSHA degree program facilitates development of advanced population and public health management professionals that may leverage knowledge and practices from both public health science and healthcare management domains to serve in leadership roles within public health institutions, federal-state-local agencies, and healthcare organizations. Program Information

The dual MBA-MSHA program provides select, high aptitude graduate students a pathway for rigorous, advanced competency development by providing complementary graduate management and healthcare management education over a three-year period in a dual degree format. Graduates of the dual MBA-MSHA program are expected to be exceptionally competitive for national administrative fellowship placement and/or seek executive-track developmental positions in healthcare finance, operations, and strategy. Program Information

Bachelors Programs

The University of Louisville offers undergraduate programs that focus on healthcare management and leadership.

Minor in Health Administration: The undergraduate minor in Healthcare Management provides an opportunity for the integration of knowledge derived from other undergraduate programs with the minor coursework to develop student competencies to more effectively serve in healthcare organizations and/or pursue graduate healthcare management education. Program Information

BS in Organizational Leadership and Learning (Concentration in Healthcare Leadership): The online bachelor's in Healthcare Leadership (HCL) prepares individuals to be effective leaders and expand their skillset within a wide range of healthcare settings. This affiliated program is delivered through an innovative method of competency-based education (CBE) allowing healthcare professionals to capitalize on existing knowledge and experience and earn a bachelor’s degree at their own pace. Graduates of this program frequently pursue the University of Louisville MSHA program to continue their career and competency development toward becoming healthcare executives. Program Information

CAHME