Healthcare Administration - General
36
Credit Hours
14
Month Completion
Class Type
Next Start Date
Jan 6, 2025
Placement Tests
GMAT/GRE not required for admission

Deepen your leadership skills with an online master’s in healthcare administration

Shifting public policy, new technologies and changing social-demographic factors are contributing to a more complex healthcare system. The industry needs forward-thinking leaders to guide it to and through its next evolution. Franklin’s 100% online Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) degree program will ready you to help the industry overcome the challenges that inevitably come with change. Franklin's theory-to-practice online master’s in healthcare administration will prepare you to identify and implement strategies that balance quality of care with fiscal responsibility.

Program Availability

On Site

14-Month Completion

Finish your MHA faster.

Bright Job Outlook

Secure your place in an industry that's one of the nation's largest employers.

Fulfilling Work

Drive positive change and make a lasting impact.

Transform Patient Care

Align goals and resources with emerging needs and trends. 

Top-Notch Networking

Learn from faculty and peers who are in-field professionals.

100% Online Classes

Take classes that fit with your busy life.

Contemporary Curriculum

Be at the forefront of trends and technologies.

Master of Healthcare Administration Degree Program Overview

Lead healthcare organizations through the next evolution

Without question, it's increasingly complex to balance patient care needs with fiscal responsibility within a healthcare system marked by changing conditions, technologies and demands. It takes innovation and strong leadership to deliver powerful ideas to drive clinical and operational results without sacrificing quality.

Group medical practices, public health organizations, nonprofits and hospital systems all have a growing and pressing need for qualified healthcare administration professionals to successfully lead them through the challenges and changes of an always-evolving healthcare system. Demand is so strong for healthcare leaders right now that the projected job growth rate has exploded to double-digit numbers (19.70%) through 2032.*

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

Franklin University’s online Master of Healthcare Administration master's programs are designed to prepare you for a senior leadership career within a variety of healthcare settings. You can move through our online MHA degree programs swiftly, helping you benefit from your MHA degree in as few as 14 months – faster than many other MHA programs.

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

At Franklin, we demonstrate our commitment to ambitious adults like you by honoring previous professional experiences and credentials, including 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 is equal to one graduate course toward your online MHA degree.

If you started a healthcare administration or related program at another university, you may be able to transfer up to 8 credits toward your Franklin online MHA degree. 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. 

Prepare for an executive-level position in a dynamic field with an MHA degree

With Franklin’s online master's in healthcare administration master's 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, and managed care analyst.

Uniquely designed for the busy professional, our online MHA degree courses are aligned with the emerging trends and best practices of the contemporary healthcare environment. In addition to preparing you for executive-level positions, your online MHA degree classes will challenge you through a variety of academic methodologies, including case studies, lectures, group assignments, and community and healthcare projects. You’ll also be exposed to essential healthcare industry topics, such as technology's impact on patient care, health information governance and data-driven outcomes.

Equip yourself with the know-how required for professional credentialing

In the MHA degree program at Franklin, you'll have the option to take an elective course in the highly-relevant areas of health informatics and healthcare quality management, both of which are needed if you 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 through up-to-date curriculum informed by the experience of top healthcare executives

At Franklin, we rely upon the expertise and experience of an industry-specific Advisory Board to oversee the relevant curriculum within our MHA programs. 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 Lightcast.

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 2025
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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 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.

MHA or MHA with Specialization

MHA:

HCM 762 - Global Health (4)

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

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.

AND

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.

OR 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.

OR 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.

OR PUAD 701 - Foundations of Public Service and Administration (4)

This foundational course provides an introduction to the social, economic, political, and ethical context of public administration in the United States. Students examine how public sector values differentiate government from the private sector and develop skills for critically evaluating issues faced by public administrators.

OR 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.

OR HRM 713 - Human Resource Management (4)

Organizations are composed of groups of people who work together to achieve defined outcomes. Experience has proven time and again that the key factor which differentiates successful companies from those who struggle to survive is people who make up the employee base. While the human resources function is given the specific task of planning for and resolving many employee-related issues and needs, individual managers have direct responsibility and accountability for motivating and leading employees to achieve sustained organizational success. The purpose of this course is to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to work effectively with human resources to enhance the contributions of all employees to organizational effectiveness. Students will learn about the elements which drive business success, theories of motivation, and methods for creating a plan for maximizing the human capital of an organization.

OR

Organizational Leadership Specialization:

MGMT 780 - Organizational Leadership Theories (4)

This course provides an overview of the historical and current leadership concepts, theories and constructs. Application and assessment of the individual leadership style will enable the student to develop their leadership voice. This course will provide a construct that will enable the student to identify transferrable skills that align with the organization that they are serving in. This course will challenge students to assess their own leadership strengths and weaknesses and produce an in-depth plan of action to develop and refine leadership competencies. Students will conduct substantive scholarly research to address and capture relevant and cutting-edge leadership theoretical work for application in course assignments.

MGMT 785 - Change Management for Organizational Leaders (4)

This course focuses on research and evaluation of the key theoretical concepts and practices central to the leading of organizational change initiatives. Students will evaluate real-world situations in a manner that supports the ability to initiate, implement and sustain major change. The management of change is a dynamic process. This course focuses on understanding how to plan and implement change in various organizations and other settings.

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.

OR

Operational Excellence Specialization:

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.

OSCM 731 - Operations Management (4)

In today's business environment, the success of organizations depends on the effective and efficient management of operations. Methods to select, plan, and improve organizational processes will be examined. The application of optimal capacity decisions in supply chains, development production, and inventory plans and schedules will be performed. The student will learn quality management and improvement process to increase the efficiency of a process.

OSCM 780 - Introduction to Operations Excellence (4)

Operational excellence can provide an important competitive advantage for firms in today?s marketplace. This course presents the concepts in quality. It builds upon the responses of six sigma and lean principles. This course also blends qualitative and quantitative information so that organizations can capitalize on opportunities and data driven management.

OR

Human Resources Specialization:

HRM 702 - Employee Rights, Responsibilities, Discp (4)

The primary purpose of this course is to introduce the principle theories and practices in the area of employment and workplace law. Topics include the federal and state laws associated with hiring, firing and discipline, medical leave (including FMLA, ADA and worker's compensation), discrimination, harassment, immigration, labor law, unemployment compensation, workplace privacy. Additional topics may include workplace investigations, workplace violence and employment-related legal processes, including EEOC Charges and lawsuits.

HRM 706 - Organizational Development/Intervention (4)

This course addresses the need for planned change focused on an organization's ability to compete strategically. The framework of consultation as helping organizations reach a level of optimum performance will be applied. Topics addressed include individual, team, and organization-wide interventions that can raise productivity/quality, improve competitiveness, increase skills, morale, and commitment.

HRM 708 - Strategic Human Resource Planning (4)

The course will introduce students to the field of strategic human resource management (SHRM). Current topics in SHRM that have resulted from environmental and organizational challenges, e.g., technology, globalization, legislation, restructuring, work/life balance, changing labor markets, are discussed Emphasis will be placed on problem solving issues, policies, and practices affecting HR specialists, practitioners, and managers.

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.

AND

Adding a focus area provides an opportunity for customization but is not required for completion of the degree. The focus area requires two additional courses.

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

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."

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."

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."

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."

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)
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MPA Healthcare

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

Focus: 
Build expertise in public service leadership alongside foundational knowledge of healthcare administration.
 
Skills:
Acquire interdisciplinary decision-making and communication skills alongside specialized  knowledge in healthcare policies, operations and analytics.
 
Careers: 
Leverage an MPA-Healthcare to impact public policy and regulations to improve healthcare service and delivery.
 
How many courses are in the program?
Nine, 6-week classes

How quickly can I complete the program?
14 months

Employment Outlook

30%

From 2023-2033, jobs in Healthcare are expected to increase by 30%

Occupation Median Salary (2023) Job Postings (2023) Projected Growth (2023-2033)
Occupation
Medical and Health Services Managers $110,677 353,327 30%
Medical and Health Services Managers
Median Salary: $110,677
Job Postings: 353,327
Projected Growth: 30%
Occupation
Job Titles
Skills
Industry
Description

Medical and Health Services Managers plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.

Projected Growth
Job TitleJob Postings% of Job Postings
Directors of Nursing74,53221%
Patient Care Coordinators44,56713%
Medical Directors25,4997%
Clinical Supervisors24,1877%
Directors of Rehabilitation31,4619%
Show More
SkillJob Postings% of Total Postings
Nursing96,01221%
Care Coordination61,08813%
Medical Records46,05110%
Billing39,9069%
Auditing36,7158%
Show More
 
Industry% of Occupation in Industry
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals23%
Offices of Physicians13%
Outpatient Care Centers7%
Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities)6%
Home Health Care Services5%
Offices of Other Health Practitioners4%
Other42%

Source: Employment Outlook data is provided by Lightcast. Franklin University cannot guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement.

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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