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Master of Health Administration

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The U.S. Bureau of Labor predicts the need for medical and health services managers will grow 28% by 2031 as healthcare organizations like hospitals, health care systems, and government agencies increasingly adopt digital technologies to deliver better patient outcomes.

Earning a Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree prepares you for leadership roles in an evolving healthcare environment, providing valuable career connections and professional development. Our fast-paced program includes successful completion of a faculty-supervised, individual research project.

Degree Requirements

To earn the M.H.A., students must successfully complete:

  • 39 credit hours of the core MHA courses
  • 3 credit hours Advanced Research in Healthcare

As part of the 42 credit hours, students will complete a research paper.

Program Options

Coursework includes subjects like organizational behavior, health policy and law, supply chain and inventory management, healthcare financing, human resources, and other issues encountered by those in healthcare leadership roles.

Fingers typing on keyboardOnline

Busy professional? Join us online. If you successfully completed an undergraduate program of study in allied health, healthcare management, business, or a closely related or equivalent field, you could complete an MHA degree online in a little as 24 months.

In-Person

Prefer in-person learning? We’re here for you. You have the option of earning an MHA in a professionally paced, workforce-centered program with the benefit of attending classes in a traditional setting on our award-winning campus.

MHA/MHI Concurrent Track

Our dual track program lets you earn a Master of Health Administration (MHA) and Master of Health Informatics (MHI) concurrently by completing an additional 21 credit hours. This program is designed for anyone seeking a graduate degree in healthcare administration. 

If you are a hospital manager, health information technician, coding specialist, nurse, physician, or other patient provider, or are interested in the management of long-term care facilities, physician’s practices, government health agencies, or policy making, we encourage you to enroll. 

Our MHA/MHI program offers continuous enrollment so you can work toward your goals when it works for your schedule.

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Health Administration Faculty

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

A 2.7/4.0 GPA (SIU calculation) from the student’s undergraduate program is required for admission to the MHA program. Students with a 2.5-2.7/4.0 undergraduate GPA (SIU calculation) may enter as a non-declared student, following Graduate School policies, and will be allowed to take up to 9 credit hours of MHA courses.

At the end of the 9 credit hours, the student must hold a 3.0/4.0 GPA to be then admitted to the MHA program. Students not meeting the 3.0/4.0 GPA at the end of the 9 credit hours will not be allowed to take any other MHA courses.

All international applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by submitting an approved English Language Competency Test score with their application. These applicants must have one of the following minimum scores for consideration:

  • 550 on the paper-based TOEFL
  • 80 on the internet-based TOEFL
  • 6.5 on the IELTS
  • 105 on the Duolingo English Exam

This applies to all international applicants. No waivers or exemptions will be provided. Students must provide a copy of their scorecard, verifying test results, with their application to the MHA. Given the accelerated nature of the MHA, the academic program does not agree to or approve late arrivals.

Certificate Programs

We offer a professional certificate program designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills specifically needed by licensed health professionals to hold clinical leadership roles.

Certificate in Infection Prevention and Control (CIPC)

Our Certificate in Infection Prevention and Control is open to post-bachelor healthcare professionals who have an interest in infection prevention and control in healthcare organizations. The CIPC focuses on what you need to know to get certification in Infection Control and Prevention through the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology.


Our certificate program described above requires students to complete 18 semester hours of graduate level study, all at SIU, with a C or above in all required courses.

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Career Opportunities

Our graduates hold leadership roles in finance, marketing, human resources, and other management fields in a wide variety of healthcare settings — including hospitals, health systems, long-term care organizations, physician group practices, health insurance, pharmaceutical companies, state health programs, aging and insurance departments, federal agencies such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and private trade and research organizations.

The Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts higher than average growth in these fields.

Program Costs

The cost for the online Master of Health Administration program is determined by SIU’s Off-Campus tuition and fee structure.

Some courses will require the purchase of additional software or other materials. Financial aid and scholarships may be available. Please visit the SIU Financial Aid website for more information.

Contact

To request more information about the MHA program, contact:

Jacqueline Nash, 
Graduate Program Advisor

ASA Building 126C
1365 Douglas Dr
Carbondale, IL 62948
618-453-8874
Jacqueline.k.nash@siu.edu