35 Best Online Master's In Health Services Degrees

Overview

Regis University is based in Denver, CO and operates as a private Roman Catholic university. True to its religious roots, Regis University’s Center for Service Learning incorporates voluntary service into student coursework. The College of Contemporary Liberal Studies offers online education to over 9,000 non-traditional students.

Program Features

At Regis University, you’ll undergo 36 credit-hours of online coursework to complete a Master of Science in Health Services Administration. Each of your classes will run for eight weeks, making this degree completable within 18 to 24 months. You won’t be required to be on campus at any point during the program. You’ll be busy taking classes like:

• Strategic Planning and Development in Health Services
• Quality Improvement in Health Care Settings
• Advanced Concepts of Health Care Finance
• Organizational Ethics and Health Care Compliance

Notables

Once you graduate, you will join the over 67,000 Regis University alumni. The statistics post-graduation look sunny. The average starting salary for a Regis graduate is $58,000. Even more, over 89 percent of graduates find full-time work within six months of graduation.

Overview

One of the oldest schools of medicine in the country, the Medical University of South Carolina was founded in 1824. It is based in Charleston and remains South Carolina’s only academic health science center. MUSC is home to over 3,000 students in a variety of areas, from nursing to pharmacy to health science.

Program Features

The Executive Master in Health Administration at the Medical University of South Carolina packs a punch. You’ll take a total of 54 online credit hours. The first 51 credits cover core concepts and foundational classes, and the last 3 credits are your choice of an elective. You can attend full-time or part-time, but your classes will look the same:

• Statistical Analysis in Health Systems
• Health Law and Risk Management
• Organizational Theory and Behavior
• Reimbursement Systems

Notables

Even though you’ll be attending this program online, the Medical University of South Carolina includes unique opportunities for you to engage outside of class. For example, you could attend the annual Healthcare Leadership Conference held on-campus. This is a great way to network and make connections beyond your studies.

Overview

Based in Philadelphia, PA, Saint Joseph’s University is a private Roman Catholic school with a lot to offer. In addition to undergraduate and graduate majors, Saint Joseph’s University features a strong co-op program, study abroad options, and joint degree programs. Out of the 8,400 students, a little under half are graduate students.

Program Features

Offered both online and on campus, Saint Joseph’s University presents a Master’s in Health Administration. This is a competency-based program that equips you with the latest industry trends, research, and skills. The baseline curriculum covers 36 credit-hours that are divided between 12 core classes. Some of these include:

• Accounting for Health Care Organizations
• Financial Management of Health Care Organizations
• Health Care Law
• Health Services Research

Notables

Beyond the general track curriculum within this program, you can choose to specialize in one of two concentrations: Informatics or Organizational Development and Leadership. These concentrations require two more courses, increasing your total credit-hours to 42. However, adding a specialty can be invaluable for a future career.

Overview

Established as a land-grant university, Oklahoma State University also holds a sun-grant designation. It is a public research university that enrolls around 25,600 students. OSU is a strong supporter of state growth. Graduates report an average starting salary of $45,000.

Program Features

Oklahoma State University requires no previous background in healthcare for its Master’s in Health Care Administration. This program can be completed either online or on campus. It consists of 32 credit-hours, and students can specialize in either Leadership and Entrepreneurship or Administration. Here’s a peek at the courses:

• Leadership Methods and Styles in Health Care
• Legal Issues in Health Care
• HR in Healthcare and Public Administration
• Health Care Compliance

Notables

The program at Oklahoma State University excels in providing options. For one, you can choose between the two concentrations. But you also have the choice to make your degree thesis-based or creative-based. The thesis option is for people pursuing a Master of Science degree.

Overview

One of the largest universities in the state, the University of Cincinnati is a example for excellence in higher education. The Continuing Education branch is in partnership with ed2go and UGotClass to offer over 400 classes in a wide variety of areas. Nationally, UC’s online programs consistently rank in the top 100 in the nation.

Program Features

Delivered through the College of Allied Health Sciences, you’ll earn an online Master of Health Administration. This degree brings together competency-based classes with hands-on experience. The curriculum is rooted in five healthcare areas: management, finance, marketplace, policy, and quality. Here’s a look:

• Health Care Finance: Decision Making
• Health Care Marketplace: Health Economics
• Health Policy: Legal & Ethical Issues
• Health Quality: Total Quality Management

Notables

In addition to this program, the University of Cincinnati makes it possible for you to add on a number of graduate-level certificates. Here are your certificate options: Health Care Administration, Health Care Operations, Health Care Finance, and Health Care Policy & Regulation.

Overview

The University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center is a direct branch of the main campus at the University of Oklahoma. Established in 1971, it maintains seven unique patient care institutions as well as numerous research institutions. Around 4,000 students are enrolled annually.

Program Features

You’ll earn an online Master of Arts in Human and Health Services Administration degree through the Extended Campus at the University of Oklahoma. This is an interdisciplinary degree that considers all aspects of the healthcare system. Classes are delivered in 8-week sessions and total 33 credit hours. A sampling of your coursework looks like the following:

• Ethics in Human and Health Services Administration
• Qualitative Research Methods
• Strategic Planning and Evaluation in Human and Health Services

Notables

The University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center uses Canvas as its learning management system. All of your coursework will be delivered online through synchronous and asynchronous formats. Most students take two courses every semester, which lets you graduate within about two years.

Overview

A private graduate school dedicated to medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine was established in 1992. Its main campus is based in Erie, PA, though the college also operates branches in Greensburg, PA and Bradenton, FL. The Health Services degree is just one of four other master’s degree programs here.

Program Features

At the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, you have the opportunity to earn an online Masters in Health Services Administration. The program is structured as a distance-learning degree. However, it also requires eight days of orientation at either the Florida or Pennsylvania campuses. Your curriculum will total 50 credit-hours with classes like:

• Population Health and Status Assessment
• Health Policy Formulation, Implementation, and Evaluation
• Governance, Leadership, and Strategic Planning
• Financial Analysis and Risk Management

Notables

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine splits up its students into two cohorts depending on their preferred schedule. If you start in January, you will be enrolled in the accelerated program that takes 18 months. If you start in June, however, it will take you 24 months.

Overview

A liberal arts university that is steeped in the Roman Catholic tradition, the University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne is a hub for the health sciences. The school offers a unique Busse EPIC Program, in which students can attend school and gain paid-for-credit professional experience within their time at USF.

Program Features

Blending together healthcare and business, the University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne offers a competitive Master of Healthcare Administration. You can complete this degree entirely online. In total, you’ll take 36 credit hours. However, you also can opt into the MBA to MHA Completion track, which only requires 24 additional hours. Here’s a look at some classes:

• Healthcare Delivery System
• Healthcare Economics
• Principles of Managed Care
• Quality Management in Healthcare

Notables

The University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne knows the importance of hitting the ground running after graduation. The statistics are proof! USF-Fort Wayne ranks #5 for Best Earnings Potential in Indiana. Even more, 93 percent of its graduates found work or further education within six months.

Overview

A conglomeration of three colleges, The Sage Colleges consists of Russell Sage College, Sage College of Albany, and the Sage Graduate School. All of the institutions are based in New York. Best College Reviews ranked The Sage Colleges #12 out of the “50 Best Small Colleges in the Nation” this year.

Program Features

You can earn a Master of Science in Health Services Administration through Russell Sage Online. This curriculum draws from a number of disciplines to meet the multitude of roles that are demanded from healthcare managers. After completing a comprehensive collection of classes, you’ll finish with an internship. Here’s a peek at some core classes:

• Health Finance
• Comparative Health Systems
• Healthcare Strategy
• Management Information Systems

Notables

In addition to this online degree, you can expand your resume by including an online graduate certificate. The Sage Colleges offers some of the following: Certificate in Information Technology, Dietetic Internship, Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate, and more.

Overview

The oldest public university in the state, Ohio University first was chartered in 1787, though it first opened its doors to students in 1809. The College of Health Sciences and Professions is one of the largest health-oriented academic school in the nation. It has over 32,000 alumni alone!

Program Features

At Ohio University, you’ll jump into a fast-paced, customizable online Master of Healthcare Administration program. Each class in the 36-credit-hour program lasts 7 weeks. Most students take one class at a time and are still able to graduate in as little as two years. The curriculum emphasizes leadership qualities with classes like:

• Leadership of Health Organizations
• HR Management in Health Care
• Strategic Planning and Marketing in Health Services
• Health Policy

Notables

Ohio University makes it easy for you to stay connected even after you have finished the program. The Online MHA blog is a networking tool to keep you looped in to all the new industry trends, continuing education opportunities, current legislation, and more.

Overview

The University of South Carolina is a public institution that makes strong research strides in the South. It is categorized as having the “highest research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation. Among its numerous research institutions, you’ll find the Public Health Research Center on its Columbia campus.

Program Features

The Arnold School of Public Health is home to the online Health Services Policy and Management. Designed through a distance learning format, you’ll take asynchronous classes in 8-week segments. Most students finish this degree within two years. The curriculum will prepare you for the highest positions in healthcare organizations with classes like:

• Health Economics
• Quantitative Methods for Health Administration
• Health Planning
• Information Systems in Health Administration

Notables

If you’re interested in areas beyond health care, University of South Carolina might have the answer for you. Why not kill two birds with one stone by earning a dual degree. You have the option to pair your Master of Public Health in Health Services Policy and Management degree with a Master of Social Work.

Overview

The Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science is divided into five academic schools. Each cover graduate-level degrees in the health professions, pharmacy, podiatry, and more. It is located in North Chicago. Around 2,100 students attend annually.

Program Features

The Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science brings you a Master of Science in Health Administration that draws from other core disciplines like medicine, pharmacy, and more. You’ll be able to attend either full-time or part-time. The curriculum covers a wide range of subjects, including the following:

• Healthcare Informatics
• Healthcare Management in Non-Hospital Settings
• Insurance Dimensions
• Strategic Planning and Leadership in Healthcare

Notables

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science benefits from some of the top researchers in the country. Since your professors for your online classes are the same as the on-campus faculty, you will inevitably benefit from their expertise. Currently, faculty are engaged in 12 different major research areas.

Overview

A private university that caters to both traditional and non-traditional students, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota was founded in 1912. Around 4,700 students attend the school through distance learning. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota maintains a number of locations throughout the state, with its main campus in Winona.

Program Features

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota brings together an online Master’s in Health and Human Services degree. The curriculum prepares you to work in a wide variety of healthcare settings, both in and out of hospitals. You’ll undergo a 36 credit-hour program that will likely take you two years to complete. Here’s a look at some classes:

• Financial Practices in the Health and Human Services Sector
• Health and Human Service Systems
• Aging, Illness, and the Continuum of Care
• Advanced Health Policy and Ethics

Notables

One wholly unique element of the program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is a four-part optional Nursing Home Practicum. If you want to cater your skills to the nursing home setting, this is a perfect way to bridge the gap between school and career.

Overview

Known as the first public university established west of the Mississippi River, the University of Missouri is also the largest university in the state. MU is a leader in academic research in the area as well. The School of Health Professions is a fairly new academic school for the university, being established in 2000.

Program Features

The Master of Health Administration at the University of Missouri is delivered in a hybrid format. You’ll take most of your classes online, but they will be interspersed with four weekend campus visits. The curriculum is divided into 36 credit-hours of core classes, and 6 credit-hours of an independent research paper. Some of your core classes will be:

• Methods of Health Services Research
• Administration of Health Care Organizations
• Health Economics
• Managerial Epidemiology

Notables

It should be noted that this program at the University of Missouri is designed for existing professionals in the health care setting. The admissions requirements recommends that you have at least three to five years of clinical or administrative experience in health care. Ideally, you would leave this program ready for an executive position.

Overview

The first osteopathic medical school in the world, A.T. Still University is one of a kind. It is a private graduate school that focuses specifically on health sciences. It maintains six different graduate programs. A.T. Still University has two campuses; one in Missouri and one in Arizona.

Program Features

Totalling 48 credit hours, the Master of Health Administration degree at A.T. Still University involves 12 engaging classes. The program is administered 100 percent online. It uses Blackboard to offer live and taped classes, chat room interactions, and more. Your classes will cover subject areas such as:

• Healthcare Law
• Organizational Theory
• Financing of Healthcare
• Health Information Systems

Notables

Even though this degree is fully offered online, A.T. Still University wants to make it possible for you to reach out to faculty and fellow classmates. That’s why the school offers four Residential Learning Institutes to facilitate this kind of interaction. It’s a great way to balance self-driven study with interaction and networking.

Overview

Located in Indiana, PA, Indiana University of Pennsylvania is home to around 12,800 students. The school delivers over 140 undergraduate programs and 70 graduate programs. While most students attend the main campus, IUP also maintains three branch campuses throughout Pennsylvania.

Program Features

Indiana University of Pennsylvania is all about making your education work for you. The MS in Health Services Administration combines health policy, administration, and employment relations through a collaboration of departments. You can attend online or via one of the four campuses. Here’s a sampling of some courses:

• Management Information Systems
• Health Policy
• Ethics and Social Issues in Health Care
• HR Management

Notables

Indiana University of Pennsylvania makes it possible for you to specialize in an elective area. You will choose either Organizational Behavior/Supervision, Leadership Theory/Interpersonal Skills in Health Skills in Health Care, or a custom option to round out your 39 total credits.

Overview

Seton Hall University is a private institution in South Orange, NJ that was founded in 1856. It operates out of a foundational Roman Catholic faith and is still governed by the Archdiocese of Newark. The School of Health and Medical Sciences was founded in 1987.

Program Features

You will earn an online Master of Healthcare Administration degree at Seton Hall University. This program brings together graduate students from a wide array of backgrounds. In total, you’ll complete 42 credit-hours through 7-week courses. Initially, however, you’ll complete a 5-day orientation intensive on campus. Here’s what your schedule might look like:

• Population Health Management
• Health Economics
• Quality and Risk Management in Healthcare
• Legal and HR Issues in Healthcare

Notables

Boost your resume and earn one of four graduate-level certificates at Seton Hall University. You can choose from the following areas: Population Health Management, Healthcare Administration. Practice Management for Health Professionals, or Global Health Management. Each require 15 additional credits.

Overview

A cornerstone for higher education in the state, the University of Wyoming is a land-grant institution based in Laramie. It was founded in 1886, four years before Wyoming earned its statehood. The Outreach School at the University of Wyoming provides online education to hundreds of adult learners throughout the state.

Program Features

The University of Wyoming packs a lot into its online Master of Science in Health Services Administration. For one, you’ll be taking online classes with two intensive weekend seminars at the Laramie campus. This is a non-thesis degree that will take you through 30 credit hours. Some of the standout classes in this curriculum include:

• Statistics for Health Services Administration
• The Evolution of American Health Services
• Medicare, Medicaid, & the Affordable Care Act

Notables

The University of Wyoming stands out among the rest in offering an impressive selection of specialty tracks. You can choose from five core areas: Biopharmaceutical Regulatory Compliance, Health Economics & Outcomes, Health Institution Leadership, Health Quality & Improvement, or Advanced Pharmacy Practice Administration.

Overview

A private college that specializes in the health sciences, Clarkson College is based out of Omaha, NE. Its degree programs range from nursing to physical therapy to health information management, and everything in between. Clarkson College is affiliated with the Episcopal Church of Nebraska.

Program Features

Clarkson College delivers an accelerated Master of Science in Health Care Administration. You can work toward completing this degree entirely online. The courses are offered every six weeks, so you’ll take just one at a time. The final requirement brings together your knowledge into a business plan or a research project. Here are some classes along the way:

• Health Care Leadership
• Informatics and Analytics for Healthcare Professionals
• Health Care Business Law and Ethics
• HR and Organizational Behavior

Notables

Another way that you can get the most out of the degree at Clarkson College is to complete the optional internship opportunity. This is a fantastic way to move from your computer screen to real-world application. You can also choose to complete an independent study related to healthcare administration.

Overview

California State University, East Bay is a public university located in Hayward, CA. It is known as one of the most ethnically diverse schools in the state. While it is most lauded for its strong education programs, California State University, East Bay also has made big strides in online education and the health sciences.

Program Features

California State University, East Bay offers a Master of Science in Health Care Administration program. You’ll attend via a hybrid format. Some classes meet once a week in the evenings, and other classes are fully online. You’ll move through the program with a cohort. The curriculum is diverse with classes like:

• Information Technology in Health Care
• Quality Improvement Using Health Informatics
• Evolution of Managed Health Care
• Leadership and Change in Health Care Organizations

Notables

For your final capstone experience at California State University, East Bay, you will bring together all of your working knowledge of health care administration. Alongside a faculty member, you will design a project that incorporates both hands-on and written elements.

Overview

The largest university in the region, the University of Illinois at Chicago enrolls around 30,000 students each year. It is also home to the largest medical program in the nation. This status makes UIC a natural hub for health services. The College of Applied Health Sciences and Public Health is located on its West Campus.

Program Features

University of Illinois at Chicago digs into a deep and thorough curriculum with its Master of Healthcare Administration. You’ll complete 60 credit-hours in total. In order to accommodate students who are working full-time, the classes will be offered both online and during the weekends. Some of your core classes include:

• Quality Management in Health Services
• Law and the Health Care System
• Strategic Management of Health Care Organizations
• Principles of Epidemiology

Notables

University of Illinois at Chicago pivots from other programs in its requirement of a preceptorship class that spans each semester. This placement experience will give you a first-hand peek into a day in the life of a healthcare professional. You’ll spend around 3 to 6 hours per week at your placement.

Overview

One of the oldest osteopathic schools in the nation, Des Moines University – Osteopathic Medical Center began in 1898. The school offers eight academic programs, all at the graduate level. Last year, around 1,800 students were enrolled in one of the eight programs.

Program Features

The Master of Health Care Administration at Des Moines University consists of 48 credit hours. You’ll start the program on campus at a five-day immersive experience. There will be three of these visits in total. Otherwise, your learning will be online. Your classes will be based on 12-week terms. Here’s a look at a few options:

• Population Health & Managerial Epidemiology
• Health Care Statistics & Research
• Health Care Economics and Policy
• Health Information Management

Notables

All the facts and figures indicate that the program at Des Moines University yields positive results. In fact, among the 110 students who were graduated in a recent term, 97 percent found employment or further education immediately after the program.

Overview

Based in sunny Naples, FL, Hodges University is a private university that is organized into five colleges. The School of Health Sciences offers competitive degrees in over five areas of health care. Hodges University is also devoted to offering flexible and accessible degrees through online and weekend courses.

Program Features

The Master of Science in Health Services Administration at Hodges University is designed for existing healthcare managers who are hoping to advance their knowledge and skill-level in the industry. This is an accelerated, online program. A full-time student is able to finish the program in just over one year. Your first term might look something like this:

• Healthcare Leadership
• Healthcare Informatics
• Quality Management
• Strategic Planning in Healthcare

Notables

Aside from the 27 credit-hours core Health Administration classes, this curriculum includes a final elective class that will help shape your specialty in the field. You can take one of the following: Long Term Care Administration, Policy and Politics in Healthcare, or a Directed Study in Health Care.

Overview

Established as an offshoot of Syracuse University, Utica College has been fully independent since 1995. It is a private university based in Utica, NY. Utica College is known and respected in the region for its health science degrees. It also boasts an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

Program Features

The curriculum for Utica College’s online Master’s in Health Care Administration is divided into three core areas: Management, Leadership, and Continuum of Care. The online format includes virtual residencies, in which you and your classmates can correspond from all different locations. You can expect to take a solid selection of classes such as:

• Health Care Accounting Processes
• Quality and Performance Improvement
• Leadership in Marketing and Strategic Planning

Notables

Utica College uniquely offers three different Leadership Specializations for you to choose after completing your core classes. You can specialize in one of the following areas: Acute Care, Service Organizations, or Long Term Care / Nursing Home. You’ll take four additional classes in one of these areas.

Overview

A private college with Catholic roots, Saint Joseph’s College of Maine is the only Catholic college in the state. It began as a women’s only institution in 1912, but by 1970 it became coeducational. Saint Joseph’s College Online enrolls around 2,400 students across the country.

Program Features

At Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, you’ll spend two years completing the online Master of Health Administration program. It includes 42 total credit-hours, which combines core classes, electives, and a capstone project. Some of the elective classes allow you to hone your skills to a specific area. Take a look:

• Gerontology
• Long-Term Care Operations & Administration
• Healthcare Marketing
• Health Policy and Politics

Notables

Saint Joseph’s College of Maine makes it possible for you to live out your faith through your career. Unique to this program, you can include a Catholic Health Leadership Concentration to your degree. This is a perfect option for students who envision themselves working in a Catholic healthcare system.