[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The demand for highly qualified healthcare leaders and administrators continues to grow. These professionals work behind the scenes to ensure the efficient delivery of services at medical and healthcare facilities. You typically need a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/healthcare/healthcare-administration/masters/”]master’s degree in healthcare administration (MHA)[/hen-ui-link] to advance your career in healthcare leadership. This guide can help you decide whether an MHA degree is right for you.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online Nursing Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Getting Your Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration: What to Know[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that healthcare manager jobs will dramatically increase by 29% between 2023 and 2033. This explosive job growth far exceeds the 4% national average for all occupations.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While employers will require only a bachelor’s degree for some positions, a master’s degree in healthcare administration can lead to career advancement, more job opportunities, and higher pay.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You can earn a master’s degree in healthcare administration in 12-18 months. The length of your program will depend on whether you enroll part-time or full-time.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What to Expect in an MHA Curriculum[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]An MHA program provides advanced training in management, operations, and finance specifically for the healthcare environment. Common undergraduate majors for medical and health services managers include business administration, public health, and healthcare administration.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The MHA curriculum requires 36-60 credits covering topics such as financial management, health economics, strategic planning, HR management, and healthcare law and policy. Some programs allow students to build hands-on experience through residencies and practicums at healthcare facilities. MHA students develop skills in:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Effectively leading teams[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Big-picture thinking and strategic planning[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Problem solving and communication[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Quality improvement in healthcare delivery services[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Financial stewardship[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Programmatic accreditation is important to ensure that an MHA meets industry standards. The Commission for Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education is the nationally recognized programmatic accreditor for MHA and other healthcare management programs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]MHA Salary and Career Outlook[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Healthcare administration may appeal to leadership-minded professionals seeking career flexibility in a high-paying field.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Medical and health services managers earned a median annual salary of $117,960 in 2024, according to the BLS. The industry employed 562,700 medical and health services managers as of 2023, a figure that is projected to jump to 723,300 in 2033.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]About 30% of these healthcare leaders work in hospitals, with the rest working in physicians’ offices, nursing and residential care facilities, government agencies, and outpatient care centers.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Other possible career paths for MHA degree-holders include:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Chief Operations Officer[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Finance manager[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Hospital administrator[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Clinical informatics manager[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Administrative services manager[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]HR manager[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Risk and compliance manager[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Explore some careers, job growth, and earnings potential for MHA holders.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Medical and Health Services Manager[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Medical and health services managers plan and coordinate the business operations of healthcare providers.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Average Salary: [/hen-ui-text]$117,960[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Job Growth: [/hen-ui-text]29%[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Administrative Services Manager[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]These professionals ensure that organizations run smoothly and efficiently by supervising staff and overseeing policies.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Median Salary: [/hen-ui-text]$106,880[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Job Growth: [/hen-ui-text]6%[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Human Resources Manager[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]HR managers oversee administrative operations and strategic planning for healthcare organizations, including the recruitment, hiring, and training of new staff.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Median Salary: [/hen-ui-text]$140,030[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Job Growth: [/hen-ui-text]6%[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Finance Manager[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Finance managers guide the budgeting, financial operations, and investment activities of healthcare facilities and other organizations.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Average Salary: [/hen-ui-text]$161,700 [/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Job Growth: [/hen-ui-text]17%[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-xs”]Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Payscale[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Earnings Potential Is on the Rise for This Industry[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The nation’s growing healthcare industry is driven largely by an aging population in need of care. Employers often pay a premium for highly qualified healthcare administrators with experience.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While the lowest 10% of medical and health services managers earned less than $69,680 in 2024, the highest 10% earned more than $219,080. Earnings depend on various factors, such as experience, education, and location.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]The Bottom Line: Is a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration Worth It?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Earning a master’s degree in healthcare administration can be a good investment based on potential earnings, career advancement, and job growth. But an MHA degree may not be the right move for everyone.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You’ll have to consider factors such as the cost of tuition, the 12-24-month time commitment to earn an MHA, and your long-term goals. Plus, you should have a desire to work in the healthcare field with all its complexities and other unknowns.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Is a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration Worth It? FAQ[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Is it worth it to get a master’s degree in healthcare administration?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Healthcare administration can be a rewarding career with earnings and job growth potential far above the national average for all occupations. Unlike other business degrees, an MHA provides specialized healthcare knowledge and leadership preparation valued by employers.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What can you do with a master’s in healthcare administration?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Healthcare administration offers a broad scope of employment opportunities. Whether you want to apply your business and leadership expertise as a clinical manager, hospital CEO, or physician office manager, the possibilities are diverse.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What is the highest-paying job in healthcare administration?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]C-suite executives, such as CEOs and CFOs, tend to receive the highest pay in administration and management within any organization.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How useful is a healthcare administration degree?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]An accredited MHA program produces highly qualified leaders who can manage an organization’s finances and staff and help streamline efficient healthcare delivery in a growing field.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion]