Earning a health services administration masters can prepare you to flourish on the administration side of healthcare.
This field has an increasingly promising job outlook and is a rewarding career environment for many. A master’s degree in health services administration is especially beneficial for those who desire to be involved in healthcare but not in a nursing or physician role.
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This degree path can help prepare students to oversee healthcare facilities while helping transform the future of healthcare.
Online Health Services Administration Masters Programs
A Master of Health Services Administration program helps prepare you for management, administrative, and executive positions in healthcare facilities and organizations.
A health administration professional is someone who’s running a hospital or other healthcare facility behind the scenes. Physicians and nurses work directly with patients, but health service administrators are the professionals making key decisions for the entire facility. This includes designing action plans, training guidelines, policies, budgets, schedules, and more.
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This degree path will focus on providing graduates with the tools to provide organizational transformation, governance, staff direction, and even technological innovations that improve healthcare systems.
Courses within this degree path often revolve around:
- Quality assessment
- Leadership and management
- Health information system design
- Problem-solving and analytical skills
- Specialized healthcare services
Earning a master’s degree in health services administration can help graduates find diverse positions in healthcare management positions.
A key aspect of a health services administrator role typically involves innovation in healthcare systems. This can include creating initiatives for facilities to run more smoothly and efficiently, which leads to improved patient care. Plus, health services administrators can also be integral to staff management at healthcare facilities. This can look like establishing employee schedules, training, hiring, developing employee initiatives, and more.
The diverse leadership and organizational management skills that can be acquired in this degree path may lead to many other opportunities in the field. For instance, some graduates may pursue work in health information administration, hospital management, quality assurance management, and more.
Health Services Administration Careers & Salaries
A masters degree in health services administration program can provide graduates with diverse skills and knowledge. Many go on to work in healthcare management, federal regulatory compliance, or financial planning.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are the median salaries of careers related to health services administration and similar fields.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Chief Executives | $179,520 |
| Financial Managers | $131,710 |
| Training and Development Managers | $120,130 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $101,340 |
| Administrative Services and Facilities Managers | $99,290 |
| General and Operations Managers | $97,970 |
| Database Administrators | $96,710 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $74,000 |
| Compliance Officers | $71,650 |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $55,560 |
The diversity of this degree program can increase graduates’ prospects of enjoying a career in a physician’s office or a larger healthcare facility. Graduates may also consider careers in senior care facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, and even in medical coding and billing.
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Some health administration professionals even direct specific centers in large hospitals or clinics, such as oncology centers or pediatric centers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the employment of medical and health services managers will grow 28% over the next ten years, which is considered much faster than the average for all occupations.
Master of Health Services Administration Curriculum
Health service administration masters programs typically include coursework not only in the healthcare field but also in law, economics, and statistics.
This is because there are many legal regulations placed on healthcare facilities, and there’s also the need for advanced financial planning knowledge. Here are some of the typical courses health services administration students may take:
- Information Systems: This course overviews various health information systems and how they are regulated, with a focus on privacy, integration, and analysis.
- Ethical and Legal Issues: This course focuses on the legal and ethical practices and boundaries within the healthcare field.
- Health Delivery Systems: This course focuses on how healthcare is delivered in different systems, including private versus government delivery.
- Financial Management: This courses teaches you about budgeting, purchase analysis, cost estimation, and more of financial management as it relates to healthcare.
- Introduction to Health Policy and Management: This course analyzes the broad social, economic, and political aspects of management in the American healthcare system.
- Economic and Decision Analysis in Health Services: This course will use economics to understand the ruction of healthcare markets and analyze common healthcare problems.
- Leadership and Organizational Behavior in Healthcare Systems: This course will examine leadership behavior within healthcare systems.
- Quality Assessment and Outcome in Healthcare: This course will overview quality assessment from various healthcare perspectives, such as patients, providers, and policy makers.
- Managing Human Resources and Health Professions: This course will examine human resource functions in order to improve individual and organizational performance.
- Management of Long Term Care Systems: This course will cover the financial, organizational, and policy issues relating to the management of long-term healthcare systems.
Most masters students are also required to complete either an administrative residency or a research project before earning their degree.
MHSA Degree Admissions Requirements
Admission requirements for a masters in health administration online degree can vary depending upon your school. Potential requirements include:
- Official transcripts from undergraduate degrees
- Personal statement
- Letters of recommendation
- Minimum of a 3.0 GPA, on average
- Relevant work experience (if required)
Not all schools require GRE or GMAT scores for graduate admissions. You can inquire with your potential school as to whether you’ll need to submit them.
Accreditation
Accreditation is essentially a process that ensures a standard of quality for universities and colleges. Regional accreditation is considered the most widely sought and most prestigious accreditation.
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Your school’s accreditation status can impact your future career opportunities, your ability to transfer credits, and even your ability to receive financial aid. There are only a handful of credible organizations that can award regional accreditation. You can visit the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) online to view a list of reputable accreditors.
CAHME Accreditation
Another form of accreditation to look for when choosing a health services administration masters degree program is CAHME accreditation.
The Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) is the accrediting body for health services administration programs. CAHME defines the standards of healthcare management education and ensures programs are designed to prepare students for careers in health management.
CAHME is the only organization authorized to grant accreditation to individual healthcare management academic programs offering a master’s degree.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
There are many avenues of financial aid available, depending upon your needs. These can include federal loans, state loans, and work-study programs. Plus, various scholarships may also be available. You can pursue scholarship opportunities through your school, and they may also be offered by private and public organizations.
If you are employed, your workplace may offer development programs that assist with tuition costs. To determine your eligibility for federal aid, you can fill out and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
What Can You Do with a Masters in Health Service Administration?
Earning a masters in health services administration helps prepare graduates to improve the operation of healthcare organizations and the delivery of higher-quality healthcare. Health service administrators can also be responsible for creating and designing innovations in healthcare systems that lead to better patient care and improved employee satisfaction.
Professionals in this field may also work with resource management for healthcare facilities or with managing staff and new hires. This might look like a career in hospital management, health care research analysis, patient safety management, or emergency preparedness administration. Graduates may also pursue work in financial management, health information management, telehealth program management, and more.
Others decide to pursue an on-campus or online PhD in Health Services degree.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Master in Health Services Administration Online?
The time it takes to earn a masters in health services administration online depends on a few factors, such as your enrollment status and the number of program credits required.
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For instance, if your program has 36 credit hours and no thesis requirement, it may be completed in 1 year if you are enrolled full-time throughout the year, including summer term. If you are required to complete a thesis or research project, this could add additional time to completion. Of course, part-time enrollment could lengthen your completion time as well.
What’s the Difference Between a Masters in Healthcare Administration vs. Health Services Administration?
While these two career paths are similar when it comes to organizational management, there are key differences to be aware of.
- Masters in Healthcare Administration: This program focuses on the business side of healthcare facilities. This includes organizational management, strategy and planning, accounting, and regulatory compliance.
- Masters in Health Services Administration: The focus of this program is on policy implementation and health services. This can include designing staff schedules, recruiting and training new personnel, and managing resources for organizations.
Often, these two terms are used interchangeably, and actual duties depend on the facility and position in question.
Is a Masters in Health Services Administration Worth It?
Yes, a masters in health services administration is worth it for many students. This degree path could lead to a variety of career paths. Many masters graduates are also able to increase their earning potential and advance their professional qualifications.
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 28% job growth for medical and health services managers over the next ten years, which is much faster than average for all occupations. This degree is a worthwhile choice for many healthcare professionals who desire a larger leadership, management, or administrative role.
Universities Offering Online Masters in Health Services Administration Degree Program
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Barry University offers a Master of Science in Health Services Administration. This program is designed to prepare graduates for advanced administrative roles in healthcare. While classes are held primarily online, students can also gain hands-on experience during the program’s 200 required hours of field experience. Most students can complete the program’s 39 required credit hours in just 2 years.
Barry University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Florida International University offers a Master of Science in Health Services Administration. The program has flexible learning options for busy working professionals. Students can attend classes using hybrid or fully online learning formats. Those in the hybrid track typically finish the program in 18 months, while online track students usually finish in 24 months.
Florida International University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Midwestern State University offers a Master of Health Administration. This program may be an excellent fit for those pursuing leadership and administrative positions in the field of healthcare. To graduate, students must complete 45 credit hours. Courses cover topics like public health, health systems analysis, employment law, and health informatics.
Midwestern State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Mississippi College offers a fully online program for a Master of Health Services Administration. Students can select two elective courses, allowing them to tailor their education to their professional goals. The program requires the completion of 30 credit hours, which can typically be done in 5 semesters of full-time study. Graduates often pursue careers as clinical managers, nursing home administrators, or health information managers.
Mississippi College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Regis University offers a Master of Science in Health Services Administration. This interdisciplinary program combines concepts from business, information technology, healthcare, and organizational management fields. All classes meet online and are complemented by an internship in the field. On average, students can complete the program’s requirements in 12 to 24 months.
Regis University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Strayer University offers a Master of Science in Health Services Administration. Students can select a concentration in either Clinical Care Management or Public Health Management. Each class is 11 weeks long. The program’s online learning format and adjustable course load is designed with working professionals in mind.
Strayer University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The Master of Business Administration program at SUNY Oswego offers a Health Services Administration specialization. The program is designed for students pursuing roles in nursing home and long-term care facilities.
Students can attend their courses fully online. To graduate, they must complete 45 credits. The curriculum consists of classes such as Human Resource Management, Health Law, Managerial Epidemiology, and Health Policy Economics.
SUNY – Oswego is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology offers a 100% online program for a Master’s in Health Services Administration. Students have the option to dual enroll in the school’s online Master of Public Health program as well. Many graduates pursue administrative roles in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, outpatient centers, and mental health organizations.
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is accredited by the Western Association of Schools & Colleges Senior College and University Commission.
The University of North Texas offers a Master of Science in Health Services Administration. The curriculum is built to provide students with core competencies in information systems, management strategies, ethical issues, and healthcare law. The program consists of 15 classes for a total of 45 credit hours. Students can complete all requirements in a convenient online learning format.
UNT is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Xavier University offers an online program for a Master of Health Services Administration. This program may be an excellent fit for students passionate about leveraging their leadership and administration skills to improve the healthcare sector. Students can typically finish their classes in 2 years of full-time study, after which they must complete an additional year of internship in the field.
Xavier University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Getting Your Health Services Administration Masters Degree Online
Earning a masters in health services administration could help you grow your personal and professional qualifications in this growing field. In addition to a bright career outlook, this field is focused on leadership, organizational management, system design, and transformation.
The path to an online health services degree is geared toward healthcare professionals who are interested in making a difference in healthcare and using emerging technologies to innovate healthcare systems. Plus, the ability to create and lead effective healthcare teams may also provide graduates with the opportunity to improve the lives of not only patients but also dedicated hospital staff.
The sooner you start exploring accredited schools, the sooner you may find the health services administration masters program that best aligns with your needs and interests.
