Lead in Health Care Management

Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA)

Develop leadership skills for health care systems.

100% Online

Complete your degree online and asynchronously.

1 Year

Finish your master's degree in one year.

Cost Effective

The most affordable MHA in Virginia.

Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA)

The Master of Healthcare Administration program is designed to provide you with solid theoretical and practical training. By delving deep into the core principles of leadership, this program ensures that every graduate is well-informed and ready to tackle the challenges of today’s healthcare landscape with confidence.

Here, you’ll find a curriculum structured to give you the comprehensive insight into health care management you’ll need to thrive in any medical community. Whether you understand the intricacies of established institutions or explore the nuances of emerging sectors, you’ll be prepared to lead well as you foster innovation and influence pivotal policies.

In a world where healthcare is becoming increasingly complex, having a clear and informed perspective is crucial. At the University of Lynchburg, you’ll learn more than the basics. By the end of your journey with us, you’ll have a robust understanding of the healthcare field, and the skills and the confidence to drive change, innovate, and shape the future of health care.

Why choose our master’s degree in healthcare administration and management?

Unlock tremendous opportunities for leadership in the booming health care field.

At the University of Lynchburg, you’ll find a program that doesn’t just meet the standard healthcare administration requirements — it exceeds them.

Lynchburg’s MHA gives you the skills you need to thrive.

Health Care Delivery and Financing Institutions, Organizations, and Practices

Unlock the intricacies of the U.S. healthcare system. From diving into healthcare policy and law to understanding the nuances of health economics, you’ll be equipped to navigate and influence the mechanisms that drive healthcare delivery and financing in various settings.

Problem-solving, Strategic Thinking, and Innovation

Harness the power of strategic thinking and innovation. By delving into health care risk management and strategic planning, you’ll develop the acumen to identify challenges, create transformative solutions, and drive change in the healthcare field.

Planning, Directing, and Coordinating Teams and Services

Master the art of team leadership and coordination. With a focus on team development, leadership dynamics, and service management, you’ll be adept at orchestrating services and leading teams to deliver optimal health care outcomes.

Leading and Managing Human Resources in Diverse Organizations

Delve deep into organizational behavior and human resource management. Cultivate the skills to lead, motivate, and manage teams in diverse health care settings, ensuring harmony, efficiency, and effectiveness.

Becoming a Respected Leader

Embark on a leadership transformation journey. By integrating leadership theories, ethical considerations, and real-world insights, you’ll emerge as a visionary leader, ready to inspire, guide, and make impactful decisions in health care.

Curriculum and Resources

2024-25 Academic Year Information

MHA 600: Intro to US Health Care Delivery System and Healthcare Policy (3 credit hours)

This course will focus on the overview and analysis of the U.S. health services system, including a detailed examination of how the system is organized, internal and external forces on the system, how services are delivered, and the mechanisms by which health care services are financed.

MHA 610: Leadership of Healthcare Organizations (3 credit hours)

This course will focus on the structure, organization, and function of health care delivery organizations and systems with emphasis on leadership concepts and issues such as control, change management, communication, and decision making.

MHA 615: Efficiency and Innovation in Production and Operations Management (3 credit hours)

This course will focus on understanding the principles, concepts, and theories related to production and operations management to be successful in the healthcare industry.

MHA 620: Healthcare Law and Ethics (3 credit hours)

This course will focus on the interface between the legal system and health care delivery system, considering the roles and rights of key U.S. health care stakeholders, including: patients, administrators, governing boards, state and federal government, third-party payors, and health care providers.

MHA 625: Healthcare Finance (3 credit hours)

This course will focus on the financial administration concepts and tools essential in sustaining viability of various health care organizations.

MHA 630: Human Resources Leadership in Healthcare (3 credit hours)

This course will focus on practical aspects of human resource leadership and management in various health care settings to optimize the performance of a diverse workforce.

MHA 635: Leading with Information and Technology in Healthcare (3 credit hours)

This course will focus on providing healthcare professionals, administrators, and leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively navigate the intersection of information technology (IT) and healthcare management.

MHA 640: Strategic Planning and Marketing in Health Care Capstone (3 credit hours)

This course will focus on the processes involved in strategic planning and marketing in health care organizations and explores community and health care needs assessments. This course serves as the capstone for the MHA program where the professional student will utilize strategic marketing design, analyze business scenarios, conduct feasibility studies, assess implementation strategies, and review evaluation methods in health care organizations.

MHA 645: Developing and Leading Teams (3 credit hours)

This course will focus on the processes involved in management and organization for effective health programs and projects.

MHA 650: Leadership Theories and Perspectives (3 credit hours)

This course will focus on a comprehensive review of contemporary issues and perspectives on leadership, multidisciplinary and systems-oriented approaches and classic leadership theory to develop and manage teams. The course includes topics such as development of leadership theories, personal assessment and development, conflict resolution, and creating organization change leadership strategies.

MHA 655: Executive Decision Making (3 credit hours)

This course will focus on how leaders formulate and execute effective strategies for policy-making in a complex and unpredictable environment while adapting to a changing healthcare landscape internal and external pressures.

Total Credit Hours: 33

Eight-week Course Structure

Our MHA program offers exceptional flexibility through its eight-week, bi-term online course structure, which allows students to balance their academics with other commitments. This format enables students to explore specific topics for a shorter duration, gain a comprehensive understanding of those topics, and apply their acquired knowledge in real-world situations.

Academic Resources

Additional Resources

Applying to the Master of Healthcare Administration

Priority deadlines: June 15, 2025 and January 1, 2026

How to Apply

Complete the online application.
Submit an official transcript from the college or university where your bachelor’s degree was awarded.
No GMAT or GRE required
Professional resume or CV
One letter of recommendation
$100 deposit for admitted students

Learn more about the application process if you are one of the following:

An international student (the MHA program does not lead to a visa).
Student seeking a second master’s degree.
Non-degree graduate student.

Admission Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.
3.0 minimum undergraduate GPA.
Official transcripts for all previously attended undergraduate and graduate institutions.
Current CV or resume.
GRE and GMAT are not required.
English language testing when English is not a first language.