Health Administration, M.H.A.

School of Public Health

The Master of Health Administration (MHA), delivered by the WVU School of Public Health, is the premier professional online program for future leaders in health services organizations and health systems.

Cost:

$938 / Cost per credit hour ^*

Courses and Credits:

16 Courses / 35 Credits

Duration:

Two to four years / 16-week terms

Dates:

Next Start: January 12, 2026 Admission Terms: Fall, Spring

Learning Format:

Online asynchronous

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Program Overview

Empowering Future Healthcare Leaders

Focused on the organization, delivery, management, and financing of health services and public health systems, the Master of Health Administration program equips you with the skills and insights needed to lead in various settings, including hospitals, medical group practices, long-term and rehabilitation care, behavioral health, managed care, healthcare consulting firms, and health departments. With full- and part-time study options, as well as flexible features like the option to complete your internship with your current employer, the MHA program goes beyond the business of healthcare.

Designed for Experienced Professionals

This flexible online graduate program is designed for executives and professionals with multiple years of work experience in healthcare and/or clinical settings.

The program offers full flexibility with full- and part-time study options.
Exceptional hands-on, real-world learning and networking opportunities.
Strong and diverse partnerships with health organizations and leaders at local, state, and national levels.

The Master of Health Administration program at West Virginia University has allowed me to build a new career path based on my personal passions — service to the community and helping others.

Stephanie Prescott

Master of Health Administration, 2023

Curriculum

The MHA program is designed for those who want to build their careers specifically in the healthcare industry. From unparalleled partnerships and internship experiences to exclusive access to leading experts and industry-specific resources, this unique program will help you go further faster as a healthcare leader.

Mission, Vision and Values of the MHA Program

The mission of the MHA program is to develop the next generations of health administrators and leaders in West Virginia, Appalachia and beyond.

The vision of the MHA program is to be a regionally dominant, nationally prominent professional program recognized for excellence in leadership development and innovation.

The MHA program is guided by the following L.E.A.D. values:

Learning: We seek out opportunities to learn and grow individually and collectively.
Engagement: We engage and collaborate with the communities we impact.
Achievement: We give and expect excellence of each other.
Diversity: We value the mosaic of people, places and perspectives; and we commit to treating all with equity, inclusiveness and respect.

Meet the Faculty

Required Courses

The MHA curriculum requires 35 credit hours. Most students complete the curriculum over two academic years. The program offers flexibility to students who may need to take less classes each semester.

The two-year plan of study with an August start is the following:

HPML 510: Health Economics, 3 credit hours
HPML 522: Introduction to Data Analytics for Health Administrators, 3 credit hours
HPML 523: Healthcare Finance, 3 credit hours
PUBH 540: Leading and Managing Health Organizations, 3 credit hours
HPML 555: Health Services Project Management, 3 credit hours
HPML 556: Managerial Epidemiology & Strategy, 3 credit hours
HPML 575: Health Insurance & Revenue Cycle, 3 credit hours
HPML 582: Managing Quality Improvement in Healthcare, 3 credit hours
HPML 601: Health Policy, Law, and Ethics, 3 credit hours
HPML 626: Internship, 1 credit hour
HPML 659: Comprehensive Experience in Healthcare Management, 3 credit hours

Graduate Seminar

HPML 596: Graduate Seminar, 2 credit hours
HPML 696: Graduate Seminar, 2 credit hours

If a student (a) is not working full-time in health administration when joining the MHA Program or (b) has not majored in a public health discipline (e.g., health administration, biostatistics, public health) or equivalent, within the five years prior to admission into the MHA program, they are required to take the course listed below (HPML 502) and obtain at least a B+ in that course. That course needs to be successfully completed by the end of the 1st semester in the MHA program.

This information is from WVU's 2025-2026 Academic Catalog.

Year One, Fall Semester

HPML 522, 3 credit hours
HPML 575, 3 credit hours
HPML 582, 3 credit hours
HPML 596, 1 credit hour

Total: 10 credit hours

Year One, Spring Semester

PUBH 540, 3 credit hours
HPML 523, 3 credit hours
HPML 555, 3 credit hours
HPML 596, 1 credit hour

Total: 10 credit hours

Year One, Summer Semester

HPML 626, 1 credit hour

Total: 1 credit hour

Year Two, Fall Semester

HPML 556, 3 credit hours
HPML 510, 3 credit hours
HPML 696, 1 credit hour

Total: 7 credit hours

Year Two, Spring Semester

HPML 601, 3 credit hours
HPML 659, 3 credit hours
HPML 696, 1 credit hour

Total: 7 credit hours

Grand Total: 35 credit hours

This information is from WVU's 2025-2026 Academic Catalog.

Admissions Requirements and Eligibility

Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a preferred overall GPA of 3.5, minimum 3.0
International students must meet WVU's minimum score requirements for English language proficiency.
Other requirements

Resume
Two letters of recommendation
Personal Statement

Admissions Process and How to Apply

Applicants must apply via the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS).

Submit as soon as possible. Do not wait for SOPHAS to receive transcripts, recommendations, or test scores.
Allow up to four weeks for SOPHAS to verify and process your application.
Applications must be complete and verified by SOPHAS by the following deadlines:

June 15 for Fall admission (April 15th for international applicants)
November 20 for Spring admission (October 15th for international applicants)

Upon acceptance from SOPHAS, students will receive correspondence from the WVU School of Public Health regarding their acceptance and instructions to complete the WVU Graduate application.

All application information submitted to SOPHAS will be transferred directly to WVU Admissions
Please note: There are both SOPHAS and WVU application fees.

For the SOPHAS application, applicants must submit:

A statement of purpose and objectives
Two letters of reference
A current resume/curriculum vitae
All university transcripts (SOPHAS requires original transcripts from ALL U.S. institutions attended, even study abroad)
International students must submit English language proficiency test score(s).

Once the department has reviewed the SOPHAS application, students will receive a communication from the WVU School of Public Health regarding their recommendation for acceptance and instructions to complete the WVU graduate application and pay the application fee.

Please Note: There are both SOPHAS and WVU application fees.

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Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid

The University provides a comprehensive approach to helping you finance your education. Learn more on the WVU Financial Aid Website.

Tuition and fees are usually not the only educational expenses you may have while pursuing a degree. You may have other costs such as books, supplies, and living expenses. Visit the Estimate Costs and Aid webpage to estimate and plan for other potential expenses.

Students are encouraged to:

File the application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the June deadline to determine eligibility for funding and scholarships.
Inquire with your employer about potential financial support for continuing your education.

Tuition per credit hour is listed on the page of your program of interest. Please note, tuition and fees are reviewed and subject to change at the start of each academic year.

Connect with Our Team

Jessica Carr Online Admissions Coach

(304) 293-6841 Jessica.Carr1@mail.wvu.edu

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Careers and Employment

Healthcare administration is a rapidly growing field, and there are many exciting career opportunities for those interested in pursuing a career in this area.

Why pursue a career in healthcare administration?

Make a difference: Healthcare administration is a critical component of the industry, responsible for managing organizations and ensuring that patients receive high-quality care. By working in healthcare administration, you can make a difference in people's lives by improving the quality of care and the efficiency of services.

Growth opportunities: The healthcare industry is growing rapidly, and there is a high demand for qualified administrators. This means that job opportunities in this field are plentiful and that there is room for career growth and advancement.

Competitive salary: Healthcare administration is a well-compensated field, with many opportunities for high salaries and bonuses.

Varied career paths: Healthcare administration is a broad field that offers a wide range of career paths, from managing hospitals and clinics to working in public health, health insurance, or government agencies.

Interdisciplinary work: Healthcare administration requires knowledge and skills from multiple disciplines, including business, law, policy, and delivery. This interdisciplinary nature of the field can be intellectually stimulating and challenging.

Career Paths

The online MHA program at WVU focuses on providing students with both a breadth and depth of knowledge in areas critical to success as an administrative leader in the health sector. Graduates of the program leave with the skills necessary to work in leadership roles across hospitals, health systems, consulting firms, government agencies, insurance organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and other private and public sector opportunities. Possible career options include:

Executive and administrative leadership: VP for Financial Policy, CFO, Director of Business Development, Senior Director
Healthcare operations and quality: Practice Outcomes Manager, Quality Analyst
Government and non-profit: Public Health Analyst (CDC/NIOSH), Business Operations Coordinator (American Red Cross)
Administrative Fellowships
Program Manager
Line Manager
Project Manager
Consultant
Health Policy Expert