Is an MHA Degree Worth It?
Approximately 1.9 million new healthcare jobs will be available, on average, each year through 2033, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS). Additionally, healthcare administration management positions are projected to increase 29% with a median salary of over $110,000 per year. One of the best ways to take advantage of this growing sector is to obtain higher levels of education and credentials that focus on healthcare administration competencies and leadership.
Specifically, those seeking advanced careers in healthcare administration are likely to obtain a Master of Healthcare Administration, or MHA, to gain the management, leadership and strategic skills needed to lead the charge in today’s ever-evolving healthcare landscape. But busy professionals are often just that, busy. The question then remains, is an MHA worth the time and financial commitment?
Oftentimes, when considering if a degree program is worth it, it helps to identify the return on investment. This doesn’t necessarily refer only to a financial return – there are other factors to consider, like career advancement and job satisfaction. As mentioned, we already know that the career outlook for healthcare administration is growing, and the median salary is a healthy six figures. Among these returns, MHA graduates are prepared for robust career paths in a variety of healthcare sectors.
The versatility of an MHA can lead graduates to work in roles like:
- Medical or health services manager
- Nursing home administrator
- Healthcare executive
- Hospital administrator
- Practice administrator
- Director of nursing
- Healthcare consultant
This, of course, is an exemplary list and is only a drop in the bucket of the wealth of opportunities in healthcare. In sum, these pathways involve the administrative leadership of a healthcare facility, clinic or organization that provides medical and health services. These individuals keep healthcare processes organized so nurses and providers can focus on their commitment to excellent patient care.
What Is an MHA Degree?
An MHA degree equips healthcare professionals with advanced healthcare administration skills like human resources, finance, marketing and technology. Additionally, it prepares graduates for leadership and management roles that require excellent communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, professionalism and more.
There are a few top priorities that the most robust MHA degree programs should have: technology and leadership coursework developed through data-driven insights and relevant research.
Let’s touch on technology and its evolving importance. Individuals seeking to earn an MHA degree should select one with relevant, research-based technology coursework. Technology has become a critical aspect of not only healthcare administration, but all facets of the healthcare industry. Information systems, data management and data analytics play a key role in healthcare administration, so a robust MHA degree should prepare graduates for such responsibilities. A great example is the MHA degree program at American College of Education (ACE). The program includes coursework that specifically focuses on information systems management.
Additionally, an MHA degree program should include leadership theory coursework in the context of individual leadership and organizational behavioral theories. Courses should utilize real-world examples to study effective leadership concepts like problem solving, risk taking, team building and conflict management. Again, programs such as the one at ACE aim to create better leaders with applicable skillsets that equip them to make better decisions and positively affect healthcare organizations and, ultimately, health outcomes. Institutions like ACE who offer fully online programming at an affordable cost can make the financial and time commitments of a master’s degree program more attainable and accessible.
MHA degree programs must also prioritize data-driven insights and research in curricula. Good leaders making good decisions improve organizations, but to make good decisions, it’s important to not only have the right data available, but to ensure the data is being interpreted in an optimal manner. Coursework should help graduates develop research skills that will translate to the real world. The goal is for graduates to apply what they’ve learned to employ evidence-based research and data compilation to enhance decision making and foster innovation.
What Can an MHA Degree Do for You?
While entry-level healthcare administration jobs are attainable with a high school diploma or associate degree, individuals seeking an advanced career should consider a master’s degree. As healthcare administration professionals grow in their careers, the natural educational progression is a bachelor’s degree and then a master’s degree, such as an MHA or Master of Healthcare Management degree.
As a healthcare professional advances through their career, more responsibility usually results in an increased focus on leadership and management. In midlevel to advanced stages of a healthcare administration career, leading and managing direct reports becomes as important as healthcare administration competencies, if not more so. More administration and leadership experience, responsibility and education not only generally result in more career opportunities and increased salaries, but also greater job security. An MHA can help individuals reach this higher level of their healthcare administration career.
Let’s talk specifically about salary potential for MHA graduates. There is a wide range of salaries in healthcare administration depending on location, organization, experience and responsibility. Just like with most fields, the more experience someone has in the industry, the higher the salary. However, time and experience alone don’t necessarily impact salary the way one might expect.
When experience leads to greater responsibility and leadership opportunities, there is often a higher expectation of education. Academic credentials alone generally do not result in a significantly higher salary, but when supplemented with meaningful experience, earning an MHA can open doors to a promotion or a different position with more responsibility, which can result in a higher salary. Some higher level positions might require advanced degrees. MHA graduates are positioned for roles with salaries that can range from higher five figures to six figures, depending on the position, as shown in below.
| Careers | Annual Median Salary |
| Chief executives | $185,950 |
| Compensation and benefits managers | $125,130 |
| Training and development managers | $115,640 |
| Medical and health services managers | $104,280 |
| Recruiting managers in healthcare | $101,990 |
| Nursing home administrators | $89,880 |
Career Opportunities With an MHA
Let’s dive into a more detailed look at popular healthcare administration careers for MHA graduates.
Financial Management
Healthcare facilities are ultimately businesses, and they need financial managers to oversee budgets, spending projections, investments, insurance and more. MHA graduates who specialize or focus in accounting or financial management are prepared to support such needs and serve hospitals or other healthcare facilities in this way.
Manpower Systems Analysis
Operating a healthcare facility or organization requires adequate staffing and personnel resources. MHA graduates are equipped to manage and oversee how to best allocate resources and ensure a human capital pipeline that effectively supports patient needs. Proper coverage is often the driver of patient care quality, so a role like this is critical to optimum healthcare facility operation.
Administrative Manager
Health administrators are critical to successful healthcare facility or organization operation. Employee schedules, staff training, and ensuring polices and procedures are implemented are among the various responsibilities for this career. MHA graduates can provide exemplary service in these areas with an overarching goal to ensure all is running smoothly.
Hospital Management or Human Resources
Running a hospital or healthcare organization requires extensive experience, and of course, an advanced degree. MHA graduates can manage the needs of hospitals and similar facilities to allow providers, nurses and other healthcare professionals focus on quality patient care. Responsibilities of a healthcare manager might include patient advocacy, strategic planning and more. Further, MHA graduates who focus on human resources are prepared to discern candidacy of the facility’s employees and assure qualified providers are hired.
Patient Advocacy
As healthcare is a service provided to patients, there are undoubtedly circumstances where patients may not be satisfied with their care. These scenarios require an experienced, educated healthcare administration professional to step in and serve as a liaison between patients and providers. MHA graduates are equipped to problem solve and collaborate in a professional manner that assures quality healthcare services as well as advocacy that improves patient outcomes.
These areas are just a few examples of the endless opportunities that come with earning an MHA. At the end of the day, an MHA degree is a strong pathway to career advancement in healthcare administration. The need for such professionals continues to evolve as the healthcare landscape grows exponentially. Healthcare administration professionals are unsung heroes behind the scenes of medical system success, and it’s a rewarding career that is sure to satisfy an individual committed to seeing today’s healthcare setting flourish.
Explore a Master of Healthcare Administration program that is flexible, affordable and fits within your busy schedule.
