Frequently Asked Questions: Online Master of Health Administration

While the three degrees may have some overlap in terms of curriculum, choosing which one is correct for your career goals should be done with the following in mind:  

• The MHA focuses on providing leadership and management for healthcare facilities and systems.  To these ends, it provides training on healthcare law and ethics, policy, finance, and strategic planning specific to healthcare organizations and systems.  This choice is best for those who wish to lead or manage healthcare organizations and industries.
• The MPH focuses on population health, improving public health outcomes, and reducing health inequities. It is best suited for students interested in health promotion, disease prevention, health policy, and research.  This degree is best for those who wish to assess population health or create, implement, and evaluate population-based strategies to improve the health of our communities.
• The MBA with a concentration in healthcare management focuses on general business education with specialized courses in healthcare systems, policy, and economics. This degree is the best choice for those wanting to move between healthcare and other industries or for those aiming for executive-level roles with a strong foundation in business.    

• The field of Healthcare Administration is expected to grow by nearly 29% between now and 2032.  With nearly 563,000 projected job opportunities, the time is right to consider making the move into the field.  Whether you are a direct patient care provider or in administration already, an MHA degree can help you become a leader in the field.   In addition to the job outlook, pay in the field is also strong.  In the New England region, average pay is nearly $144,000 for those with an MHA degree.   

• Those with an MHA can find opportunities as CEO’s, Clinical Directors, Corporate Medical Directors, Health Information Managers, Nursing Directors, Department Administrators, and Center Director.  Common organizations that hire those with an MHA include health departments, consulting firms, hospitals/clinics/surgical centers/community health centers, long term care and senior living facilities, regulatory agencies, Universities, and think tanks.   

   

• The capstone experience allows matriculated students to explore, in-depth, a specific component of health care administration for their chosen health care institution using learned concepts and tools from the full MHA curriculum.
• Students choose the organization they wish to partner with.  It can be done at the current place of employment with an agreement, or a student can be matched with a preapproved organization.  Students complete the matching process during the first module of the class. Students will describe the healthcare organization and associated department they are working with, topic area of interest, and the type and level of support provided by the department.
• Students are required to produce a written paper, in case study format, that offers an innovative solution to a current health care administration challenge. Students are expected to disseminate their findings in front of an academic and business audience 

The Program uses a two-step application process: 

First, you will need to complete the Schools of Public Health Application System or SOPHAS.   

• Complete the SOPHAS application and pay the $150.00 fee.  Once you submit the SOPHAS application, it will go through a verification process, which can take 7-10 business days to complete.  

Second, once the SOPHAS application has been verified you will received a personalized link, via email, to the UMass supplemental application.  Complete this application and pay the supplemental fee of $60.00.

We have two application cycles:

• Fall admissions: Deadline is June 15th.  The application cycle opens on November 1st. Be sure to submit your SOPHAS application early enough to allow time for verification and for completing the UMass supplemental application. Applications submitted to SOPHAS between June 1 and June 15 may be too late to be considered.
• Spring admissions: Deadline is Nov. 15th.  The cycle opens on August 16th.  This is a shorter cycle.  Please start your Spring admissions application early.    

Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). There is a requirement for all students to take the GMAT and submit the scores as part of their application. However, the GMAT can be waived under the following circumstances. (Please reach out to phonline@umass.edu with any questions): 

• You have already completed a Master’s or Doctoral level degree in any field. 
• You are a foreign medical doctor with Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certification.
• You have been working in the field of healthcare administration professionally for more than 5 years.    

Test of English Language Proficiency. Students from countries where English is not the primary language, are required to take a test of English language proficiency.  We accept the TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo tests.  This test can be waived if you are from certain countries. See more information here.   

• If you are a US citizen or US permanent resident you do not have to submit TOEFL/IELTS/other English proficiency exam.  

Professional experience. All students must have 2 years of Professional Experience in Healthcare by the time they submit their application. We will waive one year of the required professional experience in the following circumstances (only one year may be waived, even if you meet both requirements):  

• You hold an undergraduate degree in Public Health or Health Sciences
• You have a graduate certificate in public health from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. 

No, the program is 100% online and asynchronous, and attendance in person is not required.    

No, all students, regardless of location, must use the two step SOPHAS/UMass Amherst Supplemental applications. All deadlines and fees are the same.   At this time the program does not offer financial aid or scholarships for international students. 

Yes!  Please contact the program's Academic Advisor, Liz Manlin, by email at phonline@umass.edu with any written questions or you can book a virtual appointment  here.