The Mizzou Executive Master of Health Administration (MHA) program prepares practicing professionals for executive leadership positions across the full spectrum of health care settings. Candidates for the program include physicians, nurses, other clinical professionals, and finance, information, and human resource executives with at least three years of clinical or administrative experience.
Program highlights
The Mizzou Executive MHA program’s innovative curriculum and nontraditional format combine monthly weekend sessions on campus during regular semesters, independent study, and distance learning technology into a comprehensive educational experience that takes advantage of the strengths of each teaching method. This format enables working professionals to maintain full-time employment, while maintaining opportunities for personal interaction with faculty members and fellow students. Students in the Executive Program enroll in three courses during each of four regular semesters and complete an individual research project over two summers.
The Executive MHA Program is designed to take full advantage of the broad knowledge and expertise of students. Each student is an experienced professional recognized as an expert in a specific area. Students actively teach each other and create new knowledge as they interact, keeping the curriculum up-to-date and on the cusp of real issues facing today’s health care organizations. This cohesive group of learners becomes a personal network that serves as an invaluable resource far beyond graduation.
The University of Missouri Executive MHA program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education.
The distance-learning edge
In addition to on-campus sessions, students participate in substantial online learning activities. The integration of information technology into the curriculum has a twofold purpose, allowing students to participate in the program at any time, as well as preparing them to respond to technological changes in the healthcare industry. Students develop an understanding of technology that is essential to success. The availability of individual instruction permits even novice computer users to participate fully as they learn the finer points of technology at their own pace.
Curriculum
The Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree core curriculum integrates fundamental management concepts and health care applications. The Executive Program consists of 42 credit hours: 12 core courses (3 hours each) and an individual research project (6 hours). These curricular requirements cannot be waived as a result of work experience or previous academic endeavor.
Students accepted into the MHA program must meet four foundation prerequisites: Statistical Analysis, Microeconomics, Managerial Finance, Accounting.
These prerequisites can be met with previous coursework at MU or another university, or (with the exception of Statistical Analysis) via online modules developed by MHA faculty. Since foundation courses are necessary preparation/prerequisites for required MHA courses, the faculty may require special pre-assessment of the level of preparation of students who have completed analogous foundation coursework prior to enrollment in the program.
- Statistical analysis must be completed before the first summer
- Microeconomics must be completed by the end of the first summer
- Managerial finance and accounting must be completed before the second winter semester begins.
All health administration students are required to complete successfully an oral examination that enables the faculty to evaluate the student’s competency in health administration. The evaluation takes place during the student’s final semester.
The University of Missouri Executive MHA program begins in January. Students graduate in December of the following year.
1st Spring Semester
- HLTH_ADM 7410 – Introduction to the US Health Care System
- HLTH_ADM 8460 – Administration of Health Care Organizations
- HLTH_ADM 7430 – Introduction to Health Informatics for Leaders
1st Summer Semester
- HLTH_ADM 8450 – Methods of Health Services Research
1st Fall Semester
- HLTH_ADM 8524 – Health Economics
- HLTH_ADM 8461 – Managing Human Resources in Health Care Organizations
- HLTH_ADM 8573 – Decision Making for Health Care Organizations
2nd Spring Semester
- HLTH_ADM 8544 – Managerial Epidemiology
- HLTH_ADM 8470 – Strategic Planning and Marketing for Health Care Organizations
- HLTH_ADM 8472 – Financial Management for Health Care Organizations
2nd Summer Semester
- HLTH_ADM 8451 – Individual Executive Health Administration Projects
2nd Fall Semester
- HLTH_ADM 8571 – Decision Support in Health Care Systems
- HLTH_ADM 8574 – Health Care Law
- HLTH_ADM 8575 – Health Policy and Politics
Costs
| Two-year executive MHA costs | Rate | Frequency | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $1,187.60/credit hour | x 42 credit hours | $49,879.20 | |
Executive MHA funding opportunities
In addition to tuition and fees and books and supplies, financial aid budgets for Executive students do automatically include funds for room and board, transportation, and personal expenses. Students may choose the amount of award they wish to accept.
Several organizations provide scholarships to Master’s students in Health Administration or Health Informatics programs, for which students are welcome to apply. A list of possible external scholarships and further information is available on the External Scholarships page. If you receive an external scholarship award, please notify us as soon as possible. Please note that most of these scholarships are awarded by academic year, while the Executive program runs on a calendar year.
Students often pursue part-time employment opportunities on campus and may search current job listings through HireMizzouTigers powered by Handshake. Students must be admitted and have an active pawprint and password in order to access Handshake.
MU benefits-eligible employees may receive partial reimbursement for tuition fees.
Benefit-eligible MU employees may wish to take advantage of MU’s Educational Assistance program. The Educational Assistance Program provides a 75 percent reduction in tuition for up to six credit hours (two courses) in the Fall and Spring semesters and three credit hours (one course) in the Summer semester. Since the two-year executive MHA degree requires nine credit hours (three courses) per semester, some MHA students who are MU employees choose to complete the degree over three years in order to receive the maximum tuition benefit for all of their courses. A three-year MHA plan of study is available. The executive MS in Health Informatics degree requires a maximum of two courses per semester, and MU employees can complete the degree for just 25 percent of the regular tuition within a two-year timeframe.
Admission and application
Find information on the MHA application process, application deadlines and essay requirements on the application and admission page
Other scholarship opportunities
Explore other scholarship and financial aid opportunities for MHA students