Career opportunities
Tens of thousands of people work in health management positions ranging from small local companies to some of the largest international organizations. After requisite experience, administrators assume leadership positions as hospital CEOs, managed care executives, partners in consulting firms, and officers in major healthcare companies. Mizzou Master of Health Administration (MHA) graduates are also sought after by integrated health systems, physician group practices, corporate health systems, home health agencies, hospices, public health agencies, and many others.
Program highlights
Mizzou MHA courses provide students with a strong grounding in finance, accounting, economics and quality improvement. The program builds on this foundation with an integrated curriculum focused on managing complex organizations within integrated health systems. Students develop applied knowledge in areas such as organizational strategy and change, process improvement, interdisciplinary team management, integrated information systems and financial risk management. Program graduates work in leadership positions in medical group practices, managed-care firms, integrated health systems, long-term care organizations, hospitals and corporate health benefits offices both in urban and rural environments.
Accreditation
Our traditional, on-campus MHA program has been continuously accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) since 1968 and is nationally ranked. The program prepares professionals to meet the challenges of a changing health care industry. The curriculum is competency based (modified NCHL model), focusing on ensuring students obtain the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful in the dynamic health care market through the incorporation of educational methods shown to be successful with adult learners.
Students have the option to pursue dual degrees with Business (MBA), Industrial Engineering (MS), Law (JD), and Public Affairs (MPA).
Curriculum
Students who did not take microeconomics as an undergraduate may complete their MHA’s online microeconomics module in order to satisfy the prerequisite. The module is free and available to all admitted students. Students do not receive any academic credit for the module and must complete the module by the beginning of the Spring semester.
In addition, all students, regardless of undergraduate major and prior coursework, must complete the Introduction to Accountancy and Finance course during their first Fall semester.
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.
1st Fall Semester
- HLTH_ADM 7410 – Introduction to the US Health Care System
- HLTH_ADM 8460 – Administration of Health Care Organizations
- HLTH_ADM 8544 – Managerial Epidemiology
- HLTH_ADM 7471 – Introduction to Accountancy & Finance In Health Care
1st Spring Semester
- HLTH_ADM 8524 – Health Economics
- HLTH_ADM 8573 – Decision Making for Health Care Organizations
- HLTH_ADM 8461 – Managing Human Resources in Health Care Organizations
- 2 Professional electives
Summer
- HLTH_ADM 8689 – Field Experience in Health Administration (internship)
2nd Fall Semester
- HLTH_ADM 7430 – Introduction to Health Informatics for Leaders
- HLTH_ADM 8470 – Strategic Planning and Marketing for Health Care Organizations
- HLTH_ADM 8472 – Financial Management for Health Care Organizations
- 1 Professional elective
2nd Spring Semester
- HLTH_ADM 8453 – Executive Management Studies (EMS project)
- HLTH_ADM 8571 – Decision Support in Health Care Systems
- HLTH_ADM 8574 – Health Care Law
- HLTH_ADM 8575 – Health Policy and Politics
Administrative internship
During the summer between the first and second year of the program, students complete a 12-week internship in an approved health organization under the guidance of a qualified and motivated preceptor. Internships allow students to apply knowledge and develop skills as they increase their understanding of the complex relationships within healthcare organizations. Student interns usually are paid a monthly stipend by the host organization.
See the map below for examples of where MHA students have previously interned.
Post-graduate external fellowships
Many MHA students apply for competitive external fellowships, which typically begin in the summer after graduation, lasting one or two years.
Residential MHA costs
Total cost will depend on residency status and each student’s specific plan of study. The residential MHA degree requires 54 credit hours. Course fees for elective or dual degree courses in other programs and additions or adjustments to the degree plan may increase total tuition and fees.
Tuition and fees for two-year residential MHA program*
| Student type | Total cost |
|---|---|
| Domestic MO Resident, no insurance | $34,767.60 |
| Domestic MO Resident, insurance | $42,831.60 |
| Domestic Non-Resident, no insurance | $77,292.60 |
| Domestic Non-Resident, insurance | $85,356.60 |
| International Student | $83,563.60 |
| Tuition and fees | Cost per unit | Frequency | Total cost* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri resident tuition | $603.80 per credit hour | x 54 credit hours | $32,605.20 |
| Non-resident tuition (applies to those who are not legal residents of Missouri) | $1,391.30 per credit hour | x 54 credit hours | $75,130.20 |
| Student Health fee | $107.90 per semester | x 4 semesters | $431.60 |
| Recreation Facility fee | $185.20 per semester | x 4 semesters | $740.80 |
| Student Activity fee | $27.50 per credit hour | x 36 credit hours | $990.00 |
| International Student Services fee | $150 per semester | x 4 semesters | $600.00 |
| International Student Services fee | $75.00 per Summer semester | x 1 summer semester | $75.00 |
| International Student Insurance (all international students automatically enrolled) | $1,093 (fall 2024) $1,512 (spring 2025) | x 4 semesters | $5,629** |
| Domestic Student Insurance (Optional – domestic students may choose to enroll) | $4,032 per academic year | x 2 years | $8,064.00 |
** This is an estimated cost. Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 international student insurance rates have not been announced, so the total may change.
Full-time enrollment
In order to complete the MHA degree requirements within two years, students must enroll for 12 or 15 hours each semester. Under special circumstances, students may obtain permission to enroll for a maximum of 18 hours.
Transfer of credits
The MHA Program will accept appropriate graduate coursework in transfer toward the nine (9) hour professional elective requirement. Transfer credit is accepted on an hour credited for an hour earned basis and must be approved by the department.
Financial aid
Several organizations provide scholarships to Master’s students in Health Administration programs, for which students are welcome to apply.
The MHA program awards scholarships to Residential students on an annual basis. Multiple $1,000 and $2,000 scholarships are available.
Students who wish to be considered for an MHA scholarship are encouraged to submit their application by March 1, the priority deadline. Students are also encouraged to submit a FAFSA.
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.
Graduate Assistantships
Details on graduate assistantships are available from the Graduate School.
Fellowships
The MU Office of Graduate Studies sponsors a Spring Fellowship Competition each year, through which fellowships are awarded to incoming students. Students do not apply on their own; academic programs nominate candidates and submit the requisite application materials to the Office of Graduate Studies. Students who wish to be considered for fellowship nomination should apply by mid-January for admission for the upcoming academic year.
Dual degree options
MHA students can enroll in a dual degree program to simultaneously complete coursework toward two degrees.
Students seeking a master’s degree in health administration at MU may expand their studies to obtain the following:
- Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA)
- Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering (MS)
- Degree in Public Affairs (MPA)
- Degree in Law (JD)
Students who choose to do a dual degree must apply separately to each degree program.
Note: To receive priority for admission and potential departmental financial assistance, residential program applications should be submitted prior to March 1.
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
International students
More information on financial aid, requirements and deadlines for international students