MHA Online

ONLINE MHA CURRICULUM

Fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME), MHA@GW offers a 45-credit program designed to prepare you for management and administrative positions across the health care landscape. The program was created by GW’s expert faculty who are active health care professionals in Washington, D.C.

MHA@GW features an interdisciplinary curriculum delivered through online 10-week modules that focus on essential skillsets for aspiring healthcare leaders and in-person immersions. As a student, you’ll develop your expertise across a variety of topics, gain industry insight from health care influencers, and make connections with peers and faculty. A fundamental cornerstone of MHA@GW’s curriculum is the in-person immersion experiences. These courses are crafted to deliver hands-on learning, networking opportunities, and exclusive insights from seasoned leaders and influencers. Over the course of the immersion experiences, you will engage with active healthcare professionals who will show you how to combine theory and practice. 

In preparation for health management roles, you will discover and develop your own leadership attributes and investigate:

• emotional intelligence
• servant leadership
• health systems analysis
• ethical principles
• organizational change

Course descriptions are available in the GW Bulletin.

See the program guide and the SPH Graduate Student Handbook for additional information.

Core Requirements

HSML 6264 | Healthcare Management & Strategy (5 credits) 
HSML 6265 | Medical Informatics & Decision Management (5 credits) 
HSML 6266 | Healthcare Financial Management (5 credits) 
HSML 6267 | Community Engagement (4 credits) 
HSML 6268 | Economics & Quantitative Methods (5 credits) 
HSML 6269 | Quality & Performance Improvement (5 credits) 
HSML 6280 | Healthcare Law & Policy (4 credits) 
HSML 6281 | Capstone - Systems Thinking & Learning (5 credits) 
HSML 6282 | Research Project 1 (1 credit)   
HSML 6283 | Research Project 2 (1 credit) 
PUBH 6080 | Pathways to Public Health (0 credits)*

* PUBH 6080 - Find FAQs on the Advising page here.

CORE TOTAL: 40 CREDITS

Immersions

HSML 6255 | Leadership & Ethics (2 credits)   
HSML 6258 | Health System Analysis (3 credits) 

IMMERSIONS TOTAL: 5 CREDITS

Non-Academic Requirements

Professional Enhancement

Students in degree programs must participate in eight (8) hours of Professional Enhancement. These activities may be Public Health-related lectures, seminars, or symposia related to your field of study.

Professional Enhancement activities supplement the rigorous academic curriculum of the SPH degree programs and help prepare students to participate actively in the professional community. You can learn more about opportunities for Professional Enhancement via the Milken Institute School of Public Health Listserv, through departmental communications, or by speaking with your advisor.

Students must submit a completed Professional Enhancement Form to the student records office.

Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Training

All students are required to complete the Basic CITI training module in Social and Behavioral Research prior to beginning the practicum.  This online training module for Social and Behavioral Researchers will help new students demonstrate and maintain sufficient knowledge of the ethical principles and regulatory requirements for protecting human subjects - key for any public health research.

Academic Integrity Quiz

All Milken Institute School of Public Health students are required to review the University’s Code of Academic Integrity and complete the GW Academic Integrity Activity.  This activity must be completed within 2 weeks of matriculation. Information on GWSPH Academic Integrity requirements can be found here.

Program Guides

Students in the MHA@GW program should refer to the guide from the year in which they matriculated into the program. 

• Program Guide, 2026-27
• Program Guide, 2025-26
• Program Guide, 2024-25
• Program Guide, 2023-24

Speak with an Admissions Counselor

Our Admissions Counselors are available to give you more information and help you find out if MHA@GW aligns with your goals. They can also assist you with your application and keep you up-to-date on important deadlines and events.

ONLINE MHA ADMISSIONS

The George Washington University’s online Master of Health Administration program, MHA@GW, seeks experienced health care professionals who are dedicated to leading transformative change in organizations and communities around the world. The program can be completed anywhere from two to four years.

Currently, the MHA@GW offers program start dates in January and September. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. 

Admissions Requirements

To apply to MHA@GW, you must have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university. Applicants must have at least two years of full-time health sector experience or three years of full-time experience in any industry. All students must currently be employed in the health sector field and those students with less than two years of experience must pass an online examination prior to enrolling. Applicants are required to have earned a B or better in undergraduate-level financial accounting and introduction to statistics courses. Applicants who have not taken one or both of these courses, or earned the required grades, still have the ability to apply to the program. Pending acceptance, students may complete these requirements via one of several methods offered by the program. Applicants are not required to take the GRE or GMAT.

To complete your application, you must submit the following:

• Online application
• Application fee
• Statement of purpose
• Two letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts from all educational institutions attended
• Resume or CV

Application and Program Support

Our support team can provide you with the resources you need to learn about the program and submit your application. Admissions Counselors, Academic Advisors and Student Success Specialists are available to assist you from the moment you request information up until you graduate.

Our program support specialist can help you:

• fill out and submit your application
• understand your financial aid options
• learn about the online student experience
• explore the curriculum and academic coursework
• find out if the program fits your professional goals

MASTER OF HEALTH ADMINISTRATION CAREERS

A Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree integrates the study of health care delivery, economics, law, management and technology.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a growing demand for skilled health care professionals.

• Employment of healthcare occupations is projected to grow 14 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations, adding about 1.9 million new jobs.¹
• The median annual wage for medical and health services managers was $99,730 in May 2018.²

What can I do with an MHA?

In the ever-changing health care industry, a health care administration degree can be useful in many sectors and transform a preexisting health-related career. Once you earn your MHA, you’ll be prepared to pursue a management-oriented career in a vast range of health care organizations and environments.

Qualified MHA candidates will be ready for employment in public and private settings such as:

• hospitals
• private clinics
• large health networks
• government health agencies
• long-term care facilities
• tech companies
• international aid/humanitarian groups

Prepare for Healthcare Leadership with GW

Designed to help you become a leader in health care delivery, MHA@GW can give you the skills, resources and connections necessary to enhance your career.

As an MHA@GW student, you will:

• build upon your existing leadership expertise
• acquire knowledge across the health care sector
• extend your professional network of health organization leaders
• collaborate with professors and peers both online and in person
• hone essential skills of effective health care delivery executives

What is the Online Master of Health Administration (MHA) and what are its key learning outcomes?

This master's degree program prepares you for leadership roles in the global healthcare sector. You'll gain expertise in health economics, financial management, and law with a focus on ethical leadership. Graduates are ready to improve health service delivery and drive change in their industry.

Is the program 100% online?

This program is offered online, providing the flexibility to study from anywhere. Coursework is typically available asynchronously to fit your schedule. Outside of coursework, students must complete two on-campus immersions in Washington, D.C., to network and apply skills.

What are the admission requirements for the MHA?

Applicants need a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and at least two years of health sector experience (or three years in any industry). Submit a resume, two letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. No GRE is required for the application.

What is the total cost of tuition and fees?

Estimated total tuition for the 45-credit program is $90,000, based on a cost of $2,000 per credit. Additional out-of-pocket expenses include books, course materials, and travel for immersions. For a full breakdown, visit the program's official tuition page.

How long does it typically take to complete the MHA?

Complete the program in as few as 24 months. The flexible pacing is designed to fit your professional and personal schedule, allowing you to balance work while advancing your education.

Is the program accredited, and by which accrediting bodies?

Yes, the program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). This ensures your degree meets high academic standards and holds professional value. Learn more about the MHA@GW here.

What is the typical curriculum or course structure for the program?

The curriculum offers a comprehensive education in health management. Key areas of study include health services systems, financial management, and health law. Students also complete a final research capstone project.

What career paths and job opportunities are available to graduates?

Our graduates pursue diverse leadership roles in hospitals, government agencies, and consulting firms. Common career paths include Health Care Executive, Clinical Director, and Health Services Manager.