MHA in Health Care Leadership
Master of Health Administration

Be a part of the evolution of health care. The Master of Health Administration, Health Care Leadership helps you prepare for director-level and leadership positions in a wide range of health care settings. By mastering the skills expected of leaders in this field, you can help build better organizations and improve outcomes for patients today. This program gives you an opportunity to build a diverse skill set, to support patient outcomes, business strategy, and the transformation of the health care industry.

Professional relevance

Our curriculum offers credible, relevant learning that’s designed around the National Center for Health Care Leadership Competency Model™ (NCHL).

Employer partnerships

Capella University partners with more than 400 health care employers, including leading hospital systems and insurance providers.

Interprofessional learning

Share your learning and insights with nursing and public health students completing related degree programs as part of Capella’s interprofessional course structure.

Classes start July 12

Use the code SPRING to waive the $50 application fee.

At a Glance

Online
FlexPath available
7 Core courses
4 Specialization courses
1 Capstone
48 Total quarter credits
12 Maximum transfer credits

With FlexPath, you can earn your MHA in 14 months for $12,000.*

*Based on fastest 25 percent of students. Your program length and cost will vary by transfer credits, the per-session cost, and how quickly you complete courses. Books, supplies, and other fees apply.

Is FlexPath right for you?

Admission requirements

Applicants to the MHA, Health Care Leadership program must provide the following information for admission:

A bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or from an internationally recognized institution
Your official bachelor's transcripts, with a grade point average of 2.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale
A $50 nonrefundable application fee, required at the time of application, to cover transcript requests, transcript evaluation, and other administrative costs
A valid, government-issued form of photo identification

GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.

FlexPath admission requirements

Applicants for our FlexPath Self-Paced Learning option must also meet the following criteria:

The recommended minimum GPA is 2.8, although those with lower GPAs may be considered if providing additional documentation for review.

Step into FlexPath is an option for those who don’t qualify for FlexPath. Start a program in our GuidedPath learning format, and then transition into FlexPath upon successful completion of one course, at a 2.8 GPA or higher.

International student requirements

If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree, or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.

In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:

Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
Transcript evaluation

Learn more about international student admissions.

FLEXPATH
GUIDEDPATH

A self-paced learning format that puts you in control. Take courses at your own speed and move on to the next course whenever you’re ready.

Learn more about FlexPath »

Enroll in one or two core courses at a time and complete as many as you want in 12 weeks
2 Capella quarter credits = 1 program point
Set your own deadlines, no courseroom discussions
Pay a flat tuition fee per session^*

$12,000–$16,800^* ACCELERATED PACE–TYPICAL PACE

$2,400 per 12-week billing session, 24 total program points, 6 max transfer points

Learning outcomes »

View all tuition and fees »

A structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.

Learn more about GuidedPath »

Based on the quarter system; 1–3 courses per 10-week quarter
1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or term

$19,260–$25,680^* MAX TRANSFER CREDITS–TYPICAL TRANSFER CREDITS

$535 per credit, 48 total quarter credits, 12 max transfer credits

Learning outcomes »

View all tuition and fees »

*This is only an estimate, using general program pricing. Your price may be higher or lower depending on your specialization, transfer credits, tuition discounts, and (in FlexPath) the speed at which you move through the program. Fees, including application fees and resource kits, are not included in this estimate. The GuidedPath prices show the tuition you would pay if you brought in the average number of transfer credits or the maximum allowed transfer credits. The FlexPath prices show the tuition you would pay if you brought in an average number of transfer credits and you moved at the speed of a typical FlexPath student or as quickly as the fastest FlexPath students (75th percentile). New or recently revised programs base their estimate on comparable programs. Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is not available for FlexPath.

Questions about cost?

Contact an enrollment counselor.

95% of health administration alumni are satisfied with their Capella education.*

Apply

*Alumni Outcomes Survey, 2019–2020

“Now that I have my degree, I feel like I have lots of opportunities. I accomplished something that I wanted to accomplish for 20 years. You just have to believe in yourself. If I can do it, you can do it.”

Becky Zigler-Otis*

*Actual Capella graduate who agreed to appear in promotional materials.

Your education is an investment in your future. There are more ways to save than you might think.

Employer and association discounts

If your employer or organization is a partner with Capella, you may be eligible for a tuition discount.

$3K toward your master’s

Apply for a $3K Capella Progress Reward, a scholarship to help fund your master’s degree.

Transfer credits that work for you

If you completed graduate coursework from another accredited institution, you may be able to apply those credits toward your Capella master’s program.

Show course with description

MHA5010	Strategic Health Care Planning In this course, learners examine strategic orientation, planning, and decision making in health care organizations and environments. Learners analyze the political, legal, regulatory, organizational, demographical, and multicultural implications of strategic planning decisions and how those decisions impact communities and populations, define best practices for health care organization staff development, and balance the prioritization of organizational and regulatory needs with feasible costeffective solutions. Learners also develop a long-term strategic health care plan that includes information on human resource requirements, technology needs, and financial implications	4 quarter credits
MHA5012 *	Organizational Leadership and Governance Learners in this course examine and articulate the fundamental concepts and principles of health care organization management and leadership, including governance, cost-effective decision making, and managing and leading stakeholders and staff. Learners identify best practices for mobilizing, managing, and improving employee, organization, stakeholder, and community commitment and for creating employee-centered organizations that foster professional and organizational accountability. Learners also analyze an organizational leadership structure and governance plan and examine how to apply team leadership skills to initiate change. *Prerequisite(s): Completion of or concurrent registration in MHA5010.*	4 quarter credits
MHA5017	Data Analysis for Health Care Decisions Learners in this course gain and apply an understanding of how data drives decision making at every level of health care administration, including in value-based reimbursement as well as operations and outcomes. Learners identify ways to use data analysis tools and techniques in the pursuit of value, quality, and safety. Throughout the course, learners use readings, media presentations, and real-world examples to analyze a particular foundational statistical concept and related practical application.	4 quarter credits
MHA5040 *	Health Administration Change Leadership Learners in this course examine evidence-based approaches to change leadership, process management, and organizational design in complex, dynamic health care environments. Learners apply analytical and innovative thinking to complex problems related to guiding change by using knowledge of theory and past trends to develop effective solutions. Learners reflect on their own ability to manage change and identify stretch goals for their future development in change leadership. *Prerequisite(s): MHA5010.*	4 quarter credits
MHA5042 *	Team Development and Personal Leadership in Health Care Settings In this course, learners receive personalized coaching and apply coaching techniques in a real-world setting. Learners demonstrate their knowledge of talent development, team leadership, professionalism, and interpersonal understanding. Learners also evaluate their own leadership skills through introspective investigation, reflection, and coaching, and then use these skills to construct their own personal leadership plan. *Prerequisite(s): MHA5010.*	4 quarter credits

*Course has prerequisite(s). See catalog for details.

View all courses

Try FlexPath for yourself

In our FlexPath Trial Course, you will explore online self-paced learning, experience the courseroom and view a sample assessment.

This specialization is focused on effective change management and the development of high-performance teams in complex, dynamic health care environments. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based best practices for change management, coaching, team collaboration, and professional development. You’ll learn how to foster a continuous learning system for sustainable health care delivery and prepare for director-level and leadership opportunities in a wide range of health care settings.

On successful completion of this program, you should be able to:

Develop and enhance existing leadership skills through introspective investigation and reflection of personal tendencies, strengths, and weaknesses
Develop high-performing teams by inspiring individual excellence and leading talent development in health care organizations
Apply evidence-based change leadership practices in complex, dynamic health care environments

Review the Capella career exploration guide to learn more about this program and career paths to explore.

Your education can help you reach your professional and personal goals. While Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific career outcome, such as a job title, promotion, or salary increase, we encourage you to explore potential jobs and employment settings. Here are some ideas and examples for a graduate with an MHA in Health Care Leadership.

Job titles to explore

Chief executive officer
Clinic manager
Program director
Health director
Administrative director
Chief operations officer
Business analyst

Employment settings to explore

Hospital
Ambulatory care facility
Health care association
Nursing home
Wellness and health promotion organization
Health insurance company
Hospice
Accountable care organization (ACO)
Mental health organization
Public health department
Nonprofit organization
Behavioral health/social service provider organization

*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.