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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.
Classes start October 10
Use the code SUMMER 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 and under $13,000.*
*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.
Explore health care leadership courses
- This degree requires a total of 24 program points in FlexPath or 48 program credits in GuidedPath
- You’ll need to complete seven core courses, four specialization courses and one capstone
| 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 cost-effective 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 investigate 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 assess 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.
Try FlexPath for yourself
In our FlexPath Trial Course, you will explore online self-paced learning, experience the courseroom and view a sample assessment.
What you'll study
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.
Program eligible for Workplace Integrated Learning
Use your experience: bring your real-world projects into the courseroom to complete assignments and apply what you’ve learned in your field.
How much does the MHA cost?
The total cost of your degree will depend on your learning format, academic performance and other factors. See FlexPath and GuidedPath cost information below.
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.
- 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*
$12,350–$17,290*
ACCELERATED PACE–TYPICAL PACE
$2,470 per 12-week billing session, 24 total program points, 6 max transfer points
A structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.
- 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
$19,440–$25,920*
MAX TRANSFER CREDITS–AVERAGE TRANSFER CREDITS
$540 per credit, 48 total quarter credits, 12 max transfer credits
*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.
*Alumni Outcomes Survey, 2020–2021
“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.”
*Actual Capella graduate who agreed to appear in promotional materials.
Are there scholarships available for master's degrees?
Your education is an investment in your future. There are more ways to save than you might think.
Capella is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide evidence that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability.
See all our accreditations and recognitions.
What are the MHA admission requirements?
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.
What support does Capella offer online students?
Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of a master’s student. We’ve structured the experience in manageable pieces to help you earn your degree with support from faculty, staff and online resources.
What can you do with an MHA degree?
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.
Articles and resources
Expand your perspective on academic and career topics with articles and resources from Capella University.
What Is the Business Side of Health Care?
People often think of health care in terms of doctors, nurses, and lab technicians—but how does it work from a business perspective?
Earning an MHA to Combine Business and Health Care
Perspectives from a health care informatics specialist who balanced work, life, and learning to earn her MHA.
3 Strategies to Boost Health Care Employee Satisfaction
Improving employee satisfaction and motivation can help health care organizations meet the Triple Aim goals.