Health Administration
Designed for Healthcare Leaders
ETSU's Master of Health Administration (MHA) is a professional degree preparing graduates for leadership positions in health administration. The MHA indicates to potential employers that the student has obtained a high level of knowledge related to the health services management environment. The MHA is accredited through the Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH).
Those interested in healthcare, but want to find a job as a manager, executive, or administrator, might consider obtaining a MHA. MHA programs are designed to transform students into resilient individuals prepared for the needs and demands of leadership by helping them to gain the knowledge required to respond effectively in the growing field of healthcare. This program helps students master the knowledge, values, and skills required to offer the highest standard of care.
MHA graduates can work in careers that oversee the business side of running a health organization. They will work with the financial and administrative aspects of medical care, and frequently supervise other employees at the same time, ensuring that ethical, legal, and financial regulations are always met.
Driving Improvement
ETSU’s cutting-edge MHA program teaches students through four pillars of competency: Finance, Quality, Policy & Regulation, and People & Partnerships. Each pillar incorporates methods of leadership and communication into the core of their coursework to ensure that graduates are resilient leaders who are fully capable of driving population health improvement.
The Master of Health Administration offers two tracks:
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Executive Track
Allows the student to utilize past managerial experience to forego the internship requirement and Studies in Healthcare Administration coursework, allowing the student to accelerate their degree progress.
Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the ETSU Graduate Catalog.
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Standard Track
Available to students who do not have workplace experience but who have completed an undergraduate degree from any field of study.
Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the ETSU Graduate Catalog.
Graduates of this program will have the following competencies:
- Propose strategies to identify stakeholders and build coalitions and partnerships for influencing health outcomes
- Design a population-based policy, program, project or intervention
- Select communication strategies for different audiences and sectors
- Apply systems thinking tools to a health issue
- Analyze data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming, and software, as appropriate
- Interpret results of data analysis for health research, policy or practice
- Apply quality and performance improvement concepts and tools to address organizational performance
- Apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational or community challenges
- Apply key principles of accounting and financial management in health services organizations
- Apply legal and ethical principles to issues of health services management and policy analysis
- Discuss main components and issues of the organization, financing and delivery of health services in the U.S.
For students wanting an in-person program, please visit the MHA web page.
What can I expect with a MHA vs. MBA vs. MPH?
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Career Outlook and Income Trends
MHA graduates can work in careers that oversee the business side of running a health organization. They will work with the financial and administrative aspects of medical care, and frequently supervise other employees at the same time, ensuring that ethical, legal, and financial regulations are always met.
Employment in Medical and Health Services Managers is projected to increase 32% from 2019-2029. Most ETSU MHA students work in hospitals, nursing homes and long-term care facilities, public health and other government agencies, outpatient care centers, and more.
Steps to Apply
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1. Choose Your Program
The College of Public Health offers a number of master level programs that can be completed online or in the classroom. You can also chose to start the program in either the Fall or Spring terms.
Here are the Public Health programs you can choose from:
- MPH - Biostatistics
- MPH - Community Health
- MPH - Epidemiology
- MHA - Health Administration
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2. Create Your SOPHAS Application
The application process to SOPHAS is quite lengthy, so we encourage you to apply early!
This page has helpful information on what you'll need to assemble your application.
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3. Submit Your SOPHAS Application
Applicants are encouraged to submit their SOPHAS applications as soon as they have entered their course work, Resume/ CV, and personal statement. Transcripts, letters of recommendation, GRE scores, and TOEFL scores (if applicable) should be designated for your SOPHAS application, and will be automatically attached to your application when received. -
4. Application is Received by the College of Public Health
They will monitor your submitted application and request any additional materials necessary to complete our evaluation. They begin reviewing your application only after it becomes “Verified” by SOPHAS and includes all necessary materials. You will then receive a confirmation email indicating your application has been forwarded to the review committee. Please monitor your application status often. -
5. Your Application is Reviewed
Each Department has created a specialized review committee to evaluate applicants on their individual strengths. Recommendations for admission are made based on the applicants with the greatest chance of success in the programs. If you have any questions about the strength of your application, we encourage you to contact the department representative. -
*Notes and Additional Information*
While the college has a priority and a final deadline, all applicants are encouraged to apply before the priority deadline.
Applications made to SOPHAS can take up to four (4) weeks to be processed and released to the college. Average SOPHAS processing time is two (2) weeks.
If recommended for admission by the Department, you will receive instructions to complete the Graduate School supplemental application. There are separate deadlines for each application. Both must be completed, including all supporting documents, by the published deadline.
Cost
Credits to complete this program: 42-51 credit hours
| TN Residents | eRate (Out of State, 100% online) | Out of State |
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| $646 per credit hour | $805.50 per credit hour | $1,487 per credit hour |
| - Additional fees may be required. - Visit the Paying for College page to read more about costs and financial aid options. - The costs associated with attending ETSU can include both direct and indirect costs. Please review ETSU's Cost of Attendance for more details. |
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Frequently Asked Questions
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What accreditation applies to this program?
All graduate programs in the College of Public Health are nationally accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
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Do I need to have a background in this field?
The Standrard Track does not have any prerequisites or background requirements.
The Executive Track, which allows students to complete the program at an accelerated pace, requires at least four years of managerial experience in health administration.
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Are the courses for this program asynchronous or synchronous?
The program is offered 100% online and partially on-ground. There are no synchronous online courses currently. Any online courses are offered in an asynchronous format.
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Are there any on-campus requirements?
Online students are not required to attend any on-ground courses, meetings, or orientations.
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Does this program require an internship or fieldwork?
The Standard Track requires an applied capstone project and administrative internship.
The Executive Track, designed for students with at least four years of managerial experience in health administration, requires an applied capstone project.
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What is the time to completion?
Most full-time students complete the MHA in 2 years.
Most part-time students complete the MHA in 3 years.
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Is there a course schedule I can review?
Yes, in the Master of Health Administration ETSU Graduate Catalog.
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When can I start?
Student may begin in the Spring or Fall semesters.
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Are scholarships available?
Students are encouraged to visit the Paying for Graduate School website for information regarding ETSU graduate scholarships and other financial resources.