Programmatic Accreditation
Fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Management Education (CAHME), the gold standard for health care administration quality benchmarks.
The George Washington University Online MHA
Designed for experienced professionals who want to lead organizations, improve health care delivery and drive meaningful change across health systems.
CAHME Accreditation & National Rankings
Regional Accreditation
The George Washington University is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Elite National Standings
- No. 8 Best Health Care Management Program nationwide.
- Offered by the No. 11-ranked Milken Institute School of Public Health.
#8
Best Health Care Management
Program3
3
Flexible program
options
24
Months to complete
the accelerated pathway
6,000+
Alumni
network
Health Care Leadership at the Center of Health Policy
Located in Washington, D.C., the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University connects students with health care leaders, policymakers and organizations shaping the future of health care delivery.
As an online MHA student, you will:
- Learn from faculty with experience in health care leadership, policy and administration.
- Participate in immersion experiences that connect classroom learning to real-world health care challenges.
- Build leadership skills applicable across hospitals, health systems, consulting organizations and government agencies.
- Earn your degree while continuing to advance your career.
What Is the MHA Curriculum and Structure?
The online Master of Health Administration curriculum consists of 45 credits designed to prepare experienced professionals to lead health care organizations, improve operational performance and drive strategic change across health systems. The coursework that students complete in the MHA program is designed by expert faculty in D.C. — the heart of health policy.
Students progress through eight 10-week learning modules and complete three immersion experiences that connect coursework to real-world health care leadership challenges. The program concludes with an Organizational Research Project (ORP) that allows students to evaluate an organization, develop a business plan or complete a literature review focused on a health care administration issue.
Learn More About the MHA@GW Curriculum.
Flexible Program Pathways
Students can choose the pace that best fits their professional and personal responsibilities.
| Program Option | Estimated Completion Time |
|---|---|
Accelerated | 24 Months |
Standard | 30 Months |
Decelerated | Up to 48 Months |
45-Credit Curriculum Structure
| Curriculum Component | Focus |
|---|---|
Health Care Leadership and Management | Lead teams, manage organizational change and improve performance |
Health Care Finance and Accounting | Analyze financial performance and support strategic decision-making |
Health Care Policy and Law | Understand regulations, policy development and health care governance |
Information Systems and Analytics | Use data and technology to improve health care operations |
Quality and Performance Improvement | Enhance patient outcomes and organizational effectiveness |
Organizational Research Project | Apply learning to a real-world health care challenge |
Immersion Experiences | Engage with health care leaders and organizations through experiential learning |
Course Spotlights
Health Services Finance and Accounting Theory
Develops the financial management skills health care leaders need to evaluate organizational performance, allocate resources and support strategic decision-making. Students learn to interpret financial statements, assess financial risk and understand health care reimbursement models.
Quality and Performance Improvement
Examines strategies health care organizations use to improve patient outcomes, operational efficiency and service delivery. Students evaluate quality frameworks and apply performance improvement methods to real-world health care challenges.
Medical Informatics
Explores the role of information systems, health care technology and data management in modern health care organizations. Students learn how health care leaders use information to support clinical, operational and strategic decisions.
Explore the Full 45-Credit MHA Curriculum
Uncover Your Leadership Style During Immersion Experiences
Our online MHA students participate in two immersions held on GW’s campus in Washington, D.C. — the center of health care policy and regulation. In addition to on-campus immersions, you will attend one off-campus immersion at a reputable health organization located around the world.
During these immersion experiences, you will discover who you are as a leader through simulated scenarios that reflect today’s most compelling health care challenges. You’ll also study alongside and collaborate with professors, peers and influential health care leaders.
These immersions are meaningful opportunities that help you prepare to understand and manage health systems around the world and form connections with the health care professionals who design them.
Solve Health Care Challenges Through the Organizational Research Project
The Organizational Research Project (ORP) is the culminating experience of the online MHA program. Working with a health care organization, you’ll identify a complex operational, strategic or leadership challenge and develop evidence-based recommendations that can support meaningful organizational improvement.
Throughout the project, you’ll apply the knowledge and skills gained across the curriculum while receiving guidance from faculty mentors. The ORP gives you the opportunity to strengthen your analytical, leadership and communication skills while building a portfolio piece that demonstrates your ability to address real-world health care challenges.
By the time you graduate, you’ll have practical experience leading an applied project — preparing you to make informed decisions and drive change across a variety of health care settings.
Faculty Shaping Health Care Leadership and Policy
Online MHA students learn from faculty with experience in health care leadership, policy, management and organizational strategy. Their expertise helps students connect classroom learning to the challenges facing today’s health care organizations.
Faculty Spotlights
Experienced health care executive and faculty member whose work focuses on health care leadership, organizational performance and strategic management. She helps students connect leadership theory with practical health care administration challenges.
Professor of Health Policy and Management whose expertise includes health care strategy, management and organizational leadership. His work focuses on preparing health care executives to lead complex health systems and improve organizational performance.
Is the MHA@GW Right for You?
Are you ready to elevate your career with MHA@GW? Request information to learn more about how the program can help you meet your goals.
Request InformationWhat Are the Admission Requirements for the GW Online MHA?
The Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University seeks students who display academic and professional excellence. MHA@GW is a rigorous online program with high academic standards.
Application Eligibility
To apply, you must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree.
- Have at least two years of full-time health-sector experience or three years of professional work experience in another industry.
- Be currently employed in the health care field.
Program Logistics & Start Dates
- Cohort Schedules: The online MHA offers January and September start dates.
- Review Process: The program follows a rolling admissions process.
- Testing Policy: Does not require GRE scores.
Learn More About MHA@GW Admissions Requirements and Deadlines
Tuition and Financial Aid
The online Master of Health Administration consists of 45 credits. Estimated tuition for the online MHA is $90,000, calculated on a per-credit basis of $2,000 per credit unit.
GW offers financing resources, financial aid options for eligible students, employer tuition assistance information and additional funding resources to help students manage the cost of graduate education.
Learn more about tuition, fees and financing options.
What Are the Benefits and Career Paths for an MHA Graduate?
An MHA can prepare graduates for leadership roles across hospitals, health systems, physician practices, consulting firms, government agencies and health care organizations. Through coursework in health care leadership, finance, policy, quality improvement and operations management, students develop the skills needed to improve organizational performance and patient outcomes.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical and health services administrators can expect to find more opportunities in the field over the coming years. There is a 23% projected growth in available jobs between 2024 and 2034, with a median annual wage of $117,960.4
| Career Path | Common Work Settings |
|---|---|
Clinical Operations Director | Ambulatory Care Centers, Surgical Centers, Health Systems |
Health Care Planning Analyst | Government Agencies, Consulting Firms, Health Systems |
Quality Management Director | Managed Care Organizations, Hospitals, Health Systems |
Practice Administrator | Physician Groups, Specialty Practices, Outpatient Clinics |
Population Health Manager | Health Systems, Public Health Organizations, Insurance Providers |
Home Health Administrator | Long-Term Care Organizations, Home Health Agencies, Post-Acute Networks |
Additional career pathways may include:
- Chief Operating Officer
- Chief Executive Officer
- Health Care Consultant
- Strategic Planning Director
- Health Care Operations Manager
- Physician Practice Manager
As health care organizations continue to evolve, leaders who can improve operational performance, manage complex systems and guide strategic decision-making remain in demand across the industry.
Join the nation’s future health care leaders who are effectively overseeing health systems and organizations.
Take the Next Step
GW’s online MHA program prepares experienced professionals for leadership positions at all levels of health care organizations.
The final deadline for the January 2027 cohort is November 5, 2026. Request information to learn more.
Request InformationFAQs About GW’s Online MHA
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The online MHA program is offered by the Milken Institute School of Public Health, which is ranked No. 11 among Best Public Health Schools by U.S. News & World Report.5 The school’s Health Care Management Program is ranked No. 8 nationally.6 These rankings reflect the strength of GW’s public health and health care management education.
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Yes. An MHA is a widely recognized graduate degree for professionals seeking leadership and management roles in health care organizations. The degree develops expertise in health care operations, finance, strategy, policy and organizational leadership.
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While both degrees develop management and leadership skills, an MHA focuses specifically on health care systems, health care operations, policy, quality improvement and health care finance. An MBA generally provides broader business training across multiple industries, while an MHA prepares graduates to address challenges unique to health care organizations.
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The George Washington University uses a holistic admissions process that considers academic achievement, professional experience and career goals. No interview is required for admission to the online MHA program.
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Applicants need at least two years of full-time health care sector experience or three years of full-time professional experience in another industry. This requirement helps create a collaborative learning environment in which students can apply their professional experience to coursework and discussions.
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Admitted students must complete non-credit preparatory courses in financial accounting and introductory statistics with a grade of B or better. While you do not need to complete these short courses before applying, you must complete them prior to starting your second year of the program.
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The online MHA consists of 45 credits. Students can complete the program in as few as 24 months or choose a standard or decelerated pathway that extends completion up to 48 months.
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While the online MHA does not include a traditional internship requirement, students have access to networking, leadership and professional development opportunities throughout the program.
These opportunities include:
- The Health e-Leaders Association — Every student is automatically a member of this organization, which offers leadership development opportunities and the ability to serve on committees or pursue elected leadership positions.
- Alumni Network — Students receive lifetime access to the online MHA alumni network, connecting them with health care leaders and professionals working across the industry.
- Immersion Experiences and the Organizational Research Project — Students participate in immersive learning experiences and complete a capstone project to analyze and address real-world health care administration challenges.
- Career Development Resources — Students can access the GW Career Connect platform, Parker Dewey Micro-Internships and mentorship opportunities through the F. David Fowler Career Center.
Together, these experiences help students build professional connections, develop leadership skills and apply their learning to health care administration challenges.
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The estimated tuition for the online MHA is $90,000. The program consists of 45 credits, with each credit costing $2,000.
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An online MHA can be valuable for professionals seeking leadership positions in health care organizations while maintaining their current employment. This online MHA program combines valuable in-person experience with flexible online learning with coursework in health care management, finance, policy and operations.
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Medical and health services administration remains an exceptionally secure, high-growth field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 23% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average (3%) for all occupations.7 Graduates may pursue leadership, operations, planning and administrative roles across health care organizations.
The George Washington University partners with 2U to support the delivery of these online programs. The George Washington University has full control over the programs, including all core academic functions. Click here to learn more about 2U’s roles and responsibilities.
- Best Health Care Management Programs. (2026). U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved June 2026. ↩︎
- Best Public Health Schools. (2026). U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved June 2026. ↩︎
- Best Health Care Management Programs. (2026). U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved June 2026. ↩︎
- Medical and Health Services Managers. (2025). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved June 2026. ↩︎
- Best Public Health Schools. (2026). U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved June 2026. ↩︎
- Best Health Care Management Programs. (2026). U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved June 2026. ↩︎
- Medical and Health Services Managers. (2025). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved June 2026. ↩︎