Clinical Administration
Quality management
Risk management
Clinical finance
Clinical operations
The George Washington University Online MHA
The online Master of Health Administration offers busy professionals the opportunity to become a leader in health care administration, without having to relocate or sacrifice the quality and rigor of a top-ranked program.1
MHA@GW is the online Master of Health Administration program from Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University — ranked No. 12 on U.S. News & World Report’s list of the nation’s best graduate schools in public health.1 U.S. News & World Report also ranked Milken’s on-campus Health Care Management program as a No. 9 program.2
GW’s online health administration master’s program is designed for driven professionals seeking to improve health care delivery, assume leadership positions in a range of health-related environments and oversee influential change in communities around the world.
As an MHA@GW student, you’ll have the opportunity to accelerate your career with these benefits:
- Join a thriving network of faculty, students and alumni connected to GW’s campus located in Washington, D.C. — the center of health policy law, administration and regulation.
- Graduate in as little as two years with options to complete the program on a full-time or part-time basis.
- Earn your degree from home while maintaining your current career.
- Experience in-person immersions at prominent health organizations in D.C. and around the world.
Learn more about MHA@GW program information and student outcomes.
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WHAT IS HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATION
ACADEMICS
ADMISSIONS
Lead and Design Health Care Delivery
A Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree focuses on developing leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to manage health-related programs and organizations. As an MHA student, you will learn from an online course structure that has been training and empowering health care professionals since 2014. As a graduate, you will come away with a comprehensive understanding of business administration, ethics, human relations, law and financial management.
Find Out if MHA@GW Is 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 InformationBenefits and Career Paths in Health Administration
A master’s in health administration enables health care professionals to gain the skills they need to elevate their current clinical or administrative leadership position.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical and health services administrators can expect to find more opportunity in the field over the coming years. There is a 28 percent projected growth in available jobs between 2022 and 2032, with a median annual wage of $104,830.3
Earning an MHA prepares you to pursue a number of career paths in directorial and managerial positions, such as:
C-Suite Executive
Chief executive officer
Chief financial officer
Chief marketing officer
Chief operations officer
Health Care Planning and Management
Infection prevention
Business development
Physician recruitment
Government analyst
Non-Clinical Paths
Pharmaceuticals
Insurance
Long-term care
Home care
Veteran’s health administration
As an MHA@GW student, you’ll be prepared to join the nation’s future health care leaders who are effectively overseeing health systems and organizations.
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WHAT IS HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATION
ACADEMICS
ADMISSIONS
MHA@GW Academics
The MHA@GW curriculum is made up of eight 10-week learning modules. Students attend two real-world immersion experiences held on campus and at selected health care facilities. During the final organizational research project, students choose to either evaluate an organization, develop a business plan or complete a literature review.
The coursework that students complete in the MHA program is designed by expert faculty in D.C. — the heart of health policy. The curriculum is designed to provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge to improve the function and efficiency of health care organizations.
Uncover Your Leadership Style
MHA@GW 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 Capitol Hill, 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.
As an MHA@GW student, you’ll be prepared to understand and manage health systems around the world and learn from the health care professionals who design them.
Jump to:
WHAT IS HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATION
ACADEMICS
ADMISSIONS
MHA@GW Admissions
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 that maintains the same academic standards as the on-campus program.
To be considered for the online MHA program, you must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree
- Have at least two years of full-time health sector experience or three years of full-time experience in any industry
- Be currently employed in the health sector
No GRE scores are required. MHA@GW seeks experienced candidates with a history of professional and scholastic excellence who are ready to become leaders in the health care field.
MHA@GW offers two program start dates each year, typically in January and September. Because applications are reviewed as they are received, you are encouraged to submit your completed application as soon as possible. Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis.
Learn more about MHA@GW admissions requirements and deadlines.
Take the Next Step:
The final deadline for the September 2026 cohort is July 30, 2026.
MHA@GW prepares experienced professionals for leadership positions at all levels of health care organizations. 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 as the No. 11 best public health graduate school in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. As the only school of public health in the nation’s capital, it brings top-tier institutional prestige and elite academic standards directly to online students.
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Yes, this master’s degree is highly respected across the medical sector as a gold standard for leadership. Launched in April 2014, the online format has spent 12 years serving as a highly successful executive model for professional advancement. Graduates join a global network of more than 6,000 alumni who actively guide major health systems worldwide.
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The online MHA focuses deeply on health care leadership, operations and policy. Unlike a standard business track, this degree features a reflective, human-centered, systems-oriented modular curriculum built entirely around the complexities of medical systems. Because it is anchored within a school of public health, the framework provides unique insights into population and community health services. The curriculum features award-winning interprofessional education opportunities that mirror real-world sector collaboration.
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George Washington uses a holistic admission process that evaluates your entire background, with a strong focus on your professional sector experience and career goals. There is no interview required for the online MHA program, allowing the admissions team to review your qualifications directly from your application materials.
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This professional executive model is custom-tailored to leverage the direct, real-world insights of working healthcare professionals. Applicants generally need at least two years of full-time health sector experience or three years in a parallel industry. This standard helps foster high-level peer collaboration across all digital modules.
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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 finish these short courses before you apply, you must complete them prior to starting your second year of the program.
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The MHA program requires 45 credits and can be completed in 2 years as a full-time student. George Washington also offers flexible pathways to help you complete your degree at your own pace.
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Students gain access to a robust career ecosystem backed by the university’s deep federal connections in Washington, D.C. While the program does not utilize traditional internships, it provides extensive hands-on training and networking through several structured channels:
– The Health e-Leaders Association: Every student is automatically a member of this group, which offers targeted professional growth initiatives and options to run for executive board or committee positions.
– Exclusive Alumni Networks: You will receive unlimited lifetime access to the active online MHA LinkedIn group, connecting you directly with a global network of more than 6,000 alumni holding leadership positions across the healthcare sector.
– Immersions and Capstones: Cohorts participate in unique, on-site immersion experiences to perform a comprehensive health system analysis. Additionally, you will complete an Organizational Research Project as a capstone to identify and solve a live operational challenge inside your own health system.
– Career Centers & Micro-Internships: You can leverage the GW Career Connect platform, apply for short-term projects via Parker Dewey Micro-Internships, and access tailored mentorship through the F. David Fowler Career Center. -
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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Yes, this degree balances elite academic rigor with the flexible scheduling needed by working executives. The programming provides award-winning opportunities to practice health sector collaboration alongside peers from across the globe. Furthermore, it prepares you for high-level oversight roles projected to grow 23% through 2034 according to the BLS.
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No, job prospects in this field are growing rapidly, and the salary potential remains high. In fact, an analysis by Forbes ranked Health Care Administration as the No. 7 best master’s degree for jobs overall, highlighting its exceptional long-term career growth and robust earning potential.
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.
1 Best Public Health Schools. U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved April 2025 ↑
2 Best Health Care Management Program. U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved August 2024. ↑
3 Medical and Health Services Managers. (2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved September 13, 2023. ↑