Master of Healthcare Administration Program
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To download a program brochure and learn more about the Master of Healthcare Administration (M.H.A.) program offered by SMU, please fill out the form. You can also get in touch with an enrollment specialist directly by calling us at 469-871-6018.
From national disease outbreaks to evolving healthcare laws, today’s healthcare leaders face complex challenges that require effective solutions. To drive meaningful change, leaders must possess the knowledge and skills to make critical decisions that promote long-term patient health while ensuring economic sustainability for the American public.
If you’re passionate about tackling America’s most pressing healthcare challenges, effectively governing healthcare organizations and driving public health through leadership, data and innovation, an M.H.A. from SMU can help you achieve your goals. Students have unparalleled opportunities in top-tier healthcare organizations, driving improved outcomes and value for patients and the public.
Online M.H.A. program overview
The online M.H.A. program from SMU is a flexible 36-credit hour program designed for working professionals with at least two years of experience in healthcare or healthcare-adjacent fields. This part-time program is based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, which is one of the fastest growing U.S. healthcare markets. SMU maintains strong relationships with hospitals, clinics, nonprofits and private companies across the dynamic Dallas area.
Through SMU’s M.H.A. program, healthcare professionals will enhance their leadership capabilities, deepen industry knowledge and refine strategic expertise, enabling them to navigate the increasingly complex healthcare landscape while developing and implementing sustainable strategies for organizational success.
The curriculum includes interactive components such as virtual live lectures and project-based assignments based on real-world problems and skills. Courses are designed to equip students with the skills to navigate the challenges of healthcare administration roles.
Project-based synchronous and asynchronous coursework
Two immersive on-campus experiences
Networking opportunities with leaders in healthcare administration
Industry-informed curriculum designed by healthcare experts
Small class sizes and direct access to faculty
Immersions, experiential learning and networking
The M.H.A. program includes two on-campus immersions, offering students the opportunity to network with their cohort, healthcare experts and policy professionals. These experiences provide a platform to strengthen interpersonal and teamwork skills while gaining in-depth insight into strategic development within healthcare organizations. SMU’s M.H.A. program prepares students to lead with confidence, insight and a commitment to meaningful impact in healthcare.
Beyond the on-campus immersions, students are encouraged to connect and collaborate in a dynamic virtual environment. Small class sizes and regular faculty interaction support meaningful engagement, while students build strong peer relationships from the comfort of home.
Online M.H.A. learning outcomes
A curriculum designed for impact
The online M.H.A. program at SMU is designed to equip students with the leadership, policy, analytical and innovation skills essential for success in today’s healthcare landscape. Through a comprehensive and practical curriculum, students gain expertise in:
- Healthcare Systems & Operations
- Epidemiology & Biostatistics
- Leadership & Management
- Legal & Ethical Frameworks
- Data Analytics
- Innovation & Resource Development
Student learning and program outcomes in the M.H.A. program are measured through applied course projects and a culminating capstone experience, ensuring graduates are prepared to lead with confidence in real-world healthcare settings.
Comparing the M.H.A. to similar degrees
The M.H.A. is specifically a healthcare leadership degree, and it provides targeted education for leadership roles in healthcare settings or health-related industries. An M.B.A. can lead to careers in multiple sectors but may not provide the industry-specific knowledge necessary to lead healthcare organizations. M.P.H. degrees address broader public health challenges such as epidemiology, environmental health and health education.
A Master of Healthcare Administration (M.H.A.) focuses on the business, management and leadership of healthcare organizations, emphasizing healthcare policy, regulations and data analytics in patient care systems. M.H.A. students gain foundational knowledge in public health, but the program emphasizes the business, legal and operational aspects of healthcare delivery. The curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for leadership roles within healthcare organizations such as hospitals, health systems and private healthcare firms.
Who is the ideal M.H.A. candidate? Aspiring healthcare executives, administrators and operational leaders focused on improving organizational performance and patient care systems.
A Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) provides a broad education in business principles with applications across various industries:
- Finance, marketing, operations and general management
- Business strategy and leadership across sectors
- Not healthcare-specific, but offers transferable skills
Who is the ideal M.B.A. candidate? Professionals seeking leadership roles across various industries, including healthcare.
An M.P.H. focuses on population health and disease prevention, preparing professionals to design and implement public health programs. Graduates are equipped to work in public health agencies, nonprofits, research institutions and government organizations.
Who is the ideal M.P.H. candidate? Professionals committed to advancing community health, policy and preventative care at the population level.
“We empower future healthcare leaders to collaborate across ideologies and industries. In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, we need changemakers who can strategically engage with others and adapt their approach to improve health outcomes and systems.”
Amanda Taffy
Master of Healthcare Administration (M.H.A.) Faculty Lead and Program Director
About SMU
A nationally ranked private university located near the heart of Dallas, SMU is a distinguished center for global research and teaching. SMU’s diverse, high-achieving students come from the U.S. and around the world to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.
SMU serves thousands of undergraduate and graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.
SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem — paired with entrepreneurial drive — creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.
Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas — the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions — offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.