Master of Health Care Administration
Turn Your Passion for Health Into Leadership That Improves Systems and Care
Where Leadership Meets Compassion
Prepare to meet the challenges of health care leadership with the Master of Health Care Administration program at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences — designed for early- to mid-career professionals who want to lead with both compassion and competency.
The program is intentionally built to fit your life. Take courses asynchronously on your own schedule, with live Zoom sessions and other synchronous options available when you want real-time connection with faculty and peers.
Can be completed in as little as two years:
- Five 8-week terms per year for flexible pacing
- 47 total credit hours across 17 courses
- A 3-credit field experience or long-term care internship completed in person at an organization of your choice — including your current workplace
100% Online
Fully Flexible Format
2 Years
Average Time to Complete
$908
Tuition Per Credit Hour
No GRE
GRE Not Required
Am I on Track for the MHA Program?
A Quick Check. You Might Be More Prepared Than You Think.
Undergraduate Degree
A bachelor’s degree is required. Majors in health care or business may provide helpful background knowledge, but are not required.
GPA
A minimum grade point average of 3.0 is recommended, but all applications are considered.
Letters of Recommendation
A minimum of three references is required. Evaluations may come from an employer, supervisor, academic advisor, professor or mentor.
Application
Submit your application directly through DMU or via SOPHAS or HAMPCAS. Applications are accepted throughout the year, and new students are admitted following term deadlines.
Why DMU?
DMU’s Master of Health Care Administration program is entirely online and designed for working professionals who are ready to lead.
You’ll learn from experienced health care professionals and dedicated faculty mentors as you gain the strategic, financial and operational expertise required to navigate complex health care organizations — all in a flexible format that supports your professional and personal commitments.
Learn On Your Schedule
Advance your career through a 100% online format that allows you to balance coursework with your professional and life responsibilities.
Expert Faculty Mentorship
Learn from faculty who bring real-world health care leadership into every course. You’ll be paired with a faculty advisor — not a staff career counselor — who provides individualized academic guidance, career support and mentorship through your culminating experience.
Nationally Ranked and Recognized for Value
Our MHA program is ranked among the nation’s top health administration graduate programs by U.S. News & World Report and was named one of the best for return on investment by Money Magazine (2024).
Put Knowledge Into Action
Engage in seminars, interprofessional experiences and collaborative learning opportunities that prepare you to lead health care organizations with confidence and impact.
Put Your Education To Work From Day One
Immediate Application in Your Current Role
The MHA at DMU is designed to help you apply what you learn — immediately. From your first course, you’ll be able to integrate concepts directly into your current role, whether you work in a health care organization, long-term care facility, insurance company, government agency or another setting.
Real-World Field Experience
You’ll complete your culminating field-based learning experience or long-term care internship either virtually or in person within your own organization or at leading health care systems locally and nationally. Many students complete experiences at respected organizations such as UnityPoint Health, MercyOne, Broadlawns Medical Center and health systems across the country. Some also engage through DMU’s Global Health Department to gain a broader perspective into health care delivery systems.
Experience That Accelerates Your Career
Many of our MHA students are hired or advance within the very organizations where they complete their consulting projects or internships.
What You’ll Learn
In DMU’s Master of Health Care Administration program, you’ll complete 47 credits of graduate-level coursework in financial management, leadership, health policy and more. The curriculum blends strategy, policy, analytics and organizational management to prepare you for executive-level responsibility.
You’ll take courses such as:
- Population Health Management
- Health System Emergency Management
- Health Care Financial Management
- Strategic Marketing and Communications
- Organizational Behavior and Leader Theory
Throughout the program, you’ll analyze real-world case studies, evaluate health care delivery models and develop data-informed strategies that improve performance, access and quality of care.
Quick Facts: Curriculum and Courses
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100% Online Format
Flexible learning designed for working professionals
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CAHME Accredited
Nationally recognized quality standards in health care administration education
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Culminating Field Experience
Complete a required internship or field-based project in a health care setting
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Executive-Level Faculty Mentorship
Learn from experienced health care leaders who serve as your personal academic advisors
“Today’s health care organizations require leaders who can navigate complexity, drive innovation and deliver measurable results. DMU’s fully online Master of Health Care Administration program prepares you to lead at that level.
Through rigorous coursework, real-world case analysis and close faculty mentorship, you’ll graduate equipped to strengthen health systems, improve organizational performance and expand access to high-quality care. If you’re ready to lead with purpose, we’re ready to help you get there.”
Rachel Reimer, PhD, MS
Department Chair of DMU’s Public Health Programs
Where Will Your MHA Take You?
Ready. Set. Go.
DMU’s Master of Health Care Administration graduates move into leadership positions across health systems, community organizations and national institutions. Many report expanded responsibility, promotions or executive-level appointments soon after completing the program.
Our alumni hold roles such as:
- Chief Financial Officer — Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center
- Chief Medical Officer — Grundy County Memorial Hospital
- Chief Operating Officer — Primary Health Care, Inc.
- Director of Human Resources — NCS, Inc.
- Provider Compensation Specialist — Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Medical and health services managers earn a median annual salary of $117,960.*
Learn here. Succeed everywhere.
*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Quick Facts: Career Impact
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Leadership Roles Nationwide
Graduates serve in executive and management positions across health systems and organizations
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High-Demand Profession
Employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 17% from 2021 to 2031 — much faster than average*
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Proven Career Outcomes
98% of DMU MHA graduates are employed within three months of completing the degree
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Tuition Discount
Reduced tuition for military members, American Osteopathic Association members and DMU alumni
The Stories That Define DMU
When Water Turns Toxic
A growing public health crisis is flowing through Iowa’s rivers and taps. Jason Semprini, PhD, MPP, assistant professor of public health at DMU, is studying the link between nitrate contamination in drinking water, rising cancer rates and pregnancy-related outcomes across the state.
Become Who You’re Meant to Be
Earn your MHA from DMU and step into your career with confidence and purpose.