Nestled between the Appalachian Mountains and the Atlantic Coast, Virginia is beset with many health problems. According to USA Facts, the Commonwealth state ranks 41 out of 50 states when it comes to healthcare spending per capita. While the state is working to improve its health metrics, it needs capable leaders to take the helm.
Unsurprisingly, more and more healthcare institutions in Virginia, whether public or private, are looking for MHA graduates to lead and oversee their multiple departments. With the degree serving as a ticket for professional and financial improvement, residents and non-residents alike should consider enrolling in any of these MHA programs in Virginia:
MHA Programs in Virginia
There are 15 MHA programs offered in the state of Virginia. Here are five universities that offer various learning modalities (in-person, online, and/or hybrid):
Eastern Mennonite University
- Harrisonburg, Virginia
- Campus
Program:
Master of Arts in Healthcare Management
Modality: In-person learning at the Harrisonburg, VA campus
Tuition: $20,460 plus other fees
Program Overview:
EMU’s MA in Healthcare Management program is designed to help students build their competencies in leadership, conflict resolution, and diversity. The 31-unit curriculum equips students with the acumen they need to improve the organization and service delivery of various healthcare organizations.
Eastern Virginia Medical School
- Norfolk, Virginia
- Hybrid
Program:
Master of Healthcare Administration
Modality: Hybrid
Tuition: $34,944 to $35,776 plus other fees
Program Overview:
EVMS’ hybrid MHA program utilizes various teaching methods, such as discussions, analyses, small group activities, case studies, and simulations, to name a few. The curriculum is largely based on five competencies, namely healthcare environment, business management, leadership, healthcare policy, and analytics.
Regent University
- Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Online + Campus
Program:
MBA – Healthcare Management
Modality: In-person learning at the Virginia Beach, VA campus or Online
Tuition: $25,020 plus other fees
Program Overview:
Regent’s specialized MBA program is designed for students who wish to take on executive-level positions in healthcare organizations. On top of core business courses, the program delivers concentration classes in healthcare organization change management, healthcare finance, and healthcare law.
Shenandoah University
- Winchester, Virginia
- Online + Campus
Program:
MBA with a Healthcare Management Concentration
Modality: In-person learning at the Winchester, VA campus or Online
Tuition: $45,360 plus other fees
Program Overview:
Shenandoah’s MBA in Healthcare Management curriculum aims to create successful business leaders in the health industry. The program features 12 foundation credits and 27 MBA core credits. It also requires nine healthcare management concentration credits, which courses ranging from business foundations and cybersecurity to data communications and healthcare information systems.
University of the Potomac-Virginia
- Idylwood, Virginia
- Online + Campus
Program:
Master of Healthcare Administration
Modality: In-person learning at the Idylwood, VA campus or Online
Tuition: $16,200 plus other fees
Program Overview:
The goals of the university’s MHA program are to prepare students for management positions and provide them with the necessary knowledge and tools to overcome the challenges in the healthcare industry. The 36-credit curriculum features classes in policy, ethics, healthcare systems, and global health, to name a few.
CAHME-Accredited MHA Programs in Virginia
Three MHA programs in Virginia are accredited by CAHME or the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education. This means that these programs have met the organization’s stringent criteria for educating future healthcare leaders.
George Mason University
- Fairfax, Virginia
- Online + Campus
Program:
Health Systems Management, MHA
Modality: In-person learning at the Fairfax, VA campus or Online
Accreditation: CAHME
Tuition: $40,275 plus other fees
Program Overview:
GMU’s CAHME-accredited curriculum features a total of 45 credit units that may be finished in two years. The program emphasizes the mastery of four core competencies, namely healthcare management, communications, critical thinking, and professionalism.
Radford University Carillon
- Winchester, Virginia
- Online
Program:
Master of Healthcare Administration
Modality: Online
Accreditation: CAHME
In-state tuition: $29,250 plus other fees
Out-of-state tuition: $30,105 plus other fees
Program Overview:
With a fully online curriculum that may be completed in 18-24 months, Radford U’s MHA program is designed to help students improve their strategic planning, analytical, data utilization, and management skills.
Virginia Commonwealth University
- Richmond, Virginia
- Campus
Program:
Master of Health Administration
Modality: In-person learning at the Richmond, VA campus
Accreditation: CAHME
In-state tuition: $6,702 plus other fees
Out-of-state tuition: $13,775 plus other fees
Program Overview:
VCU’s 59-unit MHA program, which is qualified as an industry-specific MBA, teaches students the fundamentals of running a business while preparing them to become able leaders and problem-solvers in the workplace.
Online Masters in Healthcare Administration Programs in Virginia
There are six online MHA programs in Virginia that can cater to busy working professionals or those who live far away from the university campuses:
ECPI University
- Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Online
Program:
Masters in Healthcare Administration
Modality: Online
Tuition: $7,848 plus other fees per semester
Program Overview:
ECPI’s MHA program follows a 36-unit curriculum that may be completed in 14 months. Students may specialize in two tracks, namely Health Informatics, which focuses on data utilization and management; and Community Health, which emphasizes the healthcare management of communities.
Liberty University
- Lynchburg, Virginia
- Online
Program:
Master of Science in Healthcare Administration
Modality: Online
Tuition: $23,730 plus other fees
Program Overview:
Liberty’s online program follows a 42-credit curriculum, with courses lasting for eight-week durations. The university doesn’t require standardized test scores, and students may gain admission through any of the eight start dates per year.
University of Lynchburg
- Lynchburg, Virginia
- Online
Program:
Master of Healthcare Administration
Modality: Online
Tuition: $14,280 plus other fees
Program Overview:
Lynchburg’s online, asynchronous program provides students with the opportunity to finish their degree in 12 months. Despite the accelerated curriculum, aspiring leaders are guaranteed to master all the competencies required of healthcare executives.
Mary Baldwin University
- Staunton, Virginia
- Online
Program:
Master of Health Administration
Modality: Online
Tuition: $25,350 plus other fees
Program Overview:
MBU’s 39-credit program is developed for students who wish to build on the knowledge, skills, and experience required of healthcare leaders. The entire curriculum, which is designed with the schedule of working professionals in mind, may be completed in about two years.
Norfolk State University
- Norfolk, Virginia
- Online
Program:
Master of Healthcare Administration
Modality: Online
In-state tuition: $12,690 plus other fees
Out-of-state tuition: $25,502 plus other fees
Program Overview:
MBU’s 12-course MHA features a flexible course load that ranges from online classes and personal advising. Apart from learning the basic concepts, students can get adequate hands-on experience through poster presentations and research projects.
University of Management and Technology
- Arlington, Virginia
- Online
Program:
Master of Health Administration
Modality: Online
Tuition: $17,550 plus other fees
Program Overview:
Designed for healthcare managers and administrators, UMT’s 45-unit online MHA program requires students to complete ten healthcare courses, four electives, and a capstone project. Classes focus on healthcare economics, financial management, global health, and quality management, to name a few.
No GRE Required MHA Programs in Virginia
The Graduate Record Examination or GRE test measures the student’s academic acumen. While it is an admission essential for many, these 10 schools do not require MHA applicants to submit a GRE or GMAT score:
- Eastern Virginia Medical School
- ECPI University
- George Mason University
- Liberty University
- Mary Baldwin University
- Regent University
- Shenandoah University
- University of Lynchburg
- University of the Potomac-Virginia
- Virginia Commonwealth University
Accelerated MHA Programs in Virginia
There are two accelerated MHA programs in Virginia that can be completed in 12 months. One is that of the University of Lynchburg, which offers online, asynchronous classes. Shenandoah University’s MBA in Healthcare Management, which offers both in-person and online learning, may be completed in the same timeframe as well.
Affordable Masters in Healthcare Administration Programs in Virginia
Virginia Commonwealth University offers the cheapest tuition for in-state and out-of-state students alike. The tuition fees are $6,702 and $13,775 (plus other fees) respectively.
All MHA Programs in Virginia
| University Name | Program Name | Degree | State/Location | Delivery Mode | Program Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Mason University College of Public Health | Healthcare Management | MHA | VA | Residential Executive Part-Time | Healthcare Management |
| George Mason University College of Public Health | Healthcare Management | MHA | VA | Online Executive Part-Time | Healthcare Management |
| Radford University Carilion Radford University | Candidate | MHA | VA | Online Non-Executive Full-Time | Candidate |
| Virginia Commonwealth University College of Health Professions | Healthcare Management | MHA | VA | Online Executive Full-Time | Healthcare Management |
| Virginia Commonwealth University College of Health Professions | Healthcare Management | MSHA | VA | Hybrid Executive Full-Time | Healthcare Management |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Master of Health Administration | Master of Science (M.S.) | VA | On-campus, Online | Master of Health Administration |
| Radford University Carilion | Master of Healthcare Administration | Master of Health Administration (MHA) | VA | On-campus | Master of Healthcare Administration |
| Liberty University | Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration | Master of Business Administration (MBA) | VA | Online | Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration |
| George Mason University | Master of Health Administration | Master of Health Administration (MHA) | VA | On-campus, Online | Master of Health Administration |
| Shenandoah University | Master of Healthcare Administration | Master of Health Administration (MHA) | VA | On-campus | Master of Healthcare Administration |
| Hampton University | Master of Health Administration | Master of Health Administration (MHA) | VA | On-campus | Master of Health Administration |
| Old Dominion University | Master of Health Administration | Master of Health Administration (MHA) | VA | On-campus, Online | Master of Health Administration |
| Regent University | Master of Healthcare Administration | Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) | VA | On-campus, Online | Master of Healthcare Administration |
| Marymount University | Master of Healthcare Administration | Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) | VA | Online | Master of Healthcare Administration |
| Virginia Tech | Master of Science in Health Administration | Master of Science (M.S.) | VA | On-campus | Master of Science in Health Administration |
What Types of Careers Can I Pursue With an MHA Degree in Virginia?
Students who obtain an MHA from any of the Virginia schools have a higher chance of securing these profitable positions:
Hospital Administrator
There are 94 hospitals in Virginia, 67 of which are non-profits. MHA graduates can ably lead these institutions as hospital administrators, whose functions include creating/maintaining policies, coordinating services, and recruiting and supervising staff, to name a few.
Health Department Administrator
The Virginia Health Department, which oversees the state of public health in the state, runs a total of 35 health districts. With their knowledge of policy and management, MHA graduates can ably lead VA’s health departments and ensure that regulations and project calendars are followed.
Healthcare Consultant
MHA graduates, who are very familiar with the industry landscape, are more than qualified to work as healthcare consultants. These experts are hired by organizations to help them improve performance, service delivery, and efficiency.
Quality & Safety Manager
MHA curriculums often include courses in quality management, thus providing their graduates with the intellectual and experiential capacity to function as quality & safety managers. This job entails the development, monitoring, and implementation of programs that help maintain the organization’s high level of service.
Risk & Compliance Manager
MHA graduates in Virginia are also qualified to work as risk & compliance managers, who are responsible for developing policies, training personnel, and investigating violations in healthcare organizations.
Research Facility Administrator
Virginia is home to many healthcare research centers and facilities. MHA graduates can help maintain the optimal functioning of these sites by working as research facility administrators, who are responsible for overseeing programs, following workflows, and ensuring efficiency.
