The healthcare systems of tomorrow will demand a bold, innovative mindset — thinking bigger, acting smarter and embracing change — while tackling the complex challenges of the 21st century. Earn your Master of Healthcare Administration online at UNCP and help shape the future of healthcare.
The fully online Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program at UNC Pembroke is designed to prepare future healthcare leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to enhance healthcare delivery, particularly in rural communities. Our program blends rigorous academic coursework with hands-on learning experiences tailored to the unique challenges of rural healthcare systems.
The curriculum emphasizes active learning and advanced teaching strategies. Students will apply, analyze, integrate, and synthesize knowledge through real-world case studies, complex managerial challenges and simulated workplace environments. Guest speakers from diverse healthcare fields engage students in critical thinking and innovative problem-solving, equipping them to navigate the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. Graduates will emerge with deep industry expertise and the confidence to lead effectively in healthcare management and administration.
This fully online MHA program has been developed in close collaboration with experts and leaders working in healthcare leadership positions and other subject matter experts to ensure your degree provides the skills and knowledge you need to advance your career, the health of your community, and your organization's mission.
Your Pathway to Healthcare Leadership
An MHA from UNCP provides the skills and knowledge you need to advance your career, the health of your community, and the mission of your organization.
Healthcare isn’t one-size-fits-all, especially in rural America. Patients, healthcare providers, and administrators in these areas face challenges distinct from their urban counterparts. Workforce shortages, economic constraints, cultural and social differences, educational gaps, and geographic isolation all contribute to healthcare disparities, making it harder for rural residents to maintain healthy lives.
Rural communities have unique healthcare needs that require specialized services. However, many areas lack viable options, leaving residents without essential care. This combination of limited access and distinct healthcare demands creates a pressing need for strong leadership in rural healthcare facilities. That’s where the rural health MHA plays a vital role.
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Why earn a Master in Healthcare Administration?
- Influence the Future of Healthcare: Healthcare is moving toward a value-based care model, and you can help lead the way with the skills you learn in this program
- High Earning Potential: Exciting career with high salary potential
- Versatility and Career Flexibility: An MHA opens up a wide range of career possibilities within the healthcare industry and beyond.
- Competitive Edge: The degree provides a competitive advantage in the job market and opportunities for advancement.
- Dynamic Work Environment: Healthcare administrators play a critical role in the delivery of care: directing operations, managing data-driven systems, shaping policy, and striving to improve the healthcare system.
- Networking Opportunities: MHA programs often provide opportunities to network with industry professionals and build relationships.
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Why choose our program?
Rural communities have unique healthcare needs that require specialized services. However, many areas lack viable options, leaving residents without essential care. This combination of limited access and distinct healthcare demands creates a pressing need for strong leadership in rural healthcare facilities. That’s where the rural health MHA plays a vital role and why the MHA program at UNCP is uniquely designed to prepare future healthcare leaders, with a strong emphasis on rural healthcare.
Our fully online program provides a comprehensive education tailored to the diverse and evolving needs of the healthcare industry. The program is tailored to students who have completed a bachelor’s degree and who are working or plan to work in the healthcare industry. The MHA is also suitable for those seeking to make a career change or who are already working in healthcare but seeking a higher-level management position. The MHA is also suitable for those seeking to make a career change or the health practice professional moving into a management position. Here’s why UNCP’s MHA stands out:
Rural Health Focus
Gain specialized knowledge in addressing the challenges of healthcare delivery in rural communities, where leadership and innovation are needed most.Boost Your Expertise Through Direct Engagement with Real Organizations
Featuring four internship opportunities, the curriculum provides networking opportunities and real-world experience
No Capstone Requirement
Instead of a final capstone project, our curriculum emphasizes practical learning through coursework and internships, ensuring students graduate with direct, applicable experience
No GRE Required
We believe in making higher education accessible to qualified students, so we do not require the GRE for admission
Pursue Your Master’s Degree Without Pausing Your Career
The program is designed to provide a semester course load of six to nine credits to allow you to strike an ideal balance between full-time professional commitments and progress toward your degree. The courses are delivered in 7-weeks format
Expert Faculty with Real-World Experience
Learn from seasoned healthcare professionals and scholars who bring practical insights from various sectors of the healthcare industry
Broad Career Opportunities
The skills and experience gained in our MHA program prepare graduates for leadership roles in hospitals, long-term care facilities, private practices, government agencies, and other healthcare settings
Finish in 2 Years
The fully online program can be completed in two-years with most course content offered asynchronously
At UNCP, we are committed to developing healthcare leaders who are ready to make a meaningful impact in their communities. If you’re looking for a flexible, practical, and career-focused MHA program that prioritizes real-world experience and rural healthcare needs, UNCP is the right choice for you!
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Career Paths
MHA graduates can pursue various careers, including:
- Management: Junior, mid-level, and senior management positions
- Business Development and Project Management: Roles focused on expanding healthcare services and implementing new initiatives
- Quality Management: Positions focused on improving patient care and outcomes
- Policy Development and Analysis: Roles involved in shaping healthcare policy and regulations
- Consulting: Working with healthcare organizations to improve their operations and strategies
- Medical Device, Pharmaceutical, and Payer Organizations: Roles within the healthcare industry that support the delivery of care
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Curriculum
To maximize their impact, today’s administrators must be able to apply best practices and organizational principles to decisions and operations that affect countless lives. The MHA curriculum is designed to provide students with both breadth and depth of knowledge. It is competency-based, which provides students with the necessary skills and know-how to succeed as healthcare administrators.
UNCP’s online MHA curriculum is designed to align with the standards of the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).
RECOMMENDED COURSE SEQUENCING
Year 1
Semester 1
- HCA5301-Health Care Administration and Organization (3 credits)
- HCA5300-Health Care Finance: Strategic and Management Challenges (3 credits)
Semester 2- HCA5330-Health Policy and Management: Current Trends, Issues, and Approaches (3 credits)
- ECN5740-Health Economics (3 credits)
- BLAW5300-Legal and Ethical Issues for Health Care Professionals (3 credits)
Semester 3
- HCA5306-Analytics and Managerial Decision-Making in Healthcare (3 credits)
- HCA5326-Crisis Management of Health Facilities (3 credits including 45 hours Internship)
Year 2Semester 4
- HCA5323-Management and Administration of Rural Health & Small Practices (3 credits including 45 hours Internship)
- HCA5311-Introduction to Public/Population Health (3 credits)
- HCA5309-Health Care Quality: Perspectives, Initiatives, and Strategies (3 credits)
Semester 5- HCA5317-Management and Administration of Acute Care Facilities (3 credits including 45 hours Internship)
- HCA5314-Health Information Technology (3 credits)
- HCA5303-Health Services Strategy and Marketing (3 credits)
Semester 6- MGT5300-Human Resources Management (3 credits)
- HCA5320-Management and Administration of Long-Term Care Facilities (3 credits including 45 hours Internship)
TOTAL PROGRAM CREDITS-45
MHA Admissions
2025 Admissions Cycle: April 1, 2025 – July 30, 2025
*At this time our program only accepts applications for Fall admissions for our full-time program. An accelerated option and part-time program admission will be available soon.
Admissions Requirements
Graduate School Requirements for All Applicants: A previous college degree, at least a 3.0 grade point average.
Please note: Non-U.S. and Puerto Rican applicants must also meet a fourth basic graduate admission requirement: Satisfactory English test scores. Learn more: International Graduate Students
Transcripts: All applicants must have a prior bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. If your degree is not a U.S. equivalent, but you still want to be considered for admission, you must submit a transcript from World Education Services (WES), International Education Services (IES), or another NACES-accredited education evaluation service.
UNCP cannot accept applicants with degrees from U.S. institutions that are not regionally accredited.
Grade Point Average: Applicants who graduated with a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution must have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or better.
Steps to apply through the UNCP Graduate School:
A complete application consists of all of the following:
- All applicants, including UNCP students, must complete the Graduate School online application.
- Submit the application fee
- Arrange to have all official transcripts from each previous institution attended (other than UNCP) sent to The Graduate School.
- International Students Only: Arrange to have official TOEFL (90 or higher) or IELTS (7 or higher) scores sent electronically.
- Submit a 1-2 page Statement of Purpose, explaining your career goals and why you wish to earn an MHA degree.
- Submit three (3) professional letters of recommendation. References must be current (within the last 4 years). One letter should be from a current or previous academic reference.
- Current Resume
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