Since our accreditation as a School of Public Health (SPH) in 1967, Loma Linda University has been a leader in healthcare administration education. Our Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program prepares students for careers in managing hospitals, health services organizations, and public health infrastructure. With a strong curriculum blending healthcare delivery systems and population health principles, our experienced faculty and healthcare executives offer relevant, case-based learning in a virtual classroom. The program features a small faculty-to-student ratio, individualized leadership coaching, networking opportunities with partner organizations like the American College of Healthcare Executives, and a built-in practicum. As a CEPH-accredited and AUPHA partner program, we invite you to join our legacy of bridging the gap between populations and their health, whether you choose to study online or on campus.
Connect with Dr. Huma Shah, Program Director, at hshah@llu.edu.
According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 28% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average of other occupations.
With an emphasis on data analytics and population health, our MHA program focuses on leading and managing healthcare organizations. Whether on or off our campus, there are ample opportunities to apply the principles learned in the classroom by completing a practicum experience in a health-care environment. For new healthcare students, this puts you in a position to graduate with a relevant degree and 800-hours of experience for your resume.
I will always treasure the MHA program because it has given me the tools to grow as a professional by teaching me the pillars of excellence, leadership, and confidence that I need to impact my community. It has shown me that serving my community is my mission.
The mission of the MHA program at LLUSPH is to provide quality education to new and mid-career professionals locally, nationally, and globally who are interested in health care management. The program fully integrates a health care perspective in all coursework which is guided by theoretical frameworks, scholarship, and informed practice. Wholistic Christian principles are practiced by faculty and serve to develop students into conscientious and ethical leaders who will integrate innovative solutions to health care challenges.
The MHA program aims to be globally recognized in providing excellent, quality health care management education with an emphasis on service using a values-based approach to confront health care issues. Students will be prepared to confront and solve complex problems in health care delivery using evidence-based analytics, theory, and practice.
Upon completion of this degree, students should be able to:
The MHA program has an approved candidacy with the Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME), the accreditation body for graduate healthcare management programs.
The Healthcare Administration Practicum gives you a chance to integrate academic studies with workplace experience over a period of 800 hours (approximately 1 year). During this time, you will develop the skills required for administrative positions through hands-on work experience, special project coordination, administrative interaction, and other assignments.
The SPH Practicum Director meets with you individually to identify a site from one of more than forty sites in the local area. Once you’ve chosen a practicum site, you will meet with the site supervisor for an interview and to schedule your practicum hours (hours are scheduled based on the needs of the site and the skills of the student). Regular reports are submitted throughout your practicum and the experience culminates in a poster presentation at 400 hours. A final presentation is required at the completion of the practicum. Table 1 shows general categories of placements for students in the practicum.
If you have five or more years of experience in healthcare management and are currently working in that setting this will be evaluated. You will be able to complete the practical portion through an applied project at your workplace.
| Quarter | SOPHAS: Domestic Deadline | Secondary: Domestic Deadline |
| Fall 2025 | August 1, 2025 | August 15, 2025 |
| Quarter | SOPHAS International Deadline | Secondary: International Deadline |
| Fall 2025 | April 1, 2025 | April 15, 2025 |
These courses may be met through an accredited college or university with applicable transcript, MOOC or correspondence with a certificate or passing grade, or by passing a test. Please contact the Admissions office for questions about specific courses or options that are recommended.
Get details on the standard cost of attendance on the LLU website.
Earn an ONLINE Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration for nearly half the cost!
As part of the Loma Linda University Health (LLUH) network, we have a wonderful opportunity for our LLUH employees where you can earn a Master’s in healthcare administration degree online at nearly HALF of the original cost of the Program using your tuition benefits along with an additional 30% partnership discount!
LLUH employees that will receive the 30% preferred pricing rate include:
If any of these groups already receive LLUH employee benefits, they will not qualify for the 30% preferred pricing rate. LLU employees with tuition benefits will also not qualify for the 30% preferred pricing rate.
The hours required for your practicum may be reduced if you have relevant experience in healthcare management or a clinical degree. This means your current job in a health-care setting (hospital, clinic, insurance company, or dental practice) may serve to fulfill your practicum requirement with an applied practical project. Take your experience as a clinician and add management theory and skills to lead your teams in any setting. Students enrolled in a clinical degree (MD, DDS, etc) will have 400 hours of the requirement waived.
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is generally pursued by those interested in general business management who are undecided to commit to a career goal in healthcare. MBA programs train people to work in a variety of industries and while some have an emphasis on healthcare, the core of the curriculum is general business. MBA programs are typically housed in a School of Business whereas MHA programs are housed in different types of schools including public health, medicine, allied health or policy and usually found on a health sciences campus.
MHA programs are intended to provide students with the essential knowledge required for senior managerial and planning work in the health services and systems sectors. The objectives are to develop graduates who are: competent general and financial managers, competent planners, knowledgeable about public health and the structure, organization and financing of health care systems, knowledgeable about society, law and ethics, and competent in quantitative skills.
Health care is the largest industry in the US and the second largest employer, offering 11 million jobs total. Numerous leadership opportunities are available for those interested in working within hospitals, physicians’ practices, health insurance companies, nursing homes and a variety of other health-centric environments.
The MHA curriculum includes subjects such as human resources, health care delivery, finance, ethics, health policy and business management. MHA students become versed in health-care scheduling, budgets and policies.
Health administration is one of the most rewarding and challenging career opportunities available today. It is rewarding because administrators play a key role in establishing a professional and caring environment in which healthcare services are delivered. In addition, the health-care industry continues to expand, increasing the variety of career paths available.
According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 28 percent from 2022 to 2032.
The healthcare field offers a wide variety of job opportunities in health delivery settings such as hospitals, ambulatory care centers, behavioral health facilities, long term care and rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, home care agencies, and physician group practices. Examples of other settings include insurance companies, Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) and other managed care systems, healthcare consulting firms, regulatory agencies, and professional associations.
For clinical healthcare professionals looking for an education that can prepare them for career advancement, particularly within their current healthcare position, the healthcare-centric approach of an MHA program may seem like an ideal path. The MHA is guided by experienced healthcare leaders instructing fellow healthcare professionals on best healthcare management practices.
According to Becker Hospital Review, 15.2 percent of physicians plan to seek a non-clinical job within healthcare in the next three years. Compared with hospitals run by non-physician administrators, overall hospital quality scores are 25% higher when a physician ran the hospital.
Dual degree programs such as an MD/MHA are designed for those who are interested in the study of medicine as well as the financial and managerial aspects of healthcare. The MHA degree will help accelerate clinicians’ career into management, administration and leadership positions. The practical skills gained from an administration program will help clinicians navigate through the complexity of healthcare delivery systems, equipping them with practical skills necessary to be effective in administration and management.
Expertise and Specialization:
Loma Linda University School of Public Health is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) and has offered healthcare administration as a key program for over 50 years. Students not only gain competencies in both management and public health but understand whole person care from a faith based perspective. Being part of the Loma Linda University Health System, unlike MBA programs offered in Business schools, students learn not only from academics specializing in healthcare but industry experts who integrate relevant and timely cases and apply it in a learning environment.
Strong Curriculum:
Our students graduate with confidence and command in health care competencies. The non- course requirements (i.e., practicum, culminating projects, colloquia, seminars, 1:1 faculty mentorship, leadership assessments, and faith activities) help students gain cutting edge experience and knowledge.
Partnerships:
Life-long learning is promoted through our affiliation with the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), an internationally recognized professional organization with over 48,000 members and local chapters throughout the country. In addition, we are members of the Association of University Programs in Healthcare (AUPHA), a globally recognized organization that focuses on improvements in healthcare education management with over 150 health education programs. The MHA program has an approved candidacy with the Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME), the accreditation body for graduate healthcare management programs. Our collaborations with these organizations helps us to align our curriculum with evidenced-based competencies and ensure we are delivering quality education.
Furthermore, in order to keep our curriculum current while addressing workforce gaps, we have created an Executive Advisory Board made up of healthcare industry leaders who have national and global experience and serve in senior executive positions across the healthcare delivery system. In addition, our partnerships with Loma Linda University Health, Adventist Health, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), and other local organizations give students access to a broad network of contacts that can be utilized for learning and employment prospects. We pride ourselves in that over 90% of our graduates are employed within three months of graduating.
The top MHA programs vary from 2-4 years usually requiring a minimum of 40 semester units (60 quarter units) to ensure the depth of healthcare competencies are met.
