Health Care Administration (M.S.)

Total credit hours

33

Program length

18 months

Mode

100 percent online

Additional information

The Master of Science in health care administration focuses on topics in leadership, innovation, technology, information security and value-based management. The primary objectives of the program are threefold. 

1. Heighten your awareness of the challenges within health care. These include cost containment, the need to increase patient access and the best way to provide quality medical care in order to ensure positive patient experiences and outcomes.

2. Equip you with the skills sets you need.

•  Identify and enhance individual leadership styles and competencies through exploring what it means to be an emotionally intelligent, self-aware leader. 
• Develop or strengthen relational skills in order to expand your professional network. 
•  Learn to become a strategic and innovative leader within the industry through building critical thinking and strong decision-making skills.
• Optimize use of technology and other applicable resources to determine which delivery and reimbursement models best align with certain organizations to support operational volatility and yield sustainable results.

3. Shape you to become an innovative leader who can serve as a catalyst in providing premier services for health care organizations through effective leadership, stewardship and service. 

• Each course requires you to research and/or connect with current leaders within the industry who can share relevant experiences that have made them successful as leaders. This research component will assist you in learning about the latest legislative and administrative changes that affect daily operations.  
• Learn to track and follow the latest industry trends, leading standards and best practices to maintain a competitive advantage within the market. 

Text with an enrollment counselor

Online

For the past 20 years, Trevecca has offered fully online academic programs that allow students to earn their degree in a format that works for them. We understand life is busy and you may not have time to attend classes on campus. Whether you’re a working adult or simply live outside Nashville, we make it easy to focus on one class at a time, any time—24/7. Classes are taught online with books and materials delivered to your front door. Online students also benefit from a cohort model, where students begin and complete their degree alongside a group of other online classmates working toward similar goals. 

With our digital programs, you can expect the same level of quality and rigor that Trevecca has provided students since its inception in 1901. Trevecca is committed to holistic education, encouraging students to grow intellectually, socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually. In 2016, the Carnegie Foundation classified Trevecca as a doctoral university, ranking it among the top 7 percent of schools nationwide. Regionally, the Nashville Business Journal named Trevecca as the fastest growing graduate business school in Middle Tennessee in 2019.

Text with an enrollment counselor

Earning a Master of Science in health care administration prepares you for a wide variety of career opportunities in this expanding field. Combined with your prior work experience, students who finish this program are well-positioned for roles such as these: 

Master’s degree combined with 1-3 years of work experience:

• Supervisory positions
• Roles as a coordinator or specialist (within specific areas) 
• Office manager
• Business manager
• Associate administrator
• Administrative coordinator

Master’s degree combined with 5 or more years of experience:

• Regional vice president (corporate level)
• Hospital administrator
• Nursing home administrator (must possess state licensure)
• Executive director
• Associate C-Suite level 
• Senior VP level(s)
• C-Suite executives (usually 10-15 or more years of experience; sometimes less with a graduate degree)
• Chief executive officer
• Chief operating officer
• Health information director
• Director of operations
• Program manager

Text with an enrollment counselor

How much will it cost?

How am I going to pay for it?

Federal loans and grants are available to all eligible students who complete a FAFSA.
Employer tuition reimbursement opportunities are also an option. 
Monthly payments through Trevecca make fulfilling tuition requirements more manageable.
Trevecca accepts military benefits such as Yellow Ribbon and GI Bills.

How do I qualify?

Fill out your FAFSA. Based on your income, you will know how much federal financial aid you are eligible to receive.
Talk to your employer about tuition reimbursement opportunities.
For military benefits, contact the Academic Records Office at 615.248.1268.

Text with an enrollment counselor

Our three-step enrollment process is fast, easy and free! Simply complete the application, submit your transcripts and we’ll take care of the rest.

Getting started

Complete the free online application. No GRE or GMAT scores required.

Fill out FAFSA to be considered for financial aid.

Request official transcripts from your undergraduate institution.

Admissions requirements 

1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
2. 2.75 cumulative GPA for all prior coursework
3. Completion of a college-level math course with a grade of C or higher
4. Completion of a college-level English course with a grade of C or higher
5. Provide photocopy of government-issued identification (e.g., driver's license, state ID, military ID or passport). This requirement ensures that Trevecca complies with the U.S. Department of Education expectations for student verification. (This is only required for students enrolled in an online program.)

If you feel you may not meet these requirements, please fill out the form below to be connected with an enrollment counselor.

Text with an enrollment counselor

How is the Master of Science in health care administration (MHCA) program different from the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program with an emphasis in health care? 

The MHCA is specifically designed for those who currently work in health care and desire to advance into a leadership position. Either degree can potentially help individuals grow professionally within a health care organization. The MHCA, however, digs deeper into various topics specific to the health industry. It examines legal issues, policy, financial management and other operational roles that leaders will encounter in health care organizations. The MBA focuses more on general business and how to lead any organization. It is more quantitative in nature than the MHCA, requiring more coursework in accounting, finance and statistics.  

Am I required to have a bachelor's degree in health care administration to be accepted? 

No. You need a bachelor’s degree but it can be in an area outside of health care administration in order to be considered for the program. 

Do I need a master's degree to be able to work in health care administration? 

It’s feasible to obtain an entry-level position with a bachelor’s degree. However, to advance into a leadership or management role, a master’s degree is highly preferred. Positions at the director level and higher (C-suite) require a graduate degree. Additionally, you’ll have higher earning potential with a master’s degree. On average, professionals with a master’s degree in health care administration earn more annually than those with a bachelor’s degree in the same field. The starting salary for those with a bachelor’s degree in health care administration is around $40,000 a year, compared with a $60,000 starting salary for those with a master’s degree in health care.*

I’m considering a career in health care. Is there someone I can contact who can explain more about the degree and how I can use it long term?

We recommend speaking with one of our highly knowledgeable enrollment counselors. They can learn about your career goals and interests and then help you determine if pursuing a Master of Science in health care administration is the best path, or if another degree such as an MBA or a Master of Organizational Leadership is a better fit for you. 

Is the degree accredited by the Commission of Accreditation of Health Care Management Education (CAHME)?

No—although it’s something we may consider for the future. From our experience, many employers do not place a high priority on this specific accreditation. Rather, they value the fact that a candidate has obtained a graduate degree from an accredited university. Trevecca is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Other important factors include whether a job candidate demonstrates professionalism and is a good fit for the organization. Employers also esteem individuals who are dependent, eager to learn and possess knowledge about the vacant position. 

*Data from U.S. New & World Report 

Text with an enrollment counselor

Not certain if the health care administration program is the right fit for you? Consider these two additional options.

Master of Business Administration 

With an emphasis on leadership and service, Trevecca’s MBA program prepares you to become a competent, globally-aware business professional who acts with integrity and virtue. The MBA focuses on advanced business acumen and how to lead within an organization. It offers instruction on topics such as business analytics; accounting and finance for managers; business ethics and organizational culture development; and marketing management.  

If you're looking to get ahead in the business world while practically integrating faith and business, Trevecca's MBA is for you. As part of the degree, our professional mentoring program not only allows you to connect with Nashville professionals to network and build your community, but also enables you to develop your professional leadership skills. 

The health care administration track

You can also tailor your MBA goals with a specialty track in health care administration. This track is designed specifically for students who want to advance within their current health care organization or change career paths through an entry-level management position in health care. The program provides a solid foundation in general knowledge of health care administration, which assists students in exploring how they can create value in this complex and exciting industry. Coursework includes: 

• Legal and regulatory issues in health care
• Quality health care management
• Health care strategy

Master of Organizational Leadership

Designed as an interdisciplinary program, the Master of Organizational Leadership draws from communications, religion and business to provide you with a balanced perspective on leadership within an organization. Trevecca's holistic approach to instruction will expand your knowledge on strategic thinking, innovative problem-solving and organizational change models. 

The program focuses on these three levels of leadership:

• Personal leadership development
• Interpersonal/group leadership
• Organizational impact

The Master of Organizational Leadership is designed to connect businesses and organizations to the people who represent them. Regardless of the industry or field, every organization has a unique culture. This program will help you to understand those cultures and positively impact the people who define these organizational structures. 

Text with an enrollment counselor